engleski

Self-esteem and risk behaviour in first year medical students

The aim of the study was to assess degree of self- esteem and risky behavior in first year medical students from University of Zagreb. For the purpose of this study we analyzed data of 262 students examined on systematic examination (coverage = 91 % generation, 70% females). Data on mental health (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) and behavior were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by descriptive statistics. Low self- esteem (< 15 points) had only male students, and very high ( > 25 ) only female students. Normal range of self-esteem (15- 25 points) had 49 % male and 51 % female students. Female students with high self-esteem smoked daily significantly less than those with normal (33% vs. 72%, p = 0.013). Five percent of female students with high and none of normal self-esteem had 3 or more sexual partners in one year. In normal range of self- esteem, female smoked significantly more than male students (72% vs. 30 %, p = 0.005), whereas significantly more male students drank alcohol (85 % vs. 50 %, p < 0.001). Male were significantly more sexually active than female students (67 % vs. 46 % , p = 0.009) and had more than one sexual partner (39 % vs. 11 % , p = 0.007). Results of this study show difference between sexes in characteristics of mental health and risky behavior in student population. School and university medicine service should provide training for recognition of mental disorders, protection and promotion of mental health and healthy life style.

mental health ; medical students

nije evidentirano