Knowledge and Practice of Medical Students on Healthy Lifestyle: A Cross-Sectional Study in Shiraz

Background: Physicians are one of the most important groups directly associated with public health and their health related lifestyle has a significant impact on their patient’s behaviors. Several studies showed that the majority of medical students did not have appropriate and healthy behaviors. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of risky lifestyle knowledge and behaviors among Shiraz medical students. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2011. Using a stratified random sampling method, 400 medical students were selected to fill in the questionnaires. The questionnaire contained 33 questions including demographic data, healthy lifestyle knowledge and behavior (including physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, water drinking, etc), perception of stress and student’s health information resource. The association between demographic factors and participants’ knowledge, practice and stress score was determined. The correlation between the participants’ knowledge and behavior scores was calculated. Results: The mean knowledge and attitude scores were 2.8 and 3.6, respectively. In 40% of knowledge and 80% of practice questions, the percentage of the correct answer was below 50%. There was a significant correlation between the participants’ knowledge and behavior scores (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study raises the voice of concern with medical students’ knowledge and behavior on healthy lifestyle measures. There is a need for re-thinking, planning and reviewing these concepts of pure reason which is essential in their future professional career. Health considerations, health surveillance and care systems which are based on evidence, reasonability and rationality still have to be paramount.