[What needs do students have regarding health-promoting measures and which ones do they know about? A survey at two university locations].

Abstract

Background: Many students in Germany face health problems, primarily stress and psychological strain. The prevalence of mental disorders is continuously increasing among students. In the context of the student health management at the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, we recorded needs and wishes regarding health areas that students consider to be relevant for their studies and we also assessed their knowledge about existing health offers.

Methods: In May 2022, we sent a standardized online questionnaire via email to all students at the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt. Differences between university locations and between German- and non-German-native speaking students were determined using non-parametric tests.

Results: Stress and psychological strain are health-threatening problems that respondents face particularly frequently. Studying in Schweinfurt and being a foreign language speaker relate to an increased relevance of some health areas. Respondents desire support especially in the areas of sports/exercise, mental stress/illness, and stress reduction. Students sometimes have little knowledge about existing offers. Especially students in Schweinfurt and international students are barely informed.

Conclusions: First, offers to reduce stress and mental burden should be implemented at the university as a matter of priority. Second, the health concerns of students in Schweinfurt and international students should be given greater attention in the future. Third, all students should be informed more about existing offers.