School-based sexuality education is widely supported by most Americans. However, there is debate over the topics that should be taught. Also, a better understanding of desires adolescents and parents have for equipping youth to make healthy decisions is needed. This study gathered perceptions from parents and students about the sexuality education…

A self-report instrument was used to assess trends over time in student views of Developmental Assets in a rural Missouri county where youth report high rates of substance use. Based on 2012 survey results, a community/school-based prevention coalition provided intensive prevention education curricula integrated into the district's afterschool…

Regardless of age, sex, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), education level, or geographic region, obesity rates have increased considerably and one key factor is the lack of daily physical activity (PA) for children. Therefore, it is necessary for schools to implement PA options outside of the regular physical education (PE) curriculum,…

Graduate students are an ever-growing population in the United States that has historically lacked targeted health behavior research and promotion. This paper presents findings from a larger study based on a qualitative application of the Integrated Model of Behavioral Prediction to interpret the eating behaviors of graduate students. Through a…

Upholding academic integrity is a key part of becoming a successful, ethical health educator and professional. Many universities struggle with students engaging in academically dishonest behaviors, ultimately increasing the chance of compromising their futures as professionals in today's society. The purpose of this study was to assess four…

This study tested a theory of planned behavior (TPB)-based model in predicting human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination intentions and series completion among university students. A nonexperimental, cross-sectional design was utilized with a convenience sample of 281 university students, including 40.9% nonvaccinees, 19.6% vaccine initiators, and…

The present pilot study examines the use of story structure for lesson design to promote student engagement in a lesson focusing on sexual assault prevention. The effect of the story-based lesson on undergraduates' knowledge and perceptions of sexual assault was studied using a quasi-experimental mixed methods design. Results of the study…

This teaching technique asks students to evaluate the "badness" of 5-7 health-related behavioral statements of a specific health topic. Following the presentation of each statement, each students selects one of five choices: "Really Bad", "No Big Deal", "It Depends", "Go for It", or…

Reducing risky sexual behaviors and their negative health outcomes in youth remains a priority for health educators. Years of research have documented media's effect on various adolescent health risks, including sexual behaviors. As technology evolves and youth access to media increases, understanding the role of media in adolescent health risk…

Introduction: For those with certain blood or bone cancers, bone marrow donation can mean the difference between life and death. The National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP) operates the largest bone marrow registry of potential donors; however, at times when potential matches are identified, many donors opt not to donate. The purpose of this study…

The objective of this study was to examine attributes assigned by university undergraduates to 12 contraception options, determine if dimensions used to evaluate options differed for women and men, and assess whether these dimensions have changed over time. This study was cross-sectional and involved a written survey. The sample (N = 792) was…

Four focus groups of undergraduate students (n = 32) were conducted to elicit perceptions regarding how text messaging affects personal health. Participant responses were coded and themed into five health dimensions: physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual. Results of focus groups showed several main themes linked each dimension of…

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) have not been popular contraceptives in the US for the past 40 years. Recent evidence, however, has shown a slight rebirth in use, from a rate of approximately 2% in 2002 to over 5% in 2008 (Guttmacher Institute, 2010). Empirical evidence is favorable of IUD use in most women, but the still-low usage rate suggests…

A medical school at a Southeastern university implemented a tobacco free policy to promote a healthy environment for its employees, patients, and visitors. Eighteen months post policy implementation, undergraduate students in the Department of Health Education and Promotion evaluated the satisfaction, awareness, and perceived…

Introduction: Understanding and assessing behavioral risk factors, particularly among college populations, is challenging for health educators. Similarly, issues affecting mental health remain unclear in terms of how body image evolves year to year in college students. A better understanding of how students perceive their bodies and to what extent…