Abstract:

University is a period when significant changes in the lives of individuals are experienced. It is an ideal period for the individuals to learn and enhance their future health conditions, personal and professional lifestyles. However, there is an increasing trend towards unhealthy behaviors in students during the university period. In these trends, changes in health behaviors of the students were related to stress symptoms. It has been reported that the exam process in particular can cause intense pressure and stress development. Objective: This study was designed to determine the relationship of the exam process with the healthy lifestyle behaviors in midwifery students. Method: In this descriptive study, a descriptive information form and Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale II was used. The study included 376 midwifery students. Results: The age average of the participants was 20.33 ± 1.69, the average of body mass index (BMI) was 21.38 ± 3.45, and the mean number of siblings was 2.56 ± 1.79. It was found that 35.1% of the students stayed in the dormitory, 57.2% had a nuclear family and 45.5% had equal income and expense. Total score average of Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale II was found as 125.54±10.56 before the exams, whereas total score average of healthy lifestyle behavior scale II was found as 152.04±11.73 after the exams. There was a significant difference between total score average of the pre- and post-exam scale and the sub-dimensions of the scale (health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual development, interpersonal relations, stress management) (p<0.05). Conclusion, It has been found that the exam process has adverse effects on the healthy lifestyle behaviors in the participants

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