Assessment of Nursing College Students' Health Protective Behaviors

Abstract

Objective: to assess the Nursing College students' health-protective behaviors (HPBs) and their
association with some sociodemograghic characteristics.
Methodology: A sample of 100 Students (males and females) was selected through a systematic
random sample that were at the third and fourth year of Nursing College in Baghdad University for the
period of April 1st through April 30th 2007. Data were collected through the use of a self-report
instrument that used for Americans as HPBs assessment that contains 23 items. Reliability and validity
of the tool were determined through a pilot study. A descriptive statistical approach (frequencies and
percentages) and inferential statistical approach (chi-square) were used for data analysis.
Results: the study indicated that health protective behaviors (HPBs) of the students were bad and there
is a significant relationship between HPBs of the students and their sociodemograghic characteristics.
Recommendations: the study recommended that an education program can be designed, conducted,
and implemented to the universities' students as well as further and nation-wide studies can be on a
large sample size of colleges of nursing students.