Health behaviours and self efficacy of students in maintenance the health

Introduction. Health behaviours have a specific (positive or negative) health effect. Positive health behaviours are factors which are positively correlated with the present and expected health condition. Engaging in positive health behaviours in childhood influences the proper development and the optimal mental and physical efficiency in old age. A vital part in the engagement in positive health behaviours is played, among others, by one’s feeling of self-efficacy which makes it possible to predict one’s intentions and activities.

Aim. The aim of this study was assessment the health behaviors and learning about meaning self-efficacy of students in maintaining health.

Material and methods. The study used a method of diagnostic survey. The research tool was a standardized questionnaire The General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) R. Schwarzer and M. Jerusalem. The population of study included students of three Faculties University of Science and Technology (AGH) in Cracow- a total of 105 people.

Results. The students who took part in the research showed risky behaviours. They related to their dietary habits, doing sport, smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol, uncontrolled sexual behaviour, not using condoms during sex intercourse, not undergoing regular medical checkups, not taking care of one’s safety while doing sport or going by car. The majority of respondents showed high feeling of self-efficacy. The research did not reveal the influence of the feeling of self- efficacy on the respondents’ health behaviours.

Conclusions. The widespread occurrence of risky health behaviours in the sample group calls for the need to introduce more effective educational activities.