Association between somatic symptoms and daily health behaviors among junior and senior high school students in Henan Province
10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2026270
- VernacularTitle:河南省中学生躯体症状与日常健康行为的相关性
- Author:
LI Fengjuan, WANG Liru, LIUJingjing, WANG Xu, WANG Yanxin, CAO Ying, FAN Mingming, XU Fengming
1
Author Information
1. Students;School health services;Signs and symptoms;Health education
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Students;
School health services;
Signs and symptoms;
Health education
- From:
Chinese Journal of School Health
2026;47(9):1267-1271
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the prevalence and correlates of five somatic symptoms among junior and senior high school students, so as to provide a reference for the prevention of these symptoms in the population.
Methods:From September to November 2024, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 163 802 junior and senior high school students from 158 counties/districts in Henan Province. A questionnaire survey was conducted using the Student Health Status and Influencing Factors Survey (Secondary School Version) and the Special Survey on Influencing Factors of Key Common Diseases. Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors associated with each of the five somatic symptoms.
Results:The reported prevalence of fever, cough, sore throat, diarrhea, and vomiting were 7.93%, 23.56%, 13.67%, 18.03%, and 3.17%, respectively. Girls reported (8.20%, 25.26%, 16.54%, 19.14%, 3.68%) higher rates than boys (7.67%, 21.97%, 11.00%, 16.99%, 2.69%) ( χ 2= 16.01, 245.78, 1 063.22, 128.89, 129.48, all P <0.01). Boarding students (8.95%, 25.79%, 15.77%, 20.77%, 3.45%) also had higher rates than nonboarding students (6.63%, 20.75%, 11.02%, 14.56%, 2.80%)( χ 2=298.37, 569.43, 772.23, 1 055.42 , 55.82, all P <0.01). Students from nonintact families reported higher rates (8.87%, 24.89%, 14.57%, 19.20%, 3.60% ) than those from intact families (7.58%, 23.07%, 13.34%, 17.60%, 3.01%) ( χ 2=72.48, 58.98, 41.61, 55.40, 36.00, all P <0.01). After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, multivariate Logistic regression showed that unhealthy dietary habits, daily homework or tutoring duration≥2 hours, daily screen time ≥2 hours, lack of parental encouragement for exercise, exposure to tobacco/alcohol, and substance abuse were associated with increased risk of reporting the five somatic symptoms ( OR =1.27- 1.63 , 1.21-1.27, 1.28-1.40, 1.07-1.13, 1.77-2.08, 1.76-2.17, all P <0.05). Conversely, handwashing habits, twice daily tooth brushing, daily breakfast consumption, engaging in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day, spending outdoor time during breaks, and adequate sleep were associated with lower risk ( OR =0.82-0.90, 0.85 -0.92, 0.44- 0.76 , 0.83-0.93, 0.69-0.75, 0.65-0.78, all P <0.05).
Conclusions:Disparities exist in the prevalence of fever, cough, sore throat, diarrhea, and vomiting among secondary school students in Henan Province. The risk of experiencing these five somatic symptoms is closely linked to daily health behaviors. Comprehensive intervention strategies and scientific measures should be implemented to prevent somatic symptoms in junior and senior high school students.
