This cross-sectional study was aimed to describe and analyse factors related to the professional well-being of Portuguese teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. A previously validated, anonymous and online questionnaire was applied to a non-probabilistic sample of Portuguese teachers. In addition to the socio-demographic and professional variables, the questionnaire measured subjective and professional well-being, satisfaction with the education system and future perspectives regarding the professional circumstances. The psychometric characteristics of the questionnaire were analysed, the t-test and ANOVA were used to analyse the differences between the main variables and the socio-demographic and professional characteristics, along with the generalized linear model in order to more precisely determine the predicting factors of teachers' professional well-being. The results showed that the majority of respondents have a moderately positive perception of well-being. Teachers were satisfied with the education system before the pandemic. The pandemic has reduced the perception of well-being in the face of the profession, creating some concern among teachers about their professional future. Sex, length of service, well-being, perceptions of teaching difficulties and future perspectives proved to be predictors of professional well-being in times of pandemic. This study provided scientific bases for the development of interventions that improve the professional well-being of teachers, which focus on emotional management and the development of digital skills in teachers with long careers. This piece of research concluded with thorough evidence that there is a need for further and stronger investment in public policies for the reform and, consequently, for the renewal of the teaching class.

Scientific evidence reveals a high prevalence of health risk behaviour among university students. This calls for the creation of educational programmes that promote more knowledge about health. However, knowledge alone is not enough to change behaviours; other factors should be considered, including attitudes towards health. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to analyse the relationship between knowledge, attitudes and health risk behaviours among university students. For this, a previously validated self-report questionnaire was applied to a stratified sample of 840 students, by year of study (first- and third-year students) and their scientific area. In addition to sociodemographic issues, the questionnaire contains a health-related knowledge scale, an attitudes towards health scale, and questions about health risk behaviours. Students displayed poor knowledge about health, correctly answering 17.77 (SD = 4.59) questions out of a total of 36, and moderate scores concerning attitudes towards health ( M = 2.61, SD = 0.48, range: 1–5). Students reported always engaging in, on average, 3.88 (SD = 1.45) of the seven behaviours subject to the analysis. Mediation analyses indicated that knowledge about health and attitudes towards health were statistically significant predictors of risky behaviours. Furthermore, it was indicated that attitudes towards health have a mediating effect between health knowledge and health risk behaviours. Findings from this study indicate that public health and education policies should promote healthy behaviours among university students, taking into account not only the level of knowledge but essentially the development of positive attitudes when facing behaviours which put health at risk.

To describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of self-medication in college students and to analyse the predicting factors for the engagement in that behaviour. This is a cross-sectional study involving students (n = 840) from a Portuguese university, selected through stratified and proportional sampling. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire containing, in addition to sociodemographic issues, a scale measuring knowledge about self-medication (α = .488), a scale measuring attitudes towards self-medication (α = .708) and questions about the patterns of self-medication practices (α = .445). Differences between outcomes and sociodemographics were analysed through independent t-tests and ANOVA. A generalised linear model was calculated to determine the predictive variables of self-medication. Over half of the respondents ( 54.3%, n = 434) had used some form of self-medication during the preceding year. Students revealed poor knowledge about the referred practice, correctly answering 1.60 (SD = 0.936) questions in a total of 3, and favourable attitudes towards self-medication (M = 2.17, SD = 0.950, range 1–5). Attending engineering sciences (β = .718, 95% CI: 1.373–3.069, p < .001), being female (β = .866, 95% CI: 1.700–3.327, p < .001) and having negative attitudes towards self-medication (β = .367, 95% CI: 1.227–1.698, p < .001) predict the adoption of those practices. Self-medication is a common practice among university students, the level of self-medication knowledge is low and the low score of the level of attitudes revealed that students tended to have a correct positioning towards self-medication. Therefore, the recommendation to develop campaigns or educational programmes becomes obvious, in order to inform about the adverse effects of the use of non-prescribed medicine.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviors about COVID-19 among Portuguese higher education students.Design/methodology/approach: In May 2020, all students from a Portuguese University were invited to participate in completing an online questionnaire. A total of 262 students participated. COVID-19 related knowledge, attitudes toward COVID-19 and preventive behaviors were assessed. Differences between outcomes and sociodemographics were analyzed through independent t-tests and the ANOVA. A generalized linear model was calculated to determine the predictive variables of preventive behaviors.Findings: Students revealed good knowledge about COVID-19, correctly answering 13.06 (SD = 1.25) questions in a total of 14 and favorable attitudes toward preventive behaviors (M = 32.73, SD = 2.88). Students reported always engaging in, on average, 5.81 (SD = 2.61) of the 12 behavior analyzed. Females presented higher levels of knowledge, more positive attitudes and engaged in more preventive behaviors than males. Being a bachelor's (Exp (β) = 8.213, 95% CI: 1.791–37.670, p < 0.01) or a master's degree student (Exp (β) = 7.568, 95% CI: 1.598–35.835, p < 0.05) and having positive attitudes toward preventive behavior of COVID-19 predicted the adoption of those preventive behavior (Exp (β) = 1.340, 95% CI: 1.189–1.510, p < 0.001).Originality/value: This study provides useful data to plan health education programs about COVID-19 among higher education students. The continuous investment by universities in preventive campaigns is essential to promote good preventive behaviors in the next academic year.

The problem of consumption of illicit psychoactive substances by students in higher education is not new, since it is in this age group that the highest prevalence of consumption of these substances continues to occur. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of illicit drug use among university students and to analyze the predictive factors and patterns of illicit drug use among university students in Portugal. A cross-sectional design and a stratified random sampling method were used (n = 840). A validated self-administered questionnaire was used, consisting of socio-demographic characteristics, information about the patterns of illicit drugs consumption, and knowledge and attitudes toward illicit drugs use. The prevalence of illicit drugs consumption was 22.2%, while overall students had a low level of knowledge and moderate scores when it came to the attitudes toward drug use. Being male, having changed residence after entering higher education, having friends who use illicit drugs and possessing knowledge on drugs increased the likelihood of consuming illicit drugs. The results of the study could help develop strategies to reduce use of illicit drugs in academic settings, giving special attention to the influence of peers and students who changed their residence after entering higher education.

To assess the prevalence of active smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among college students in the north of Portugal, and analyze the relationship between knowledge about tobacco use and attitudes toward smoking. This a cross-sectional study with a representative sample of college students (n=840) in one university in Portugal. A validated self-reported questionnaire was administered to a proportional stratified random sample during the academic year of 2018/2019. We evaluated associations between smoking status, SHS exposure, smokers peers, knowledge and attitudes toward smoking and sociodemographic variables. The results showed that 20.1% of the students surveyed were current smokers (7.3% occasional smokers, 2.9% regular smokers and 9.9% daily smokers). Most current smokers started smoking before the age of 17 (61.4%) and reported never having tried to quit smoking (59.7%). Only 34.4% of students reported (almost) not having been in enclosed spaces with smokers in the past 7 days. Exposure to SHS and having smoker friends contributes to the prevalence of tobacco use. In general, students showed favorable attitudes toward smoking, especially those who are smokers, have smoking friends and are more exposed to SHS. The level of knowledge about tobacco was moderate, with a higher number of correct responses by former smokers. These results suggests an urgent need for socio-educational programs for counseling on smoking cessation. In addition, is also strongly recommended that, throughout academic training, students develop personal and social skills for dealing with the tobacco epidemic.