Research Article

A Comparative Study to Assess the Health

Status and Academic Progress among Day
Scholars and Hostellers in a Selected College of
Nursing in New Delhi
Ashin Merlin Jacob1, Anjali Kaushik2
Abstract
Students are considered as the most potential unit of future human resources in a country like ours, which
relies greatly on its human resources strength. Hostel is a place where usually students live in a supervised
environment. Students come from distant places to earn their degree. Hostel life has a great impact on
the academic achievement and health status of the students. However, day scholars live with their parents
and do not come across issues such as unappetizing food, hostel ragging and home sickness, but they
surely do envy the freedom and independence of their hostel buddies. The objectives of the study were
to assess the health status and academic progress among day scholars and hostellers and to compare the
health status and academic progress among day scholars and hostellers. A quantitative research approach
was adopted using comparative survey design. There were 50 students who were divided into hostellers
(n1=25) and day scholars (n2=25). A self-report rating scale to assess the health status and academic
progress was used for data collection. Result reveals that 100% day scholars are good in their health
status whereas 92% hostellers are good and 8% are moderate in their health status and also reveals that
84% hostellers are good and 16% are moderate in their academic progress whereas 80% day scholars are
good and 20% are moderate in their academic progress. Through this research study, we have found out
that those students staying at home have better health status because of the parental care, healthy food
and safe drinking water, whereas those students staying in the hostel have good academic progress due
to less time of travel, participation in group study and help from other fellow hostel mates. Therefore,
nursing administrations should provide students with good health education, guidance and counselling
to help them in time management and cope with stressors in nursing colleges.

Keywords: Hostellers, Day scholars, Health status, Academic progress

Background
Human personality is shaped by the experiences of life. When a child is born, the family provides a protective environment
for the child. At the beginning, the interactions are limited; over the years, interactions increase and the process of
socialization starts which enables the individuals to become an effective member of society. Human’s lifestyle and
personality are affected by his/her surroundings. Therefore, social structure plays a vital role in the development of
personality and behavior.1

Tutor, Rufaida College of Nursing, Jamia Hamdard, India.

1,2

Correspondence: Ms. Ashin Merlin Jacob, Rufaida College of Nursing, Jamia Hamdard, India.

E-mail Id: [Link]@[Link]

Orcid Id: [Link]

How to cite this article: Jacob AM, Kaushik A. A Comparative Study to Assess the Health Status and Academic Progress among Day
Scholars and Hostellers in a Selected College of Nursing in New Delhi. Int J Nurs Midwif Res 2017; 4(2): 2-8.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): 10.24321/2455.9318.201710

ISSN: 2455-9318

© ADR Journals 2017. All Rights Reserved.

Int. J. Nurs. Midwif. Res. 2017; 4(2) Jacob AM et al.

The boarding (hostel) system was started by Roman The present study was conducted to somewhat resolve the
Catholics and Anglicans for their missionary purposes in conflict of better academic performance and health status
the 20th century.2,3 The logic was to help students utilize among day scholars and hostellers. Upadhyaya11 conducted
teachers when needed. Hostellers enjoy their living studies a study to find out the differences in adjustment among
and sports properly.4 Moreover, they develop the habit day scholars and hostel students. Results revealed that
of adjusting in new environment and live independently. day scholars and hostel students differed significantly on
They learn to believe in themselves and feel confident. home, health, social, emotional and overall adjustment.
They grow in maturity as they take appropriate decisions Day scholars have more adjustment capacity than hostel
to recognize their aptitude and talents.5 students. Linden12 conducted a comparative study between
hostel students and day scholars to know the effect of
On the other hand, certain researchers have shown that hostel stay in their academic performance. Results revealed
some students sent to hostels pass through the grief of that hostel has got a positive influence on the academic
homesickness, and for some students it might prove to be performance of students.
scary to meet a whole bunch of new people.6,7
AIM
Moffat stated that an important role is played by the hostel
in the development of the child’s mind and personality. An • To assess the health status among day scholars and
environment of healthy competition with other classmates hostellers
and peers is provided at the hostel, which motivates • To assess the academic progress among day scholars
children to improve their performance.8 and hostellers
• To compare the academic progress among day scholars
However, day scholars live with their parents and do not and hostellers
come across with issues such as bad food, hostel ragging • To compare the health status among day scholars and
and homesickness, but they surely do envy the freedom and hostellers
independence of their hostel buddies.7 It is believed that
due to unsustainable home environment, the day scholars Methods and Materials
cannot study properly. In harsh weather conditions, the
long distance to the college/university is another problem. Formal administrative approval was obtained from the
On the other hand, bad company is another problem for concerned authority to conduct the final study. The final
hostellers and day scholars.2 study was conducted in all the faculties of Jamia Hamdard.
The college students who met the study criteria were
Some researchers believe that day scholars perform much selected using convenient sampling technique. The purpose
better as residential care and encouragement plays a vital of the study was explained to them after obtaining their
role in improving academic performance.9 willingness to participate in the study, the college students
were given structured self report rating scale to tick the
Hostellers were thought to be positively correlated with most suitable option for them. The average time taken to
academic performance as it keeps them away from family answer the tool by the samples was 10 minutes.
and other unnecessary gatherings, which are responsible
for a significant wastage of time; thus they can easily study Data was collected from 50 college students of 17 years
at the hostel without any interference.6,10 of age and above. Descriptive data analysis was used like
frequency and percentage.

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Results
Table [Link] and Percentage of the Demographic Data
n=50
Sample Characteristics Hostellers Day Scholars Total Frequency Total
n1=25 n2=25 Percentage
Freq. % Freq. %
Age (in years)
17–20 23 92 22 88 45 90
21–23 2 8 2 8 4 8
23 and above 0 0 1 4 1 2
Gender
Male 0 0 8 32 8 16
Female 25 100 17 68 42 84
Religion
Hinduism 7 28 12 48 19 38
Christianity 5 20 4 16 9 18
Islam 11 44 7 28 18 36
Others 2 8 2 8 4 8
Accommodation
Hostellers 25 100 0 0 25 50
Day scholars 0 0 25 100 25 50
Table [Link] and Percentage of Health Status of Hostellers
n2=25
S. No. Statement Often Sometimes Never
Freq. % Freq. % Freq. %
1. I have been diagnosed with urinary tract infection (UTI). 2 8 3 12 20 80
2. I have complaints of constipation, diarrhea and other GI 1 4 15 60 9 36
problems.
3. I have been going through eye strain due to improper 0 0 9 36 16 64
lighting.
4. I can sleep peacefully at least for 8 hours. 13 52 9 36 3 12
5. I face disturbance during study and sleep. 6 24 16 64 3 12
6. I suffer from body pain. 4 16 14 56 7 28
7. I take drug/alcohol. 0 0 0 0 25 100
8. I skip meals. 4 16 14 56 7 28
9. I feel depressed. 4 16 11 44 10 40
10. I feel lonely. 1 4 13 52 11 44
11. I exercise and go for walking. 4 16 15 60 6 24
12. I eat junk food. 9 36 14 56 2 8
13. I have lost weight since I have joined the course. 4 16 13 52 8 32
14. I feel like harming myself. 1 4 4 16 20 80
15. I use mobile more than 8 hours per day. 4 16 11 44 10 40
16. I use earphone more than 5 hours per day. 4 16 5 20 16 64
17. I feel like crying. 1 4 14 52 10 40
18. Hospitalized after I joined the course. 1 4 4 16 20 80

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Int. J. Nurs. Midwif. Res. 2017; 4(2) Jacob AM et al.

Table [Link] and Percentage of Health Status of Day Scholars

n2=25
S. No. Statement Often Sometimes Never
Freq. % Freq. % Freq. %
1. I have been diagnosed with urinary 0 0 2 8 23 92
tract infection (UTI).
2. I have complaints of constipation, 2 8 3 12 20 80
diarrhea and other GI problems.
3. I have been going through eye strain 1 4 11 44 13 52
due to improper lighting.
4. I can sleep peacefully at least 8 hours. 12 48 9 36 4 16
5. I face disturbance during study and sleep. 3 12 13 52 9 36
6. I suffer from body pain. 2 8 15 60 8 32
7. I take drug/alcohol. 1 4 2 8 22 88
8. I skip meals. 3 12 13 52 9 36
9. I feel depressed. 1 4 11 44 13 52
10. I feel lonely. 2 8 5 20 18 72
11. I exercise and go for walking. 6 24 13 52 6 24
12. I eat junk food. 6 24 16 64 3 12
13. I have lost weight since I have 6 24 12 48 7 28
joined the course.
14. I feel like harming myself. 1 4 1 4 23 92
15 I use mobile more than 8 hours per day. 4 16 8 32 13 52
16. I use earphone more than 5 3 12 5 20 17 68
hours per day.
17. I feel like crying. 3 12 6 24 16 64
18. Hospitalized after I joined the course. 3 12 1 4 21 84
Table [Link] and Percentage of Hostellers related to their Academic Progress
n1=25
S. No. Statement Often Sometimes Never
Freq. % Freq. % Freq. %
1. I avoid going to class. 1 4 15 60 9 36
2. I get attendance more than 70%. 20 80 3 12 2 8
3. I have been scoring above 14 56 10 14 1 4
65% in all subjects.
4. I feel sleepy during classes. 6 24 17 68 2 8
5. I participate in various cultural activities. 8 32 15 60 2 8
6. I face problems in collecting 5 20 13 52 7 28
study material during exams.
7. I am able to concentrate during classes. 10 40 15 60 0 0
8. I am not getting time for self-study. 5 20 16 64 4 16
9. I am able to interact with teachers. 12 48 13 52 0 0
10. I spend more time in social network, 6 24 13 52 6 24
watching TV rather than studying.
11. I am late to class. 1 4 18 72 6 24
12 I miss important information 1 4 18 72 6 24
discussed in the class.
13. I avail library facility of my college. 9 36 11 44 5 20
14. I submit my assignments on time. 20 80 5 20 0 0
15. I am always punctual for clinical postings. 21 84 3 12 1 4

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Table [Link] and Percentage of Day Scholars related to their Academic Progress
n2=25
S. No. Statement Often Sometimes Never
Freq. % Freq. % Freq. %
1. I avoid going to class. 1 4 9 36 15 60
2. I get attendance more than 70%. 18 72 7 28 0 0
3. I have been scoring above 12 48 13 52 0 0
65% in all subjects.
4. I feel sleepy during classes. 6 24 16 64 3 12
5. I participate in various cultural activities. 7 28 13 52 5 20
6. I face problems in collecting 6 24 11 44 8 32
study material during exams.
7. I am able to concentrate during classes. 14 56 9 36 2 8
8. I am not getting time for self-study. 9 36 13 52 3 12
9. I am able to interact with teachers. 15 60 10 40 0 0
10. I spend more time in social network, 6 24 9 36 10 40
watching TV rather than studying.
11. I am late to class. 5 20 14 56 6 24
12 I miss important information 1 4 12 48 12 48
discussed in the class.
13. I avail library facility of my college. 3 12 15 60 7 28
14. I submit my assignments on time. 17 68 7 28 1 4
15. I am always punctual for clinical postings. 20 80 2 8 3 12

On comparison of health status, 100% day scholars were good and 8% were moderate in their health status (Fig. 1).
good in their health status whereas 92% hostellers were

Figure 1.A Bar Diagram Depicting Comparison of Health Status of

Day Scholars and Hostellers
On comparison of academic progress, 84% hostellers progress whereas 80% day scholars were good and 20%
were good and 16% were moderate in their academic were moderate in their academic progress (Fig. 2).

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Int. J. Nurs. Midwif. Res. 2017; 4(2) Jacob AM et al.

Figure 2.A Bar Diagram Depicting Comparison of Academic Progress of

Day Scholars and Hostellers
Discussion practical files notes or any other study-related materials.
At any time they can procure them from other hostellers,
A study was conducted by Pathak13 to assess the difference even in practical examinations. They have more chances
between study habits of hostellers and day scholars. Result of participating in group studies with their batch mates
showed that hostellers and day scholars do not differ for better achievement in academic progress. Then for
significantly on all the dimensions of the study habits except the last two or three weeks during exams they have to
the dimension of reading ability, whereas in our study it study depending on their abilities and they can excel in
was seen that academic progress of hostellers was much the exams, and compete with the toppers.16 The physical
better than academic progress of day scholars. environment and the social factors are the two main factors
that affect the academic progress.17 Physical factors such
The study conducted by the Nassa and Bhatia14 was as light, noise, temperature and air quality also powerfully
designed to assess the nutritional status of day scholar influence overall satisfaction with an environment.15 In the
and hosteller adolescent boys. The study revealed that day present study, we see that majority of the hostellers had a
scholars consumed more nutritional food and their health good academic progress, whereas maximum day scholars
was much better than hostellers. This result was similar to have good health progress.
the findings of our study, where the health status of day
scholars was much better than health status of hostellers. Acknowledgments
Conclusion We take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Prof.
(Dr.) Manju Chhugani, Principal, Rufaida College of Nursing,
Hostellers are distinct groups, who have unique needs Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, for providing all facilities
and problems. They have particular physical, social and and support to conduct this study smoothly. A word of
emotional characteristics, who are away from their home appreciation goes to Ms. Annu Singh, Ms. Neha, Ms. Neha
for the first time and have to learn to manage their own Devi, Ms. Neha Pal, Ms. Nikky Singh, Ms. Nimmi Anu Sam,
affairs and adjust to new condition of living environment Ms. Nisha Shaji and Ms. Merlin Samuel, students of [Link].
without family support or experience to guide them. These (Hons) Nursing, Rufaida College of Nursing, Jamia Hamdard,
hostellers, who live independently, are subject to less without whose constant hard work and perseverance this
parental control that can inhibit unhealthy behavior. They study could not have been a success.
are more prone to poor eating habits, lack of sleep, or
the acquisition of new habits, such as smoking or drug Conflict of Interest: None
abuse. All these factors do not contribute positively to
the development of a healthy lifestyle.15 On the academic References
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