The Impact of an Undergraduate Health Education Class on Students' Wellness Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior

The Impact of an Undergraduate Health Education Class on Students' Wellness Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior
Author: Jeremy Thomas Barnes
Publisher:
Total Pages: 250
Release: 1996
Genre: College students
ISBN:

The purpose of this study was to determine whether increased levels of wellness knowledge in a student population resulted in better attitudes towards health and the increased use of health promoting behaviors during the semester the class was taken, and whether any increase had a sustained effect. The study utilized a two group repeated measures design with an experimental and a control group. The Wellness Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior Instrument was used to gather data. This instrument measures college students' wellness knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and stress management. The instrument was administered at the beginning of the health education class (pre), at the completion of the health class (post), and four months after the completion of the class (post-post). A total of 130 subjects completed the instrument on three occasions. Results using repeated measure ANOVA showed there was a significant increase in the wellness knowledge scores of the experimental group from the pre to the post data collections and the scores remained significantly higher at the post-post data collection. There was no significant increase in the attitude scores of the experimental group from the pre to the post data collection but the attitude scores were significantly higher at the post-post collection compared to the pre collection. Finally, there was a significant increase in the behavior scores of the experimental group from the pre to the post data collection and they remained significantly higher at the post-post collection. ANCOVA showed that the wellness knowledge scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than the knowledge scores of the control group at both post and post-post data collections. The wellness attitude scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than the attitude scores of the control group at the post, but not at the post-post data collection. The wellness behavior scores of the experimental group were not significantly higher than the behavior scores of the control group at either post or post-post data collection. There were shown to be significant but weak relationships between wellness knowledge, attitude, and behavior. Explanations for the findings were suggested and further studies were recommended.

Improving College Health

Improving College Health
Author: Jonathan Lindner
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2019
Genre: Alcoholism
ISBN:

This study took place at SUNY Buffalo State College in Buffalo, NY during the 2018-2019 academic year, and was conducted to examine the effect of the Health Ambassador (HA) program on reducing drinking, drug use, and other potential detrimental health behaviors among Greeks and athletes. Study participants included 147 participants derived from two groups of undergraduate students. Group 1 included 18 students who participated in the Health Ambassador program. Group 2 included 129 men and women who were recruited from three athletic teams and two campus sororities. Group 2 was further divided into intervention and control groups. A five-week multi-phase health and leadership intervention, consisting of health and leadership trainings and workshops, was implemented over two semesters. Through a blended approach, which incorporated both in-person and online trainings, health ambassadors were educated in health and leadership content and developed prevention workshops to positively influence Greeks and athletes' perceptions and behaviors toward substance use. Following the trainings, the health ambassadors delivered these substance prevention workshops to members of the intervention group. Self-Efficacy Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior served as the theoretical frameworks for this study in order to determine health ambassador opinions around serving as student leaders and assess Greek and athletic student beliefs over engaging in potentially unsafe health behaviors, including alcohol and substance abuse. The study employed a convergent parallel mixed methods approach where both quantitative and qualitative data were collected concurrently, analyzed separately, and compared to determine if the results substantiated each other. Taken from surveys, questionnaires, group interviews, observations, and field notes, this study shows that (1) past 30 day use of alcohol, binge drinking, and marijuana positively decreased following the health ambassador intervention, (2) intervention group participants became more effective at refusing drugs and alcohol and were more confident in making healthier choices, (3) health ambassadors overcame initial fears and biases toward working with Greeks and athletes, and achieved success presenting health material and functioning as student leaders, (4) the individual and collective efficacy of the health ambassadors positively increased. Additionally, study limitations, implications for research, implications for practice, and conclusions were discussed.

Utilzation Focused Public Health Evaluation of a Health and Wellness Intervention for College Freshmen

Utilzation Focused Public Health Evaluation of a Health and Wellness Intervention for College Freshmen
Author: Meagan Michelle Shipley
Publisher:
Total Pages: 71
Release: 2010
Genre: College freshmen
ISBN:

The transition from high school to college is a significant experience for many young adults which can potentially impact their fitness and wellness patterns. The purpose of this investigation was to quantify the efficacy of Foundations of Fitness and Wellness (P105) on the health and wellness behaviors of college freshmen. METHODS: A mixed-methods design was implemented to determine the overall effectiveness of the P105 course on improving the health behaviors of college freshmen residing within the Briscoe Fitness and Wellness Living-Learning Center (BFWLLC). A health behavior survey quantifiably examined students' general health, alcohol use/binge drinking, physical activity, condom use, and perceived stress. A qualitative survey was introduced at the end of the semester to determine the most useful health topics acquired as a result of taking the P105 course. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this pilot study suggest improvements in health behaviors can be accomplished through an academic course comprised of health education and physical activity components offered within a residence hall. However, confounding factors (i.e. transitional time period, dormitory environment, and academic rigor) may have compromised the v overall effectiveness of the course as revealed by the observed significant increase in the number of drinks consumed while socializing, decrease in self-reported moderate intensity physical activity, and increase in perceived stress. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to elucidate the impact of a combined health education and physical activity course on global health and wellness behaviors.

Examining Health Behaviors in College Students with and Without Chronic Conditions

Examining Health Behaviors in College Students with and Without Chronic Conditions
Author: D. Jeremy Barsell
Publisher:
Total Pages: 107
Release: 2017
Genre:
ISBN:

Many college students are in a developmental period in which they are transitioning from pediatric to adult health care. This time period can be challenging for all college students and especially for students with a chronic condition. The current study investigated the association between various health-related factors (health locus of control [HLOC], health literacy, health self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life [HRQOL]) and health behaviors in college students, as well as the moderating effect of having a chronic condition on those associations. These health behaviors were further operationalized as healthy lifestyle behaviors (preventative and wellness behaviors, dietary behaviors, physical activity) and risky behaviors (substance use and risky sexual behaviors). A total of 393 undergraduate students (66.1% female, 24.8% White, 26% chronic condition) completed electronic questionnaire packets. Findings suggested HLOC, health literacy, and HRQOL were significant predictors of engagement in healthy lifestyle and risky behaviors. Chronic condition status moderated a number of associations between HLOC, health literacy, health self-efficacy and both healthy lifestyle behaviors and risky behaviors. Based on these findings, researchers and practitioners should focus on improving and managing these health-related factors, especially among college students with chronic conditions, in order to help students achieve better health outcomes.