Yliopisto-opiskelijoiden terveystarkastukset: yhteys terveyspalvelujen käyttöön ja tutkinnon suorittamiseen

Health checks have an important role in Finnish statutory preventive health care including child health clinics, school and student health care and occupational health care. However, the evidence on students’ health checks is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess university entrants’ two-stage health examination process and the association between students’ participation in the process and student health care utilization, and graduation. The process includes an Electronic Health Questionnaire (eHQ) provided to all university entrants and a subsequent health check, when necessary, based on the students’ eHQ responses. The eHQ is comprised of questions related to studying, health, lifestyle and social relations.

The study was an observational retrospective register-based study with a six-year follow-up (2011-2017). The study population was the whole cohort of university entrants from the 2011 to 2012 academic year in Finland (n=15 723). Logistic regression, multinomial logistic regression and hierarchical cluster analyses were used as analysis methods.

Only half of the students participated in the two-stage health check. In particular, measures to improve the participation of male students are needed. Health related reasons did not seem to be associated with health-check non-attendance to a great extent. It was a positive finding that the two-stage health check seemed to reach the students with mental health symptoms. This could translate into opportunities to prevent mental health disorders. Four out of five students utilized student health care services during the follow-up. Female students utilized student health care ser- vices significantly more than male. Psychological reasons were the most common reason for an encounter. Attending the health check was associated with elevated use of student health care.

Overall, some 70 % of the students had graduated during the follow-up. Students’ enthusiastic attitude, and engagement to studies were associated with graduation. With the eHQ, it was possible to detect the possible risks to study ability early in the studies. These risks should be addressed, and appropriate procedures put in place in cooperation with the universities. One of the most important goals of conducting health checks in student health care is promoting study ability. This seemed to be realized when measure used was graduation.