College men's health in practice: a multidisciplinary approach

After a needs assessment indicated that male students underutilized campus health services, the San Francisco State University Student Health Service developed a coordinated complement of outpatient health services for men. The authors review their experience in developing, implementing, operating, and evaluating this ongoing clinical service. The needs assessment and subsequent program evaluation data suggest that male students on a large, culturally diverse, urban campus would respond favorably to targeted, multidisciplinary health initiatives that incorporate the principles of health promotion and disease prevention.     

Mental Health Among College Students: Do Those Who Need Services Know About and Use Them?

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine connections between university students' mental health and their knowledge and use of campus mental health services. Participants and Methods: In March 2001, a sample of undergraduate students (N = 266) completed a Web-based questionnaire, providing information related to their mental health, knowledge of mental health services, and use of those services. Results: Students who were mentally distressed were more likely to know about and use services; however, some students who reported to be mentally distressed either did not know about services or knew about services but did not use them. Living off campus, identifying as male, and having fewer years in college were related to less knowledge of campus mental health services. In addition, female sex and number of years in college were predictive of higher service use. Conclusions: With the high prevalence rates and severity of mental health problems, university mental health providers must continue to make strategic efforts to disseminate knowledge about mental health services to all students.     

Who is willing to come back? College students' willingness to seek help after using campus mental health services

Objective: To examine characteristics of college students who have previously received mental health (MH) services on campus and are willing to seek help again in the future. Participants: Spring 2015 ACHA-NCHA II (N = 12,501) undergraduate respondents who had previously used MH services on their current campus. Methods: Binary logistic regression with willingness to seek MH services in the future as the dependent variable. Results: Among students who had already utilized campus MH services, significant predictors for future help-seeking were: female, white, gay/lesbian, those not working for pay, having the college/university health insurance plan, and not currently/previously serving in the military (p < .05). Conclusions: The predictors for willingness to use services in the future were consistent with the existing literature related to initial use. Colleges and universities need to consider factors that influence openness to MH services after a previous experience in addition to initiating care. Implications for college MH professionals are provided.     

Community College Health Service Programs: A Progress Report

Abstract

What progress has been made in improving the health service programs available to the millions of students attending the nation's public community colleges? This question was investigated by sending a follow-up survey to deans of students in 1977; the original study was done five years earlier and resulted in a national profile of health service programs at public two-year institutions.

Some of the significant findings were: the percent of colleges offering health service programs has increased from 41.5% to 51.3%; the campus nurse continues to be the most common health professionals available to students; facilities are considered to be adequate and accessible; and a broad range of student health needs are met. New elements in the survey covered health education and mental health services, and these were positively evaluated.

On the basis of survey results it was concluded that community colleges have made considerable progress in improving student health services, but there is still much to be done.     

Modeling the mental health service utilization decisions of university undergraduates: A discrete choice conjoint experiment

Objective: We modeled design factors influencing the intent to use a university mental health service. Participants: Between November 2012 and October 2014, 909 undergraduates participated. Method: Using a discrete choice experiment, participants chose between hypothetical campus mental health services. Results: Latent class analysis identified three segments. A Psychological/Psychiatric Service segment (45.5%) was most likely to contact campus health services delivered by psychologists or psychiatrists. An Alternative Service segment (39.3%) preferred to talk to peer-counselors who had experienced mental health problems. A Hesitant segment (15.2%) reported greater distress but seemed less intent on seeking help. They preferred services delivered by psychologists or psychiatrists. Simulations predicted that, rather than waiting for standard counseling, the Alternative Service segment would prefer immediate access to E-Mental health. The Usual Care and Hesitant segments would wait 6 months for standard counseling. Conclusions: E-Mental Health options could engage students who may not wait for standard services.     

American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment Spring 2008 Reference Group Data Report (Abridged): The American College Health Association

Objective: Assessing and understanding the health needs and capacities of college students is paramount to creating healthy campus communities. The American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) is a survey that ACHA developed in 1998 to assist institutions of higher education in achieving this goal. The ACHA-NCHA contains approximately 300 questions assessing student health status and health problems, risk and protective behaviors, and impediments to academic performance. Participants: The spring 2008 reference group includes ACHA-NCHA data from 80,121 students at 106 institutions of higher education. Methods: Officials at participating institutions administered the ACHA-NCHA to all students, randomly selected students, or students in randomly selected classrooms. ACHA collected data between January and May 2008. Results: Results from the spring 2008 reference group (N = 80,121) are presented. Conclusions: These data expand the understanding of the health needs and capacities of college students.     

American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment Spring 2007 Reference Group Data Report (Abridged)

Objective: Assessing and understanding the health needs and capacities of college students is paramount to creating healthy campus communities. The American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) is a survey that ACHA developed in 1998 to assist institutions of higher education in achieving this goal. The ACHA-NCHA contains approximately 300 questions assessing student health status and health problems, risk and protective behaviors, and impediments to academic performance. Participants: The spring 2007 reference group includes ACHA-NCHA data from 71, 860 students at 107 institutions of higher education. Methods: Officials at participating institutions administered the ACHA-NCHA to all students, to randomly selected students, or to students in randomly selected classrooms. ACHA collected data between January and May 2007. Results: Results from the spring 2007 reference group (N= 71, 860) are presented. Conclusions: These data expand the understanding of the health needs and capacities of college students.     

Counseling Brazilian Undergraduate Students: 17 Years of a Campus Mental Health Service

Objective: The authors reviewed demographic and clinical characteristics of undergraduates at a Brazilian public university (UNICAMP) who visited the campus mental health service (SAPPE) and compared their demographics with those from all undergraduate students enrolled in the university. Participants: The authors looked at data from all undergraduates who sought counseling or mental health care at SAPPE over a 17-year period (N = 2,203; 1987-2004). Methods: They obtained this information from clinical charts and a UNICAMP database. Results: Women, students from other Brazilian states, students living in the campus residence hall, and students whose main source of income was a scholarship were overrepresented. Female student-clients complained about family conflicts more frequently than did their male counterparts, and male student-clients reported concern about poor academic performance more frequently than did their female counterparts. Conclusions: Sex, living in a university residential facility, and reliance on a scholarship grant were predictive of undergraduates' mental health-seeking behavior and pattern of complaints.     

An Evaluation of Behavioral Health Compliance and Microbial Risk Factors on Student Populations Within a High-Density Campus

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this Canadian study was to assess student behavioral response to disease transmission risk, while identifying high microbial deposition/transmission sites. Participants: A student survey was conducted during October 2009. Methods: The methods included a survey of students to assess use of health services, vaccination compliance, and hygiene along with a microbial analysis of potential transmission sites targeting specific residence buildings on campus. Results: Results indicated that most students maintained that they were worried about H1N1 and reported making changes in hygienic behavior, with the majority not planning to be vaccinated. The microbial analysis indicated contamination of fomites in co-ed residences to be higher than either male or female student residences. Conclusions: A consideration of physical space along with behavioral factors is required in order to properly assess risk pathways in the establishment of an evidence-based infection control plan for universities and their contiguous communities.     

The Theory of Planned Behavior as it predicts potential intention to seek mental health services for depression among college students

ABSTRACT

Background: Between 9.5% and 31.3% of college students suffer from depression (American college health association national college health assessment II: reference group executive summary spring 2013. Amer. Coll. Health Assoc. 2013; Eagan K, Stolzenberg EB, Ramirez JJ, Aragon, MC, Suchard, RS, Hurtado S. The American freshman: national norms fall 2014. Higher Educ. Res. Inst.; 2015). Universities need to understand the factors that relate to care-seeking behavior. Objective: Across 3 studies, to relate attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control to intention to seek mental health services, and to investigate barriers to care-seeking. Participants: University college students (N = 845, 64% female, 26% male, and 10% unspecified). Methods: New measures were created in Studies 1 and 2, and were examined using structural equation modeling in Study 3. Results: Partially consistent with the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, I, Fishbein, M. Understanding Attitudes and Predicting Social Behavior. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall; 1980), a model with an excellent fit revealed that more positive attitudes about care and higher perceived behavioral control directly predicted higher intention to seek mental health services. Conclusions: Educating college students about mental health disorders and treatments, enhancing knowledge about available services, and addressing limited access to long-term care might improve treatment rates for students suffering from depression.     

Evaluation of targeted human papillomavirus vaccination education among undergraduate college students

Abstract

Objective: To design and evaluate pharmacy student-led educational sessions to improve health beliefs about the HPV vaccine in college-aged students. Participants: Students aged 18–26 attending a large, urban university, including 545 respondents to a December 2014 needs assessment survey about HPV-related health beliefs, 131 students participating in educational sessions during 2015–2016 (intervention group), and 369 undergraduate respondents completing the needs assessment survey (control group). Methods: A needs assessment survey was conducted to inform design and implementation of pharmacy student-led educational sessions. A similar survey was administered to students after attending educational sessions. Health beliefs were compared for the intervention versus control group. Results: The intervention group was less likely to report high perceived barriers to HPV vaccination and more likely to report high perceived benefits and intention to vaccinate (if previously unvaccinated). Conclusions: Pharmacy student-led, health belief-based educational sessions were associated with improved health beliefs about HPV vaccination.     

GotFlu Channel: An Online Syndromic Surveillance Tool Supporting College Health Practice and Public Health Work

Abstract

Objective: Develop a tool to ease the burden of H1N1 influenza on a campus clinic by promoting self-care, generating medical notes, and identifying vulnerable students. Participants: Students at Brock University, a mid-sized urban campus; Brock's Student Health Services; and Niagara Public Health. Methods: Students accessed a controlled portal of Brock's Web site and self-identified onset/offset of influenza-like symptoms. Daily sign-in numbers were monitored and nonidentifiable aggregate data transferred to the local public health unit. Results: There was concordance among the number of college students signing in, local school absenteeism rates, and local rates of laboratory-confirmed influenza. Many visits to the campus health clinic were averted, 1,432 students used the tool. Conclusion: The online, real-time surveillance tool was effective in monitoring influenza activity on campus, providing timely health advice, decreasing unnecessary visits to the campus medical clinic, and assisting local public health in surveillance activities.     

The Impact of Educational Efforts on First-Year University Students' Acceptance of Meningococcal Vaccine

Abstract

The authors measured the impact of educational efforts on the number of college students who received meningococcal vaccine. First-year Brown University students from the classes of 2004 (n = 1,562) and 2005 (n = 1,518) received educational vaccine materials before they arrived on campus, whereas students from the class of 2003 (n = 1,441) did not. Students in the class of 2003, 13% (n = 184) of whom had received vaccine before their arrival on campus, served as the baseline. These educational efforts by the college health services before students arrived on campus increased the number of students immunized before campus arrival to 46% (n = 724) for the class of 2004, and 60% (n = 913) for the class of 2005. Education about the benefits of meningococcal vaccine before students' arrival on campus increased both the number of immunized students and the overall immunization rate among students.     

Toward total student health: A qualitative pilot study

Objective: Colleges should aim to cultivate healthy behaviors among students by addressing alterations in wellness students view as important. The purpose of this study was to determine the self-perceived wellness-related concerns and behaviors of college students. Participants: Thirty-seven undergraduate students participated in this study between January and March 2017. Methods: Focus groups served as a data collection method. Groups were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Directed and conventional approaches to data analyses were employed. Results: Participants expressed concern regarding four campus wellness topics: nutrition, economics, mental health, and campus safety. Participants offered solutions for improving campus wellness, representing a fifth theme. Conclusions: Health concerns for college students and realistic solutions to address concerns were identified across focus groups. Overall, students cared about their own health, as well as the well-being of other students. Future directions include conducting a Web-based survey among students to assess prevalence and impact of select health and wellness topics.     

Reflections of the Annual Meeting

Abstract

In preparation for planning counseling and mental health services at Columbia University, the authors conducted a mental health needs assessment survey that sampled representative numbers of students. Respondents were most concerned about academic and school-related issues, followed by concerns in the area of love relationships. Multiple regression analysis revealed certain subgroups that were more likely to have these concerns and certain health and mental health problems that were significantly associated with these concerns. The study identified serious psychological problems, including suicidal/homicidal thoughts and sexual abuse, and surveyed respondents' treatment preferences. Finally, the authors discuss how the study findings contributed to sharpening and expanding focus on different aspects of program development in the collaboration between mental health and health education.     

Trends in college students’ mental health diagnoses and utilization of services, 2009–2015

Abstract

Objective: To examine changes in diagnoses/treatment for 12 mental health (MH) conditions, previous use of campus MH services, and willingness to seek MH services in the future. Participants: ACHA–NCHA II participants from 2009 to 2015 (n?=?454,029). Methods: Hierarchical binary logistic regression with step 1 controlling for demographics and step 2 considering time. Results: Time was significant except for bipolar disorder, bulimia, and schizophrenia with increases for all conditions except substance abuse. Anxiety (OR?=?1.68), panic attacks (OR?=?1.61), and ADHD (OR?=?1.40) had the highest odd ratios. Use of MH services at current institution (OR?=?1.30) and willingness to utilize services in the future (OR?=?1.37) also increased over time. Conclusions: Based on a national sample, self-reported diagnoses/treatment of several MH conditions are increasing among college students. This examination of a variety of MH issues can aid college health professionals to engage institutional stakeholders regarding the resources needed to support college students’ MH.     

Development of a Health Literacy Assessment for Young Adult College Students: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive health literacy assessment tool for young adult college students. Participants: Participants were 144 undergraduate students. Methods: Two hundred and twenty-nine questions were developed, which were based on concepts identified by the US Department of Health and Human Services, the World Health Organization, and health communication scholars. Four health education experts reviewed this pool of items and helped select 87 questions for testing. Students completed an online assessment consisting of these 87 questions in June and October of 2012. Item response theory and goodness-of-fit values were used to help eliminate nonperforming questions. Results: Fifty-one questions were selected based on good item response theory discrimination parameter values. Conclusions: The instrument has 51 questions that look promising for measuring health literacy in college students, but needs additional testing with a larger student population to see how these questions continue to perform.     

Physical health characteristics of student service members and veterans by sexual orientation

Abstract

Objective: Little is known about the health status of the diverse population of student service members and veterans (SSM/V) enrolling in higher education in great numbers. The objective of this study was to explore the differences in physical health characteristics by sexual orientation among a national sample of SSM/V. Methods: Using secondary data, a series of maximum likelihood (ML) logistic regression models were estimated to explore physical health characteristics by sexual orientation in a sample of SSM/V. Results: SSM/V that identify as lesbian or gay reported higher rates of treatment and diagnosis for some physical health matters (respiratory illness and HIV) when compared with their heterosexual counterparts. Conclusions: Our findings support the need for campus health officials and policymakers to develop services to address the physical health needs of this population that differ from their peers.     

The Prevalence of Stalking Among College Students: The Disparity Between Researcher- and Self-identified Victimization

Abstract

Objective: Researchers examined the prevalence of self-identified and researcher-identified stalking victimization among college students. Participants and Methods: A representative sample of 1,573 (70.1% female; 29.9% male) student respondents completed an online stalking questionnaire. Results: Overall, 12% self-identified as having been stalked. Additionally, 42.5% (45.4% female; 35.7% male) of students reported experiencing at least 1 behavioral indicator of stalking victimization; however, only 24.7% of those self-identified as being stalked (25.6% female; 22.0% male). Conclusions: Stalking is a serious problem in the college community. A concern that needs to be addressed is the disparity between the number of those who met the behavioral criteria for stalking victimization, but who did not self-identify as a victim. The consequences of stalking victimization are highlighted. Recommendations for addressing this issue on campus are detailed in a plan that may help improve the retention, progression, and graduation rates for stalking victims.