An assessment of the health knowledge of freshmen enrolled in Tennessee State Colleges and Universities

The data were collected using the Fast-Tyson Health Knowledge Test, Form A (1975 Revision). The test consisted of 100 multiple-choice items divided into 10 health content areas: Personal Health, Exercise/Relaxation/Sleep, Nutrition/ Diet, Consumer Health, Contemporary Health Problems, Tobacco/ Alcohol/Drugs, Safety/First Aid, Diseases, Mental Health, and Human Sexuality.

The population consisted of freshman students enrolled in the 20 colleges and universities which comprise The University of Tennessee System and the State Board of Regents System. There was a total sample of 1,242 participants. Results were presented by descriptive research methods and the use of the Newman-Keuls procedure for test of significance.

Responses from the participants did not show great strengths in any of the health content areas. The nutrition and diet area received the lowest scores with safety and first aid receiving the highest scores. Overall, the average mean test score was 49.09 out of a possible 100.

A majority of all the participants indicated that there was a need for a quality health course at both the high school and college levels.

The following major findings resulted from the analysis of data collected in the study:

1. There were significant differences between the health knowledge scores of male and female participants.

2. There were significant differences in the health knowledge scores among the ethnic groups.

3. There were significant differences in the health knowledge scores among the different age groups.

4. There were significant differences in the health knowledge scores of participants who had previously studied health education.

5. There were significant differences in the health knowledge scores between residents and non-residents of Tennessee.

6. There were significant differences in the health knowledge scores of participants whose hometown populations varied in size.

7. There were significant differences in the health knowledge norms between married and non-married participants.

The following conclusions were drawn:

1. Major areas of health knowledge strengths and weaknesses among Tennessee college and university freshman students could be identified. The overall test performance of these students was below that of the norm of the population of students measured by the Fast-Tyson Health Knowledge Test, Form A.

2. Many factors (i.e. age, sex, marital status, ethnic origin, etc.) influenced the scores made by the students participating in the study.

3. Matriculation in school and college health courses does improve freshman students' health knowledge.

The following recommendations were presented:

1. Revision and enforcement of the minimum standards of health instruction as specifically established by the Tennessee Department of Education should be undertaken immediately.

2. Each secondary school student should be required to enroll in and complete a comprehensive health course prior to graduation.

3. Provision should be made for every college student to have a minimum of a three-quarter hour or two-semester hour elective personal health course.

4. It should be a State Board of Education priority to encourage school administrators to be knowledgeable about the organization and administration of the total school health program.

5. Community college and university health educators who do not have sufficient graduate level courses in preparation for health education and who are presently charged with the responsibility of providing instruction in basic health courses be required to increase their expertise through graduate courses and in-service programs.

6. Parent-teacher workshops should be developed and effectively implemented to enhance community understanding and support for improved health instruction programs.

7. Once each of the foregoing has been fully implemented, there should be a follow-up study with appropriate pre-tests and post-tests to measure effectiveness.