Objectives This study aimed to describe the prevalence and determinants of financial precarity and examine its associations with mental health, healthcare avoidance and academic outcomes among French health students. Design Nationwide cross-sectional study based on an online self-administered questionnaire.
Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with financial precarity. Participants A total of 12 565 health students participated, including medical (56%), paramedical (21%), midwifery, odontology, pharmacy or physiotherapy students (12%) and first-year health students (11%).
Primary and secondary outcome measures Financial precarity was defined as an indicator combining financial insecurity, frequent overdrafts and foregoing essential purchases. Primary outcomes included depressive symptoms, anxiety and emotional exhaustion.
Secondary outcomes included healthcare avoidance and academic outcomes. Results Among 12,565 respondents, 56% were medical students, 21% were paramedical, 12% midwifery, odontology, pharmacy or physiotherapy and 11% first-year health students.
Financial precarity varies by academic fields of health, ranging from 4.6% in first-year health students to 12% in paramedical students.
BMJ Open published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 08 Jun 2026.
The item focuses on Financial precarity and mental health among French health students: a nationwide cross-sectional study.
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