Healthy life style behaviours of the students of Elazig High School of health sciences and related influencing factors

Healthy life style behaviours (HLSBs) are defined as all the activities which an individual believes in, and applies to maintain his/her healthy state , and also to protect him/herself from the deleterious effects of diseases. This investigation was conducted to exploit HLSBs of the students of Fırat University Elazığ High School of Health Sciences, and factors affecting their HLSBs.The context of this descriptive study involved the students (n= 712) educating in FU Elazığ High School of Health Sciences. All the participants were included in the investigation, however only 688 of them could be reached at the time of enrolment. The first part of the questionnaire of the investigation consisted of the documentation of sociodemographic characteristics, and answers to the questions related to evaluation of some factors thought to be influential on healthy life style behaviours. The second part constituted of data related to the collected responses given to the questions in the HLSB Scale under direct surveillance Data were analysed using t- test, and one-way analysis of variance.The students enrolled in the study consisted of females (74.3 %), and males (25.7 %) with a mean age of 21.33±1.85 years (17-31 years). Mean HLSB Scale score of the students was estimated to be 121.75±18.86 points (65-181 points) The maximal mean points contributing to the development of healthy life style were related to self-realization, responsibility for self-health, and interindividual supportive measures in decreasing order, while habitual exercise accounted for the lowest means. Mean scores in HLSB scale were determined to be higher in senior class students, those conceiving their socioeconomic status as being at a moderate or higher levels, non-smokers, students who are statedly on routine exercise programs, and individuals whose self-assessment of their state of health as being of moderate and improved levels (P<0.05). It was found that with increasing age, points assigned for responsibility for his/her wellbeing, interpersonal support increased, while favourable perception of one?s socioeconomic status enhanced points allocated to dietary habits, self-realization, habitual exercise, and stress management (P<0.05).In conclusion, the healthy life style behaviours of the students of High School of Health Sciences are found to be of moderate level. The significance of healthy life style behaviours should be recognized, and and attempts to use them during activities of daily life should be encouraged.Key words: Students of High School of Health Sciences, development of health, healthy life style behaviours.