The impact of the pandemic on the quality of life of international cooperative young university students: an exploratory analysis

Abstract

In order to evaluate the effect of the pandemic on the quality of life (QL) of international cooperation university students, an observational study with a descriptive-exploratory cross-sectional design was conducted with 169 in-person undergraduate students at the University of International Integration of Afro-Brazilian Lusophony (UNILAB). (QL) was analyzed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item instrument (SF-36). The results indicate that Brazilian students, especially the female group, had lower (QL) scores compared to foreign students. Factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, and course failures negatively influenced the (QL) of these university students. On the other hand, the use of religion and more free time were factors that provided better (QL) scores. It is concluded that the pandemic had a significant impact on the quality of life of university students.