Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-1998

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Human Ecology

Major Professor

Robert H. Kirk

Committee Members

Robert J. Pursley, Bill C. Wallace, Robert Cunningham

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to assess the self-reported health risk behaviors of a sample of African American college and university students attending state funded historically black colleges or universities, secondary purpose of this study was to develop a health instruction framework for African American colleges and The universities.

Eleven state funded four-year historically black colleges and universities participated in this study. National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (NCHRBS) was After the The administered to seven hundred and eight students, data were tabulated the percentage of students engaging in negative health risk behaviors was determined, percentages were used to exhibit the students' self-reported These health risk behaviors.

Individual variables of particular interest to the researcher included: (1)behaviors that result in unintentional and intentional injuries; (2) tobacco use; (3)alcohol and other drug use; (4)sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection; (5)dietary behaviors; and (6) physical activity. The type, frequency, and total number of responses were determined and presented in tabular form. Calculation of overall percentages and breakdown into problem areas according to major variables (classification and gender) was then possible, Chi square analysis was used to test whether a significant difference existed between African American women and men and between school classification (group of first and second year students and group of third and fourth year students).

Findings revealed the following: (1)African American male college students are more likely than African American female students college to engage in behaviors that may increase their health and safety risk of premature death and (2) class ranking does not appear to be an important determinant of the level of health risk behaviors for African American college students.

Based on the results of the findings a health instruction framework was designed. The purpose of the framework is to provide direction for the development of effective health instruction programs for African American college students and included the following conceptual areas: 1) Safety and Violence; 2) Tobacco Use; 3) Alcohol and Other Drug Use; 4) Sexual Behavior; 5) Nutrition; and 6) Physical Activity.

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