Cambios en los hábitos de vida en tiempos de pandemia en estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad de Cuenca, 2023

Abstract

Background: Human habits are shaped by the environment and self-confidence, including health routines and social or cultural activities. Sudden changes, as occurred with confinement due to the COVID-19pandemic, can force people to reinvent or adapt their daily routines. Objective: The main objective is to describe the changes in living habits in times of pandemic in medical students at the University of Cuenca, 2023. Methods: Quantitative study at a descriptive level. The population included 923 medical students from the University of Cuenca who belonged to the period March-August 2023 and the sample was 272 participants. The FANTASTIC questionnaire was applied and the results were presented in frequency and percentage tables. Results: The majority of students belonged to the first and sixth cycle (22.1% and 15.8%, respectively); 57.4% were women; the average age was 20.6 years (SD=2.07 years); 49.3% had normal weight. The average score of the FANTASTIC test during confinement was 35.71 points and after it was 36.57, representing a significant increase (p=0.043). There were significant changes in severity according to the FANTASTICO test after confinement (p<0.001). Conclusions: The study revealed significant improvements in the lifestyle habits of medical students post-confinement, highlighting a positive adaptation in aspects such as social relationships, physical activity, and nutrition, despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19pandemic