College students' knowledge and health beliefs about AIDS: implications for education and prevention

A questionnaire designed to measure the application of the dimensions of the Health Belief Model (HBM) to AIDS prevention and to practicing safer sex was administered to 139 undergraduates aged 22 years and under. Students generally had good knowledge about the facts of AIDS, which was consistent with other studies. We found an important difference between students' beliefs about practicing safer sex to prevent AIDS depending on whether their level of knowledge was high or low. The HBM posits that all of its dimensions must be present in order for belief to be followed by action. However, students with low knowledge indicated that the perceived barriers to practicing safer sex were higher than did students with high knowledge about AIDS. These results suggest that special efforts need to be made to teach students with low knowledge more about AIDS and that the barriers to safer sex can and should be overcome. There were no differences between students known to be sexually active compared with those who may or may not have been sexually active. One explanation was a possibly high number of students in the group identified as "perhaps sexually active" who actually were sexually active. Similarly, there were no differences between college students who did or did not know someone with AIDS, but this may have been due to the small number of students who did know such a person. Students' preferences for the format and methodology of AIDS education also were presented. In general, the students preferred small-group discussions and formats such as movies or panel discussions where they could remain "anonymous."(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Student healthcare needs, attitudes, and behavior: marketing implications for college health centers

This article presents the findings of a 1987 cross-institutional study of the healthcare needs, attitudes, and behavior of college students, based on a comprehensive survey of 1,050 students at three different institutions. The paper focuses on student health concerns, use of facilities, and healthcare knowledge and outlook. For each of these topics, the authors present their findings and discuss the marketing implications of these findings for college health centers. In order to increase utilization rates, match services with student needs, and make maximum use of resources, the authors suggest that college health centers may need to develop and promote programs and services that better address student healthcare concerns; investigate media alternatives and effectiveness; develop aggressive promotion messages; consider joint interinstitutional development of healthcare advertising; and train and develop staff through internal marketing seminars.     

US college students' reports of receiving health information on college campuses

Institutions of higher education are in a unique position to promote healthy behaviors by providing health education to students, but little information exists about the proportion of students reached by such efforts. The authors used data from a nationally representative sample of college students to describe the extent to which students reported receiving health information from their colleges and universities, to examine the characteristics of students who received such information, and to determine specific sources of health information. Approximately three quarters of college students reported they received information on at least one health topic, and 6% received information on all of the topics examined. Those who reported receiving health information from their colleges or universities were likely to be "traditional" college students. To achieve relevant national health objectives, health educators must increase the proportion of students they reach and the number of health topics they cover.     

Ukrainian medical students' experiences, attitudes, and knowledge about reproductive health.

In a 1999 classroom survey of sexual behavior among 689 1st-year medical students at Donetsk State Medical University, Ukraine, 59% of the women and 83% of the men revealed they had "ever" had sexual intercourse. The mean age of first intercourse was 15.7 years for the men and 16.6 years for the women. Thirty-two percent of the students reported they did not use contraceptives at their first intercourse, and 19% said they used no contraceptives at their most recent coitus. Condoms were the most frequent means of contraception, followed by coitus interruptus. Less than 5% used oral contraceptives, and 73% of students reported being afraid to use them. About 6% of the students reported they had had sexually transmitted infections (STI) and 10% had had an abortion. Improving knowledge concerning unwanted pregnancies and STI among Ukraine's future health providers may contribute to improving reproductive health issues in general in Ukraine.     

Student and faculty knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to AIDS: implications for health educators

Results of a random survey of university faculty and students regarding their knowledge, behavior, and attitudes concerning AIDS are reported. The majority of faculty and students held enlightened views of AIDS. Faculty, however, tended to be better informed than students in a number of areas. These findings are consistent with results of surveys of students at two other universities. Implications for health educators are discussed.     

US college and university student health screening requirements for tuberculosis and vaccine-preventable diseases, 2012

ABSTRACT

Objective: Colleges are at risk for communicable disease outbreaks because of the high degree of person-to-person interactions and relatively crowded dormitory settings. This report describes the US college student health screening requirements among US resident and international students for tuberculosis (TB) and vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) as they relate to the American College Health Association (ACHA) guidelines. Methods/Participants: In April 2012, US college health administrators (N = 2,858) were sent online surveys to assess their respective school's TB screening and immunization requirements. Results: Surveys were completed by 308 (11%) schools. Most schools were aware of the ACHA immunization (78%) and TB screening (76%) guidelines. Schools reported having policies related to immunization screening (80.4%), immunization compliance (93%), TB screening (55%), and TB compliance (87%). Conclusion: Most colleges were following ACHA guidelines. However, there are opportunities for improvement to fully utilize the recommendations and prevent outbreaks of communicable diseases among students in colleges.     

The health belief model and the contraceptive behavior of college women: implications for health education

This study applied the "health belief model" in a comparison of the subjective perceptions, attitudes and beliefs between college women who were adequate or inadequate contraceptors. The 171 sexually active subjects were ascertained from clients of the Family Planning Clinic at the University of Illinois. A questionnaire was designed and tested to measure variables of perceived susceptibility to pregnancy, seriousness of unplanned pregnancy, benefits and barriers of contraceptive use. Inadequate contraceptors or risk-takers were defined as women who used no contraception, less effective methods such as rhythm, spermicides only or withdrawal, or effective methods sporadically. 49.5% of the subjects were risk-takers. Among the inadequate contraceptors, 17% were nonusers, 29% relied on ineffective methods, and 52% used effective methods sporadically. There was no difference between the 2 groups in their belief in seriousness of an unplanned pregnancy. The groups differed significantly in their perceived susceptibility to pregnancy (p.001). They also differed significantly in perception of overall costs and benefits of contraception (p.001), a score created by combining 12 questions on topics such as difficulty and embarrassment in obtaining contraceptives and inconvenience and awkwardness in dealing with them. There was a smaller significant difference (p.05) in a score termed "general use cost benefits," but no difference in a score called "method specific perceptions." These results were corroborated by a discriminate analysis which singled out the perceived costs and benefits and the perceived susceptibility variables as accurate predictors of the adequate contraceptor group. The health belief model showed considerable utility in explaining contraceptive behavior.     

Sexual health programming for vulnerable youth: Improving knowledge,attitudes, and behaviors

PurposeAmong girls in foster care, 48% become pregnant at least once by age 19 (Dworsky & Courtney, 2010). Youth in or at-risk for foster care (YFC) report limited knowledge about, access to, and use of condoms; ambivalent attitudes towards teen parenting; and participation in other risky behaviors. For the current study, we adapted and supplemented an evidence-based sexual health program called SiHLE, using a systematic adaptation framework (ADAPT-ITT, Wingood & DiClemete, 2008), to address the unique and targeted needs of youth living in a temporary shelter due to lack of housing. Youth in this study were either in foster care and awaiting placement, or having serious family problems and were at-risk of entering the foster care system.MethodsThirty-six youth participated in SiHLE-YFC during their stay at a temporary shelter. Four 90-minute sessions focused on increasing sexual health knowledge, improving attitudes towards and self-efficacy of condom use, and developing core skills such as problem-solving and communication.ResultsAs hypothesized, youth showed high satisfaction with the intervention and significant improvement in sexual health knowledge from pre to post. At one-month follow-up, youth continued to show significant improvement in sexual health knowledge, along with a significant reduction in risky sexual behaviors. Though not significant, there were moderate effect sizes for changes in attitudes towards teen pregnancy and condoms. There were no changes in attitudes towards teen parenting.ConclusionTaken together, findings suggest that sexual health education directly targeting the unique needs of YFC may improve sexual health knowledge and behavior, and are discussed in the context of challenges associated with intervention and research with this population.     

Living arrangements, knowledge of health risks, and stress as determinants of health-risk behavior among college students.

The association of knowledge of health risks, living arrangements, and perceived stress with health-risk behaviors was examined in a sample of college students included in the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Supplement of the National Health Interview Survey. Regressions of each health-risk behavior (dependent variable) were performed on the predicted correlates. Although knowledge was not associated with participation in physical activity or smoking, the study found that students who knew more about the harmful effects of alcohol drank less, and those with greater knowledge of health risks practiced fewer risky behaviors. Students living independently were more likely to smoke, and those living in residence halls were less like to do so. Drinking, however, was more common among students living in residence halls or independently than among those living at home. Hall residents engaged in more group physical activity than other students did, but their physical activity was unrelated to health-risk behaviors. Stress was associated with smoking but not with other health practices. The findings suggest that smoking may be less influenced by health knowledge and more associated than drinking is with a response to stress. Drinking appears to be a social activity associated with living among peers and is potentially modifiable by increased knowledge about the effects of alcohol on health.     

Understanding vaccine knowledge,attitudes, and decision-making through college student interviews

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to explore knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about vaccines required for college-entry and vaccine-related behaviors among college students. Participants: Thirty-three full-time undergraduate students, ≥ 18 years old, enrolled at public (2) and private (3) colleges and universities in metropolitan Philadelphia in fall 2016. Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews, which were double-coded with 5,015 comments overall and 99.3% intercoder reliability (κ?=?0.779) using NVivo 11 software. Results: Six key themes emerged: (1) low knowledge about vaccines and requirements; (2) mixed attitudes about required vs. recommended vaccines; (3) high trust in medical professionals; (4) low perceived risk for vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks; (5) substantial parental influence on students’ decision-making; and (6) low utilization of Student Health Services. Conclusions: This study revealed lack of knowledge about and low prioritization of vaccination despite overall positive attitudes towards vaccines. Prematriculation education of college students is critical to increasing vaccine knowledge and use.     

Parents' knowledge,attitudes and practices about preventing child sexual abuse: a literature review

Increased concern about high rates of child sexual abuse has led to the demand for more prevention programmes, particularly those aimed at parents. Research on how parents manage and reduce the risk of child sexual abuse can help plan programmes. This literature review explores published research on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of parents on the risk and prevention of child sexual abuse and identifies gaps and needs for further research. The majority of studies reviewed originated in North America and Asia, were quantitative, surveyed mainly mothers and were more than ten years old. Recommendations are made for more current and country specific research, further research to gain a deeper understanding of how parents manage the risk of child sexual abuse, more comprehensive research covering a range of knowledge, attitude and practice variables, and greater inclusion of fathers in research. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

First-year university students' health status and socio-demographic determinants of their self-rated health

This study surveys university students' physical and psychological health status and socio-demographic determinants of their self-rated health (SRH). The study population consists of all first-year students enrolled on the three programs offered at a Swedish university in the autumn of 1998 (3,229 students). In the spring of 1999, a self-administered questionnaire (44 forced-response questions) dealing with health status, life-style and living conditions was sent to the students at their home address (response rate 70%). Associations between overall health and its physical and psychological components were measured, and ANOVAs were conducted to establish the variation in physical, psychological and overall SRH explained by a series of socio-demographic variables. Most students rated their psychological and physical health as good or very good, and restrictions on life activities - when experienced - were found to be considerably more common for physical than for psychological problems. Symptoms related to psychological problems were more frequent among female than male students. Country of birth of student was the strongest predictor of self-rated physical health, and the second strongest predictor of psychological and overall health (following sex of student). Parental educational attainment was a weak but significant predictor of psychological and physical SRH among students, but not of their overall SRH. Overall, physical and psychological SRH, though strongly inter-correlated, are not necessarily redundant measures of one and the same thing. The variation in self-ratings cannot be explained simply with reference to one set of socio-demographic variables.     

College students' attitudes toward shared responsibility in decisions about abortion: implications for counseling

In order to study perceptions of college males and females relating to male responsibility for abortion decisions, 274 college students (122 males and 152 females) were provided a questionnaire. Characteristics of the students were: ages 18-24, 95.6% unmarried, 86.9% white, 75% freshmen, 51% Protestants. Data reveal that students agree on shared responsibility for an abortion decision when a couple is married. About 81.8% indicated they felt an abortion decision for an unplanned pregnancy in a marriage should be made only with the complete support and agreement of the male. 54.5% agreed that both partners should share completely in the decision when a couple is engaged. Students feel less strongly about the complete involvement of the male in abortion decision making in other situations of unplanned pregnancy. 33% indicated that the male should be completely involved in the decision of a repeat abortion but only 25% felt that the male should share responsibility for an abortion when the couple is dating steadily and 20% said that the male should share in the decision when a couple is no longer in a relationship. In the situation of a single sexual encounter most females indicated that the male should not share in the responsibility for an abortion decision. Students who indicated a high level of religious activity desired both male and female to be either completely or very much involved in the responsibility for the abortion. This study points out the need for more research on the male's experience with an unplanned pregnancy, more systematic explanation of his perceptions relative to seeking and obtaining pregnancy counseling, and level of satisfaction with such counseling.     

Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening and expedited partner therapy (EPT) practices of college student health centers

Objective: To examine college student health centers' (SHCs) practices related to sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening and treatment over a 5-year period. Participants: College SHCs that completed the ACHA Pap and STI Survey between 2010 and 2014. Methods: Chi-square tests were conducted with Cramer's V providing a measure of association. Results: Chlamydia screening of women under 25 years of age was a well-established practice. Almost one-third of SHCs did not report screening practices of men who have sex with men (MSM) consistent with current chlamydia and gonorrhea guidelines; however, there was improvement over time. Few college SHCs utilized expedited partner therapy (EPT), though fewer had blanket restrictions prohibiting its use in 2014 compared to 2010. Conclusions: Over the 5-year period, more SHCs followed current best practices. Improvement in compliance with guidelines related to MSM STD screening as well as increased usage of EPT is needed to best address the needs of the diverse college student population.     

Assessing attitudes of college students toward cross-cultural relationships: Implications for social work practice,research, and education

Higher education in America is a major social institution and an incubator of intellectual thought, holding an important and transformative place in the public domain, but it has also been implicated in the perpetuation of inequality, and the feeding of racial animus. The research question guiding this quantitative study explored predictors of college students’ perceptions of interracial relationships, which led to the querying of factors likely to impact social distance regarding interracial relationships at a mid-sized, diverse, rural university in the south. Two instruments were utilized to test the variables; the Bogardus Social Distance scale and the Social Dominance Orientation scale. The findings indicate statistical significance among two of the three variables examined, when controlling for socioeconomic and demographic variables; positive interracial experiences (p = < .002) and, greater amounts of interracial social contact (p = < .046) predict lower social distances regarding interracial relationships. Implications for higher education involve greater efforts toward social inclusion, increased cultural sensitivity, and an acknowledgment of the current and past structural and systemic inequities that have hindered positive race relations, and a vow to rectify those.     

AIDS and college health: knowledge, threat, and prevention at a northeastern university

We performed secondary analyses on data originally collected by telephone from a random sample of 294 undergraduates from a large northeastern university to examine students' knowledge about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the students' reactions to the health threat posed by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Our findings indicated that students are reasonably well informed about AIDS, are aware of the recommended precautions for avoiding HIV infection, and are fearful that the virus may spread within the student population. These data also show that students are reluctant to change their sexual behavior unless the threat of infection is personalized. The implications of our findings for future research are briefly discussed.     

Albinism,spiritual and cultural practices,and implications for health,healthcare, and human rights: a scoping review

Persons with albinism – a disability found worldwide – are particularly at risk for human rights violations in Africa. The purpose of this scoping review was to establish the current state of knowledge on albinism, spiritual and cultural practices, and implications for health and health services. Electronic searches of nine databases were conducted. After screening, 40 articles were reviewed. Four themes emerged: health implications of albinism; health-related cultural and spiritual meanings attached to albinism; health-related experiences of persons with albinism; and human rights and albinism. The findings reveal that African ontologies, including witchcraft beliefs and practices, are implicated by their construction of the person with albinism as an ontologically different entity, although few studies explicated this relationship. How broader social structures influence persons with albinism disproportionately, resulting in health and social inequities, is another under-researched area. This scoping review lays the groundwork for intersectoral, interdisciplinary research.