Open AccessA Comprehensive Examination of the Health Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors of Students Attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Author(s) -
Brenda Hayes,
Rhonda Conerly Holliday,
Bruce H. Wade,
Cynthia Trawick,
Michael E. Hodge,
Lee S. Caplan,
Sinead N. Younge,
Alexander Quarshie,
David Satcher
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of health care for the poor and underserved
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.511
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1548-6869
pISSN - 1049-2089
DOI - 10.1353/hpu.0.0159
Subject(s) - historically black colleges and universities , demographics , family medicine , medicine , african american , health education , perception , gerontology , substance abuse , psychology , medical education , environmental health , public health , nursing , demography , psychiatry , sociology , ethnology , neuroscience
There is limited information about African American students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the areas of health behavior, health knowledge, and attitudes. To fill this gap, a comprehensive examination offirst-year students was undertaken at a consortium of HBCUs. A non-random sample of 1115 freshmen were administered a survey that assessed several domains including: (1) demographics, (2) general health, (3) smoking habits, (4) disease risk, (5) weight perception, (6) physical activity, (7) perceived stress, (8) eating habits, (9) social support, (10) personal/family medical history, (11) leadership, (12) domestic violence, (13) substance use, and (14) sexual behavior. In general, most students knew about health behaviors and disease risk. Areas that warrant further exploration include physical activity, sexual behavior, and drug use. The analyses provide key information for health education and prevention.