Physical Self-Perception, Body Posture of Nursing Students and Associated Factors

Abstract

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine the relationships between physical self-perception, body posture disorders, age, gender and BMIcategories and nursing students’ physical self-perception and body posture disorders.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted. The study population was comprised of 1202 students studying at the Nursing Faculty, thesample consisted of 341 students. The data were collected by using “Structured Question Form”, “Symmetrigraf”, “Posture Aware by Center RoadSoftware LLC” and “Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ)”.Results: Students’ average age was 20.33±1.60. Body posture analysis through symmetrigraf showed that the students suffered from kyphosis,lordosis, scoliosis, flattening and curvature. Analysis of shoulder, spine, hip, wrist, neck, upper back, torso, abdomen, and back showed first-degreedeformation. According to Body Posture Aware App, there was first-degree deformation on the head, the shoulder and the hip. When the scalescores of PSDQ of the students are examined; it was seen that the average score of PSDQ of female students was 265.96 ± 40.28 and that of malestudents was 294.64 ± 42.97.Conclusion: The students had problems with body posture and gender played a role in posture and self-perception. Considering the period of lifestudents go through and the fact that they will be a member of health personnel, utmost attention needs to be paid to this issue.