Self-perception of health status and self-care capacity in university nursing students.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship between self-perception of health status and self-care capacity in university nursing students. Material and methods: Quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive and non-experimental-correlational design, with a sample of 356 students, applying the survey technique and a structured questionnaire with personal data, SF-36 test of perceived health, and EECAC self-care capacity scale as an instrument. Results: Self-perceived health status was 82.3% fair, followed by good 17.1% and poor 0.6%; by dimensions, a good level was found in physical function 87.6%, physical role 47.2%, emotional role 42.4% and bodily pain 75%; the average level of health predominated in vitality 90.7%, mental health 89.6%, social function 86% and general health 89.9%. Self-care capacity was of medium level 59.6%, and high level in 40.4%; by dimensions health promotion and social interaction were of medium level (61% and 60.7%). According to Spearman's Rho test, the relationship between self-perception of health status and self-care capacity is significant (p=0.010), there being also relationship of health status with health promotion (p=0.001) and social interaction (p=0.006). Conclusions: There is a relationship between self-perception of health status and self-care capacity in university nursing students.