Dimensions of physical wellness among medical students of public and private medical colleges in Pakistan

Authors

• Rakhshaan Khan, From the Department of iCAT Transmission (Khan R), the Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Rehman), Aga Khan University, the Research Development (Hussain), Dow University of Health Sciences, Jinnah Sindh Medical University (Syed), Karachi, Department of Business Administration (Khan M), Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan, and the Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Medical Education (Baig), Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Rehana Rehman, From the Department of iCAT Transmission (Khan R), the Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Rehman), Aga Khan University, the Research Development (Hussain), Dow University of Health Sciences, Jinnah Sindh Medical University (Syed), Karachi, Department of Business Administration (Khan M), Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan, and the Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Medical Education (Baig), Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Mukhtiar Baig, From the Department of iCAT Transmission (Khan R), the Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Rehman), Aga Khan University, the Research Development (Hussain), Dow University of Health Sciences, Jinnah Sindh Medical University (Syed), Karachi, Department of Business Administration (Khan M), Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan, and the Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Medical Education (Baig), Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Mehwish Hussain, From the Department of iCAT Transmission (Khan R), the Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Rehman), Aga Khan University, the Research Development (Hussain), Dow University of Health Sciences, Jinnah Sindh Medical University (Syed), Karachi, Department of Business Administration (Khan M), Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan, and the Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Medical Education (Baig), Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Mariam Khan, From the Department of iCAT Transmission (Khan R), the Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Rehman), Aga Khan University, the Research Development (Hussain), Dow University of Health Sciences, Jinnah Sindh Medical University (Syed), Karachi, Department of Business Administration (Khan M), Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan, and the Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Medical Education (Baig), Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Fatima Syed, From the Department of iCAT Transmission (Khan R), the Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Rehman), Aga Khan University, the Research Development (Hussain), Dow University of Health Sciences, Jinnah Sindh Medical University (Syed), Karachi, Department of Business Administration (Khan M), Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan, and the Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Medical Education (Baig), Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: To determine adherence to dimensions of physical wellness among medical students of public and private medical colleges in Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out from January to July 2011 among 820 students of private and public medical colleges in Karachi, Pakistan. Results: Overall, medical students scored low in dimensions of physical wellness. Private medical colleges students were fond of vigorous activities such as aerobics and swimming, whereas public medical colleges students were involved in moderate intensity activities such as walking and use of stairs ( p <0.0001). Private students reported to consume more fast food ( p =0.0001), had less sleep ( p =0.0001), but attended regular annual medical checkups ( p =0.009) as compared with their public institute counterparts. Safe practices such as avoidance of tobacco were almost the same. Conclusion: Comprehensive adherence to all dimensions of physical wellness was lacking among medical students.

Article Type

Brief Report

First Page

754

Last Page

758

Recommended Citation

Khan, Rakhshaan; Rehman, Rehana; Baig, Mukhtiar; Hussain, Mehwish; Khan, Mariam; and Syed, Fatima (2015) "Dimensions of physical wellness among medical students of public and private medical colleges in Pakistan," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 36: Iss. 6, Article 18.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2015.6.11108