https://doi.org/10.4081/hls.2024.12898

Sociodemographic correlates of dietary habits among university students of health sciences in Kosovo

Early Access
Submitted: 4 August 2024
Accepted: 12 September 2024
Published: 26 September 2024
dietary habits, fruit, Kosovo, vegetables, university students
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Authors

Naim Jerliu
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4919-5454
Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Prishtina, Kosovo; National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo.
Haxhi Kamberi
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7743-0498
Faculty of Medicine, University of Gjakova “Fehmi Agani”, Gjakova, Kosovo; Regional Hospital “Isa Grezda”, Gjakova, Kosovo.
Iris Mone
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9661-5534
Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania.
Drilon Zekaj
doc.drilon.zekaj@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1721-4359
Clinical University Center of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo.
Pranvera Krasniqi
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6759-3069
Faculty of Medicine, University of Gjakova “Fehmi Agani”, Gjakova, Kosovo.
Genc Burazeri
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4813-4000
Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania; Department of International Health, CAPHRI (Care and Public Health Research Institute), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.

We aimed to assess the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of selected dietary habits among students of health sciences in Kosovo. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kosovo in 2024, including 470 students of health sciences (≈86% females; mean age: 20.7±2.7 years; response rate: 70%). Information on selected dietary habits and sociodemographic factors of the students was gathered. Independent positive correlates of a lower fruit intake (<1 time/day) included male gender (OR=2.3, 95% CI =1.3-4.2) and a lower economic level (OR=1.5, 95% CI =1.0-2.3). Furthermore, positive independent correlates of a higher frequency of consumption of fried foods (≥1 time/day) included male gender (OR=2.2, 95% CI =1.2-4.1), urban residence (OR=1.6, 95% CI =1.0-2.6) and a lower economic level (OR=1.7, 95% CI =1.0-2.7). Conversely, excessive salt intake was positively and strongly correlated to a lower economic level (OR=3.5, 95% CI =2.1-6.0), but inversely related to students’ age (OR=0.4, 95% CI =0.2-0.9). Male gender and particularly a lower economic level were strong correlates of poor dietary habits among university students in Kosovo. Targeted interventions are needed to address dietary habits among youths, with a focus on providing support and resources to economically disadvantaged individuals.

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Supporting Agencies

National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Gjakova

How to Cite

Jerliu, N., Kamberi, H., Mone, I., Zekaj, D., Krasniqi, P., & Burazeri, G. (2024). Sociodemographic correlates of dietary habits among university students of health sciences in Kosovo. Healthcare in Low-Resource Settings. https://doi.org/10.4081/hls.2024.12898
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