A focus group interview of university students7 health in Sri Lanka

• Yamashina Hiroko

  Department of Global Health and Epidemiology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan

• Obayashi Yoshi

  Department of Global Health and Epidemiology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan

• Kanda Koji

  Mie University Hospital, Tsu, Japan

• Silva Tudor K.

  University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

• Wattegama Sujatha

  University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

• Jayasinghe Ananda

  University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

• Kumarasiri Ranjith

  University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

• Tamashiro Hiko

  Department of Global Health and Epidemiology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan

抄録

Objective<BR>Despite the steady high prevalence of infectious diseases, Sri Lanka has an increasing awareness of lifestyle-related health diseases. To lower their risks in the future, making better lifestyle choices and establishing patterns of healthy behavior during young adulthood are essential. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore current issues of university students' health behaviors and their environments.<BR>Methods<BR>The study was conducted in a university of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. Four graduate students in the Faculty of Medicine and three senior students in the Faculty of the Arts were interviewed in a focus group. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed inductively.<BR>Results<BR>The results yielded three core categories: little interests in health, unhealthy lifestyles, and lower usage of the Student Health Center. In addition, three major health problems were observed among the participants: eating habits, substance use, and mental health. Students had little paid attention to their health. It also showed passive participation on a health check-up. Additionally students' hidden risky behaviors were observed: alcohol intake and smoking. Mental health problem is one of the great health concerns among the students. Although the School Health Center was available, the gaps between its provisions of services and students' needs are an important issue.<BR>Discussion and Conclusion<BR>Students need to pay more attention on their health conditions and the importance of preventive health. Furthermore, to improve the current university health services, accessibility, usability, and students' needs should be carefully reviewed in the context of advocacy of preventive health behaviors.

収録刊行物

• 国際保健医療

  国際保健医療 27 (4), 381-384, 2012

  日本国際保健医療学会

キーワード

• focus group interview
• health
• Sri Lanka
• university student

詳細情報

• CRID: 1390001205233957888
• NII論文ID: 130004471864
• DOI: 10.11197/jaih.27.381
• ISSN: 09176543
• 本文言語コード: en
• データソース種別:
  • JaLC
  • CiNii Articles
• 抄録ライセンスフラグ: 使用不可