Factors influencing the implementation of the Health Promoting University initiative: experiences of Ibero-American universities

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.

Participation of university community members in Health Promoting University (HPU) initiatives

Background

Several universities around the world have adopted the settings approach to health to create a Health Promoting University (HPU) initiative. Health promoting initiatives are built on the values of health promotion, with participation being one of the most important. Despite the above, there is little information on how university community members participate in HPU initiatives. This study aims to describe the participation of university community members in HPU initiatives in universities around the world.

Methods

An online questionnaire was sent to representatives of universities that have implemented a HPU initiative. The questionnaire inquired about the level and nature of participation of university community members (students, professors, and administrative/technical staff) at different levels. Three levels of participation ranged from lower to higher levels were considered: (a) information delivery strategies; (b) consultation strategies and (c) involvement in design, planning and decision-making processes.

Results

At least the 50% of the universities implemented strategies so that all the members of the community could participate at all levels. Information delivery strategies were the most often used, with students being the main target group. Consultation strategies were aimed mainly at students and professors, whilst professors participated most actively in the design, planning and decision-making.

Conclusion

Different participation strategies are used in the HPU initiatives. Information delivery strategies, which represent the lowest level of participation, were the most often reported. Higher levels of participation were less used in the HPU initiatives. HPU initiatives should seek for strategies to provide more high-level participation to all university community members.

Developing a health promoting university in Trinity College Dublin-overview and outline process evaluation

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have the potential to impact positively on the health and wellbeing of their staff and students. Using and expanding on the 'health promoting university' (HPU) platform within HEIs, this article provides a description of 'Healthy Trinity', which is an initiative underway in Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin. First, Healthy Trinity is contextualized in background literature including international and national policy and practice. Second, an overview of Healthy Trinity is provided including its vision and goals. Third, the article describes the steps taken relating to the identification of stakeholders and use of a network and a co-lead model. Within this approach, the article describes a partnership approach whereby responsibilities regarding health and wellbeing are shared by individuals and the institution. Fourth, the design and implementation of Healthy Trinity is discussed by taking a 'settings approach', in which the emphasis for change is placed on individual behaviours, environment, policy and organizational culture. Consideration is given to the interplay between intervention, implementation strategy and context for successful systemic implementation. The fifth element presented is the early-stage challenges encountered during implementation, such as the need to secure recurrent funding and the importance of having a direct input to the governance of the University to enable systemic change. The sixth and final component of the article is an outline of Healthy Trinity's intention to utilize a process evaluation of the early implementation phases of this complex intervention within a settings approach. Potential deliverables and impacts of this HPU initiative are presented and discussed.