Internet, studying and daily rhythm: health symptoms among higher education students.

OBJECTIVES: Excessive Internet use is a health concern among higher education students leading to reduced academic performance and problems in everyday life. This study aimed to explore the relationship between health and problems of studying and daily rhythm caused by time spent online among students (n=3,050). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out. The data were analyzed using descriptive and chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Findings indicated that one fifth of students reported having problems of studying and daily rhythm caused by time spent online. Psychological health symptoms such as anxiety (p<0.001) and physical health symptoms including lower back problems (p<0.001) were associated with these problems. According to the logistic regression analyses, problems of studying and daily rhythm caused by time spent online and higher amount of Internet use by time were associated with psychological and physical health symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that problems of studying and daily rhythm and spending more time online are related to health symptoms among the students. The study's findings can be used from a prevention standpoint for early identification and further to identify the need for seeking professional treatment.

Health check attendance association with health and study-related factors: a register-based cohort study of Finnish university entrants.

BACKGROUND: General health checks are an established component of preventive health care in many countries. Declining participation rates have raised concerns in health care providers. Understanding the reasons for attendance and non-attendance is necessary to improve the preventive health care system. The aim of this study was to examine health- and study-related factors associated with university entrants' health check attendance. METHODS: Since 2009, an electronic health questionnaire (eHQ) has been conducted yearly to all Finnish university entrants by the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) to screen students for a general health check. The questionnaire comprises 26 questions about health, health habits and studying. The study population consisted of the 3346 entrants from the 2011-2012 academic year who were referred to a health check based on their eHQ responses. The eHQ data were linked with health check attendance information. Multivariable logistic regression was used to study the associations between the questionnaire responses and non-attendance of the health check. RESULTS: Male sex (OR 1.6, 95% CI % 1.4-1.9) and low engagement with studies (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-2.0) were the variables most strongly associated with non-attendance. Having low state of mind was negatively associated with health check non-attendance thus enhanced the health-check attendance (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.5-0.8). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that providing health checks in student health care may serve as a way of reaching students with health concerns. However, motivating males and smokers to attend general health checks continue to be a challenge also in a university student population. That low engagement with studies associates with health check non-attendance points to need to improve collaboration between universities and student health care.

Association between university students' two-staged health screening and student health care utilisation: register based observational study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore how university students' participation in a two-staged health screening at the beginning of university studies associates with student health care utilisation in a 6-year follow-up. DESIGN: Nationwide, observational, register-based cohort study with a 6-year follow-up. SETTING: Student health care in Finland. Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) provides statutory student health services to university students in Finland. The two-staged health screening of FSHS includes the electronic health questionnaire (eHQ) provided annually to university entrants and a subsequent health check, when necessary, based on students eHQ response. PARTICIPANTS: A national cohort of university entrants from the 2011-2012 academic year (N=15 723) was assessed. After exclusions the study population consisted of 12 972 students, n (female)=7368, n (male)=5604. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures were students' health service utilisation pattern obtained by clustering analyses method and the students' participation in different stages of the health examination process. RESULTS: Four distinguishable health care utilisation patterns were identified: (1) constant low use, (2) constant high use, (3) increasing use and (4) decreasing use. The students' OR for belonging to the constant high use group was significantly higher among females (OR 4.0, 95% CI 3.5 to 4.6) and students who attended the health check (OR 4.7, 95% CI 3.9 to 5.6). CONCLUSIONS: Participating in the two-staged health screening was associated with increase in health care utilisation. The process detects students with health problems.

Psychological Distress, Dental Health, and Dental Fear among Finnish University Students: A National Survey.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dental fear, psychological distress, and perceived symptoms of teeth controlled for age, gender, educational sector, and tobacco use. The data from the Finnish University Student Health Survey 2016 targeting students (n = 10,000) of academic universities and universities of applied sciences were used. Psychological distress was measured with the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation 10 (CORE-10) and the General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12) and dental fear with the question 'Do you feel scared about receiving dental care?'. The study included 3110 students. In logistic regression analyses those with psychological distress (measured with CORE-10 and GHQ-12) and those reporting teeth-related symptoms were more likely than their counterparts to have high dental fear. In gender-specific analyses men with psychological distress (measured with CORE-10) and women with teeth-related symptoms were more likely to have high levels of dental fear. Finnish university students with psychological distress and teeth-related symptoms were more likely to experience higher levels of dental fear than their counterparts were. The results of this study support possible common vulnerability factors that dental fear and other psychological disorders may share.

Association of psychological distress and widespread pain with sympatoms of temporomandibular disorders and self-reported bruxism in students.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of psychosocial distress and widespread pain with self-reported symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and bruxism, in two cross-sectional surveys in 2012 and 2016, and whether there are temporal changes in the magnitude of associations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data were gathered from Finnish university students in 2012 and 2016. TMD symptoms were assessed with three validated questions and bruxism with one frequently used question. Psychosocial distress was assessed with the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), and widespread pain with questions of pain in the extremities, the neck or upper back, and lower back. The associations of GHQ-12, widespread pain and background variables with TMD symptoms and bruxism were analyzed with chi-square tests, t-test and binary logistic regression models stratified by gender, and adjusted for age-group, self-reported general health/wellbeing and presence of widespread pain. RESULTS: Higher GHQ-12 score and presence of widespread pain were significantly associated with TMD symptoms in both genders at both time points. The association of higher GHQ-12 score with sleep bruxism and awake bruxism were inconsistent. In the adjusted model higher GHQ-12 score and widespread pain were significantly related to TMD pain symptoms in both genders at both time points, and to bruxism in 2012. Between the two time points a greater variability in these associations was seen in men than in women. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological distress and widespread pain are significant determinants in perceived TMD pain and bruxism among students. No significant temporal alterations were observed.

Association between dental fear and eating disorders and Body Mass Index among Finnish university students: a national survey.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the association between eating disorders (ED) and dental fear. This study investigated the association between dental fear and EDs through body mass index (BMI), and SCOFF (sick, control, one stone, fat, food) questionnaire among Finnish university students. We hypothesised that dental fear is associated with EDs and BMI. METHODS: We used the latest data from the Finnish University Student Health Survey 2016. This survey targeted undergraduate Finnish students (n = 10,000) of academic universities and universities of applied sciences. We enquired about e.g. age, gender, height, weight, educational sector and perceived mental well-being. We used the SCOFF questionnaire to assess those at risk for developing EDs. The question 'Do you feel scared about dental care?' enquired about dental fear. We used the chi-square test and gender-specific logistic regression to analyse the associations between dental fear, EDs and BMI controlling for age, educational sector and mental well-being. RESULTS: In total, 3110 students participated in the study. Overall 7.2% of the students reported high dental fear and 9.2% scored SCOFF positive; more women than men reported high dental fear (11.2% vs. 3.8%, p < 0.001) and scored positive on SCOFF (14.2% vs. 3.6%, p < 0.001). Gender modified the association between dental fear and EDs and BMI. Among females, when controlling for educational sector and BMI, those with positive SCOFF score were more likely to have high dental fear than those with negative SCOFF score (OR = 1.6; CI = 1.0-2.4). After adding perceived mental well-being to the gender-specific regression analyses, overweight and obese males, BMI ≥ 25 (OR = 2.4; CI 1.3-4.4) and females with poor to moderate mental well-being (OR = 2.1; CI 1.4-2.9) were more likely than their counterparts to have high dental fear. CONCLUSIONS: Among the Finnish university students BMI in males and problems of mental well-being in females were positively associated with high dental fear. The results of this study support possible common vulnerability factors that dental fear and other psychological disorders may share.

Associations between e-health questionnaire responses, health checks and graduation: Finnish register-based study of 2011-2012 university entrants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between health and study-related factors measured by an Electronic Health Questionnaire (eHQ), participation in a health examination process and graduation in a university student population. DESIGN: Nationwide, retrospective, register-based cohort study with a 6-year follow-up. SETTING: Student health care in Finland. Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) provides statutory student health services to university students in Finland. The health examination process of FSHS includes the eHQ provided annually to university entrants and a subsequent health check when necessary based on students' eHQ response. PARTICIPANTS: A national cohort of university entrants from the 2011-2012 academic year (n=14 329, n (female)=8075, n (male)=6254). OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was graduation, measured based on whether a student had completed a bachelor's, licentiate or master's degree during the 6-year follow-up. RESULTS: Some 72% of the women and 60% of the men had graduated during the follow-up. The predictors in the eHQ associated with non-graduation differed by sex. Among the women's low enthusiasm about studies (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.9 to 3.6), low engagement with studies (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.8 to 3.4) and daily smoking (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.6) were the strongest predictors to non-graduation. Among the men, low engagement with studies (OR 3.7, 95% CI 2.5 to 5.5) and obesity (body mass index≥35) (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.9 to 8.8) were the strongest predictors to non-graduation. Not attending the health check when referred was associated with non-graduation in both sexes: the OR for not graduating was 1.6 (95% CI 1.3 to 1.9) in women and 1.3 (95% CI 1.0 to 1.6) in men. CONCLUSIONS: Engagement and enthusiasm about studying in the first year are important predictors of graduation and therefore a potential intervention target. Health promotion initiatives conducted early in the studies may have a positive effect on students' academic achievement.

Screening University Students for Health Checks With an Electronic Health Questionnaire in Finland: Protocol for a Retrospective, Register-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Health questionnaires and health checks are an established part of preventive health care services in Finland. However, only very limited research of these has been conducted. The Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) provides primary health care services to all bachelor's and master's degree university students (approximately 134,500 students) in Finland. FSHS's statutory health examination process of university entrants includes an electronic health questionnaire (eHQ) and, based on the students' eHQ responses, a subsequent health check if necessary. To our knowledge, no previous studies have been published on the use of questionnaires for screening students for general health checks. OBJECTIVE: The general aim of the study is to evaluate the health examination process of university entrants. The objectives are to determine how students' self-reported health in the eHQ and participation in the health examination process are associated with graduation, mental health problems, and the use of student health care services. METHODS: This is an ongoing, nationwide, retrospective, register-based cohort study with a 6-year follow-up. The study population is the cohort of university entrants (N=15,723) from the 2011-2012 academic year. These students were sent the eHQ, which consisted of 26 questions about health, health habits, social relations, and studying. Based on the eHQ responses, students were referred to one of the following interventions: (1) a health check, (2) an appointment other than a health check (eg, physiotherapy), or (3) electronic feedback to support a healthy lifestyle, when the other interventions were not necessary. Multiple comparisons will be made within these groups using logistic regression. The primary outcome variables are graduation, having a mental health problem, and attending a health check. The use of FSHS health care services will be studied with the cluster analysis method. The data have been obtained from three nationwide registers: the eHQ register, the medical records of FSHS, and the Higher education achievement register. The data have been linked using personal identity codes. RESULTS: As of August 2019, the data collection and processing are complete and the statistical analyses are in progress. Preliminary results are expected in autumn 2019. Further publications are expected in 2020, and two PhD theses are expected to be completed by the end of 2022. CONCLUSIONS: Studying practical procedures in primary health care is highly important for resource allocation and the development of evidence-based processes. This study will be the first to assess the usage of a health questionnaire in screening students for health checks. The findings of this study will contribute to the field of preventive health care. The main practical implication is the development of the FSHS's health examination process. We hypothesize that participation in the health examination process enhances academic achievement and the detection of university students' mental health problems early on in their studies. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/14535.

Association between dental fear, physical activity and physical and mental well-being among Finnish university students.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between physical and mental well-being and physical activity with dental fear among university students in Finland.Methods: We used the 2016 data from the Finnish student health survey (n = 3090). Perceived physical and mental well-being was ascertained with the questions 'How would you describe your current state of physical well-being?' and 'How would you describe your current state of mental well-being'. Dental fear was inquired with question 'Do you feel scared about dental care?' Associations between physical and mental well-being and dental fear were analyzed with cross tabulations and logistic regression analysis.Results: When controlling for age, gender, educational sector, tobacco and alcohol use, those reporting poor or moderate physical or mental well-being were more likely to have high dental fear than were those reporting good physical or mental well-being.Conclusions: In addition to mental well-being, physical well-being was also associated with dental fear; those with poor or moderate physical well-being were more likely to have dental fear than were those with good physical well-being.

A 12-year Trend of Psychological Distress: National Study of Finnish University Students.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to explore changes in the prevalence of psychological distress and co-occurring psychological symptoms among 19-34 years old Finnish university students between the years 2000 and 2012. METHODS: The prevalence of perceived frequent psychological symptoms was compared in four nationwide cross-sectional student health surveys with random samples (N=11,502) in the following years: 2000 (N=3,174), 2004 (N=3,153), 2008 (N=2,750), and 2012 (N=2,425). RESULTS: In the time phase from 2000 to 2012, the overall psychological distress (12-item General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-12) increased from 22% to 28%, while there was also an increase in the frequently experienced psychological symptoms (depressiveness from 13% to 15%, anxiety from 8% to 13%, concentration problems from 12% to 18%, and psychological tension from 13% to 18% with a peak prevalence observed in 2008). The co-occurrence of different psychological symptoms increased as well. Psychological distress was more common in females and in older students. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest an increasing trend of frequent psychological distress among Finnish university students over the years from 2000 to 2012, with the peak prevalence occurring in 2008, which may reflect the growing multifaceted environmental demands.

Self-Reported Bruxism and Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders in Finnish University Students.

AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of self-reported bruxism and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and to investigate their association in academic and applied science university students in Finland. METHODS: The data were gathered from 4,403 Finnish students included in the Finnish Student Health Survey 2012. The comprehensive questionnaire included five questions concerning bruxism and TMD symptoms. Bivariate associations between self-reported bruxism and TMD symptoms were evaluated using chi-square tests, and logistic regression model was used with age and gender as factors. RESULTS: Sleep bruxism was reported by 21.0% of women and by 12.5% of men, awake bruxism by 2.0% of women and by 2.8% of men, and both sleep and awake bruxism by 7.2% of women and by 3.2% of men. TMD pain was reported by 25.9% of women and by 11.4% of men and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain on jaw movement by 9.6% of women and by 4.2% of men. Report of sleep bruxism increased the risk for all TMD symptoms in both genders. Among women, report of awake bruxism increased the risk for TMD pain and TMJ pain on jaw movement. Reporting stress as a perpetuating factor for TMD pain increased the risk for both sleep and awake bruxism in both genders. The logistic regression analysis (including age and gender) showed that report of sleep bruxism and/or awake bruxism was associated with TMD pain (Odds Ratio [OR] = 5.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.86-6.70), TMJ pain on jaw movement (OR = 4.49; 95% CI = 3.54-5.69), and TMJ locking (OR = 2.98; 95% CI = 2.17-4.10). CONCLUSION: Bruxism and TMD symptoms are frequent in Finnish university students. Self-reported bruxism is associated with TMD symptoms, confirming earlier findings.

Association between dental fear and oral health habits and treatment need among University students in Finland: a national study.

BACKGROUND: First-year university students are in a new, independent life situation, which may affect health behaviour, including oral health habits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between dental fear and oral health habits, while considering the simultaneous effects of attitude toward food and treatment need at dental check-ups. METHODS: The data (n = 8514) for this national cross-sectional study were collected from health registers of Finnish Student Health Service. As part of health examination all first-year university students in Finland were sent an electronic questionnaire asking about general, psychological and oral health, and health habits. Dental fear was measured by the question: "How afraid are you of visiting a dentist?" (reply alternatives: "Not at all", "Somewhat" and "Very"). Chi-square tests and Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to determine the associations between dental fear and oral health habits (tooth brushing, tobacco use, frequency of eating and drinking, eating habits and interval between dental check-ups) as well as attitude to food and treatment need at dental check-ups while controlling for age, gender, general mood and feelings in social situations. RESULTS: Of the oral health habits, tooth brushing and tobacco use were associated with dental fear. Those who brushed their teeth once a day or less often or used tobacco regularly were more likely to have high dental fear than those who brushed their teeth twice a day or more often or used tobacco occasionally or not at all. Students who reported not having a normal attitude to food were more likely to have high dental fear than were those reporting normal attitude to food, but the frequency of eating and drinking was not associated with dental fear. Students who reported needing treatment frequently or at every dental check-up were more likely to have high dental fear than those who reported rarely or never needing treatment. CONCLUSION: Those students with high dental fear seem to be at risk of having poor oral health habits and abnormal attitude to food, which may increase the risk of deterioration of oral health and the need for treatment. Dental teams should make efforts in helping fearful patients to find motivation for good oral health habits.

Dental fear, tobacco use and alcohol use among university students in Finland: a national survey.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco- and alcohol use are associated with psychological problems. Individuals with high dental fear also more often report other psychological problems than do those with lower level of dental fear. We evaluated the association between dental fear and tobacco- and alcohol use while controlling for age, gender, general mood and feelings in social situations. METHODS: The data (n = 8514) were collected from all universities in Finland with an electronic inquiry sent to all first-year university students. Dental fear was measured with the question: "How afraid are you of visiting a dentist?" with reply alternatives "Not at all", "Somewhat" and "Very". Regularity of tobacco use was determined with the question: "Do you smoke or use snuff?", with reply alternatives "Not at all", "Occasionally" and "Daily". The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used for determination of alcohol use; an AUDIT sum score of 8 or more indicated hazardous, harmful or dependent alcohol use. The statistical tests used were Chi-square tests and Multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: When controlled for age, gender, alcohol use, general mood and feelings in social situations, those who used tobacco regularly were more likely to have high dental fear than were those who used tobacco occasionally or not at all. When controlled for age, gender, general mood and feelings in social situations, those with hazardous, harmful or dependent alcohol use were more likely to have high dental fear than were those with low-risk of alcohol use, the association between alcohol use and dental fear was not strong. When tobacco use was added into this model, alcohol use was no longer statistically significantly associated with dental fear. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study support the suggestion that some people may have common vulnerability factors linked to tobacco use, alcohol use, and dental fear.

Childbearing, the desire to have children, and awareness about the impact of age on female fertility among Finnish university students.

OBJECTIVE: To describe Finnish university students' childbearing histories, desires concerning childbearing, and awareness regarding the impact of age on female fertility. METHODS: A national survey of Finnish university students in 2008. A questionnaire was sent to 9,967 Finnish undergraduate university students aged less than 35 years. Altogether, the questionnaire was answered by 1,864 men and 3,222 women. The overall response rate was 51% (42% for men and 59% for women). Students were asked about their number of children, desired childbearing, and awareness of the effect of age on female fertility. RESULTS: Of the respondents, 8.25% had children, and 94.0% wanted to have children in the future. Female students were more aware of the impact of age on female fertility than were male students. Over half of the men and approximately one-third of the women thought that the marked decrease in female fertility begins after the age of 45 years. CONCLUSIONS: A vast majority of Finnish university students wanted to have children in the future. Their awareness of the natural, age-related decline in female fertility was insufficient. Sexual health education in schools and health care personnel's family planning counselling, for both men and women, should include information about the age-related drop in fertility.

Violence victimization among Finnish university students: prevalence, symptoms and healthcare usage.

The present study examined the prevalence of various forms of violence victimization among university students in Finland. Violence victimization was analyzed in relation to physical and mental health symptoms, and the use of student healthcare services. A cross-sectional Student Health Survey was performed as a national postal survey for Finnish university students in 2004. In the next phase of the study, an additional postal survey regarding violence victimization was sent to those who had answered the original survey, which resulted in a sample of 905 students. It was found that violence victimization and violence-related health issues were markedly prevalent among Finnish university students. The students reported multiple forms of violence and injury demonstrating the diversity of violence victimization. Male and female victims differed both in the amount and type of symptoms, and in their relationship to the abuser/offender. Violence victimization and gender had a significant main effect on specific symptoms, while no interaction effect was found. The data also showed that violence victimization is overrepresented among frequent healthcare users. These findings have implications for clinical practice and public policy. The present findings provide useful information for policy makers and healthcare professionals concerning the health effects of violence in accordance with the use of healthcare services. More specifically, this information should be taken into consideration when planning student healthcare and could serve as a guideline for student healthcare management.

Users and non-users of web-based health advice service among Finnish university students - chronic conditions and self-reported health status (a cross-sectional study).

BACKGROUND: The Internet is increasingly used by citizens as source of health information. Young, highly educated adults use the Internet frequently to search for health-related information. Our study explores whether reported chronic conditions or self-reported health status differed among Finnish university students using the Finnish Student Health Services web-based health advice service compared with those not using the service. METHODS: Cross-sectional study performed by a national postal survey in 2004. MATERIAL: A random sample (n = 5 030) of a population of 101 805 undergraduate Finnish university students aged 19-35. The response rate: 63% (n = 3 153). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of university students reporting use a of web-based health advice service, diagnosed chronic conditions, and self-reported health status of users and non-users of a web-based health advice service. STATISTICAL METHODS: Data were presented with frequency distributions and cross-tabulations and the chi2 test was used. RESULTS: 12% (n = 370) of Finnish undergraduate students had used the web-based health advice service and were identified as 'users'. The proportion of male students reporting allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis was greater among users than non-users (24%, n = 22 vs. 15%, n = 154, chi2, P = .03). The proportion of female students reporting chronic mental health problems was greater among users than non-users (12%, n = 34 vs. 8%, n = 140, chi2, P = .03). There was no statistical significance between the group differences of male or female users and non-users in self-reported health status (good or fairly good, average, rather poor or poor). CONCLUSION: Among young, highly educated adults the use of a web-based health advice service is not associated with self-reported health status. However, a web-based health advice service could offer support for managing several specific chronic conditions. More research data is needed to evaluate the role of web-based health advice services that supplement traditional forms of health services.

Sexual intercourse and current contraceptive use among university students in Finland.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the current frequency of sexual intercourse, the current use of contraceptives, the ever use of emergency contraception, and the ever experience of condom failure among Finnish university students. STUDY DESIGN: The study population consisted of Finnish undergraduate university students (19-34 years of age) in 2004. The randomly selected sample comprised 5030 subjects. The data were collected by postal questionnaire, the response rate being 62.7%. Data were presented with frequency distributions and cross-tabulations. Chi-square test was used. Frequencies for women and men were presented and tested separately. RESULTS: A total of 80% of students were currently practicing sexual intercourse. Approximately half of the female students currently used hormonal contraception and one-third used a condom. Almost half of the men currently used a condom. The simultaneous use of condom and hormonal contraception was rare. Condom failure was common. The ever use of emergency contraception appeared to be associated with condom failure. CONCLUSION: Of Finnish university students 80% were sexually active and hormonal contraceptives were the most popular method of contraception among female students. The use of the condom should be practiced more often for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

Childbearing and the desire to have children among university students in Finland.

BACKGROUND: The fertility rate in Europe is low and there is concern over the low birth rate in relation to the aging population. The age of childbearing women has increased and infertility is a growing problem. Highly educated women in Finland suffer from childlessness more often than less educated women. The aim of this study was to establish Finnish university students' actual and desired number of children, and compare the economic and educational situations of students with and without children. METHODS: The study population consisted of Finnish undergraduate students under 35 years of age. The randomly selected sample was 5,030 subjects. The data were collected by postal questionnaire, the response rate being 62.7%. Frequency distributions, cross-tabulations, and descriptive statistics were used. Categorical variables were tested by the Cochran-Mantel-Haenzel test. RESULTS: 7.5% of students had children. Almost 90% desired to have children. Parenthood did not correlate negatively with satisfaction with financial situation or completed studies. CONCLUSION: University students are seldom parents, though they are at the ideal age for childbearing and the majority desire to have children. The risk of unintended childlessness exists, when pregnancies are postponed because of unfinished studies.