Impact of Travel Behavior on Academic Performance and Lifestyle Factors among Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Introduction: Travel behavior is the study of how people use transport, including the mode of transport chosen, the time duration spent in traveling, and distance traveled per day. This can have a varying impact on individuals and affect their daily activities. This study was taken up to assess travel behavior among medical students and its impact on their academic performance and various other lifestyle factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 505 undergraduate medical students, using a predesigned, structured questionnaire which included written informed consent, demographic details, and information about their travel behavior, stress levels, body mass index, and academic performance. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was the psychological instrument used for measuring the perception of stress among medical students. Results: Of the total of 505 students who participated in the study, 289 (57.2%) were males and 216 (42.8%) were females. 443 (87.7%) reported a reduction in the duration of sleep, and statistically significant association (P = 0.002) was found with mode of travel. Most of the students 366 (72.5) had perceived stress >14 and statistically significant association was found with distance traveled ( P = 0.01). Multinomial logistic regression showed statistically significant association between distance traveled and attendance and distance traveled and exam score. Most students, that is, 374 (74.1%) scored 1 st class on their university examinations and 456 (90.3%) scored >14 points (considered to be under stress) on the PSS. Conclusion: A majority of the students were found to be under perceived stress and reported reduced sleep and decreased academic performance as a consequence of their choice of mode of travel and greater distance traveled to college. We recommend generating awareness about the travel behavior and the benefits of daily physical activity, including active travel, which is crucial.