PERCEPTION OF STUDENTS ABOUT HEALTH CONCERNS IN AHMADU BELLO
UNIVERSITY ZARIA.

Health risk factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, inadequate nutritional status, and low levels of physical activity have direct behavioural links to chronic disease. Modification of these health-risk behaviours can enhance health and lessen the risk of chronic illnesses later in life. This research was design to evaluate the perception of students about health concerns in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. The population for this study comprised male and female undergraduate students of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, during 2015/2016 academic session that totaled 24,782, excluding students from 500 and 600 levels were involved. In order to identify health concerns of students in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a focus group discussion was conducted with students from each of the faculties. A total of 302 students
participated in eleven focus group discussions. From the focus group discussions students’ perception about health concerns were identified. The key areas highlighted include issues of adjustment to lifestyle behavior and provision of support services. Based on the identified items, a questionnaire was prepared and face validated. The results showed a reliability index of .95. This revealed the appropriateness of the instrument which was then used for data collection. The questionnaire thus prepared was administered to 302 students who participated in the focus group discussion. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics of means, standard deviation, t-test and ANOVA. The research found that students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria had concern about health issues that affects them. The key health issues raised by the respondents in this study were alcohol, drugs and smoking. They also showed concern about mental health issues, especially depression in the University. Recommendations were made to improve their health. Through health education and promotion programs other than campaigns on the campus and should be a long-time program. Students should be involved in University health planning.