Mental and physical health-related quality of life and their associated factors among students of a comprehensive allied health institution

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Almhdawi, Khader A.^{a; *} | Kanaan, Saddam F.^b | Khader, Yousef^c | Al-Hourani, Zeid^d | Al-Jarrah, Muhammed D.^e | Almomani, Fidaa^f | Alqhazo, Mazin T.^g

Affiliations: [a] Department of Rehabilitation Sciences-Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan | [b] Department of Rehabilitation Sciences-Physical Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan | [c] Professor of Epidemiology, Medical Education and Biostatistics, Faculty Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan | [d] Department of Applied Dental Science-Dental Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan | [e] Department of Rehabilitation Sciences-Physical Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan | [f] Department of Rehabilitation Sciences-Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan | [g] Department of Rehabilitation Sciences-Speech Pathology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Dr. Khader Almhdawi, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan. Tel.: +962 27201000 26939; Fax: +962 27201087; E-mail: Khader@just.edu.jo. ORCID: 0000-0001-8906-6994.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Healthcare students are subjected to critical levels of mental and physical stress that might hinder their quality of life. OBJECTIVES:This study comprehensively investigated physical and mental Health-related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) and their associated factors among Allied Health (AH) students of nine academic majors. METHODS:Participants completed anonymous questionnaire included demographics and life style, HR-QoL measured by the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS21), and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. SF-12 Physical (PCS) and Mental (MCS) Components Summary scores were compared between gender and between academic majors. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to examine factor associated with PCS and MCS scores. RESULTS:A total of 838 students (77.4% females) participated in the study. The overall PCS was 45.64±7.93 and statistically different between majors (P < 0.001). The Overall MCS score was 39.45±10.86 and statistically greater in males (P < 0.001). PCS scores were significantly associated with anxiety score, GPA, diet self-evaluation, and upper back and hip musculoskeletal pain. MCS scores were significantly associated with weekly clinical training hours, stress score, depression score, gender, university year, GPA, sleep self-evaluation, diet self-evaluation, and neck musculoskeletal pain. CONCLUSIONS:Low levels of mental and physical HR-QoL were observed among AH students and were associated with academic-related, health-related, and lifestyle-related factors. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess effective approaches to improve HR-QoL among AH students.

Keywords: Quality of life, occupational stress, mental health, education, Allied Health Students

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205226

Journal: Work, vol. 70, no. 1, pp. 63-73, 2021