Factors that influence health quotient in Chinese college undergraduates

Aim and objectives. The purpose of this study was to describe the health quotient of Chinese undergraduates, to discern whether socio‐demographic characteristics, academic achievements and perceived health status significantly affect the health quotient of Chinese college students and to identify the predictable factors of health quotient in undergraduates. Background. Rapidly increasing enrollment in higher education in China in recent years has brought growing concern about undergraduate health and lifestyle. The Health Quotient profile questionnaire, which assesses self‐reported holistic health, provides opportunity to study the health of Chinese undergraduates. Design. A descriptive cross‐sectional study. Methods. The study was conducted with 1874 Chinese undergraduates aged 15–28 from eight colleges in Changsha. Students were recruited by a multistage cluster stratified random sampling method. Results. The mean score of the Health Quotient questionnaire indicated a positive health quotient; however, 32·1% of the sample scored below the criterion score for a positive health quotient. Undergraduates scored low on knowledge of health. Gender, residence before university, father’s educational background, self‐rated health, college category, achievement in study and status as student chief significantly predicted health quotient scores. Conclusions. Holistic health of college students is important and implies positive health behaviours and a focus on health promotion. The overall holistic health of the subjects was good, and students appear capable of managing their own health. Poor health knowledge may be an important factor in college students’ future health status. Risk factors associated with health quotient of undergraduates should be considered in college health care. Relevance to clinical practice. The health quotient is one instrument that can be used to assess college students’ holistic health and target health promotion interventions. Health knowledge dissemination could be a core task for Chinese college nurses. Further, international research that examines the relationship of student characteristics, college location, culture, health behaviours, health status and holistic health is indicated.