Showing papers in "Journal of American College Health in 1989"
TL;DR: The authors review approaches to psychological intervention, including short-term psychotherapy, very brief interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy, and career/vocational counseling, and discuss special considerations for conducting therapy with athletes.
Abstract: This article reviews the literature dealing with problems brought by student-athletes to college counseling and mental health centers. Among the issues discussed are fear of success; identity conflict; social isolation; poor athletic performance; academic problems; and career or vocational concerns. In addition, the authors examine the paradox that although athletes experience as much or more psychological distress as nonathletes, research indicates that athletes use professional services less often than nonathletes. Finally, the authors review approaches to psychological intervention, including short-term psychotherapy, very brief interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy, and career/vocational counseling, and discuss special considerations for conducting therapy with athletes.
121 citations
TL;DR: Results of the study support the need to increase efforts to deliver AIDS information specifically targeted to individuals who may be engaged in high-risk behaviors, and special health education programs must be designed to focus attention on risk behaviors instead of risk groups.
Abstract: This study surveyed 975 undergraduates attending a large East Coast university during the spring semester of the 1987/88 academic year. A convenience sample of predominantly black students (94%) participated. Overall, knowledge of basic AIDS-related facts was satisfactory. Raw scores on the 25-item knowledge scale ranged from 7 to 25, with a mean of 20.5 (82%) and a mode of 22 (88%). Selected questions on how HIV is not transmitted, however, posed some problems for respondents. Less than 30% of respondents knew that the AIDs virus was not transmitted by insects; less than 80% knew that AIDS was not transmitted on toilet seats, through blood donations, kissing, and coughing. The survey also asked students whether they had ever engaged in certain behaviors that put them at risk of HIV infection. Approximately 17% of respondents had experienced anal intercourse, 6.5% reported use of heroin, 32.6% reported having had multiple sex partners, and 16% had been treated for a sexually transmitted disease. Students who reported engaging in high-risk behaviors had statistically significant lower mean knowledge scores than those who reported not engaging in those same high-risk behaviors. Results of the study support the need to increase efforts to deliver AIDS information specifically targeted to individuals who may be engaged in high-risk behaviors. Special health education programs must be designed to focus attention on risk behaviors (ie, unprotected anal intercourse) instead of risk groups (ie, homosexual and bisexual males).
84 citations
TL;DR: An important difference was found between students' beliefs about practicing safer sex to prevent AIDS depending on whether their level of knowledge was high or low, and students with low knowledge indicated that the perceived barriers to practiced safer sex were higher than did students with high knowledge about AIDS.
Abstract: 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 tho...
67 citations
TL;DR: A negative correlation was found between attitude toward condoms and intention to use condoms within the next month if the subject were to have intercourse during that time.
Abstract: This study assessed selected heterosexual male college students' use of condoms, their reasons for using condoms, and their attitudes toward sexuality and condoms. Three hundred five male subjects completed a questionnaire that assessed class standing, marital status, reasons for using condoms, number of recent sexual partners, intention to use condoms, and attitudes toward sexuality and condoms. Although no relationship between attitudes toward sexuality and attitudes toward condoms was noted, a negative correlation (− .42) was found between attitude toward condoms and intention to use condoms within the next month if the subject were to have intercourse during that time. Recommendations for increasing condom use are presented.
49 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, health consequences of loneliness are discussed in a review of the literature, focusing on three categories: depression, anxiety, and self-deprecation, and suicide.
Abstract: (1989). Health Consequences of Loneliness: A Review of the Literature. Journal of American College Health: Vol. 37, No. 4, pp. 162-167.
48 citations
TL;DR: In-depth, qualitative discussion using the nominal group technique examined freshmen's perceived susceptibility to AIDS and barriers to prevention, and suggestions are made for improving AIDS-prevention programs on campus.
Abstract: In-depth, qualitative discussion using the nominal group technique examined freshmen's perceived susceptibility to AIDS and barriers to prevention. Groups were led by dormitory resident advisors as a follow-up to a survey questionnaire of college students' knowledge and beliefs about AIDS. Students' comments showed that many misunderstandings lay behind an apparent understanding of the facts about AIDS. These findings underscore how imperative it is that college health education programs be attuned to the needs and address the deficiencies of the particular student body. In-depth, qualitative research techniques such as the nominal group are described as useful in tailoring AIDS prevention to the specific campus audience and are an appropriate introduction to an AIDS-education session. Suggestions, based on students' comments, are made for improving AIDS-prevention programs on campus.
43 citations
TL;DR: There was a significant immediate increase in AIDS knowledge attributable to all four videotapes and these gains persisted until follow-up, with no erosion for three of the four tapes.
Abstract: The effectiveness of four commercial videotape presentations in changing AIDS knowledge and attitudes among 584 college students was evaluated in a pre-post design with control group and follow-up. AIDS knowledge and attitudes were measured prior to, immediately after, and 4 to 6 weeks following presentation of the informational videotapes. In addition, subjects rated each videotape on several specific dimensions, including overall quality. The effects of age, sex, prior exposure to AIDS information, and presence v absence of post-presentation discussion were measured as covariates. In general, there was a significant immediate increase in AIDS knowledge attributable to all four videotapes (p less than .001). These gains persisted until follow-up, with no erosion for three of the four tapes. With the exception of perceived effectiveness of AIDS prevention methods (p less than .001), attitudes toward AIDS showed no change as a result of exposure to any of the videotapes (p greater than .05). Viewer ratings showed two of the videotapes to be superior in terms of perceived overall quality (p less than .05). There were also differences in ratings of videos on other dimensions. Among the covariates, there was no relationship at time of follow-up between post-presentation discussion v no discussion and either knowledge gain or attitude change. Sex was related to one attitude component, with women perceiving the AIDS epidemic as more severe than men (p less than .001).
38 citations
TL;DR: A pretest-posttest design was used to determine whether the AIDS-related attitudes of students, faculty, and staff were affected by an AIDS Awareness Week, and the results showed that the awareness week was successful in exposing the campus community to AIDS information.
Abstract: This paper reports on an AIDS education campaign at a California college campus. A pretest-posttest design was used to determine whether the AIDS-related attitudes of students, faculty, and staff were affected by an AIDS Awareness Week. The results showed that the awareness week was successful in exposing the campus community to AIDS information. It was only marginally effective in changing AIDS-related attitudes because pretest attitudes were already at desirable levels, only a fraction of the campus community attended the highly motivating events of the campaign, and faculty did not actively support the goals of the campaign.
31 citations
TL;DR: The showing of one educational movie on AIDS (particularly the movie that was used in this experiment) appears to be insufficient to educate students on this issue.
Abstract: University students from five classes were randomly assigned to seeing either a movie on Aids or a movie on first aid. Six weeks later, both groups of students filled out a questionnaire measuring their knowledge of Aids, attitudes toward Aids, and attitudes toward homosexuals. In general, the differences between the two groups on the knowledge and attitudes measures were slight. In particular, there was little effect on social attitudes. The showing of one educational movie on Aids (particularly the movie that was used in this experiment) appears to be insufficient to educate students on this issue.
30 citations
TL;DR: Smokeless tobacco users were more likely to have family and friends who also used smokeless tobacco, and more than half of the users consumed less than two cans or pouches per week.
Abstract: This study sought to delineate patterns of smokeless tobacco use among college students in the United States. A national sample (N = 5,894) of approximately equal numbers of men and women from 72 colleges and universities participated in the study. Eight percent of the college students in the Northeast used smokeless tobacco, whereas 15% in the South Central United States were using it. Seventeen percent of the American Indian, 14% of Mexican-American, 12% of white, and 4% of black students reported they had dipped or chewed. Smokeless tobacco users were more likely to have family and friends who also used smokeless tobacco. Almost two thirds (63%) of current users plan to continue to dip or chew. More than half (57%) the users consumed less than two cans or pouches per week. Smokeless tobacco is a serious problem in American colleges and universities. Unless prevention and cessation efforts target this group, the problem will continue to increase and ultimately could result in an oral cancer epidemic.
25 citations
TL;DR: Because patients are often secretive about abusing laxatives, laxative abuse should be considered if there is suspicion about the use of potentially destructive weight-control methods or about an eating disorder.
Abstract: Laxative abuse is an increasingly popular weight-loss method on college campuses, particularly for individuals with eating disorders. It is a dangerous habit, which many mistakenly believe will prevent caloric absorption and weight gain. Serious medical problems that may occur with laxative abuse include electrolyte and fluid imbalance, structural and functional colonic changes, and allergic reactions. Because patients are often secretive about abusing laxatives, laxative abuse should be considered if there is suspicion about the use of potentially destructive weight-control methods or about an eating disorder. A complete history and physical exam are essential parts of an assessment that should also include questions about diet, eating and exercise habits, and body image. Laboratory tests may provide additional supportive data. Treatment includes education, discontinuation of laxatives, medical follow-up as necessary, and psychotherapy. A college campus is an ideal forum for education, referral, and prevention programs.
TL;DR: Depression was significantly correlated with 17 of the 22 practices and states of affect examined, but uncorrelated with certain health-related activities commonly identified with poor emotional well-being.
Abstract: The frequency of symptoms of depression and selected health-related practices and events was measured in a sample of 572 students at a large midwestern university. Students reported many symptoms of depression, with women experiencing depression more often and to a greater degree than men. Depression was significantly correlated with 17 of the 22 practices and states of affect examined, but uncorrelated with certain health-related activities commonly identified with poor emotional well-being. Both the determinants and manifestations of depression among university students require further in-depth investigation. Implications for health professionals and other university personnel are discussed.
TL;DR: Higher education has an opportunity to create work and study environments that meet broadly conceived ethical and educational goals and experience with the Skidmore College-Four Winds Hospital program demonstrates that few additional resources are needed to implement such policy and practice.
Abstract: Traditional biases about the nature of mental illness and the mission of the academic environment have frequently shaped college policy and practice affecting mentally ill, suicidal, or chemically addicted students. Too often, removal of the student from campus has been seen as appropriate, therapeutically and educationally. The assumption that separating seriously disturbed students from the classroom is in the students' best interests is challenged by models of cognitive and emotional functioning that recognize the multi-faceted nature of each. Such models affirm the salience of the student identity for the troubled student's sense of self and therapeutic prognosis. Creating an environment responsive to and supportive of the student in distress may also lead to significant educational benefits to the institution as a whole. Higher education has an opportunity to create work and study environments that meet broadly conceived ethical and educational goals. Experience with the Skidmore College-Fou...
TL;DR: The study showed that a positive change in health-related attitudes and beliefs can result from a relatively uncomplicated informational intervention.
Abstract: We conducted a study to determine whether an intervention using self-care information would change college students' attitudes and beliefs concerning personal responsibility and involvement in their own health care. Individuals entering a student health service were randomly assigned to a treatment or control group. Members of the treatment group (n = 187) received the intervention and completed the survey instrument. Members of the control group (n = 204) completed the survey instrument only. The intervention consisted of one page of general information about the benefits to individuals of taking responsibility for their own health and a booklet containing excerpts from a consumer-oriented health care book. The survey instrument was composed of a measure of attitudes toward information and behavioral involvement in health care and a measure of beliefs regarding control over one's health. Results indicated that the intervention was able to change the treatment group's attitudes regarding active participation in health care. The treatment group's responses also reflected less belief that health was outside of the individual's control. The study showed that a positive change in health-related attitudes and beliefs can result from a relatively uncomplicated informational intervention.
TL;DR: In this paper, patterns of smokeless tobacco use among University Athletes were found to be significantly higher among male athletes than female athletes, who were more likely to smoke less tobacco.
Abstract: (1989). Patterns of Smokeless Tobacco Use among University Athletes. Journal of American College Health: Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 87-90.
TL;DR: Because of the adverse health impact of vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly measles and rubella, on college campuses, the American College Health Association (ACHA) Committee on Immunization and the House of Delegates issued position statements in 1983 and 1984 stating that universities should institute prematriculation immunity requirements.
Abstract: Because of the adverse health impact of vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly measles and rubella, on college campuses, the American College Health Association (ACHA) Committee on Immunization and the House of Delegates issued position statements in 1983 and 1984 stating that colleges and universities should institute prematriculation immunity requirements. Since then, many colleges have implemented requirements and some states have passed comprehensive college laws requiring proof of immunity at the time of matriculation. No college rubella outbreaks have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) since 1985. Measles outbreaks, however, have continued to be reported. In 1986-1987, 315 college measles cases were reported from 15 states, comprising over 3% of the total cases reported to CDC. Thirty-six percent of college measles cases could have been prevented through full implementation of prematriculation immunity requirements. Outbreaks of mumps were reported among students attending 16 colleges and universities in 3 states where active surveillance was undertaken during the 1986-1987 academic year. These mumps outbreaks, the first reported in colleges since vaccine licensure in 1967, were responsible for considerable health impact and disruption of activities. The outbreaks paralleled the increase in mumps reported nationally, which was largely a result of illness among unvaccinated adolescents and young adults not previously exposed to mumps. A lack of routine mumps vaccination in the past has allowed accumulation of susceptible unvaccinated persons in middle schools, high schools, and colleges. Outbreaks are likely to occur in those colleges that draw students who attended primary and secondary school in states without comprehensive laws requiring mumps vaccination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
TL;DR: A study of alcohol-related injuries presenting to the local emergency room and the campus health service indicated an annualized rate of 25.16 injuries per thousand students.
Abstract: A study of alcohol-related injuries presenting to the local emergency room and the campus health service indicated an annualized rate of 25.16 injuries per thousand students. Twenty-four percent of injuries presenting to the emergency room were assessed as alcohol-related; another 6% were listed as being “suspected.” Less than 4% of the injuries presenting to the campus health service were assessed as alcohol-related, and a similar number were listed as “suspected.” Males had a significantly higher rate of alcohol-related injuries than females, and undergraduates had a higher rate than graduate students. Differences among the undergraduate classes were not significant. An investigation of the time of presentation indicated that most alcohol-related injuries occurred after hours and on weekends.
TL;DR: Descriptions of the health problems of the authors' student populations can be valuable in many ways, including facility planning, staff and student education, quality assurance programs, and research.
Abstract: Descriptions of the health problems of our student populations can be valuable in many ways, including facility planning, staff and student education, quality assurance programs, and research. Planning for national programs requires a description of student health practices nationwide. I encourage ACHA or other organizations to support the collection and analysis of data required to do this.
TL;DR: College health practitioners should consider mass screening programs to identify students who could benefit from coronary risk reduction, and mass screening identified more hypercholesterolemic students with less effort per case found than did selective screening.
Abstract: Two national panels have recommended similar, specific strategies for detecting hypercholesterolemia: selective screening for children aged 2 to 19, and mass screening for individuals aged 20 and over. It is, however, unclear how best to apply these recommendations to a college student population. In order to determine which strategy is more efficient, this study compared mass with selective screening of college students for hypercholesterolemia. In the mass screening strategy, all entering students were asked to have their cholesterol levels measured and to provide other coronary risk factor information. In the selective screening strategy, all sophomores with a family history of heart disease were asked to participate in a risk factor screening program. In this study, mass screening identified more hypercholesterolemic students with less effort per case found than did selective screening. We recommend that college health practitioners consider mass screening programs to identify students who co...
TL;DR: Data from this study clearly support a need for a screening policy and educational program on the campus to improve control of chlamydial infection.
Abstract: A review of more than 1,000 medical records of the University of South Florida students screened for gonorrhea, Chlamydia trachomatis, and syphilis during a period of 1 year in 1986–1987 showed genital chlamydial infection to be the most prevalent of these sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Among normal asymptomatic female students with no known recent STD contact, 6.9% had a positive chlamydial enzyme immunoassay. Female students with vaginal symptoms had a greater tendency to be positive, and 47.8% of those with a recent STD contact tested positive for chlamydia. Males with a clinical diagnosis of nonspecific urethritis had a 50% probability of having a positive chlamydia test. Data from this study clearly support a need for a screening policy and educational program on the campus to improve control of chlamydial infection.
TL;DR: Current gynecological opinion strongly supports a practice of colposcopic evaluation for all women with cytology showing any degree of CIN, but potential problems with false-positive cervical biopsy reports, however, may limit the utility ofcolposcopy in patients with IA cytology.
Abstract: Since 1943, Papanicolaou (Pap) smears have been widely used to screen for cervical cancer. Over the past 25 years, new understanding of the natural history of cervical epithelial neoplasia has defined the existence and importance of dysplasia, also termed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and more recently, its probable link to human papilloma virus (HPV). Inflammatory atypia (IA) is a common cytological diagnosis whose significance is less understood. Current gynecological opinion strongly supports a practice of colposcopic evaluation for all women with cytology showing any degree of CIN. Data from studies in our health service and elsewhere establish that 15% to 30% of patients with IA will have CIN if evaluated by colposcopy. Although clinicians may choose to follow such patients with repeated Pap smears, there are strong arguments for offering colposcopic evaluation to patients with IA. Potential problems with false-positive cervical biopsy reports, however, may limit the utility of c...
TL;DR: Modeling and guided practice as components of one education approach used appear to be an essential strategy to increase the practice of regular testicular self-examination.
Abstract: This study sought to assess the effects of modeling and guided practice as components within a comprehensive testicular self-examination education program for college-aged men. We studied three treatment groups (N = 161) at two Arkansas universities. The variables investigated were knowledge of testicular cancer, attitudes toward testicular cancer, and frequency of self-reported testicular self-examination. A summary of the major findings revealed a significant difference in knowledge of testicular cancer and attitudes toward testicular cancer and a significant difference in frequency of testicular self-examination for all treatment groups. Modeling and guided practice yielded no significant differences in knowledge of testicular cancer or frequency of self-reported testicular self-examination but some significant attitudinal differences. Results indicated that subjects were not knowledgeable about testicular cancer and that most (91.7%) were not practicing testicular self-examination. Three mont...
TL;DR: In this article, the author tried to establish that dealing with the loss of country resembles the developmental task in late adolescence of mourning the childhood parents and may, in fact, serve as a parallel process.
Abstract: Migration has a profound impact on a person's life. The author attempts to establish that dealing with the loss of country resembles the developmental task in late adolescence of mourning the childhood parents and may, in fact, serve as a parallel process. Mourning as a result of loss of country is examined; this is followed by a look at the threat to identity posed by the migration process. The point is made that a country is an object, a nonhuman object, with which one develops a relationship. Attention is paid to nostalgia, in which the ideational content tends to be nonhuman rather than human. Similarities of a parent and a country are pointed out, as well as similarities between parent loss and loss of country. Finally, the parallel between mourning the childhood parents and mourning following loss of country is highlighted in a case vignette.
TL;DR: It is concluded that asymptomatic sexually active male students on this campus are a high-risk population for whom routine chlamydia screening is appropriate.
Abstract: Male university students were studied to evaluate the merit of routine screening for chlamydia urethritis. Two hundred fourteen sexually active male students answered a questionnaire about symptoms of urethritis and exposure to and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). All subjects were screened for chlamydia by enzyme immunoassay (Chlamydiazyme, Abbott Laboratories). Overall, Chlamydiazyme was positive in 42 of 214 subjects (19.6%). Eighty-six subjects had no symptoms and no history of untreated exposure to STD; 6 of these had positive Chlamydiazyme assays. Based on our results, we conclude that the proportion of male urethral chlamydia infections that are asymptomatic may be much higher than has previously been believed. We further conclude that asymptomatic sexually active male students on this campus are a high-risk population for whom routine chlamydia screening is appropriate.
TL;DR: In this article, an Eating Disorders Hotline: Organization, Implementation, and Initial Experience is described. But the Hotline does not provide any guidance on how to set up a hotline.
Abstract: (1989). An Eating Disorders Hotline: Organization, Implementation, and Initial Experience. Journal of American College Health: Vol. 37, No. 4, pp. 183-186.