Healthy lifestyle behaviors and mental health statusof Hitite University Faculty of Health Sciences students

The aim of this study was to evaluate healthy lifestyle behaviors and mental health status of students of Hittite University Faculty of Health Sciences. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between 22 September and 30 October 2017 after approval of the ethics committee. The population of study was consisted of 472 students in the Faculty of Health Sciences University and the study was completed with 375 students. The data was collected by socio-demographic information form, Healthy lifestyle Behaviors Scale-52 and General Health Questionnaire-12. Data was analysed by 22.0 SPSS package program. In analysis, independent t test, One-Way Anova (Post-hoc Tukey), Pearson correlation analysis and Chi-Square test was used. In evaluation, p<0,05 values was acceted as statistically significant. In this study, 72,5% were female, 27,5% were males, 60,8% were under the age of 21 and mean age was 20,37±2,04 years. Of the students, 34.1% were in first class and 88,3% were in the nursing department. The total score from the healthy lifestyle behaviors was 123,14±19,71. The average of the highest points was determined in interpersonal relations, and the lowest points belonged to physical activity dimension. Grade levels, departments, family structure, economic status and general health perceptions, status of chronic disease, smoking were found to effective on health lifestyle behaviors (p<0,05). Mental health was found as good for 48,3% and as bad for 51,7% students. Mental health was worse in smokers, who still live in constantly village/town and alcohol users (p<0,05). Also mental health was better in those who had good general health (p<0,05). The relationship of with friends and students' perceptions on academic achievement had a significant impact on the mental health (p<0,05). Mental health was better who who were satisfied with their departments. Students those with experience anxiety in the past year, mental health was worse (p<0,05). Students who were had good mental health, healthy lifestyle behaviors was more likely highly (p<0,05). When healthy lifestyle behaviors decreased, students mental health was worsen (p< 0,05). In this study, healthy lifestyle behaviors was found in moderate level and students obtianed minimum scores from physical activity. Over half of the students had bad mental health status. When healthy lifestyle behaviors became pozitive mental health conditions were better. Students who studying in fields related with health should straighten their lifestyle behaviors primarily due to their professional and social roles. In this way, they will be influence the society as healthy individuals in terms of physically and spiritually. Key words: Healthy lifestyle behaviors; Health sciences; Mental health; Students.