Evaluation of the Peer-Supported E-Health Module Implemented for University Students to Develop Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the peer-supported e-health module implemented for university students to gain healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Design: The study was planned in a quasi-experimental research design. The study participants were 81 university students. The peer-supported e-health module was applied to all students in the sample. The "Introductory Information Form," "Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II," and "Peer Mentoring Assessing Scale" were used as data collection instruments. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22.00. Descriptive statistics, percentage and frequency distributions, the one-way repeated measures ANOVA, and Wilks' Lambda test were used in the study.

Results: Of the students who participated in the study, 91.4% had not received training similar to the e-health module, and 82.7% had not received peer-supported training previously. The total scores of the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II were 127.06 ± 18.48 at the pre-test and 149.69 ± 20.85 at the post-test, and there was a significant difference between the scores (p < 0.001). The e-health module increased students' scores by 56.7% with a significant and greater effect (η² = 0.567). The total score of the scale on assessing peer mentoring of the students after the module was 56.79 ± 10.45.

Conclusions: It was observed that the peer supported e-health module supported students' healthy lifestyle behaviors and was an effective module. To raise awareness about sustainable health approaches, it is recommended to increase similar training programs in which students are more involved in the process.

Keywords: e‐health; healthy lifestyle; nursing; peer support; university students.