Health-Related Quality of life and Associated Factors among Iranian University Students

Introduction: The aims of the study were to investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in students of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences (Iran) and to identify factors that might have associated with their HRQoL. Materials & Methods: In 2010, 364 students with a cluster sampling method enrolled in the cross- sectional study. HRQoL was assessed by using SF-39 questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression methods were used to examine the association indicators of HRQoL and socioeconomic characteristics. Results: The highest SF- 36 scale score was obtained for physical functioning. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in the HRQoL scores by faculty, smoking and regular exercise. Total score and seven health dimensions of SF-36 significantly (P<0.05) correlated with academic achievement. The logistic regression analysis showed that the physical composite score decreased with family income, smoking habit, marital status and employment. Family income and academic achievement increased the risk of having mental composite scores above the median. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that multiple factors were associated with HRQoL in Iranian university students. Appropriate health education programs to largest modifiable risk factors may improve student HRQoL.