Effect of sociodemographic factors on quality of life of medical students in southern Vietnam: A survey using the WHOQOL-BREF assessment

Context: The quality of life (QoL) of medical students can be impacted by multifarious sociodemographic factors, but it remains an important element that powerfully affects medical training and research, as well as the practice of medicine. Aims: To obtain an in-depth understanding of the quality of life of medical students in southern Vietnam. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at nine universities and schools in Southern Vietnam. The effect of various sociodemographic factors were examined on the domains of QoL using The World Health Organization Quality of Life-Biomedical Research and Education Facility (WHOQOL-BREF) scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Results: Factors affecting the QoL of Vietnamese medical students included gender, academic year, ethnicity, having relatives working in the health care sector, frequency of physical activity, financial expenditures, extent of internet usage, sleep duration, use of sleep medication, frequency of social activities, and use of stimulants. Conclusions: Factors affecting the QoL have been explained to build projects that will support medical students. This will improve communication and health care services for patients in the future.