Year: 2026 | Month: June | Volume: 16 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 37-46
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260604
Health-Risking and Health-Promoting Behaviors among MBBS Students in a Medical College of Bengaluru Rural District: A Cross-Sectional Study
Santhosh M1, Dilipkumar K B2, Mangala Belur3, Madhusudhan M4
1,2,3Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine,
4Professor, Department of Community Medicine,
MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Corresponding Author: Dr. Santhosh M
ABSTRACT
Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) present a significant global health burden, heavily driven by modifiable behavioral risk factors. Comprehensive data from rural medical colleges is still lacking, despite the fact that healthy habits among medical students enhance future patient counseling credibility and promote personal well-being. This study assessed the prevalence and socio-demographic factors associated with health-risking and health-promoting behaviors among MBBS students in a rural district of Karnataka, India.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and December 2025 at a Medical College and Research Hospital, Bengaluru rural district. A pretested, self-administered questionnaire was completed by 429 MBBS students spanning all academic phases. Composite scores were calculated to evaluate health-risking behaviors (e.g., substance use, skipping meals, and caffeine intake) and health-promoting behaviors (e.g., physical activity, adequate sleep, balanced diet).
Results: Most students (64.1%) failed to meet the recommended ≥150 minutes of weekly moderate-intensity physical activity, and 50.8% slept <7 hours per night. Conversely, 43.6% reported skipping meals due to academic stress and 74.4% consumed caffeine. Tobacco (6.8%) and alcohol use (3.5%) were relatively low. Multiple health-risking behaviors were associated with older age (23-26 years; p=0.001) and advanced academic years (MBBS Phase 3 Part 1 and interns; p=0.002). Good health-promoting behaviors were associated with students residing at home compared to hostellers or paying guests (p=0.022).
Conclusions: Medical students at this rural institution exhibit a high burden of health-risking behaviors alongside insufficient health-promoting practices. The results highlight the need to incorporate structural support systems and focused institutional wellness programs.
Key words: Physical Inactivity, Academic Stress, Sleep quality, Medical students, Health behaviours.