KNOWLEDGE AND HEALTH-PROMOTING LIFESTYLE IN NURSING STUDENTS

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and health-promoting lifestyle of nursing students at a private
university in the district of Lima Norte, Peru. Material and Method: Cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study conducted with a sample of 148 nursing students enrolled until the 5th year of the semester 1-2022. After informed consent, a survey was administered to assess lifestyle knowledge and a Lifestyle Profile questionnaire (FIFO-I) to measure health-promoting lifestyle. Frequencies and the Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: 52.7% of the students presented an unhealthy lifestyle and in terms of its dimensions: 58.7% did not take responsibility for their health, 63.5% did not engage in healthy physical
activity and 52.7% did not have healthy stress management. In terms of knowledge about lifestyle, 58.1%
had inadequate knowledge. On the other hand, there was no significant relationship between knowledge and a healthy lifestyle (p= 0.22). However, only the self-realization dimension was related to knowledge (p=0.03). Conclusion: More than half of the students have inadequate knowledge and an unhealthy health- promoting lifestyle. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the two variables, although the self-realization dimension was related to knowledge. Therefore, it is recommended to promote policies that promote a healthy lifestyle among students.