College Student Risk Behavior

Author : Michele L. Pettit
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 278 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (144 download)

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Download or read book An Assessment of Health Risk Behaviors, Values, and Experiences Among College Students and GED Candidates written by Michele L. Pettit and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 278 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study assessed the health risk behaviors, values, and experiences of college students and GED candidates in an attempt to provide support for health education within the GED preparation process. Participants completed surveys mostly consisting of items from the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey. Independent t -tests indicated that individuals with completed semesters of health education in high school had fewer risks for tobacco use ( M = 4.55 and M = 8.67) and were more likely to consult healthcare practitioners ( M = 4.19 and M = 3.31), the internet ( M = 3.33 and M = 2.69), health educators ( M = 3.25 and M = 2.50), and voluntary health agencies ( M = 3.08 and M = 2.38) for health information. No statistically significant difference was found in relation to the value of health as a school content area among individuals with and without completed semesters of health education in high school. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) indicated that GED candidates had a greater likelihood of using tobacco, using drugs, and initiating regular cigarette use than college students, adjusting for gender, race, household income, and exposure to health education in high school. ANCOVAs also showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the preferred health information sources and perceived value of health as a school content area among college students and GED candidates. Independent t -tests revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the completed semesters of health education in high school among college students and GED candidates. However, college students reported a higher level of quality associated with their high school health education experiences than GED students ( M = 3.35 and M = 2.75, respectively). Frequencies and percentages suggested that GED candidates and individuals lacking exposure to health education in high school were more prone to tobacco use including chew and snuff, consumption of high fat foods, marijuana use, and risky sexual behaviors. Furthermore, GED candidates, including participants without exposure to high school health courses, indicated a greater frequency of seatbelt usage than their respective peers. Overall, findings from this study affirmed the need for health education among GED candidates. Implications for future research and discourse about curricular priorities and decisions are discussed.