Changes in university student health behaviors since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic lead many upheavals in the life habit whith lockdowns and curfews since March 2020 and possibly in the health behaviours of university students could be impacted. The objective of the study was to assess the evolution of the health behaviors of university students between before the COVID-19 period and May 2021. Methods Two retrospectives online studies of a university students in France were in May 2020 and May 2021 were conducted. Socio demographics and academics environment data, tobacco smoking, binge drinking, cannabis use, and vigorous physical activity were collected in a declarative way. Results In 2020, 3483 (72.5% of women, mean age 20.9 (SD = 2.46)) and in 2021, 3504 (74.4 of women, mean age 20.73 (SD = 2.32)) university students were included. After logistic regression, in 2020 compared to the pre-COVID19 period, the regular vigorous physical activity didn't change significantly while there appears to be a study period effect with a decrease of the regular binge drinking (AOR=0.24 IC95% [0.20,0.29]). In 2021 compared to the pre-COVID19 period, the regular vigorous physical activity and the regular binge drinking decreased respectively, (AOR=0.53; IC95% [0.48,0.59]) and (AOR=0.60 IC95% [0.52,0.70]). Regular tobacco smoking and cannabis use didn't change significantly in 2020 and 2021 compared to the pre-COVID period. Discussion: The decrease of binge drinking and physical activity between preCOVID-19 and 2021 could be attribute by the restricting mobility and social interactions. We did not observe an increase in risky health behaviors as smoking and cannabis use. These behaviors remain to be monitored in the future to assess the long-term effects of the pandemic COVID-19 on student health behaviors Key messages • Health-promotion strategies directed at adopting or maintaining positive mental health should be developed for university students to better manage future lockdown periods. • Recommendations to maintain health during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic specifically target university student populations are needed.


Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic lead many upheavals in the life habit whith lockdowns and curfews since March 2020 and possibly in the health behaviours of university students could be impacted. The objective of the study was to assess the evolution of the health behaviors of university students between before the COVID-19 period and May 2021.

Methods:
Two retrospectives online studies of a university students in France were in May 2020 and May 2021 were conducted. Socio demographics and academics environment data, tobacco smoking, binge drinking, cannabis use, and vigorous physical activity were collected in a declarative way.

Results:
In 2020, 3483 (72.5% of women, mean age 20.9 (SD = 2.46)) and in 2021, 3504 (74.4 of women, mean age 20.73 (SD = 2.32)) university students were included. After logistic regression, in 2020 compared to the pre-COVID19 period, the regular vigorous physical activity didn't change significantly while there appears to be a study period effect with a decrease of the regular binge drinking (AOR = 0.24 IC95% [0.20,0.29]). In 2021 compared to the pre-COVID19 period, the regular vigorous physical activity and the regular binge drinking decreased respectively, (AOR = 0.53; IC95% [0.48,0.59]) and (AOR = 0.60 IC95% [0.52,0.70]). Regular tobacco smoking and cannabis use didn't change significantly in 2020 and 2021 compared to the pre-COVID period. Discussion: The decrease of binge drinking and physical activity between preCOVID-19 and 2021 could be attribute by the restricting mobility and social interactions. We did not observe an increase in risky health behaviors as smoking and cannabis use. These behaviors remain to be monitored in the future to assess the long-term effects of the pandemic COVID-19 on student health behaviors Key messages: Health-promotion strategies directed at adopting or maintaining positive mental health should be developed for university students to better manage future lockdown periods.
Recommendations to maintain health during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic specifically target university student populations are needed.

Background:
The current WHO definition of health seems to no longer meet the changes in the current Dutch health system. An alternative approach which puts emphasis on health, not disease, is Positive Health (Huber et al, 2011). This focus shifts the emphasis on improving resilience and well-being rather than the perspective on what is lacking in health.In this study, the attitudes towards the concept of Positive Health of palliative care nurses are examined.

Methods:
A mixed-methods approach design was used for this study. This involved the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. Among the nurses, 134 questionnaires were administered. SPSS was used to analyze these results. For this study, six interviews were conducted and analyzed through thematic coding.

Results:
The quantitative analysis shows that the respondents are look positively about the Positive health description. Nurses find it important that it emphasizes that someone is more than his illness. In addition, the emphasis is on personal control. However, the question is also raised whether every patient can handle this. Nurses find the most important dimension 'quality of life'. This is followed by the dimension 'mental well-being' and 'spiritual existential'. The dimension 'daily functioning' is found to be the least important. The qualitative analysis also shows that the concept of Positive Health is viewed positively. The concept is considered positive, because it covers several areas of health. However, it was also indicated that the concept is still too broad. However, all respondents found that the concept can be applied in practice.

Conclusions:
This study shows that palliative care nurses have a positive attitude towards Positive Health. Nurses consider the all the dimensions important and also embed the aspects of it in their daily practice. However, the implementation of new concept should be explored. Key messages: Palliative care nurses have a positive attitude towards Positive Health.
iii540 European Journal of Public Health, Volume 32 Supplement 3, 2022