Health-Related Quality of Life Among Online University Students. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maynard, Pamela L.; Rohrer, James E.; Fulton, Lawrence
• Is Part Of: Journal of primary care & community health. Volume 6:Number 1(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 48
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: health-related quality of life -- HRQOL -- online students -- online university -- online student's health status; Primary health care -- Periodicals; Primary health care -- United States -- Periodicals; Community health services -- Periodicals; Community health services -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.12
• DOI: 10.1177/2150131914545517
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2150-1319

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Online university students are a growing population whose health has received minimal attention. The purpose of this cross-sectional Internet survey was to identify risk factors for the health status among online university students.Methods: This online survey collected data from 301 online university students through a large, US-based participant pool and LinkedIn. Health status was measured using 3 elements of health-related quality of life (HRQOL): self-rated overall health (SRH), unhealthy days, and recent activity limitation days. All 3 measures were dichotomized.Results: The odds of poor SRH were higher for people who reported a body mass index in the overweight and obese categories (odds ratio [OR] = 2.99, P < .05) and for those who reported being smokers (OR = 2.52, P = .03). The odds of frequent unhealthy days were lower for those who made more than $35 000 compared with those who reported making less (OR = 0.50, P = .03) and those who exercised 4 or more times a week compared with those who exercised less (OR = 0.28, P < .05). The odds of frequent activity limitation were lower for those who reported an income of more than $35 000 (OR = 0.29, P = .04) and higher for persons who reported belonging to "other" race (OR = 14.75, P = .00).Conclusions: Universities might fruitfully target health promotion programs for online students who are low income, in disadvantaged racial groups, who are overweight, smoke, and who do not exercise.