Background: We examined perceived health status and physical
and psychological well‑being of 3,271 undergraduate students attending
eleven faculties in a university in Egypt.
Methods: During 2009-2010, participants completed a self‑administered
questionnaire that gathered socio‑demographic, physical and
psychological health data. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated
from students’ measured height and weight. Differences across these
variables were computed by gender and participating faculties.
Results: Whilst more females watched and rated their health favorably,
they were more likely to feel psychosomatic/physical health problems,
to have seen a medical practitioner or been ill that they had to stay in
bed. Females were consistently more likely to feel burdened overall,
and across several aspects apart from financial problems. Less females
had ‘normal’ BMI, were satisfied with current weight, perceived their
body image as ‘just right’, or were not worried about their shape. More
males rated their quality of life favorably. About 25% of males and
32% of females were either overweight/obese. Exams, presentations,
and the lack of time for studies were the frequently‑reported burdens.
Comparisons of health/well‑being indicators across the participating
faculties suggested some evidence of ‘clustering’: Favorable indicators
would cluster at some faculties; and conversely, less favorable variables
would cluster at other faculties.
Conclusions: Generally, the levels of some health complaints and
psychological problems/burdens are higher than in other countries.
Increased vigilance of university administrators and leaders to monitoring
the health and well‑being of their students, as well as their health needs
is required if policy makers are to operate from a valid evidence base
platform. Given cultural factors prevalent in the Eastern Mediterranean
region generally, female students might require particular attention. The
clustering effects suggest the need for local (faculty‑specific) health and
well‑being profiles as basis and guidance for relevant health promotion
programs in faculty/university settings