Prevalence of health risk behaviours related to non-communicable diseases amongst South African university students: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Engagement in risk behaviours adopted during university continues after graduation, increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This systematic review aimed to investigate the prevalence of NCD risk behaviours amongst South African university students.

Methods

PubMed and Scopus databases were searched (January 1990-April 2022) for studies investigating alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables and physical inactivity. Study qualities were assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal and levels of evidence checklists. An overall prevalence percentage was obtained for each risk behaviour.

Results

A total of 50 studies (n = 26 624 students) were included. A range of 44.8-75.0% of studen

SUBMITTER: Florence GE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10688999 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature