Health-Related Behaviours of Foreign Students Studying in Poland and Their Determinants: A Mixed-Methods Study.
Agnieszka Chrzan-Rodak, Jadwiga B��k, Justyna Cha��da��-Majda��ska, Micha�� Machul, Anna Obuchowska, Aleksandra Grzegorczyk, Magdalena Dziurka, Patrycja Ozdoba, Beata Dobrowolska
Author Information
Agnieszka Chrzan-Rodak: Department of Family and Geriatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland. ORCID
Jadwiga B��k: Upper Silesian Centre for Child and Mother's Health, Medyk��w Street 16, 40-752 Katowice, Poland. ORCID
Justyna Cha��da��-Majda��ska: Faculty of Human Sciences, WSEI Academy, Projektowa 4 Street, 20-209 Lublin, Poland.
Micha�� Machul: Department of Holistic Care and Nursing Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland. ORCID
Anna Obuchowska: Department of Holistic Care and Nursing Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland.
Aleksandra Grzegorczyk: Department of Holistic Care and Nursing Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland.
Magdalena Dziurka: Department of Holistic Care and Nursing Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland. ORCID
Patrycja Ozdoba: Department of Holistic Care and Nursing Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland. ORCID
Beata Dobrowolska: Department of Holistic Care and Nursing Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland. ORCID
Educational migration benefits students and receiving countries, but universities are challenged to meet a variety of needs, such as cultural adaptation and changes in health behaviours such as dietary habits. This study aimed to assess the health-related behaviours, encompassing dietary/eating habits, among international students in Poland, while also elucidating the factors influencing these behaviours. The study consisted of two phases: (phase 1) cross-sectional research among 231 foreign students using the Fantastic Lifestyle Questionnaire (FLQ); and (phase 2) focus group interviews with 15 international students. The study was conducted in accordance with STROBE (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology) and COREQ (COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research) Checklists. It was shown that the respondents highly value health. Students' health-related behaviours are related to their financial situation, health condition, self-assessment of their lifestyle, the importance attached to being healthy, and their country of origin. The qualitative analysis allowed us to identify (1) the barriers related to the exhibiting of health-related behaviours, (2) expectations of foreign students regarding the exhibiting of health-related behaviours, (3) changes in the health-related behaviours, and (4) factors facilitating the exhibiting of health-related behaviours. There is a need for inter-university cooperation on a strategy to promote health-promoting behaviours of foreign students studying in Poland.
