Health-promoting factors among students in higher education within health care and social work: a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data in a multicentre longitudinal study

Effect of nutrition education on dietary diversity and academic achievement among adolescent school girls in North Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

OBJECTIVES

Globally, adolescent students, particularly girls, are severely affected by malnutrition, in part because of their specific biological needs, and that they have not been considered a health and nutrition priority. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of a health belief model-based nutrition education on the dietary diversity and grades of adolescent school girls in the north Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental study was done in the north Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Adolescent school girls ages 10 to 19 y old were selected from the zone districts from February 1 to May 30, 2023. The main outcome variables included grades and dietary diversity, which were collected on the baseline and end line from the intervention and control groups.

RESULTS

This study revealed that there were statistically significant differences in good nutritional knowledge, 88.1% versus 69.2% (χ2 = 16.835, P < 0.001), good dietary diversity; 77.4% versus 45.9% (χ2 = 33.247, P < 0.001) and grades above average, 90.6% versus 65.4% (χ2 = 29, P < 0.001) among school adolescent girls between the intervention and control groups, respectively. Regarding positive attitude, 84.3% versus 85.5% (χ2 = 0.098, P = 0.876), there was no statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the dietary diversity scores and grades of adolescent school girls in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group. Therefore, health belief model-based strategies should be recommended as effective communication channels to improve adolescent school girls' dietary diversity and academic performance.

Comprehensive analysis of college students' autonomous fitness behavior-a narrative review

Although the physical health of college students is increasingly receiving attention, their autonomous fitness behavior has not been thoroughly investigated. This narrative review conducted a comprehensive literature search through databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), reviewing studies published up to December 2023. We explored the constructs of autonomy, fitness behavior, and agency, and discussed their integration within the autonomous fitness model. Our findings indicate a lack of comprehensive studies exploring the multifaceted factors influencing autonomous fitness behaviors. Future research should strive to deepen conceptual understanding and further explore the complex dynamics of the transition from autonomy to persistence, employing technological and interdisciplinary methodological perspectives to enhance understanding and promote sustainable fitness habits.

Validity and reliability study of the Turkish version of the Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale

AIMS

The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS) among a sample of Turkish university students.

METHODS

This study was conducted with 291 university students. The SHIS was evaluated in terms of language equivalence, validity and the reliability. Content validity was assessed with the content validity index (CVI). Construct validity was determined by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was used for the analysis of internal consistency, a Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for parallel form reliability, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used for the test-retest technique.

RESULTS

The CVI of the SHIS was between 0.80 and 1.00. When the results of the CFA were examined, the factor loadings of all items were above 0.50. A statistically significant moderate positive correlation was found between the SHIS and the Sense of Coherence (SOC) scores for parallel form reliability (r = 0.489). Within the scope of the test-retest analysis, an ICC = 0.762 was determined (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The findings obtained from this validity and reliability study carried out on a sample of Turkish university students showed that the SHIS was both valid and reliable.

Health promotion at higher educational institutions a clarion call for action in India

This article introduces the concept of a health-promoting university (HPU) in an Indian context. The importance of health promotion through a 'settings-based' approach that focuses on India's needs is outlined. We highlight the aims and objectives of a HPU and the mechanisms to evaluate its impact. We call for action by stakeholders to develop a HPU project consistent with public health issues, including health development and sustainability. Furthermore, this settings-based approach provides a template that can be replicated in other low- and middle-income countries.

The impact of online interprofessional learning on family health education to prepare collaborative-ready health professionals: A mixed-method study

BACKGROUND

Interprofessional education (IPE) is an experience that occurs when students from two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other to improve the quality of health services. One of the IPE teaching strategies is to use an online approach. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the community needs effective health education to prevent disease transmission. This study aims to assess the attitudinal changes toward IPE among health students in Indonesia after attending an online course during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study used a mixed-method study design with a concurrent approach. It was conducted in 2021 at a health profession education school of a University in Indonesia. An online project-based interprofessional learning in family health education was conducted. The quantitative analysis was carried out using pre- and post-tests with The Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) survey. Meanwhile, the qualitative methods used the phenomenological approach to Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and student reflective essays. The qualitative data were coded using thematic content analysis. The paired samples t-test was used if the data were normally distributed, or the Wilcoxon test if the data had abnormal distribution.

RESULTS

The students' attitudes regarding team and collaboration; professional identity; roles and responsibility improved significantly from pre- to post-test (<0.001). The participants perceived that all four interprofessional core competencies were achieved in their learning. They also mentioned their experiences regarding factors contributing to the success of the online course. The family health education project gave the participants more insight into professionalism and patient-centered care.

CONCLUSIONS

Online IPE courses can increase student readiness in collaborative practice and support students' learning to achieve interprofessional core competencies. The students feel the benefit of family health education for their profession.

Occupational balance, changes in occupations and psychological well-being of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Occupational balance (OB) is related to physical health as well as physical and psychological well-being (PWB). The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the occupations of people probably affecting their OB and PWB.

AIMS

The aim of the study was to determine OB of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic and establish relationships between a. OB and changes in occupations in comparison with the pre-pandemic period as perceived by the study group, b. OB and PWB.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An exploratory study was performed using a cross-sectional research design during the second wave of the pandemic in November 2020. 1,330 university students aged 18-30 took part in the study. The Occupational Balance Questionnaire and the Psychological General Well-Being Index were used. Three-Way ANOVA as well as Forward Stepwise Regression analyses were used, and ρ Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated.

RESULTS

A greater OB was found in men, people studying in a small city and first year students. The respondents declared changes in the time spent on almost all occupations, especially an increase in the time spent on using the Internet and passive resting, but a decrease in the time of meetings friends. OB positively correlated with the increase in time spent on almost all occupations, except for the Internet and with PWB.

CONCLUSIONS

Polish university students observe that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed their daily occupations. Some of these changes may adversely affect their OB and, consequently, PWB.

SIGNIFICANCE

Occupational therapists should increase students' awareness of the importance of OB, support them in pursuing their hobbies, meeting friends, and getting sufficient sleep and physical activity.