Medical and social characteristics and health-related quality of life of medical university students

BACKGROUND: A comprehensive study of the medical and social characteristics and health-related quality of life of medical students is relevant for making science-based decisions in the development, monitoring, and correction of interventions to optimize the educational environment, promote healthy lifestyles, and prevent disease among students. AIM: To analyze the medical and social characteristics and health-related quality of life of medical university students, as well as to identify factors associated with quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An analysis was conducted on the data from a survey administered to 670 students enrolled in the third year of a medical university program specializing in medical care. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. The data were collected from October to December 2024. The statistical data processing was performed using the SPSS 25 program. RESULTS: Medical and social characteristics of students were examined, including demographic indices, lifestyle indicators, and students’ awareness of a healthy lifestyle. Correlation and regression analyses were used to identify the most significant medical and social factors (predictors) and their contribution to the self-reported physical and psychological components of health. For the physical component of health, the student’s gender, work-study arrangements, financial security, adherence to healthy lifestyle principles, physical activity, stress, and awareness of healthy lifestyle issues are important. For the psychological component of health, adherence to healthy lifestyle principles, physical activity, smoking, stress, and awareness of healthy lifestyle issues are relevant. CONCLUSION: The research on the assessment of medical and social characteristics and students’ quality of life should be expanded to facilitate optimal administrative, managerial, organizational, and preventive decisions regarding the optimization of educational space, health management, and the development of a healthy lifestyle within medical universities. The study’s continuation is planned for the first-year and senior students.