Comparative analysis of self-assessment and objective state of health in students of junior courses of medical and humanitarian specialties

Aim of the study was to determine the level of self-assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its relationship with the objective state of health in students of junior courses of medical and humanitarian specialties.

Materials and methods. The study has been conducted at the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) and at the Pacific State Medical University (TSMU) since December 10, 2017 to June 10, 2018. It was attended by 479 students of junior (1-3) courses, of which 228 (47.5 %) studied medical specialties at FEFU and TSMU, 251 (52.5 %) studied humanitarian specialties (FEFU). The average age of students was 19.5 ± 1.9 years, the average response rate - 94.2 %. The selection was carried out using the principles of gender-stratified randomization. The state of health of the students was assessed by the presence of chronic diseases and the level of the Charlson comorbidity index. In the collection of data used outpatient cards (Form 025/y); patient registration logs (Form 001-1/y); medical control cards of followup (Form 062/y). For the self-assessment of HRQoL, a questionnaire was used: «A short form of self-assessment of HRQoL, MOS SF-36v2» (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form version 2). The demographic and socio-economic status was determined using a special questionnaire.

Results and discussion. HRQoL indicator in medical students turned out to be related to the frequency of seeking medical help (r = 0.75; p < 0.01), the comorbidity index (r = 0.43; p < 0.05) and the average number of chronic diseases among respondents (r = 0.49; p < 0.05). The relationship between the total HRQoL and the physical and mental components of QoL self-assessment also proved to be quite strong (r = 0.69; p < 0.01; r = 0.59; p < 0.01, respectively). In students of humanitarian specialties HRQoL appeared (in addition to the physical and mental component of QoL) to be interrelated only with the average number of chronic diseases (r = 0.69; p < 0.05). Thus, 76,0 % of students of medical and humanitarian specialties have undergone chronic diseases of internal organs in junior courses. Diseases of the digestive (30-33 %), urogenital (10-14 %), respiratory (7-10 %) and nervous systems (6-10 %) are most common in the student environment. HRQoL in the students of junior courses of medical and humanitarian specialties does not significantly differ and is rated by them as satisfactory.

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