Health and Socio-economic Status of New Entrants to the University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Abstract

This study attempts to assess the socio-economic and health status of the new entrants to the four faculties in the Sri Jayewardenepura University. Data were obtained using a pre-tested pre-designed questionnaire. Students from different faculties differed markedly in their socioeconomic background as well as in their health status. The students entering faculties of medicine and science had a larger proportion coming from higher socio-economic group and better BMI and lower prevalence of anemia, compared to the students entering faculties of arts and management. The highest proportion of anemia (40%) and the Body Mass Index Jess than 18.5(39%) detected among apparently healthy young adults is to be taken note of as it is likely to lead to poor productivity of students.