Advocacy and Public Policy Perceptions and Involvement of Master Certified Health Education Specialists.

Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES; n = 186) participated in a mail survey on advocacy and public policy. Over half of participants reported that they had contacted a public official or provided policy-related information to consumers or other professionals. Participants identified barriers and benefits to influencing public policy. The greatest benefit was identified as improving the health or welfare of the public while the greatest barrier was that they were busy with other priorities. Participants also described their level of involvement, knowledge, training in advocacy, and their self-efficacy in performing various advocacy activities. Most MCHES reported voting and other basic advocacy functions while far fewer had participated in more advanced advocacy activities. Although nearly 73% had formal training on advocacy and policy, only 26% received it through college coursework. Factors predictive of advocacy and policy involvement were determined through a stepwise regression analysis. Five independent variables predicted the total number of advocacy activities and when combined accounted for nearly 61% of the variance. Government-level health educators' misconception that they cannot participate in advocacy and public policy issues should be dispelled. Health education specialists with the MCHES credential need coursework and additional training on how to effectively influence public health policy.

Substance use of lesbian, gay, bisexual and heterosexual college students.

OBJECTIVE: To compare self-identified lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) college students to heterosexual peers and to each other on alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) measures and alcohol use consequences. METHODS: Preexisting data (Falls 2009-2011) from the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA-II) were analyzed. RESULTS: Bisexual college students had greater odds of ATOD use than heterosexual and gay/lesbian students. Bisexual women had the highest levels of use. LGB students had more serious consequences due to alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: ATOD use among LGB students was more prevalent than heterosexuals during the past 30 days, year, and life-time. LGB students report more negative alcohol consequences.

A comparison of lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual female college undergraduate students on selected reproductive health screenings and sexual behaviors.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual college undergraduate women on selected reproductive health screenings. Associations between sexual orientation and preventive health screenings and sexual behaviors were made to determine if differences existed between the groups. METHODS: The study was a secondary analysis of three semesters of the American College Health Association's National College Health Assessment-II. FINDINGS: Bisexuals were 1.1 times as likely as heterosexuals to have a gynecological examination and perform a breast self-examination (BSE), and 1.5 times as likely to have an HIV test. Bisexuals also were 1.5 times as likely as lesbians to have a gynecological examination, 1.2 times as likely to perform BSE, and 1.4 times as likely to have an HIV test. Lesbians were 0.70 times as likely as heterosexuals to have a gynecological examination, but no different in BSE or HIV testing. Bisexuals were more likely to have anal intercourse than heterosexuals or lesbians (p < .001). Bisexuals were less likely to use condoms than heterosexuals for vaginal intercourse but more likely to use them for anal intercourse (p < .001). Most of the women (90%) used no barrier protection for oral sex. Bivariate tests found associations between sexual orientation and each of the preventive screenings and that those with more partners screened more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: Health educators should attend to the unique needs of each sexual orientation group when presenting sexual health information to college women. Health care providers should undergo diversity and sensitivity training to work more effectively with these groups.

A comparison of lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual college undergraduate women on selected mental health issues.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate selected mental health characteristics of lesbians and bisexual undergraduate college women as compared with heterosexual college women. PARTICIPANTS: Self-identified lesbians and bisexual and heterosexual female college students who took part in the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment II (ACHA-NCHA-II) in Fall 2008, Spring 2009, and Fall 2009. METHODS: A secondary analysis of the ACHA-NCHA-II data set for 3 semesters was conducted. Comparisons of lesbians and bisexual and heterosexual female college students were made. RESULTS: Bisexual women reported the worst mental health status in all areas studied including anxiety, anger, depressive symptoms, self-injury, and suicidal ideation and attempts. Both bisexual women and lesbians had a far greater likelihood of having these mental health issues when compared with heterosexual women. Lesbians and bisexual women utilized significantly more mental health services (with the exception of clergy) than heterosexual women. CONCLUSIONS: College health professionals should recognize and address the mental health needs of bisexual and lesbian undergraduate college women.