Health science students’ perceptions of poverty and health inequality

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate health science students’ perceptions of poverty and health inequality to gain insight into the perspectives of future healthcare workers. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Methods: Data was collected via an online survey that was developed based on a thorough literature review. Participants were students (n = 106) from undergraduate nursing and applied kinesiology programmes. Statistical analyses were conducted with IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0. using bivariate statistical analysis. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: 28.3% of students cited lack of opportunity as the main cause of poverty. There were significant differences in perception between nursing and kinesiology students (p < 0.05), particularly in relation to personal responsibility for poverty. On average, students scored 58/85, indicating a moderate yet significant awareness of social determinants of health. Conclusion: The findings illustrate how different disciplines influence perceptions of poverty and emphasise the inclusion of empathy in health education. While views on the roots of poverty vary, a common nuanced understanding points to a move towards empathic, socially conscious healthcare education. The study highlights the importance of an education system that emphasises social determinants of health and empowers students to engage with the complexities of poverty and health inequality.