Student opinions of body appreciation week: Openness to alternatives to a weight-centric model of health.

Objective: Body image issues are common among young adult women on college campuses and are correlated with several negative outcomes. Only recently have universities begun to deliver Health at Every Size (HAES) education to university students to promote holistic health. Method: A sample of students who attended events for Body Appreciation Week (BAW) 2022 (N = 42) completed a Qualtrics survey collected by a student health promotion department at a large, southeastern university. I used this data to assess student openness to HAES and other alternatives to weight-centric approaches to health. Results: Overall, students who responded to the survey were pleased with programming that challenged diet culture and introduced the HAES model of health. Conclusion: Student feedback, along with previous research on college student programming interventions, suggests organizing similar events for future BAW and more frequent programming during the academic year to properly assess of the impact of these events on student health.

Improving Students Access to Primary Health Care Through School-Based Health Centers.

BACKGROUND: More than 20 million children in the United States lack access to primary health care. PRACTICE LEARNING: Research shows that students with regular access to physical and mental health services have fewer absences, are more social, less likely to participate in risky behaviors, have improved focus and higher test scores. IMPLICATION FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY: School-based health centers (SBHCs) can be an important, valuable and viable health care delivery option to meet the full-range of primary health care needs of students where they spend the majority of their wake hours, ie, in school. Children in rural and other underserved communities, as well as those underinsured, non-insured, economically challenged, underserved, and the most vulnerable among us are especially at risk. CONCLUSIONS: This paper discusses the history, value, and importance of SBHCs from myriad perspectives, including physical and emotional wellbeing, academic and social success, and the promotion of a positive transition to adulthood. In addition, the authors' experiences that resulted in building the first SBHC in the Mid-Hudson Valley Region of New York State are shared. These experiences form the foundation for creating an important roadmap for individuals and school leaders that are interested in bringing a SBHC to their school and district.

Status of the Health Promoting University (HPU) globally and its relevance for emerging African HPUs: an integrative review and bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Health Promoting Universities (HPU) concept is undertheorized, with no African university belonging to the International Network of Health Promoting Universities (IHPU). AIM: The study aimed to investigate the status of the HPU concept globally to inform emerging HPUs, more specifically in Africa, regarding its implementation. METHODS: An integrative literature review of studies conducted between 1 January 2013 and 5 November 2023 was conducted from online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, CINAHL and Medline). A VOS bibliometric analysis viewer was used to extract and analyze further relevant information that could have been missed in the review. RESULTS: From 1128 records, 22 (N = 22) articles including two reports met the inclusion criteria. The main findings were that: (1) the HPU network is growing as a global network though undertheorized and less reported on, (2) the implementation of the HPU depends on a plethora of underpinning philosophies such as salutogenic and whole systems approach, and diverse programs and initiatives, 3) the terms HPU and healthy universities are often used interchangeably but the whole systems approach appears to be consistent in many HPU interventions. However, five contextual challenges that emanated from this review were discussed, including the definition of the HPU concept, theories for the HPU concept, measurement of the HPU concept, coordination and methods for measuring the HPU concept status. These challenges present obstacles to measuring the status of the HPU concept beyond the number of affiliated universities and HPU initiatives. CONCLUSION: Despite the challenges, the HPU concept is gaining momentum globally, as evidenced by the growing list of universities (HPU network) involved and the proliferation of interventions/initiatives targeting university students.

Using Unannounced Standardized Patients to Assess Clinician Telehealth and Communication Skills at an Urban Student Health Center.

PURPOSE: As the COVID-19 pandemic forced most colleges and universities to go online, student health centers rapidly shifted to telehealth platforms without frameworks for virtual care provision. An urban student health center implemented a needs assessment involving unannounced standardized patients (USPs) to evaluate the integration of a new telehealth workflow and clinicians' virtual communication skills. METHODS: From April to May 2021, USPs conducted two video visits with 12 primary care and four women's health clinicians (N = 16 clinicians; 32 visits). Cases included (1) a 21-year-old female presenting for birth control with a positive Patient Health Questionaire-9 and (2) a 21-year-old male, who vapes regularly, with questions regarding safe sex with men. Clinicians were evaluated using a checklist completed by the USP immediately following the visit and a systematic chart review of the electronic health record. RESULTS: USP feedback indicates most clinicians received high ratings for general communication skills but may benefit from educational intervention in several key telemedicine skills. Clinicians struggled with using nonverbal signals to enrich communication (47% well done), acknowledging emotions (34% well done), and using video for information gathering (34% well done). Low rates of standard screenings (e.g., 63% administered the PHQ-2, <50% asked about alcohol use) suggested protocols for in-person care were not easily incorporated into telehealth practices, and clinicians may benefit from enhanced care team support. Performance reports were shared with clinicians and leadership postvisit. DISCUSSION: Results suggest project design and implementation is scalable and feasible for use at other institutions, offering a structured methodology that can improve general student health care.

Intuitive eating has reduced the chances of being overweight in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: University students have been particularly affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, and several sociodemographic and behavioral factors may be associated with the risk of overweight in this population. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the pandemic on the eating behavior and nutritional status of university students, and the factors associated with these changes, especially the role of intuitive eating in this process. Methods: This is a repeated measures observational study with data collected in the first and third year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, from students over the age of 18 in the undergraduate programs of a federal university in southeastern Brazil. The survey was conducted using an online form. Eating behavior was assessed using the "Intuitive Eating Scale-2". Results: 251 university students took part, most of them female with a median age of 22. There was an increase in body mass index (BMI) and intuitive eating score between the two periods. In the first year of the pandemic, being female and using tobacco reduced the chances of students being overweight. Living in a marital relationship, worrying about weight gain and body dissatisfaction increased the chances of this outcome. In the third year of the pandemic, it was observed that practicing restrictive diets, having inadequate body perception, worrying about weight gain and living in a marital relationship increased the chances of students being overweight. Being female and eating more intuitively, in line with bodily needs, reduced these odds, demonstrating a protective role in this scenario. Conclusion: There was an increase in BMI and intuitive eating score during the pandemic. Sociodemographic, lifestyle and behavioral variables had both a positive and negative influence on nutritional status. Intuitive eating was shown to be a protective factor during this period, reducing the chances of being overweight in this population. Thus, more intuitive eating may favor greater weight stability, and may, therefore, have helped to reduce the impact of the pandemic on weight gain. In this way, people who ate more intuitively partially resisted the context that favored weight gain (stress, changes in diet and physical inactivity).

Health inequities and marginalized groups: An overview for college student travelers and travel health professionals.

One of the main goals of college- and university-sponsored travel is to broaden the global perspectives of student travelers, thereby enhancing their ability to effectively communicate and work with people from different cultural backgrounds. Pre-travel consultations are important for all students traveling internationally, and especially for those facing current or past health inequities and marginalization. To offer high quality, inclusive services, college travel health clinicians must understand both the student traveler population and cultural norms at the travel destinations, especially those related to health and safety. This article provides an overview of health equity definitions and pre-travel preparation through an equity lens. It also reviews travel health equity-related clinical implications including: helping to prepare student travelers for issues related to gender, sexuality, identity, and sexual assault; assisting travelers with preexisting health conditions and disabilities; and serving older student travelers and travelers with financial limitations.

[Design of an escape game by nursing students, a key to developing skills in educational care]. / Conception d'un escape game par des étudiants infirmiers, une clé du développement de compétences en soins éducatifs.

This article is the shared experience of six student nurses. They look back on their health service experience and explain how their decision to create an escape game for 5th graders was a unique and enriching experience for both the students and themselves. In particular, it enabled them to develop a number of skills that were extremely useful in building their professional identity.

Student Opposition to University Pouring Rights Contracts.

Introduction: The majority of large public universities have exclusive pouring rights contracts with beverage companies that produce and market sugar-sweetened beverages. Pouring rights contracts contain provisions that conflict with recommendations from major public health organizations that institutions reduce sugar-sweetened beverage availability, marketing, and consumption. This study assessed the following among students at 3 public universities: student perception of pouring rights contracts (the extent to which they favored or opposed pouring rights contracts), the association between student socioeconomic characteristics and perception of pouring rights contracts, student estimates of pouring rights contract revenue, and the association between student pouring rights contract revenue estimates and perception of pouring rights contracts. To contextualize results, actual pouring rights contract revenue as a percentage of total revenues was estimated. Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted among a convenience sample of 1,311 undergraduate sugar-sweetened beverages-consuming students recruited from 3 large and diverse public universities in Northern California. On an online questionnaire, undergraduate students indicated the extent to which they favored or opposed pouring rights contracts on a 10-point scale (oppose=1-5, favor=6-10) and provided a numeric estimate of the percentage of total university revenue they thought their university's pouring rights contract generated. Regression models were used to analyze differences in perception of pouring rights contracts by student socioeconomic characteristics and estimates of university revenues generated by pouring rights contracts. In addition, pouring rights contracts and financial reports were obtained from the 3 universities to estimate actual pouring rights contract revenue as a percentage of total revenues. Survey data were collected between August and November 2018 and analyzed in August 2022. Results: A large majority of students (81%) opposed pouring rights contracts, and the opposition did not significantly differ by student socioeconomic characteristics, including by levels of food security, need-based financial aid, participation in federal food assistance or healthcare programs, parental education, or parental income (all ps>0.14). The median student estimate for pouring rights contract revenue as a percentage of total university revenue was 10%. In contrast, the estimated actual annual revenue generated from the pouring rights contracts ranged from 0.01% to 0.04% at these schools. Revenue estimates were not significantly associated with participants' opposition or favoring of pouring rights contracts (p=0.65). Conclusions: A large majority of students opposed pouring rights contracts, and this opposition was similar regardless of student socioeconomic characteristics or student estimates of pouring rights contract revenues. Students markedly overestimated (by >100-1,000-fold) the percentage of university revenue that came from pouring rights contracts. University administration should consider student views on pouring rights contracts when deciding whether to exit or continue with pouring rights contracts.

Impact of basketball teaching in universities on students' physical healt: Analysis based on physical fitness, cardiopulmonary function, and skeletal healt

Purpose: College students are the future of a nation; education community needs to prioritize students' health issues. Method:This article compares the measurement data of cardiovascular function, bone density, body composition, and physical fitness between female college students in the exercise group and the control group before and after 12 weeks, in order to explore the impact of basketball on human morphology and physiological function. This can provide more methods and scientific basis for students to enhance their physical fitness and promote physical health. Results: The exercise group's lung capacity after the experimentwas 2517ml, and the control group's lung capacity after the experiment was 2357ml.Conclusion: This article has important practical significance in promoting the improvement of college students' physical fitness, and can also provide reference for ordinary higher education institutions to offer various sports courses (AU)

Potential demand for and access to medication abortion among North Carolina college students.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate demand for medication abortion (MAB) among North Carolina (NC) college students and describe access to nearest clinics offering MAB to each campus. METHODS: We calculated demand using 2019-2020 campus demographics and NC abortion statistics. We used a mystery client technique to gather MAB cost and appointment wait times at the closest clinics and calculated travel distances and times. RESULTS: We estimated that 2,517 NC students seek MAB annually. Twenty-one clinics were closest to NC's 111 colleges and universities, including five in neighboring states. Mean cost was $450, with an average wait time of six days to appointment. The average round-trip travel distance was 58 miles and time to the nearest clinic was 84 min by car. CONCLUSIONS: Many NC college students likely obtain MAB every year and face high costs, long wait times and distances to care, which has likely worsened after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Hours of sleep and associated factors in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Sleep alterations are common in college students, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sociodemographic factors may predict these alterations in this population. OBJECTIVE: To identify the sociodemographic factors and health characteristics associated with the number of hours of sleep of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study carried out with 244 university students from a multicampi public university in the State of Bahia, Northeast Brazil. Data collection was performed online and participants answered a specific questionnaire to assess sleep hours, sociodemographic and health variables. RESULTS: Significant associations were observed between hours of sleep and older students (odds ratio adjusted -ORaj: 3.75; 95% Confidence Interval -CI: 1.81-7.75; p <  0.01), attending the final semesters (ORaj: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.05-3.25; p <  0.03), and who reported having some disease (ORaj: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.05-4.50; p <  0.03) with greater chances of getting less sleep. However, those who used tobacco (ORaj: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.01-0.45; p <  0.001) were likely to have more hours of sleep per night. CONCLUSION: Sleep restriction was common among participating college students, which has likely intensified due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions. This encourages specific public health actions, contemplating the health and hours of sleep of this population.

Interventions for Strengthening General Self-Efficacy Beliefs in College Students: An Integrative Review / Intervenciones para Fortalecer las Creencias de Autoeficacia General en Estudiantes Universitarios: Revisión Integrativa / Intervenções para Fortalecimento das Crenças de Autoeficácia Geral em Estudantes Universitários: Revisão Integrativa

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the evidence regarding the effectiveness of interventions aimed at strengthening self-efficacy beliefs in college students. Methods: Integrative Review conducted on the Lilacs, PubMed, CinahL, Cochrane Collaboration Databases, Scopus, and PsycInfo databases. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using tools proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute, and the results were analyzed descriptively. Results: Out of the 10 selected studies, six demonstrated that interventions aimed at strengthening self-efficacy were effective (Levels of Evidence II and III), and four revealed contrary results (Levels of Evidence I and II). Programs aimed at enhancing self-efficacy should include content on positive mental health, psychoeducation strategies, cover a period of eight to twelve weeks, and consider the completion of homework assignments. Conclusion: The synthesis of evidence pointed to pathways for building an effective self-efficacy strengthening program to be implemented in universities.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar las evidencias sobre la efectividad de las intervenciones para fortalecer las creencias de autoeficacia en estudiantes universitarios. Métodos: Revisión Integrativa realizada en las bases de datos Lilacs, PubMed, CinahL, Cochrane Collaboration Databases, Scopus y PsycInfo. La calidad metodológica de los estudios se evaluó utilizando herramientas propuestas por el Instituto Joanna Briggs y los resultados se analizaron de forma descriptiva. Resultados: De los 10 estudios seleccionados, seis demostraron que las intervenciones para fortalecer la autoeficacia fueron efectivas (niveles de evidencia II y III) y cuatro arrojaron resultados contrarios (niveles de evidencia I y II). Los programas dirigidos al fortalecimiento de la autoeficacia deben incluir contenido sobre salud mental positiva, estrategias de psicoeducación, abarcar un período de ocho a doce semanas y considerar la realización de ejercicios para hacer en casa. Conclusión: La síntesis de evidencia señala el camino para la construcción de un programa efectivo de fortalecimiento de las creencias de autoeficacia que debe implementarse en las universidades.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar as evidências sobre a efetividade das intervenções para fortalecer as crenças de autoeficácia em universitários. Métodos: Revisão Integrativa, realizada nas bases de dados Lilacs, PubMed, CinahL, Cochrane Collaboration Databases, Scopus e PsycInfo. A qualidade metodológica dos estudos foi avaliada por meio de ferramentas propostas pelo Joanna Briggs Institute e os resultados foram analisados de forma descritiva. Resultados: Dos 10 estudos selecionados, seis demonstraram que as intervenções para fortalecer a autoeficácia foram efetivas (níveis de evidências II e III) e quatro revelaram resultados contrários (níveis de evidências I e II). Os programas direcionados ao fortalecimento da autoeficácia devem possuir conteúdo sobre saúde mental positiva, estratégias de psicoeducação, abranger o período de oito a doze semanas e considerar a realização de exercícios para casa. Conclusão: A síntese das evidências apontou caminhos para a construção de um programa efetivo de fortalecimento das crenças de autoeficácia a ser implementado em universidades.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Knowledge and Awareness of Lung Cancer and Screening in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Lung cancer (LC) is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. With lung cancer often diagnosed at advanced stages, understanding the local population's awareness levels is crucial for designing effective preventive strategies. By identifying gaps in knowledge, the research aims to inform targeted health education efforts, optimize resource allocation, influence policy development, and contribute to the limited body of research on lung cancer awareness in the region, ultimately fostering improved public health outcomes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia, from July 2022 to June 2023, 671 participants over 18 years old, encompassing both genders, were gsurveyed. Data was collected through a questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics and LC-related awareness. SPSS 23 was used for analysis. Factors associated with knowledge scores were explored using independent t-tests and ANOVA, with the Tukey post-hoc test identifying specific group differences. Results: The study included 671 participants, most participants were between 18 and 35 years (73.5%), with 38.5% males and 61.5% females. Lung cancer (LC) awareness was high (95.1%), with 4.9% reporting a family history. Knowledge assessment revealed a mean score of 14.66, with 41.6% having low, 49.5% moderate, and 8.9% high knowledge levels. Correct responses were notable for recognizing LC as a common cancer, a leading cause of death, and associating smoking and shisha with risk. Symptoms were well identified. Screening awareness was at 63.5%, with 78.8% willing to undergo tests if at risk. Age, marital status, and occupation were associated with knowledge, while factors like gender, nationality, residency, education, income, and smoking status showed no significant associations. Conclusion: The findings indicate that there are knowledge gaps related to LC and its screening in Jazan region in Saudi Arabia. Effective awareness programs targeting specific sociodemographic groups are needed to improve the early detection and outcomes.

Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en estudiantes de tecnicatura en enfermería / Health-related quality of life among technical nursing students / Qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde em estudantes de técnica de enfermagem

Objetivo: Analizar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y sus factores asociados en los estudiantes de la carrera de Tecnicatura en enfermería de una institución de educación superior no universitaria de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo, transversal y cuantitativo. La muestra estuvo constituida por 204 estudiantes de Tecnicatura en enfermería elegidos mediante muestreo no probabilístico quienes respondieron al instrumento SF-36 durante el primer cuatrimestre del 2023. Resultados: Los encuestados tuvieron una media de edad de 29,87 años (DE: 8,41) y fueron mayormente mujeres (78,92%), solteras (79,41%), sin hijos (59,31%), de segundo año del plan de estudios de la carrera (43,14%) y del turno mañana (40,69%). Relativo al autocuidado, se halló una baja prevalencia de tabaquismo (18,14%) y alta de sedentarismo (67,16%), la mayoría concurren a consulta médica 2 veces al año (58,33%) y se realizan exámenes de sangre anuales (57,35%). Al analizar las dimensiones que componen la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, se encontró que la Función Física fue la mejor puntuada con una media de 89,95 (DE: 13,45), mientras, Vitalidad obtuvo la valoración más baja con una media de 49,12 (DE: 17,24). Conclusiones: Con excepción de la Vitalidad, todas las dimensiones evaluadas presentaban una valoración positiva. El sexo (hombre), el año del plan de estudios (tercero), el turno (vespertino), el índice de masa corporal (normal) y la implementación de actividades de autocuidado se relacionaron positivamente con la calidad de vida.

Objective: To analyze the quality of life related to health and its associated factors in technical nursing students of a non-university higher education institution in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional, and quantitative study. The sample consisted of 204 technical nursing students, selected by non-probabilistic sampling, who responded to the SF-36 instrument during the first quarter of 2023. Results: Respondents had a mean age of 29.87 years (SD: 8.41) and were predominantly female (78.92%), single (79.41%), without children (59.31%), in the second year of the career (43.14%), and working the morning shift (40.69%). Regarding self-care, a low prevalence of smoking (18.14%) and a high prevalence of sedentary lifestyle (67.16%) were found. Most of the students had medical examinations twice a year (58.33%) and had annual blood tests performed (57.35%). When analyzing the dimensions that make up health-related quality of life, it was found that physical function obtained the best evaluation, with a mean of 89.95 (SD: 13.45), while vitality received the lowest evaluation with a mean of 49.12 (SD: 17.24). Conclusions: Except for vitality, all dimensions received a positive evaluation. Gender (male), year of the career (third), shift (evening), Body Mass Index (normal), and self-care activities were positively associated with quality of life.

Objetivo: Analisar a qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde e seus fatores associados em estudantes de técnica de enfermagem de uma instituição de ensino superior não universitária da Cidade Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo, transversal e quantitativo. A amostra foi composta por 204 estudantes de técnica de enfermagem escolhidos por amostragem não probabilística que responderam ao instrumento SF-36 durante o primeiro quadrimestre de 2023. Resultados: Os entrevistados tinham idade média de 29,87 anos (DP: 8,41) e eram em sua maioria do sexo feminino (78,92%), solteiros (79,41%), sem filhos (59,31%), no segundo ano do curso de enfermagem (43,14%) e no turno da manhã (40,69%). Relativamente ao autocuidado, verificou-se uma baixa prevalência de tabagismo (18,14%) e uma alta prevalência de sedentarismo (67,16%), a maioria foi ao médico duas vezes por ano (58,33%) e fez análises sanguíneas anuais (57,35%). Ao analisar as dimensões que compõem a qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde, verificou-se que a Função Física foi a mais bem classificada com uma média de 89,95 (DP: 13,45), enquanto a Vitalidade obteve a classificação mais baixa com uma média de 49,12 (DP: 17,24). Conclusões: Com exceção da Vitalidade, todas as dimensões avaliadas foram avaliadas positivamente. O sexo (masculino), o ano curricular (terceiro ano), o turno (noturno), o índice de massa corporal (normal) e a realização de atividades de autocuidado estavam positivamente relacionados com a qualidade de vida.

Global prevalence and gender inequalities in at least 60 min of self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity 1 or more days per week: An analysis with 707,616 adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend that adolescents should accumulate an average of 60 min per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). However, using only this cut-off could hide important information. For instance, from a population-level point of view, increasing physical activity for those with no or low physical activity could provide more health benefits than increasing physical activity for those with intermediate levels. Also, including a more sensitive cut-point of ≥1 day per week could be an additional strategy for identifying those with low access/opportunities for physical activity practice. Thus, the current study aims to estimate the prevalence of ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 days per week among adolescents globally, and to describe any relevant gender inequalities. METHODS: We used representative datasets from 146 countries/territories collected between 2003 and 2019. MVPA was self-reported. Participants were grouped into younger (≤14 years old) and older (>14 years old) adolescents. Crude Poisson regression models were used to identify the relative differences in ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 days per week between boys and girls, and random-effects meta-analysis models were used to identify the pooled estimates. Analyses were stratified by country and region. RESULTS: Approximately 80% of both younger and older adolescents reported ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 days per week. This prevalence was ≥94% in Europe and Central Asia and North America, while the estimates for the other regions were <77%. The prevalence of ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 days per week was higher among boys than girls, with the largest differences occurring among the oldest adolescents (PR≤14y: 1.04 (95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.03‒1.04) vs. PR>14y: 1.09 (95%CI: 1.08‒1.10)). CONCLUSION: Approximately 8 out of 10 adolescents reported accumulating ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 day per week, with notable differences between regions. Gender differences were observed in several countries, especially among the oldest adolescents. Priorities for physical activity promotion among adolescents should include increasing access/opportunities for physical activity among those who do not achieve ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 days per week and reducing gender inequalities.

The Effect of Sleep Quality and Mental Health on Academic Performance Among the Medical Students of King Abdulaziz University.

BACKGROUND: Sleep quality has an important role in brain functioning and development. Affected sleep quality and mental health can negatively affect the academic performance of college students. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of sleep quality and mental health on the academic performance of medical students at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among medical students at King Abdulaziz University. The dependent variable was the current grade point average (GPA). For the independent variables, two validated tools were used in the study: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep assessment; and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) for mental health assessment. RESULTS: A total of 382 responses were analyzed. The majority of students (86.6%) had GPAs greater than 3.75/5, while only 1% of the sample had a GPA lower than 2.75/5. The PSQI showed a median and interquartile range of (9, 6-11). Normal DASS-21 represented the majority as follows: depression at 67%, anxiety at 63.1%, and stress at 82.2%. In the statistical analyses, sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and stress were not statistically significant with the student's GPA. CONCLUSION: Low levels of sleep quality were found among medical students in our study. While sleep quality and mental health status did not show an effect on the GPA of the medical students, lower sleep quality was significantly correlated with increased scores of depression, anxiety, and stress. Our findings mandate interventions directed at improving sleep quality among medical students.

Responding to multiple events in 2020: A qualitative study exploring areas of growth and development among California college students.

In 2020, the US was consumed by the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice protests. California was further compounded by a devastating fall wildfire season. Negative effects related to these events have been documented in research. Objective: This study sought to expand the literature by exploring areas of personal growth and development among college students with a lens on the impact of these three events. Methods: A diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a large public university system in California were recruited to participate in one of six focus groups held during the winter of 2020/2021 with 35 students. Findings: Thematic analysis was used to develop three themes: 1) experiencing fluctuation and repetition, 2) understanding myself and the world, and 3) finding hope and wanting action. Conclusions: Findings suggest opportunities for academic institutions to enhance critical thinking about contemporary issues and support students in developing skills to navigate change and transition successfully.

Demand for medication abortion among public university students in Washington.

Provision of medication abortion in student health centers is safe and effective, but no public universities in Washington state provide such services. We estimate demand for medication abortion and describe barriers to care among students at four-year public universities in Washington. Using publicly available data, we estimated that students at the 11 Washington public universities obtained between 549 and 932 medication abortions annually. Students must travel an average of 16 miles (range:1-78) or 73 minutes via public transit (range:22-284) round trip to the nearest abortion-providing facility. Average wait time for the first available appointment was 10 days (range:4-14), and average cost was $711. Public universities can play an integral role in expanding abortion access post-Dobbs by providing medication abortion, effectively reducing barriers to care for students. The state legislature can pass legislation requiring universities to provide medication abortion, similar to what other states also protective of abortion rights have done.

Assessing the Impact of a Health Education Intervention for Post-secondary International Students in Canada.

Objective The objective is to determine the impact of a health education intervention on self-rated health knowledge, levels of stress and anxiety, and ability to find and access school resources for international students studying at a Canadian University and College. Participants and setting This is a pre- and post-intervention survey. Undergraduate and graduate international students on the shared campus of Durham College and Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, Ontario were included. Interventions  International students participating in this study received two structured visits, scheduled two weeks apart. At the start of the first visit, students completed a baseline survey which included questions on self-rated health knowledge, stress levels, and ability to access school resources. At this visit, students received 30 minutes of structured health education from a registered nurse on the topics of sexual health and adult immunizations.  At the second visit, students received 30 minutes of structured teaching from the registered nurse on the topics of mental health, COVID-19, and campus resources. Upon the completion of this teaching, students completed a post-intervention survey with the same questions as the pre-survey, to gauge for changes related to the intervention. Results T-values were calculated for each survey item from the pre and post-survey. These t-values were used as the outcome measure to determine changes in health knowledge, stress levels, and ability to access resources following the intervention. In total, there were 202 participants. Statistical analysis showed significant t-values for all survey items in the pre- and post-analysis. Following the education intervention, the highest t-values were noted in self-rated sexual health knowledge (t-value 16.80, p < 0.001), ability to find and access school resources (t-value 16.14, p < 0.001), and current level of stress/anxiety in regard to being in a new country (t-value 14.04, p < 0.001). Conclusion Following a structured health education intervention, international students reported significant increases in self-rated health knowledge for specific topics, ability to find and access school resources, ability to get help for a mental health issue, and significant decreases in self-rated stress/anxiety. These results can support further exploration of health education in international student populations to ensure these students are adequately informed and supported when arriving in a new country.

Videos using different message strategies to promote the interruption of sedentary behavior in university students during online lectures - A pilot study.

Background: Sedentary behavior (SB) is highly prevalent among university students and has increased during COVID-19 pandemic. As SB is associated with negative health outcomes, appropriate prevention measures in the university setting are needed. Objective: This pilot study aimed at investigating the effects of videos using different message strategies to interrupt SB in the collective of university students during online lectures. Methods: During online lectures, university students (N = 96) were shown one of three videos on the interruption of SB. The videos differed in their message strategies with regard to evidence type (statistical vs. narrative) and vividness (static vs. animated images). Demographics, health variables (SB intentions, SB attitudes) and selected media reception variables (identification, homophily, counterarguing) were examined as possible influence factors on the interruption of SB evoked by watching the video. Results: Approximately half of the students interrupted sedentary behavior during watching the videos and students of the older age group (cut-off: median = 22 years) interrupted SB significantly more often (p = 0.046). The interruption of SB was predicted by SB intentions (p < 0.05). Identification with characters significantly predicted the intentions to reduce SB (p < 0.001), with a large effect of the overall regression model (R2corr = 0.47). Conclusion: Considering the increased digitalization in general and restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic, videos seem to be a useful tool to interrupt SB among university students during online lectures. Narrative formats could facilitate the intention to reduce SB, which in turn could have a positive impact on the interruption of SB. However, further research on effective communication and message strategies is needed.