ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The lifestyle of medical students plays an important role in shaping their health, academic performance, professional growth, and overall well-being. These students encounter numerous challenges and opportunities that influence their daily habits, such as heavy academic workloads, extended study and clinical hours, insufficient sleep and exercise, poor nutrition and hygiene, social isolation, discrimination, substance abuse, mental health issues, burnout, ethical dilemmas, career decisions, and personal or family relationships. These factors can either positively or negatively affect their physical, mental, social, and spiritual health, along with their clinical skills, empathy, and resilience in providing patient care. Therefore, understanding the lifestyle patterns of medical students is vital to identifying their needs and challenges, as well as their potential, in order to develop targeted interventions and programs that improve their quality of life and educational experience. OBJECTIVES: To assess the lifestyle patterns of medical students at the University of Benin so as to provide baseline data on the subject. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 among Medical students of The University of Benin, Benin City, using a multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. The sample size was calculated using the formula for estimating one proportion for a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data was analyzed with IBM SPSS version 25.0 and the level of significant was set as p < 0.05. Data presentation was done using frequency tables, charts and prose. RESULTS: A total of 290 respondents with mean age (SD) of 23.4± 3.18years participated in this study. Majority of respondents 288(99.3%) have good of what contributors to a healthy x lifestyle. 206 (71.0%) of respondents rated lifestyle as very important in the prevention of chronic diseases. A good number of medical practice healthy lifestyle as 285(98.3%) of respondents do not smoke, 278(95.9%) of respondents do not consume alcohol, 288(99.3%) eating two or more times a day, 260(89.7%) taking an average of one or more servings of fruit and vegetable per day and 176(60.7%) eating fast/proceed food or surgery drinks less than once a week, although only 82(28.3) of respondents engaged in physical activity. 215(74.1%) and 20(6.9%)of respondents expressed very and extreme satisfaction respectively on their current health status. The most common barriers highlighted by respondents to adopting a healthy lifestyle were cost, lack of time and motivation. CONCLUSION: Medical students at University of Benin have good knowledge and favorable attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle. Actual lifestyle practices, particularly physical activity, require improvement. The findings underscore the importance of addressing barriers such as time and motivation, and creating awareness of the impact of lifestyle choices on both physical and mental health. Additionally, the study suggests that with proper resources and support, there is potential for these medical students to adopt healthier lifestyle habits in the future, which could positively influence their well-being and the broader community. KEYWORDS: Medical student, lifestyle, healthy, health
