Page 182 - GHES-3-2

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Health awareness survey of university students

Almost half of the respondents were neither satisfied nor
dissatisfied with the campus offerings of health-promoting
interventions. Overall, 38.7% expressed satisfaction, while
12.4% were dissatisfied with these interventions. The
question regarding the completeness of campus offerings
showed a similar distribution of responses.
3.3. Future needs and ideas

In addition to identifying important health topics, students
were asked to suggest new interventions in the survey’s
open-ended question (Do you have any other ideas for
health promotion activities? No/Yes, specifically). A total
Figure 10. The awareness and success perception among students of the of 108 students provided some suggestions and ideas,
high-intensity interval training courses
which were analyzed and categorized into six themes:
(i) healthy food and drinks; (ii) physical activities;
(iii) mental health, stress management, and options to
relax; (iv) adaptations in the direct physical environment;
(v) social topics; and (vi) ideas concerning communication
about the offers.

Suggestions related to healthy food and drinks
represented 20% of the comments, primarily focusing on
the student restaurant’s current offerings. Students felt that
the meals were not healthy enough and suggested more
fresh snacks, such as fruits and vegetables. There was also
Figure 11. The awareness and success perception among students of the a demand for more vegan and vegetarian options, as well
partnership with the European Lifestyle Medicine Organization as a kitchenette for preparing or reheating home-packed
lunches. Notably, many students requested additional
water dispensers on campus and in the student restaurant,
including those with sparkling water.
Regarding physical activity, 30 suggestions were received
and analyzed, accounting for slightly more than one-third
of all suggestions. The most common requests included
active breaks or walks during lessons and a broader range
of sports options on campus, such as basketball hoops,
volleyball courts, and outdoor gyms.
The open-ended answers showed a high demand
Figure 12. The awareness and success perception among students of the (around 45%) for interventions focused on mental health,
voluntary courses on health promotion topics stress management, and relaxation. Students suggested
yoga courses, mindfulness courses, breathing exercises,
included the provision of chairs for outdoor teaching and dedicated relaxation spaces. Some expressed the need
(31.6%), outdoor play materials like spike balls, frisbees for reduced performance pressure and more guidance
and badminton (25.8%), and apple snacks (22%). Less and support for mental health issues, including access to
familiar interventions included HIIT courses (10.5%), coaches or contact points. Workshops on this theme were
the Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO (10%), and the social also highly recommended.
gardening project (7.2%). The least known interventions A small number of students (8%) noted their need for
were the Start to Run/Health Run meetings (2.9%), environmental changes on campus, such as more outdoor
the voluntary courses on health topics (2.4%), and the seating and tables for relaxation and a cozy reading area
ELMO partnership (2.1%). Some students mentioned in the library. The idea of a bike repair station on campus,
interventions not part of the Campus Kleefeld health currently under development in collaboration with
project, while a significant number reported being students from another faculty, was well received. To gauge
unaware of any interventions. support for this idea, an additional question was included

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 174 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.4290