SUPERVISOR’S CERTIFICATE

I, hereby certify that Mr. Zahir Rehman Roll No. 15-232, has successfully completed
research project, entitled “Socio demographic determinants and health practices in
students of Ayub medical college”.

He has been working under my supervision. The enclosed report is prepared according to
the departmental guidelines. I have read the thesis and have found it satisfactory as per
requirement of the department.

Signature: ________________ __________________

Dr. Zainab Nazneen Dr. Hamid Awan

Department Stamp:

1|Page
 Acknowledgement:

I am so grateful to all my respected teachers for their valuable lectures regarding research
methodology. I wish to acknowledge with thanks the assistance and guidance of the
community medicine department for their devoted and untiring efforts which made me able
to complete my research project.

I wish special thanks to Dr. Zainab Nazneen, Dr. Hamid awan, Dr. Umar farooq, Dr.
Salim Wazir, Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad, Dr. Zeeshan, Dr. Urooj, Dr. Awais ur Rahman, Dr. Adnan
Rashid .

I also acknowledge the valuable contribution of our supervisor Dr. Zainab Nazneen and

co-supervisor Dr. Hamid awan for their encouragement and guidance throughout the research

work. Last but not the least I want to thank all the participants and the batch-mates for their

valuable time and help in this study.

Zahir Rehman

4th MBBS

Roll No: 15-232

2|Page
 Table of contents:

S. No Titles Page Number

1. Supervisor’s certificate

2. Acknowledgement

3. Table of contents

4. Abstract

5. Introduction

6. Literature Review

7. Objectives

8. Materials and Methods

9. Results

10. Discussion

11. Conclusion

12. Recommendations

13. References

14. Questionnaire

3|Page
 Abstract:

Background:

Socio demographic are two words, social (related to sociology) and demographic (related
to population) characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, educational level income,
location and size of family. Health Practices refer to those actions by which individuals can
prevent diseases and promote self-care, cope with challenges, and develop self-reliance, solve
problems and make choices that not only enhance health, but also influence the social,
economic, and environmental factors of the decisions people make about their health. Many
universities and colleges have conducted different studies in health practices but our aim is to
find the frequency and relationship between different health practices and socio demographic
determinants in AMC.

Objectives:

1: To determine the socio-demographic characteristics of medical and dental students of

Ayub Medical College.

2: To determine the health practices of medical and dental students of Ayub Medical College.

Materials and Methods:

This analytical cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among

undergraduate medical students of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad. The sample size
comprised of 250 students from 1st year to Final year MBBS and BDS students. 40 students
were from each of the class among which 20 were males and 20 females. Data were collected
through a prepared questionnaire. All the collected data were analyzed by using SPSS version
16.0. Descriptive data analysis was conducted and reported as frequencies and percentages.

Results:

In this study, the mean values of the different variables are; age 21.53, family size 7.42,
height 1.64 meters, weight of respondents 65 kg, time of exercise was 24 minutes, number of
cigarettes per day 1.17 cigarettes per day, bed time was 7.87 hours sleep and the mean BMI
of students was 24.5.

4|Page
Conclusion:

In our study we concluded that, the dietary habits and life style of a medical student is
healthy in some aspects like junk food and soft drink consumption are less and majority of
students consume fresh fruits among medical students. Also physical inactivity is noticed in
majority of students. Physical activity is higher among single students as compared to
married students. Physical activity is higher in boarder students and less in day scholars.
Majority of students are non smokers from upper socioeconomic status. Majority of students
were from middle class students. Also majority of students were non smokers whom mothers
educational level are post graduate and those students whose mothers are uneducated are
smokers in majority. Also majority of hostel students are smokers.

Key Words: Socio demographic determinants, Health practices, Medical students.

5|Page
Introduction:

Socio demographic characteristics or determinant include such as age, gender,

education, migration background and ethnicity, religious affiliation, marital status, household,
employment, and income. Health practices is the one which helps to keep and improve
people's health and well-being. Health practices is associated with proper diet, physical
exercise, proper sleeping, personal hygiene, absence of bad habits or addiction,
health education, physical fitness, emotions and avoiding drugs and smoking etc. Health
practices have been shown to have an impact on subjective views of health, including self-
rated health and global quality of life,1 findings that support the WHO's definition of health
as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of
disease." A huge amount of data report shows that several socio-demographic characters,
such as age, gender, level of literacy, education, marital status, and the individual’s income to
be significantly associated with health related quality of life.2,3

Globally, there is rising prevalence of overweight and obesity in both developing and
developed countries.4 Studies among university students in developing countries show high
prevalence of overweight and obesity: Africa (Nigeria: 10%5; Egypt: 25.3%–59.4%6, 7South
Africa: 10.8%–24%7; Asia (Bangladesh: 20.8%8; China: 2.9%–14.3%9; Malaysia: 20%–
30.1%10, Thailand: 31%11, Pakistan: 13%–52.6%12, and India: 11%–37.5%13; Latin America
(Colombia: 12.4%–16.7%14; Mexico: 31.6%15, the Middle and Near East (Saudi females:
47.9% 16, Oman: 28.2%17 Kuwait: 42%18, Iran 12.4%19, and Turkey: 10%–47.4%20). The
prevalence of smoking among medical students in 2004 showed that 6.4% were regular
smokers and 34.3% were former smokers.21

Regard the well-known benefits of regular physical activity, it is estimated that over 60%
of the world's population is not physically active enough to gain health benefits. Statistics for
Pakistani population are also similar; a study is conducted in Pakistan and found that majority
of adults in Pakistan was physically inactive.22 Urbanization and modernization has mainly
contributed to epidemic of obesity through reduced level of physical activity.23 Therefore, It
is imperative to know about the factors associated with physical inactivity, and the obstacle to
physical activity particularly between inactive individuals.

6|Page
 There are many different factors that can affect your health. These include aging, gender,
diet, physical activity, socioeconomic status etc. A prominent hypothesis in the literature has
been shown that the increased mortality risk associated with low levels of income and
education is due to an increased prevalence of risky health practices, such as smoking, party
drinking and physical inactivity.24 However, many research and theory demonstrates that
such practices develop from a complex interplay of factors, including income, education,
gender, age, social support, cultural background and physical environment, which create a
range of life contexts within which an individual's capacity to adopt healthy practices is either
enhanced or constrained. In recent years, differences in health outcomes by socio-economic
status have been recognized as a persisting trend in public health.24

The basic purpose of this study is to determine the socio-demographic characteristics and
health lifestyle of the medical and dental students of Ayub Medical College. Now a day
student are not that serious about their healthy practices (Proper diet, physical exercise,
proper sleeping, personal hygiene etc). Hence this study seeks to find out how serious the
students are about their health.

7|Page
LITERATURE REVIEW:

Life expectancy is slowly increased over the past few decades, and this surge is expected
to continue in developed countries.25 A turning point in this field of research was the model
proposed by Rowe and Kahn, who defined Healthy Aging as having a low risk of disease and
disease-related disability, high cognitive and physical functional capacity, and being actively
engaged with life.26 While a consensual definition of Healthy Aging(HA) is not agreed upon,
a number of potentially modifiable lifestyle factors that could influence quality of aging were
identified, such as smoking status, physical activity, and diet.27,28 A gender perspective is not
about sex differences, but analytic looks at the impact of gender (as a social construction) on
psychosocial factors that influence health behaviors and lifestyles. Among women and men,
those 60 years and older had the healthiest lifestyles (84.8% and 75.7%, respectively), with
consistently higher proportions seen in women of all age groups. Regarding race/skin color,
those who self-reported being white/Caucasian or, particularly, those of Asian origin were
considered to lead healthier lifestyles. Blacks, mixed-race (brown-skinned or mixed color)
and indigenous individuals were at a greater disadvantage in terms of healthy behaviors,
regardless of sex.

Unfortunately, today’s world has been adapted to a system of consumption of foods which
has several adverse effects on human health. Lifestyle changes has compelled us so much that
one has so little time to really think what we are eating is a healthy diet! Globalization has
seriously affected one’s eating habits and enforced many people to consume fancy and high
calorie fast foods, popularly known as Junk foods. Basic nutrients, such as carbohydrates,
fats, and proteins, are the basis of all life activities. The main aim of nutrition is to prevent
and to treat nutritional deficiencies. However, when nutrition is adequate or excessive, the
body faces the problems of quantitative control of the nutrients absorption and storage.
Modern diet relates to ‘Junk food’ that simply means an empty calorie food. These foods
does not contain the nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy. Hence, this food that has
poor dietetic values is considered unhealthy and may be called as junk food.29

The benefits of regular physical activity have been clearly set out across the life course.
Physical activity is described as body movement that expends energy and raises the heart
rate. Inactivity is classed as physical activity of less than 30 minutes a week, and sedentary
time means time spent in low-energy postures, e.g. sitting or lying. Globally, physical

8|Page
inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for mortality (accounting for 6% of deaths). This
follows high blood pressure (13%), tobacco use (9%) and high blood glucose (6%). Obesity
and overweight are responsible for 5% of global mortality. It is known that regular physical
activity helps to prevent and to manage over chronic conditions including coronary heart
disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity, mental health problems and musculoskeletal
conditions. Evidence shows that there is a link between physical activity and good mental
wellbeing. Physical activity is one of the most basic human functions and needs which has
benefits across the lifespan and according to Gordon Larsen et al (2007) there is strong
evidence that children and adolescents benefit from physical activity through improved:
cardio respiratory and muscular fitness, bone health, cardiovascular and metabolic health
biomarkers; and there is a growing body of evidence that inactive children are more likely to
become inactive adults. Hence, It is important to introduce physical activity at early age.

Health is correlated to people’s socioeconomic status and lifestyle. We divide the concept
of socioeconomic status into four domains—education, financial resources, rank, and race
and ethnicity—arguing that each of these deserves attention in its own right. The scientific
study of this relationship between socioeconomic status and health dates back at least as far
as the nineteenth century, when researchers investigated differences in health outcomes
among royalty, the landed elite, and the working class in Europe. In the 1960s, academics
generally believed that at least in developed countries, health inequality would be reduced
with the help of medical technology and economic development.30 The correlation between
socioeconomic status and health outcomes persists across the life time and across multiple
measures of health, including health status, morbidity, mortality, self-assessed health, and
disease prevalence.31 In societies rich and poor, those of greater privilege tend to enjoy better
health. Evidence shows that socioeconomic status affects individual’s health outcomes and
the health care they receive. Low socioeconomic status people are more likely to have worse
health practices, lower life expectancy, and suffer from more chronic conditions when
compared with those of higher socioeconomic status. Adults with higher levels of education
are less likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as smoking and drinking, and are more
likely to have healthy behaviors related to diet and exercise compare to uneducated. Race and
ethnicity matter when it comes to health. Health practices among racial and ethnic groups are
influenced by inequities or differences associated with behavioral and environmental risk
factors, and access to health resources. Blacks experience higher rates of chronic health
issues such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, infant mortality rates, HIV transmission rates

9|Page
and rates of obesity. Native Americans are also more likely to have diabetes compared to all
other racial and ethnic groups. Native Americans also suffer from higher rates of mental
disorders compared to other groups, and are more likely to suicide at rates twice as high as
the national average.

Geography and health are intrinsically linked. Where we are born, live, study and work
directly influences our health experiences: the air we breathe, the food we eat, the viruses we
are exposed to and the health services we can access. The social, built and natural
environments affect our health and well-being in ways that are directly relevant to health
policy. The geographic context of places and the connectedness between places plays a major
role in shaping environmental risks as well as many other health effects.32 For example,
locating health care facilities, targeting public health strategies or monitoring disease
outbreaks all have a geographic context. A brief study was conducted in Canada. So most of
the unhealthy practices among women was dominated in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.
Quebec and Prince Edward Island have the highest rates of smoking (32%), followed closely
by Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia (31% each). Quebec has the highest
reported rate of regular drinkers (57%). In light of the concentration of poor health practices
in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, it is interesting that Quebec has the highest rate of
excellent/very good self-reported health (27% among men and women), followed closely by
Newfoundland and Labrador (26%). The healthiest practices were found in British Columbia,
where rates of physical activity may be higher partly because of more clement weather and a
distinct culture that values physical exercise. British Columbia and Alberta have the highest
reported rates of physical activity (27% and 26% respectively).

Objectives:

1: To determine the socio-demographic characteristics of medical and dental students of

Ayub Medical College.

2: To determine the health practices of medical and dental students of Ayub Medical College.

Study Methodology:

Study design:

10 | P a g e
 Cross sectional study

Setting:

Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbotaabad

Duration:

8 months (From November 2018 to June 2019)

Study population:

All students of AMC from first year to final year MBBS and BDS

Sample Size:

250 students

Sample Technique:

Cross sectional questionnaire based study was conducted.

Inclusion Criteria:

All students of Ayub medical college from first year to final year MBBS and BDS,

including both male and female student, whether boarder or day scholars.

Exclusion Criteria:

Those students who were migrated from Ayub medical college were not included in our

study.

Ethical Consideration:
11 | P a g e
 An informed verbal consent was obtained from all students who participated in the study.
Procedure and purpose of the study was explained before asking questions. Data was only
accessible to those who conducted the study.

Data Collection:

Tool used for data collection was a structured questionnaire which was developed by
including variables of interest. Each student of research group prepared his own
questionnaire. Questionnaire was finalized by supervisor after discussion. All students of
research batch collected data from April15 to May 15.

Data analysis:

The data was analyzed by using SPSS version 16.0. Frequency and percentage tables and
figures were used to describe the results. Chi square and p value were also used for testing the
statistical significance. The statistical significance was set at < 0.05.

Result:

A total of 250 medical students were enrolled in our study. Out of which 250 students
responded back with response rate of 100%. Different result statistics turned out to be as
under.
Table No. 1: Mean of variables

Std.
N Minimum Maximum Mean Deviation

Age in years 250 19 29 21.53 1.489

Size of family 250 3 22 7.42 3.155
Height in meters 249 1.20 1.89 1.6424 0.14944
Weight in kilogram 250 42.00 90.00 64.9000 10.58462

12 | P a g e
Time for exercise in
250 0.00 120.00 24.4000 31.07899
minutes
No.of cigarettes per day 250 0.00 15.00 1.1760 2.87787
Average bed time in
250 4.00 16.00 7.8760 2.02113
hours
BMI 250 14.68 41.66 24.5256 5.56156

Table no 1 shows the mean of variables. Out of 250 students mean age of the students
was 21.53(+1.48) with a range of 19 to 29 from minimum to maximum. The mean family
size of the students was 7.42(+ 3.15) with a range of 3 to 22 from minimum to maximum.
The mean height of students was 1.64 meters (+ 0.14 meters) with a range of 1.20 to 1.89
meters from minimum to maximum. The mean weight of the students was 64.9 kg (+ 10.5
kg) with a range of 42 to 90 kg from minimum to maximum. The mean time of exercise in
minutes of students was 24(+ 31.0) with a range of 0.00 to 120 minutes from minimum to
maximum. Out of 250, the average no of cigarettes per day was 1.17 (+2.87) with a range of
0 to 15 cigarettes per day from minimum to maximum. Mean bed time of the student in hours
of 7.87(+ 2.02) with a range of 4 to 16 hours from minimum to maximum. Mean BMI of
respondents was 24.5(+5.56) with a range of 14.68 to 41.66 from minimum to maximum.

Gender Of Respondents

Male
Female

13 | P a g e
 Fig No. 1: Gender of the respondent
Fig no 1 shows the gender of respondent. Out of 250(100%) respondent, 170(68%) were
male while 80(32%) were female.

Marital status of Respondents

Marital status of Respondents

244

Married

Single

Fig No 2: Marital status of Respondents

Fig no 2 shows the marital status of respondent. Out of 250(100%), 6(2.4%) were married
while 244(97.6%) were unmarried.

Maternal Education
Maternal Education

109

5 21 54
21 34

Uneducated
Middle
Matric
Intermediate
Graduate
Postgraduate

14 | P a g e
 Fig NO 3: Maternal Education

Fig no 3 shows the maternal education. Out of 250(100%), 109(43.6%) were uneducated, till
primary were 6(2.4%), till middle were 5(2.0%), till matric were 21(8.4%),till intermediate
were 21(8.4%),till graduate level were 34(13.6%) and those whom have reached to post-
graduate level were 54(21.6%).

Routine of Exercise
Routine of Exercise

127

123

Yes

No

Fig No 4: Routine of Exercise

Fig no 4 shows routine of exercise. Out of 250(100%) students, 127(50.8%) students had
regular routine of exercise while 123(49.2%) students were not regular in their exercise.

15 | P a g e
 Socioeconomic Status
Socioeconomic Status

125

53
72

Lower
Middle
Upper

Fig No 5: Socioeconomic Status

Fig no 5 shows socioeconomic status of the students. Out of 250(100%) students, 125(50%)
students were belong to middle class family, 53(21.2%) students were belong to lower class
family and 72(28.8%) students were belong to upper class family.

Table No. 2: Residence of student

Frequency Percent

Boarder 188 75.2

Day scholar 62 24.8
Total 250 100.0

Table no 2 shows the residence of the student. Out of 250(100%), 188(75.2%) students are
boarder and 62(24.8%) students are day scholar.

Table No. 3: Frequency of Exercise

Frequency Percent

Daily 6 2.4

16 | P a g e
 Twice weekly 17 6.8
Weekly 27 10.8
Sometimes 26 10.4
Rarely 52 20.8
NA 122 48.8
Total 250 100.0

Table no 3 shows frequency of exercise of total of 250 students. The frequency of daily are
6(2.4%), twice weekly 17(6.8%), weekly 27(10.8%), sometimes 26(10.4%), rarely
52(20.8%), and 122(48.8%) do not exercise.

Table No. 4: Food consumed

Frequency Percent

Healthy 194 77.6

Junk 56 22.4
Total 250 100.0

Table no 4 shows food consumption in total of 250(100%) students. Out of 250(100%),

194(77.6%) were eating healthy while 56(22.4%) were eating junk food.

Table No. 5: Fruits consumption

Frequency Percent

Yes 139 55.6

No 111 44.4
Total 250 100.0

Table no 5 shows the fruits consumption. Out of 250(100%), 139(55.6%) eats fruits while
111(44.4%) are not eating at all.

Table No. 6: Soft drinks consumption

Frequency Percent

17 | P a g e
 Daily 28 11.2
2-3 times weekly 79 31.6
Weekly 39 15.6
Rarely 88 35.2
Never 16 6.4
Total 250 100.0

Table no 6 shows soft drinks consumption in total of 250 students. The frequency of daily
consumer were 28(11.2%), 2-3 times weekly 79(31.6%), weekly 39(15.6%), rarely
88(35.2%), and the frequency of students whom never drink were 16(6.4%).

Table No. 7: Residence of student and soft drinks consumption

Soft drinks consumption

2-3 times
Daily weekly Weekly Rarely Never Total

Residence of Boarder 25 65 20 64 14 188

student Day scholar 3 14 19 24 2 62
Total 28 79 39 88 16 250

Chi square value: 18.65 p value: 0.001

Table no 7 shows the relationship between residence of the student and soft drinks
consumption. These relationship is significant as shown in table evidenced by chi square
value:18.65 and P value:0.001.

Table No. 8: Residence of student in relation to routine of exercise

Routine of exercise

yes no Total

Residence of Boarder 99 89 188

student Day scholar 28 34 62
Total 127 123 250

Chi square value: 1.04 P value: 0.306

18 | P a g e
Out of 250(100%), 188(75.2%) students are boarder and 62(24.8%) students are day scholar.
In 188(100%) of boarder 99(52.6%) had regular routine of exercise while 89(47.4%) were
not regular in their routine. In 62(100%) of day scholar, 28(45%) had regular while 34(55%)
were not regular as shown in table no 8. The relationship between residence of student and
routine of exercise is not significant as evidenced by chi square value: 1.04 and P value:
0.306.

Table No. 9: Gender of respondent and food consumed

Food consumed

Healthy Junk Total

Gender of respondent Male 135 34 169

Female 59 22 81
Total 194 56 250

Chi square value: 1.562 P value: 0.211

Table no 9 shows the relationship between gender of respondent and food consumption.
These relation is not significant evidenced by chi value:1.562 and P value:0211.

Table No. 10: Maternal education and smoking status

Smoking status

Yes No Total

Maternal education Uneducated 30 79 109

Primary 0 6 6

Middle 2 3 5

Matric 3 18 21

Intermediate 2 19 21

graduate 7 27 34

Postgraduate 2 52 54

19 | P a g e
 Smoking status

Yes No Total

Maternal education Uneducated 30 79 109

Primary 0 6 6

Middle 2 3 5

Matric 3 18 21

Intermediate 2 19 21

graduate 7 27 34

Postgraduate 2 52 54
Total 46 204 250

Chi square value: 18.16 P value: 0.006

Table no 10 shows the relationship between maternal education and smoking status. These
relation is significant as evidenced by chi value: 18.16 and P value: 0.006.

Discussion:
The purpose of this explorative study was to identify the socio-demographic
determinants and health practices in the student of Ayub Medical college Abbottabad. Socio
demographic characteristics or determinant include such as age, gender, education, migration
background and ethnicity, religious affiliation, marital status, household, employment, and
income. Health practices is the one which helps to keep and improve people's health and
well-being
In our study, out of 250(100%) respondent, 170(68%) were male and 80(32%) were
female. Mean age of the students answering the questionnaire was 21.53(+1.48) with a range
of 19 to 29 from minimum to maximum. Our study are comparable to another study
conducted in Sweden with a sample size of 1698(100%) which showed that the gender
distribution was such that 809 (47.64%) were male and 889 (52.36%) were female, the mean
age of participants answering the questionnaire was 16.5(+ 0.8) with a range of 15.7 to18.8
years from minimum to maximum.33
In a study which is conducted in Melaka Manipal Medical College, India. In total of 264
students, 47% (124 with 53 males and 71 females) participants were regarded as moderately
active category, which was followed by 34% (91 with 16 males and 75 females) sedentary or

20 | P a g e
do not exercise, 14% (36 with 25 males and 11 females) as an active and 5% (14 with 10
males and 4 females) were of very active category.34 Which is comparable to our result. In
total of 250 students. The frequency of daily are 6(2.4%), twice weekly 17(6.8%), weekly
27(10.8%), sometimes 26(10.4%), rarely 52(20.8%), and 122(48.8%) do not exercise or
sedentary.
According to a study which is conducted in universities of Faisalabad.35 Out of 80(100%)
students, all the students were eating fruits but 49(61.25%) students were eating fruits daily
while 31(38.75%) were eating fruits 2-3 times weekly. Which is totally different to out result
obtained. Out of 250(100%) students, 139(55.6%) eats fruits while 111(44.4%) are not eating
at all.

In a cross sectional study conducted in Baqai Medical university, Karachi.36 Total of

384(100%) students, 205(53.38%) were male and 179(46.62%) were female. In 205(100%)
male, 193(94.14%) were eating junk food while 12(5.86%) were eating healthy foods. In
179(100%) female, 177(98.88%) were eating junks while 2(1.12%) female were eating
healthy foods. While in our study, total of 250(100%), 169(67.6%) were male and 81(32.4%)
were female. In 169(100%) male, 135(79.88%) are eating healthy while 34(20.12%) are
eating junk foods. In 81(100%) females, 59(72.82%) are eating healthy while 22(27.18%) are
eating junk foods. These finding are opposite to each other. These contrast are because of
easily availability of junk foods in Karachi as compare to Abbotabad.

Conclusion:

In our study we concluded that, the dietary habits and life style of a medical student is healthy
in some aspects like junk food and soft drink consumption are less and majority of students
consume fresh fruits among medical students. Also physical inactivity is noticed in majority
of students. Physical activity is higher among single students as compared to married
students. Physical activity is higher in boarder students and less in day scholars. Majority of
students are non smokers from upper socio economic status. Majority of students were from
middle class students. Also majority of students were non smokers whom mothers
educational level are post graduate and those students whose mothers are uneducated are
smokers in majority. Also majority of hostel students are smokers.

Limitation:

21 | P a g e
 One of the limitations of this study was the use of a questionnaire as a measurement tool
that interview and content analysis method can be used in future studies for more accurate
investigation.

Only the a few no. of medical students were researched in this study. It is suggested that
more studies be conducted at different universities in the medical and non-medical
departments nationwide, and increase the sample sizes to achieve more accurate results.
Therefore further studies are required to fully understand the extent of the problem and its
predictive factors countrywide. Also the main limitation of this study was relying to the
students self-reports. Therefore an observational and longitudinal study is suggested to
investigate the real situation of self-medication by the undergraduate medical students.

Recommendations:

More studies like this should be carried out in order to find out the association of socio
demographic factors and health practices.

Educate and counsel mothers regarding maternal education and brought up of their children.

Dietary and exercise counseling is required as a preventive strategy in this group.

Smoking should be strictly prohibited in the hostel students, easily availability of cigarettes
should be strictly prohibited.

22 | P a g e
REFERENCE:
1. Shields M, Shooshtari S. Determinants of self-perceived health. Health reports. U.S.
National Library of Medicine 2001 Dec;39(3)
2. Aghamolaei T, Tavafian SS, Zare S. Determinants of health related quality of life on
people living in bandar abbas, iran. Iran J Public Health 2011;40(3):128–35.
3. Kivits J, Erpelding ML, Guillemin F. Social determinants of health-related quality of
life. Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique. 2013 Jun;61(3)
4. Haidar Y.M., Cosman B.C. Obesity epidemiology. Clin. Colon Rectal
Surg. 2011;24:205–210
5. Nwachukwu DC., Nwagha UI, Obikili N, Ejezie FE., Okwuosa N., Nweke M.L, Ezeh
CO. Assessment of body mass index and blood pressure among university students in,
Enugu, South East, Nigeria. J. Med 2010;19:148–152.
6. Abolfotouh MA, Bassiouni FA, Mounir GM, Fayyad RC. Health-related lifestyles
and risk behaviours among students living in Alexandria University Hostels, East
Mediterr. Health J. 2007;13:376–391.
7. Cilliers J, Senekal M, Kunneke E. The association between the body mass index of
first-year female university students and their weight-related perceptions and
practices, psychological health, physical activity and other physical health
indicators. Public Health Nutrition 2006;9:234–243.
8. Sultana N, Nahar S, Debnath BC, Rahman MZ, Naher MQ, Malik SF. Prevalence of
obesity among the medical students in Sylhet. Jalalabad. Medical J 2011;8:12–15.
9. Sakamaki R, Toyama K, Amamoto R, Liu CJ, Shinfuku N. Nutritional knowledge,
food habits and health attitude of Chinese university students—A cross sectional
study. Nutrition Journal 2005;4:1475-2891.
10. Gopalakrishnan S, Ganeshkumar P, Prakash MV, Amalraj CV. Prevalence of
overweight/obesity among the medical students, Malaysia. Med. J.
Malays 2012;67:442–444.
11. Banwell C, Lim L, Seubsman SA, Bain C, Dixon J, Sleigh A. Body mass index and
health-related behaviours in a national cohort of 87,134 Thai Open University
students. J. Epidemiol. Community Health 2009;63:366–372.
12. Chaudhry MA., Ahmad F, Ashraf MZ. Frequency of overweight and obesity in
students of medical College Lahore. Ann Pak Inst Med Sci 2012;8:137–140.

23 | P a g e
13. Seo DC, Torabi MR, Jiang N, Fernandez RX, Park BH. Correlates of college
students’ physical activity: Cross-cultural differences. Asia Pac J Public
Health 2009;21:421–432.
14. Vargas M, Becerra F, Prieto E. Anthropometric evaluation of university students in
Bogotá, Colombia. Rev. Salud Públication 2008;10:433–442.
15. Trujillo HB, Vásquez C, Almanza JR, Jaramillo ME, Mellin TE, Valle OB, Pérez AR,
Millán O, Prieto E, Newton SO. The frequency of risk factors associated with obesity
and being overweight in university students from Colima, Mexico. Rev. Salud
Publication 2010;12:197–207.
16. Al Qauhiz NM. Obesity among Saudi Female University students: Dietary habits and
health behaviors. J. Egypt. Public Health Association 2010;85:45–59.
17. Al-Kilani H, Waly ., Yousef R. Trends of obesity and overweight among college
students in Oman: A cross sectional study. Sultan Qaboos University. Medical Journal
2012;12:69–76.
18. Al-Isa AN. Factors associated with overweight and obesity among Kuwaiti college
women. Nutrition Health 1998;12:227–233.
19. Nojomi M, Najamabadi S. Obesity among university students, Tehran, Iran. Asia Pac.
Journal Clin. Nutrition 2006;15:516–520.
20. Sanlier N, Yabanci N. Relationship between body mass index, lipids and
homocysteine levels in university students. Journal Pak Medical
Association 2007;57:491–495.
21. Menezes AM, Hallal PC, Silva F, Paiva L, D'Ávila A, Souza M, et al. Tabagismo em
estudantes de Medicina: tendências temporais e fatores associados. J Bras Pneumol
2004;30(3):223-238
22. Samir N, Mahmud S, Khuwaja AK. Prevalence of physical inactivity and barriers to
physical activity among obese attendants at a community health-care center in
Karachi, Pakistan. BMC research notes 2011 Jun;4:174.
23. Lutfiyya MN, Nika B, Ng L, Tragos C, Won R, Lipsky MS. Primary prevention of
overweight and obesity: an analysis of national survey data. Journal of general
internal medicine 2008 Jun;23(6):821.
24. Lantz PM, House J, Lepkowski JM, Williams DR, Mero RP, Chen J. Socioeconomic
factors, health behaviors, and mortality: results from a nationally representative
prospective study of US adults. JAMA 1998;279:1703.

24 | P a g e
25. Kontis V, Bennett JE, Mathers CD, Li G, Foreman K, Ezzati M. Future life
expectancy in 35 industrialised countries: Projections with a Bayesian model
ensemble. The Lancet 2017;389:1323–1335.
26. Rowe J.W, Kahn RL. Successful aging. Gerontologist. 1997;37:433–440
27. Britton A, Shipley M, Singh MA, Marmot MG. Successful aging: The contribution of
early-life and midlife risk factors. J Am Geriatr. Soc 2008;56:1098–1105.
28. Kiefte JC, Mathers JC, Franco OH. Nutrition and healthy ageing: The key ingredients
2014 May;73(2):249-259.
29. Dixon HG, Scully ML, Wakefield MA, White VM, Crawford DA. The effects of
television advertisements for junk food versus nutritious food on children’s food
attitudes and preferences 2007 Oct;65(7):1311-1323.
30. Lutfey K, Freese J. Toward some fundamentals of fundamental causality:
Socioeconomic status and health in the routine clinic visit for diabetes. Am J Social
2005;110:1326–1372
31. Apter AJ, Reisine ST, Affleck G, Barrows E, ZuWallack RL. The influence of
demographic and socioeconomic factors on health-related quality of life in
asthma. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology 1999;103(1):72–78.
32. Tunstall HVZ, Shaw M, Dorling D. Places and health. J Epidemiol Comm
Health 2004;58:6-10.
33. Eksam S, Kull I, Nilsson S, Bergstrom A. Web-Based Self-Reported Height, Weight,
and Body Mass Index among Swedish Adolescents: A Validation Study. Journal Of
Medical internet research 2015 Mar;17(3)
34. Padavinangadi A, Xuan LZ, Chandrasekaran N, Johari N, Kumar N, Jetti R. The
Impact of Eating and Exercise Frequency on Weight Gain - A Cross-Sectional Study
on Medical Undergraduate Students. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research 2017
Feb; 11(2).
35. Khalid U, Nosheen F, Raza A, Ishaque M, Ahmad M, Ahmad S. R, Rubab F. A.
Comparative Study about the Daily Intake of Fruits and Vegetables among Female
Students of Two Universities of Faisalabad. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 2011;10(7).
36. Nisar N, Qadri MH, Fatima K, Perveen S. Dietary habits and life style among the
students of a private medical university Karachi 2009 Feb;59(2):98-101.

25 | P a g e