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The Health of College Students: A Review of the ACHA-NCHA National College Health Assessment

This review examines the health of college students based on the data collected from the ACHA-NCHA National College Health Assessment conducted at SUNY Cortland in Spring 2009. It provides insights into the general health, disease and injury prevention, alcohol and cigarette use, marijuana use, and sexual behavior of college students.

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The Health of College Students: A Review of the ACHA-NCHA National College Health Assessment

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  1. Just How Healthy Are Our Students? A Review of the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment Conducted at SUNY Cortland, Spring 2009

  2. Goals • The ACHA-NCHA supports the health of the campus community by fulfilling the academic mission, supporting short- and long-term healthy behaviors, and gaining a current profile of health trends within the campus community. • Spring 2009 National Reference Data • 117 Schools, 87,105 students • 75 Public; 42 Private • 22% of the schools – Large Town (10,000 – 49,999) • 31% in the Northeast • 24% - 5,000 -9,999

  3. NCHA and SUNY Cortland • Data was collected in Spring of 2009 • Online Survey – Undergraduate Students • Advertised through • Campus e-mails Total of 740 students

  4. Demographics

  5. Demographics and Student Characteristics • Of students participating in the survey • Average age - 20.72 years • 71.1% - female, and 27.2% -male • 97.8% - full time students • Relationship Status: Single – 46.8% Married/domestic partner – 4.4% Engaged/committed dating relationship – 53.1% • Students describe themselves as: White – 87.6% Black, not Hispanic – 3.2% Hispanic or Latino – 4.2% Asian or Pacific Islander – 1.9% American Indian or Alaskan Native – 1.2% Other – 2.9% • (Outside of M/F ratio, demographics resemble College’s demographic data with the exception of “Other” category)

  6. Demographics and Student Characteristics • Of students participating in the survey • Students describe themselves as: Heterosexual – 96.0% Gay/Lesbian – 1.6 % Bisexual – 1.5% Unsure - .8% • Housing Campus Residence – 58.1% Fraternity/sorority – 1.0% Other university – 4.9% Off-campus – 29.0% Parent/Guardian’s – 4.7% Other – 2.3% • 98.6% have health insurance (0.4% are unsure)

  7. General Health of College Students • 59.9% of students surveyed nationally described their health as very good or excellent. • 92.2% described their health as good, very good or excellent. • 56.2% of college students experienced one or more health conditions in the previous school year.

  8. General Health of SUNY Cortland Students • 66.3% of students surveyed at SUNY Cortland described their health as very good or excellent. • 95.7% described their health as good, very good or excellent. • 65.7% of college students experienced one or more health conditions in the previous school year.

  9. General Health of College Students • 59.9% of students surveyed nationally, versus 66.3% of students at SUNY Cortland, described their health as very good or excellent. • 56.2% of college students nationally, versus 65.7% of students at SUNY Cortland, reported experiencing one or more health conditions in the previous school year.

  10. Changes in General Health of SUNY Cortland Students from 2006 to 2009

  11. Health Problems and Effect onAcademic Performance • Students were asked to report which factors had adversely affected their academic performance • i.e. received an incomplete, dropped a course, received a lower grade within the previous school year. • Some factors included: Illness, stress, depression and sleep difficulties.

  12. Health Problems and Effect onAcademic Performance • The top ten factors affecting academic performance were: • Stress • Cold/flu/sore throat • Anxiety • Sleep difficulties • Concern for a troubled friend or family member • Relationship difficulties • Extra curricular activities • Internet/computer use • Work • Depression

  13. Disease and Injury Prevention Among SUNY Cortland Students In the past 12 months • 30.0% reported receiving an influenza vaccination. • 79.1% reported having a dental exam and cleaning. • 48.4% reported using sunscreen regularly with sun exposure. • 27.6% reported being tested for HIV. • 96.7% most always wear a seatbelt when riding in a car.

  14. Disease and Injury Prevention

  15. Alcohol Use in Past Thirty Days

  16. Alcohol Use in Past Thirty Days

  17. Perception of Typical Alcohol Use • Within the last thirty days, how often do you think the typical student at your school used alcohol (beer, wine, liquor)?

  18. Changes in Alcohol Use Among SUNY Cortland Students from 2006 to 2009

  19. Cigarette Use in Past Thirty Days

  20. Cigarette Use in the Past Thirty Days

  21. Perceived Cigarette Use • Within the last thirty days, how often do you think the typical student at your school used cigarettes?

  22. Change in Cigarette Use Among SUNY Cortland Students from 2006 to 2009

  23. Marijuana Use at SUNY CortlandIn the Past Thirty Days

  24. Sexual Behavior • College students reported the following within the last school year:

  25. Number of Sexual Partners in the Last Twelve Months

  26. Sexual Behavior • Sexually active students reported: • Using a condom within the last 30 days (mostly or always) when engaging in vaginal intercourse: • 52.3% Nationally • 62.8% at SUNY Cortland • Using a condom the last time they had vaginal intercourse: • 62.4% Nationally • 70.7% at SUNY Cortland

  27. Sexual Behavior • The most common means of birth control reportedly used by college students the last time they had vaginal intercourse: • Condoms (70.7%) • Birth Control Pills (68.1) • Withdrawal (29.1%) • Other top methods included spermicide, fertility awareness, Vaginal ring, or an Intrauterine Device.

  28. Nutrition and Exercise • Participated in vigorous exercise for 20 minutes

  29. Participation in vigorous exercise for 20 minutes

  30. Nutrition and Exercise AmongSUNY Cortland Students • Students reported eating fruits and vegetables • Once or twice per day = 64.8% • Three or four times per day = 27.1% • Five or more times per day = 3.3% • The FDA currently recommends “two cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables per day are for a reference 2,000-calorie intake, with higher or lower amounts depending on the calorie level.”

  31. Sleep • When asked how often in the last seven days they got enough sleep to feel rested in the morning, the majority of students answered “3-5 days” (58.5%). • Other answers included: • 0 days = 6.0% • 1-2 days = 25.7% • 6+ days = 9.8%

  32. Estimated Average Body Mass Index • Of students surveyed at Cortland, the majority of students were found to be in a category identified as “healthy weight.” • 28.6% of students were classified as overweight, and 10.8% in some class of obesity. In contrast, 2.9% of Cortland students were found to be underweight according to the body mass index scale.

  33. Estimated Average Body Mass Index

  34. Estimated Average Body Mass Index

  35. Changes in BMI Among SUNY Cortland Students from 2006 to 2009

  36. College Students reported feeling very safe:

  37. Violence, Abusive Relationships and Personal Safety Within the past 12 months, students experienced Percent (%)Male Female Total • Physical fight 18.4 5.7 9.1 • Physical assault (not sexual assault) 8.5 3.8 5.0 • Verbal threat 40.8 23.1 27.9 • Sexual touching without consent 2.5 7.8 6.3 • Sexual penetration attempt without consent .5 3.6 2.7 • Sexual penetration without consent 1.5 2.3 2.0 • Stalking 4.5 8.6 7.3 • Emotionally abusive intimate relationship 8.5 13.3 12.0 • Physically abusive intimate relationship 3.0 1.9 2.3 • Sexually abusive intimate relationship .5 1.7 1.4

  38. Mental Health Within the past 12 months, at least once: • 49.2% felt overwhelming anxiety • 78.7% felt exhausted (not from physical activity) • 52.5% felt very lonely • 58.3% felt very sad • 40.8% of students reported feeling things were hopeless • 87.5% of students reported feeling overwhelmed by all they had to do

  39. Mental Health, cont’d Within the past 12 months, at least once: • 25.7% of students reported feeling so depressed it was difficult to function • 7.1% of students reported being diagnosed with or treated by professional for depression • M = 4.5% F = 8.2% • 3.6% of students seriously considered attempting suicide at least once • .3% of students attempted suicide • 2.6% intentionally cut, burned, bruised or otherwise injured self

  40. Mental Health, cont’d Within the last 12 months, overall level of stress • No stress 2.6% • Less than average 9.1% • Average 43.7 • More than average 38.3 • Tremendous 6.3

  41. Conclusion • This data helps • give us a picture of the health needs and interests of our students. • determine current health trends. • identify risks to successful academic performance and retention. • evaluate current programs and plan new, more effective programs.

  42. Answers 2. Three most common sexually transmitted infections on college campuses (including ours): • HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) • Chlamydia • HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) 3. What percentage of students mostly or always wear a seatbelt when driving/riding in a car? 96.7% 6. What was the health consequence most often cited by students as a result of their own drinking in the last school year? d. Forgetting where they were or what they had done 7. What is the most frequent helpful strategy cited by students when going out? a. Avoid drinking games

  43. Thank you!

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