Scholarlink

<p>This study investigates preventive health behaviors (PHBs) among university students in Bangladesh using an integrated framework that combines the Health Belief Model (HBM) with social–ecological factors such as peer influence, institutional support, and social media exposure. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 410 students from public and private universities across diverse faculties. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire assessing six key preventive actions, exercise, balanced diet, regular medical check-ups, vaccination, mental health self-care, and avoidance of unhealthy habits alongside HBM constructs and contextual determinants. Reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s α, and analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, group comparisons, and multiple linear regression. The findings revealed a moderately positive but uneven pattern of health-promoting actions: students were more likely to avoid unhealthy habits and stay updated on vaccinations but less likely to exercise regularly, attend medical check-ups, or practice mental health self-care. Regression results (R² = 0.198, <i>p</i> &lt; .001) indicated that the model explained approximately 20% of the variance in preventive health behavior, suggesting moderate explanatory power. Peer influence (β = 0.28, <i>p</i> &lt; .001) and HBM beliefs (β = 0.22, <i>p</i> &lt; .001) were most strongly associated with preventive health behavior, followed by a smaller but significant association for institutional support (β = 0.10, <i>p</i> = .029). In contrast, social media influence was not independently associated with preventive health behavior in the adjusted model (β = –0.02, <i>p</i> = .649). No significant moderation effect was found between HBM beliefs and peer influence. These findings suggest that individual health beliefs and supportive peer networks are more strongly associated with preventive health behavior among university students, while institutional support plays a secondary role. Social media exposure, although widespread, does not appear to independently translate into preventive action when other factors are considered. Universities and public health policymakers may benefit from strengthening student self-efficacy, risk perception, and trust in campus health services, while leveraging peer-led initiatives and credible, contextually relevant digital health strategies to promote sustainable healthy lifestyles among young adults.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

A cross-sectional study of preventive health behavior among university students

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月6日

查看全文
  • Farhana Yasmin,
  • Mosammat Shamima Nasrain,
  • Md. Waresul Zannat Razu,
  • Md. Alamgir Hossain

摘要

This study investigates preventive health behaviors (PHBs) among university students in Bangladesh using an integrated framework that combines the Health Belief Model (HBM) with social–ecological factors such as peer influence, institutional support, and social media exposure. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 410 students from public and private universities across diverse faculties. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire assessing six key preventive actions, exercise, balanced diet, regular medical check-ups, vaccination, mental health self-care, and avoidance of unhealthy habits alongside HBM constructs and contextual determinants. Reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s α, and analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, group comparisons, and multiple linear regression. The findings revealed a moderately positive but uneven pattern of health-promoting actions: students were more likely to avoid unhealthy habits and stay updated on vaccinations but less likely to exercise regularly, attend medical check-ups, or practice mental health self-care. Regression results (R² = 0.198, p < .001) indicated that the model explained approximately 20% of the variance in preventive health behavior, suggesting moderate explanatory power. Peer influence (β = 0.28, p < .001) and HBM beliefs (β = 0.22, p < .001) were most strongly associated with preventive health behavior, followed by a smaller but significant association for institutional support (β = 0.10, p = .029). In contrast, social media influence was not independently associated with preventive health behavior in the adjusted model (β = –0.02, p = .649). No significant moderation effect was found between HBM beliefs and peer influence. These findings suggest that individual health beliefs and supportive peer networks are more strongly associated with preventive health behavior among university students, while institutional support plays a secondary role. Social media exposure, although widespread, does not appear to independently translate into preventive action when other factors are considered. Universities and public health policymakers may benefit from strengthening student self-efficacy, risk perception, and trust in campus health services, while leveraging peer-led initiatives and credible, contextually relevant digital health strategies to promote sustainable healthy lifestyles among young adults.