Elementos constitutivos de una universidad saludable: Una Perspectiva de la comunidad de la Universidad del Valle

Objective: A Health Promoting University seeks to encourage a culture of health care, quality of life, and well-being in its community. This study analyzes the perspective of the university community on concepts related to a Healthy University. Methodology: An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted at Universidad del Valle, a public university located in Cali, Valle del Cauca, in the Southwest of Colombia. In March and May 2021, the survey “Concepts of health, Health Promoting University and constituent elements for the formulation of an institutional policy of Healthy University” was applied. The target population was the university community, involving professors, students, and university administration. For the data analysis, the technique of segmentation by two-stage cluster and the study of main components were used. Results: The total number of participants was 1435, with a median age of 29 years. Most participants chose the meaning of health as “Eating healthy and balanced” and “Feeling good about the person you are, most of the time.” The concept selected for Health Promoting University was “one that works for a culture of health care through social and environmental interventions aimed at improving the quality of life.” On the other hand, “Quality, Inclusive and Equitable Education” was chosen as a fundamental constitutive element of a Health Promoting University policy. Conclusions: It was observed that, regarding lifestyles, participants’ mindsets shifted from traditional health biologistic imaginaries to integral health concepts, giving notable prevalence to mental health. Our results showed the perspective of the university community members, including the differences between the students, professors, and administrators regarding concepts related to a Health Promoting University.