Student Health Self-Evaluation and Gender Differences at the University of Zagreb

STUDENT HEALTH SELF-EVALUATION AND GENDER DIFFERENCES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB

1Jelka Gošnik, 2Natalija Špehar, 3Ksenija Fučkar Reichel, 4Marjeta Mišigoj-Duraković

1Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Croatia

2Technical Polytechnics Zagreb, Croatia

3Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia

4Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Croatia

ABSTRACT

The satisfactory health of a student is important for the overall quality of life and the achievement of required academic goals during undergraduate study. The aim of this research is to examine a health survey conducted among freshmen during the academic year 2011/2012 at the University of Zagreb in Croatia. The survey involved a random sample of 745 students (568 female and 177 male). The survey was voluntary, non-anonymous and aimed at improving the quality of Physical Education program, which is mandatory for freshmen at the University of Zagreb. During self-evaluation the students used a five-level Likert’s scale from 1 (none) to 5 (very high).

The collected data are analyzed using standard statistical methods. We calculated the central tendency and used t-test to examine the significance of difference. The difference between males and females determined by the t-test shows a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean values for the following variables: low blood pressure, circulation, lack of energy, headaches and migraines. These results show an increased level of various health problems among freshmen, stressing the importance of regular physical activity in order to adequately deal with an increasingly demanding student life.

Key words: survey, health, freshmen, institutions of higher education

INTRODUCTION

The Latin phraseMenssana incorporesano has long been known and it’s true motto forphysical education programs in higher education,where healthin connectionwithphysical activity may be treated as a naturalpharmacy.Health Educationis also mentioned in Article69 (paragraph 12)of the Statute of the University of Zagreb, Croatia,as part of amandatorycoursePhysical Education in the firstand second yearof undergraduate studies.

In the year 2000 the Senateof the University ofZagreb confirmedtheimportance of health education for thestudent population with a single aim of preserving andimproving thehealth ofstudents.

As of 2008, and respecting therecommendationof the Senate, thecurriculum for the course calledPhysical Education has been approved at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and permanentlydedicated to the following tasks:

1. emphasizing theimportance ofhealth educationinorder to maintain andimprove health,

2. familiarizing students withthe risksof various addictions for their health

3.promoting theimportanceof quality nutritioninintellectual and physicalefforts,
4.monitoringbody compositionand preventing obesity,

5.informing studentsabout the resultsof current research inhealth issues.
Manyscientific studies point to the benefits ofphysical activityas an important factor in preserving health.

THE SUBJECT MATTER AND THE PROBLEM

Healthgoes far beyondtraditional medicalservices, to whichthearea ofphysical education contributes as well (Bungić 2009). Accordingly, within the required teaching of physical educationin higher education,and signaling the importance ofregularexercise, current andpotential healthstatus comes in the focus of attention. There are attempts to improve and sustain the health status offreshmen through the implementation of specific objectives so that students who are engagedinphysical exercisedirectly or indirectlycontribute totheir healthstatus.

Teachers in higher educationhave an important role inthis context, because they can assess the condition of each individualwith regard to theirspecificstudy, and thus undertake appropriateactions to “cure” it. Croatia is the only European country withcompulsoryphysical education and teachers of Health Education are the last formalstep inthe education of students. It is therefore necessary to instruct young persons with regard to their “health-related behavior” (modernconstruct,the product ofresearch interms of health-Elliott1993).

METHODS

The Aim of Research

The aim of this research was to determine the subjective evaluation of healthe issues in first-year male and female students at the University of Zagreb in Croatia, during the academic year 2011/2012.

The Sample and the Instrument

The study wasconducted ona targeted sample of 745freshmen in the undergraduate program at the Facultyof Humanities and Social Sciences(FF). 177 (23.763%) were male,and 568(76.24%) female.

The evaluation ofthe health statusof the examineeswas carried outby through a questionnaire, which was filled in voluntarily andnon-anonymously. The questionnaire in a broader sensecomprises 26variables.

The Sample of Variables

The respondents’ choices were numerical and in grades, expressed on a five-level Likert scale to 1 quantitative variable, by circling numbers on a scale to determine the subjective seriousness or ease of their own health problems. This paper presents a single processed variable, determined by the choice of 20 subvariables.

Data Processing Methods

We have calculated basic statistical parameters for 20 issues by gender and overall. The Statistica 7.0 software package was used for statistical evaluation. The original values without any data transformations were used in the study. Basic statistics was used for the description of the studied population. The difference between male and female population was assessed using t-test.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1: Frequency (N) and percentage of first-year male students at the University of Zagreb according to the intensity of measured health issues
Which of the following health
issues do you have and to
what extent? / MALE (M)
None / Little / Moderately / High / Very high / Missing
No / Health issues / N / % / N / % / N / % / N / % / N / % / N / %
1 / Neck spine / 124 / 70.06 / 33 / 18.64 / 7 / 3.95 / 3 / 1.69 / 0 / 0.00 / 10 / 5.65
2 / Thoracic spine / 143 / 80.79 / 15 / 8.47 / 8 / 4.52 / 2 / 1.13 / 0 / 0.00 / 9 / 5.08
3 / Lumbar spine / 131 / 74.01 / 21 / 11.86 / 11 / 6.21 / 4 / 2.26 / 0 / 0.00 / 10 / 5.65
4 / Legs (hips, knees, feet) / 105 / 59.32 / 37 / 20.90 / 18 / 10.17 / 7 / 3.95 / 0 / 0.00 / 10 / 5.65
5 / Shoulders and arms / 133 / 75.14 / 23 / 12.99 / 9 / 5.08 / 0 / 0.00 / 2 / 1.13 / 10 / 5.65
6 / Deformity of the spine
(scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis) / 140 / 79.10 / 11 / 6.21 / 10 / 5.65 / 7 / 3.95 / 0 / 0.00 / 9 / 5.08
7 / Circulation / 136 / 76.84 / 18 / 10.17 / 10 / 5.65 / 2 / 1.13 / 1 / 0.56 / 10 / 5.65
8 / High blood pressure / 143 / 80.79 / 14 / 7.91 / 6 / 3.39 / 3 / 1.69 / 0 / 0.00 / 11 / 6.21
9 / Low blood pressure / 142 / 80.23 / 12 / 6.78 / 10 / 5.65 / 3 / 1.69 / 0 / 0.00 / 10 / 5.65
10 / Heart disease / 151 / 85.31 / 13 / 7.34 / 1 / 0.56 / 2 / 1.13 / 0 / 0.00 / 10 / 5.65
11 / Diseases of the respiratory
system / 116 / 65.54 / 32 / 18.08 / 14 / 7.91 / 6 / 3.39 / 0 / 0.00 / 9 / 5.08
12 / Allergies / 106 / 59.89 / 23 / 12.99 / 19 / 10.73 / 17 / 9.60 / 6 / 3.39 / 6 / 3.39
13 / Eye diseases / 105 / 59.32 / 23 / 12.99 / 21 / 11.86 / 15 / 8.47 / 3 / 1.69 / 10 / 5.65
14 / Ear diseases / 141 / 79.66 / 19 / 10.73 / 2 / 1.13 / 4 / 2.26 / 0 / 0.00 / 11 / 6.21
15 / Diabetes / 163 / 92.09 / 2 / 1.13 / 0 / 0.00 / 0 / 0.00 / 1 / 0.56 / 11 / 6.21
16 / Obesity / 135 / 76.27 / 22 / 12.43 / 10 / 5.65 / 0 / 0.00 / 0 / 0.00 / 10 / 5.65
17 / Lack of appetite / 146 / 82.49 / 15 / 8.47 / 4 / 2.26 / 2 / 1.13 / 2 / 1.13 / 8 / 4.52
18 / Headaches, migraines / 118 / 66.67 / 29 / 16.38 / 14 / 7.91 / 7 / 3.95 / 1 / 0.56 / 8 / 4.52
19 / Lack of energy / 97 / 54.8 / 42 / 23.73 / 16 / 9.04 / 9 / 5.08 / 5 / 2.82 / 8 / 4.52
20 / Insomnia / 103 / 58.19 / 27 / 15.25 / 19 / 10.73 / 15 / 8.47 / 6 / 3.39 / 7 / 3.95
Table 2: Frequency (N) and percentage of first-year female students at the University of Zagreb according to the intensity of measured health issues
Which of the following health
issues do you have and to
what extent? / FEMALE (F)
None / Little / Moderately / High / Very high / Missing
No / Health issues / N / % / N / % / N / % / N / % / N / % / N / %
1 / Neck spine / 366 / 64.44 / 84 / 14.79 / 59 / 10.39 / 22 / 3.87 / 5 / 0.88 / 32 / 5.63
2 / Thoracic spine / 450 / 79.23 / 43 / 7.57 / 28 / 4.93 / 8 / 1.41 / 3 / 0.53 / 36 / 6.34
3 / Lumbar spine / 412 / 72.54 / 44 / 7.75 / 48 / 8.45 / 19 / 3.35 / 7 / 1.23 / 38 / 6.69
4 / Legs (hips, knees, feet) / 332 / 58.45 / 79 / 13.91 / 76 / 13.38 / 32 / 5.63 / 12 / 2.11 / 37 / 6.51
5 / Shoulders and arms / 425 / 74.82 / 65 / 11.44 / 28 / 4.93 / 6 / 1.06 / 3 / 0.53 / 41 / 7.22
6 / Deformity of the spine
(scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis) / 411 / 72.36 / 40 / 7.04 / 40 / 7.04 / 33 / 5.81 / 12 / 2.11 / 32 / 5.63
7 / Circulation / 345 / 60.74 / 79 / 13.91 / 74 / 13.03 / 27 / 4.75 / 6 / 1.06 / 37 / 6.51
8 / High blood pressure / 492 / 86.62 / 26 / 4.58 / 6 / 1.06 / 2 / 0.35 / 3 / 0.53 / 39 / 6.87
9 / Low blood pressure / 358 / 63.03 / 62 / 10.92 / 57 / 10.04 / 40 / 7.04 / 18 / 3.17 / 33 / 5.81
10 / Heart disease / 490 / 86.27 / 24 / 4.23 / 11 / 1.94 / 2 / 0.35 / 2 / 0.35 / 39 / 6.87
11 / Diseases of the respiratory
system / 390 / 68.66 / 64 / 11.27 / 50 / 8.80 / 14 / 2.46 / 14 / 2.46 / 36 / 6.34
12 / Allergies / 349 / 61.44 / 72 / 12.68 / 56 / 9.86 / 41 / 7.22 / 17 / 2.99 / 33 / 5.81
13 / Eye diseases / 289 / 50.88 / 85 / 14.96 / 85 / 14.96 / 63 / 11.09 / 19 / 3.35 / 27 / 4.75
14 / Ear diseases / 475 / 83.63 / 45 / 7.92 / 10 / 1.76 / 1 / 0.18 / 1 / 0.18 / 36 / 6.34
15 / Diabetes / 528 / 92.96 / 1 / 0.18 / 1 / 0.18 / 1 / 0.18 / 1 / 0.18 / 36 / 6.34
16 / Obesity / 421 / 74.12 / 60 / 10.56 / 36 / 6.34 / 14 / 2.46 / 5 / 0.88 / 32 / 5.63
17 / Lack of appetite / 463 / 81.51 / 42 / 7.39 / 15 / 2.64 / 9 / 1.58 / 2 / 0.35 / 37 / 6.51
18 / Headaches, migraines / 287 / 50.53 / 120 / 21.13 / 81 / 14.26 / 36 / 6.34 / 15 / 2.64 / 29 / 5.11
19 / Lack of energy / 215 / 37.85 / 146. / 25.7 / 106 / 18.66 / 59 / 10.39 / 13 / 2.29 / 29 / 5.11
20 / Insomnia / 303 / 53.35 / 116 / 20.42 / 72 / 12.68 / 30 / 5.28 / 16 / 2.82 / 31 / 5.46
Table 3. Mean values ± standard deviation (SD) for various health issues, graded from
1 (none) to 5 (very high) for males and females, and the results of t-test between males
and females for first-year students at the University of Zagreb * statistically different at p<0.05
Health issues / Males / Femals / t-test
Mean / N / SD / Mean / N / SD / t / p
1 / Neck spine / 1.34 / 167 / 0.65 / 1.54 / 536 / 0.91 / -2.67 / 0.007861*
2 / Thoracic spine / 1.22 / 168 / 0.58 / 1.25 / 532 / 0.67 / -0.58 / 0.562039
3 / Lumbar spine / 1.33 / 167 / 0.71 / 1.42 / 530 / 0.89 / -1.26 / 0.209300
4 / Legs (hips, knees, feet) / 1.56 / 167 / 0.85 / 1.71 / 531 / 1.06 / -1.59 / 0.111946
5 / Shoulders and arms / 1.29 / 167 / 0.68 / 1.29 / 527 / 0.67 / 0.12 / 0.908151
6 / Deformity of the spine
(scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis) / 1.31 / 168 / 0.77 / 1.50 / 536 / 1.02 / -2.21 / 0.027414*
7 / Circulation / 1.29 / 167 / 0.69 / 1.63 / 531 / 0.98 / -4.15 / 0.000037*
8 / High blood pressure / 1.21 / 166 / 0.59 / 1.11 / 529 / 0.46 / 2.40 / 0.016706*
9 / Low blood pressure / 1.25 / 167 / 0.64 / 1.69 / 535 / 1.13 / -4.81 / 0.000002*
10 / Heart disease / 1.13 / 167 / 0.44 / 1.11 / 529 / 0.46 / 0.31 / 0.760185
11 / Diseases of the respiratory
system / 1.46 / 168 / 0.80 / 1.49 / 532 / 0.96 / -0.35 / 0.729214
12 / Allergies / 1.80 / 171 / 1.19 / 1.70 / 535 / 1.12 / 0.94 / 0.346016
13 / Eye diseases / 1.73 / 167 / 1.10 / 1.96 / 542 / 1.21 / -2.19 / 0.028675*
14 / Ear diseases / 1.21 / 166 / 0.58 / 1.14 / 532 / 0.43 / 1.79 / 0.073148*
15 / Diabetes / 1.04 / 166 / 0.33 / 1.02 / 532 / 0.24 / 0.75 / 0.455810
16 / Obesity / 1.25 / 167 / 0.56 / 1.36 / 536 / 0.80 / -1.67 / 0.095721
17 / Lack of appetite / 1.22 / 169 / 0.66 / 1.20 / 531 / 0.60 / 0.32 / 0.749478
18 / Headaches, migraines / 1.49 / 169 / 0.86 / 1.83 / 539 / 1.08 / -3.83 / 0.000139*
19 / Lack of energy / 1.72 / 169 / 1.04 / 2.09 / 539 / 1.12 / -3.86 / 0.000126*
20 / Insomnia / 1.79 / 170 / 1.16 / 1.77 / 537 / 1.07 / 0.18 / 0.857180

The difference between males and females was assessed by t-test. Table 3 shows a statistically significant difference (p< 0.05) in the mean values for the following variables: neck spine, deformity of the spine, circulation, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, eye diseases, ear diseases, headaches, migraines and lack of energy.

The most striking difference was found for the variables which involved problems with low blood pressure, circulation, lack of energy, and headaches and migraines.

According to the mean values (Table 3) for various health issues graded from 1 (none) to 5 (very high) for the first-year students at University of Zagreb, it can be concluded that the student population in the academic year 2011/2012 is relatively healthy, with the mean value usually below 2 regardless of gender. When comparing male and female population, it was evident that females exhibited somewhat higher values of the variables connected to spine problems, problems with circulation, low blood pressure, eye problems, problems with weight, problems with headaches and migraines as well as lack of energy. On the contrary, male population showed a higher value for the following health issues: high blood pressure, heart diseases, ear diseases, diabetes, lack of appetite and insomnia.

CONCLUSION

The obtained results indicate differences by gender, and the existence of an increased level of health issues in students. These are persons who are present for a certain period of time and in this time they form a certain lifestyle that is beneficiary of harmful for their. The education which guides the young people towards a healthy lifestyle is an interdisciplinary task. A motivated teacher who runs a course in physical education in higher education institutions influences the development of health education strategy and, consequently, becomes the most influential person whose duty is to encourage and lead young people to embrace a healthy lifestyle and a proper way of studying.

The results we obtained are crucial in the care for regular physical activity that stresses the importance of promoting a healthy, quality lifestyle for successful studies at the time of study, and of acquiring a lifelong habit in the development of normal biological, social, and mental state.

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viewed: 8th August 2012, 19:54.