Abstract

AYALA VALENZUELA, R.; PEREZ URIBE, M.  and  OBANDO CALDERON, I.. Minor health disorders as an associated factor to academic performance in nursing students. Enferm. glob. [online]. 2010, n.18. ISSN 1695-6141.

Evidence shows that minor health disorders are a relevant factor to be researched among students at universities. This is an issue not only related to individual characteristics, but also might be associated to academic performance. This problem could be influenced by requirements imposed by the educational system, such as a change in students' roles and organization of their own time, among others. These elements must be made compatible with adolescent habits, their attitudes and biologic changes. To gauge this problem, we have used a survey designed at the University of Barcelona, and modified it for our own purposes. The sample is composed of 62 first year students of a nursing program in a private university in Chile. 94% of the sample was female. On average, participants answered affirmatively to 7.5 of the problems presented on the list, and negatively to 12.5 (Total = 18). Musculoskeletal pain, headache and sleep disorders are the most common disorders present in over half of the students surveyed. We found correlations between some disorders: Intermediate correlation between "Difficulties in maintaining sleep" and "Eating fewer calories than the body needs." This second variable is associated to some other disorders. There was a low negative correlation between "Difficulties in maintaining sleep" and "Eating more calories than the body needs." Similar results related to sleep hygiene were obtained from other researchers. Excessive Calorie Intake is higher than results reported in other studies.

Keywords : Nursing Students; Minor Health Disorders; Sleep Disorder; Affective Aspects; Headache; Back Pain.

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