Health Related Lifestyle Behaviors among Students at a Vocational Education Center in Turkey

Background: This study assessed health promoting lifestyle behaviors (HPLP) among apprentices trained in the Kayseri Turkey Vocational Education Center. Methods: This descriptive study was performed in 2012 in a province of Turkey. The study group included a cohort of 332 students attending the Vocational Education Center. All data were collected by using a 54-item (6-item related with socio-demographic and 48 item related with HPLP Scale) questionnaire. Data were evaluated by independent t test, One-Way Anova and Multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: In the study group, 88.0% were male and 12.0% were female. The mean age of participants was 17.1 ± 1.5 years. The mean HPLP scale score was 111.2 ± 22.0. The mean sub-scale scores were as follows: self-actualization 34.6 ± 7.5, interpersonal relations 18.6 ± 4.3, exercise 9.4 ± 3.0, nutrition 13.9 ± 3.5, stress management 16.2 ± 4.0, and health responsibility 18.6 ± 5.7. Age groups, regular payment and job satisfaction were significant variables for sub-scales of HPLP. In the regression analysis, job satisfaction had a significant impact on HPLP sub-scale scores. Conclusions: Healthy lifestyle behaviors were moderate level among students. Physical activity and health responsibility scores were the lowest scores. “Health Protection and Development” should be included as a standard component of vocational education.