DOI: https://doi.org/10.22263/2312-4156.2025.5.95
R.I. Gayfulina, A.V. Shulmin
The influence of health-saving behavior, well-being and headache on the academic performance of medical university students
Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University, Vitebsk, Republic of Belarus
Vestnik VGMU. 2025;24(5):95-102.
Abstract.
The academic performance of medical students is closely related to their psychophysical state. Headache and a low level of subjective well-being are significant factors that affect negatively learning outcomes; it requires investigation at the level of the particular university.
Objectives. To assess the relationship between factors of health-saving behavior, subjective well-being (according to the SAN scale), headache intensity (according to the HIT-6 index), and the grade point average of students at Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University (VSMU); to develop specific practical recommendations for the university administration and relevant services that will help influence positively students’ well-being and improve academic performance.
Material and methods. The exploratory study was conducted using a continuous method (coverage over 95%) by means of the anonymous survey of 168 fifth- and sixth-year students of the Faculty of General Medicine of VSMU (40 males, 128 females). Socio-demographic data, characteristics of health-saving behavior were collected, and the SAN and HIT-6 questionnaires were used. Methods of non-parametric statistics, correlation (Spearman’s), regression analysis, and the classification and regression trees (CART) method were applied.
Results. Statistically significant correlations were found between the average grade point and scores on the SAN scale (ρ=0.28; p=0.0002) and the HIT-6 index (ρ=–0.31; p<0.0001). 28% of students had a clinically significant HIT-6 score (≥50), but only 12% of them sought help. Decision tree analysis revealed the hierarchy of academic performance predictors: the greatest contribution was made by headache (32%), followed by sleep quality (28%), regularity of meals (20%), physical activity (12%), and bad habits (8%). The CART model allowed for the formulation of practical rules to identify at-risk student groups with classification accuracy of 76%.
Conclusions. The obtained data confirm the need to implement targeted programs in the university environment aimed at headache prevention, improving well-being, and promoting a healthy lifestyle, which is a strategy for enhancing the quality of medical education.
Keywords: medical students, academic performance, headache, HIT-6 questionnaire, SAN scale, health-saving behavior, decision tree.
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Submitted 07.07.2025
Accepted 21.10.2025
Information about authors:
Regina I. Gayfulina – Master of Medical Sciences, senior lecturer of the Chair of Public Health and Health Service with the course of the Faculty for Advanced Training & Retraining, Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University, e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.;
A.V. Shulmin – Doctor of Medical Sciences, professor, head of the Chair of Organization & Economy of Pharmacy, Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University.
