Abstract

Nam Xuan Vo, Thoai Dang Nguyen, Xuan Minh Ngo, Tro Van Chau, Nhi Yen Pham, Binh Thanh Nguyen, Tram Thi Huyen Nguyen, Trung Quang Vo, Khoa Dang Nguyen, Thao Thi Quy Le

Recently, the number of pharmacy students in Vietnam has rapidly increased, negatively affecting the quality of life (QoL) of these students. This study evaluated the QoL of pharmacy students during the entire course of their undergraduate program and identified the factors influencing their QoL. This cross-sectional research was conducted using the Vietnamese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF). The questionnaire was administered to 1,021 first-year to fifth-year pharmacy students studying at universities located in southern Vietnam. The internal consistency of the instrument (24 items) was 0.87. The Cronbach’s α values for the domains of physical health, psychological health, social relations, and environment were 0.72, 0.82, 0.67, and 0.80 respectively, indicating acceptable reliability. The mean scores of the students regarding physical health, psychological health, social relations, and environment were 56.06 ± 15.01, 51.51 ± 20.43, 57.52 ± 16.02, and 54.53 ± 13.52, respectively. Third-year students exhibited the lowest QoL scores. Gender, marital status, and habituation to sleeping pill consumption were noticeably relevant to the QoL of the students (p < 0.05).This study identified the properties of the WHOQOL-BREF that are useful for researchers in Vietnam who want to adopt or further refine the instrument. To eliminate or reduce adverse effects on QoL, pharmacy schools should provide adequate support for pharmacy students, especially those in their third year. The results of this study can serve as reference for future research on student life in Asia.