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This study assesses college students' intent to intervene when presented with a hypothetical peer exhibiting depression in one of three scenarios: depression, sadness, and depression in quarantine during COVID-19. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), variations in constructs associated with intent were examined by context (external triggers vs. no trigger), knowledge of, and experience with depression. One hundred and sixteen health sciences students read three vignettes and completed an enhanced TPB questionnaire. Intent to intervene was greater when the vignette target was experiencing depression with external stressors. Prior experience with depression and knowing someone with depression were associated with greater intent to connect the hypothetical peer to counseling resources regardless of vignette scenario. Due to increased mental health concerns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts promoting awareness of mental illness in peers may benefit from increasing education about stressors and causes of depression that may not be observable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eating disorders (ED) are a concern on college campuses, yet comprehensive education and awareness is low. Few studies have investigated knowledge of disordered eating not fitting prototypical depictions or recognition of disordered eating in males. Purpose: To assess college students' ability to identify behavioral symptoms of ED in men and women. Methods: We explored problem identification ability after reading vignettes depicting either males or females displaying ED behaviors aligned with anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, and a healthy control vignette. Ordinal logistic was used to examine the effect of vignette target gender, participant gender, and disorder depicted on identification. Results: Approximately half of the sampled students correctly categorized vignettes as EDs. Participants were most likely to correctly identify the bulimia scenario as an ED, followed by anorexia, and binge-eating, and were more likely to identify ED if the vignette target was a woman. Discussion: The findings suggest awareness of behavioral presentations of ED, particularly in males, is low. This may stem from prototypical depictions of ED in the media and existing education material. Translation to Health Education Practice: Health education can focus on observable, behavioral symptoms of ED to improve identification in college students.

Background: Research has elucidated some harmful aspects of fitness wearable devices including their role in exacerbating disordered eating and exercise behaviors in young adults. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine 1) if use of wearables was associated with exercise dependence and 2) prevalence of compensatory behaviors (CB) in response to not meeting goals set within the wearable. Methods: University students completed an anonymous online survey with the Exercise Dependence Scale-21. Participants also provided information about wearable use and CB (e.g. restricting food) in response to not meeting fitness goals. Multiple linear regression assessed the association between wearable use, CB, and exercise dependence. Results: Majority of participants using wearables reported CB if they did not meet goals set by wearables. Using wearables and engagement in CB were associated with higher exercise dependence scores. Discussion: This study suggests that wearables may exacerbate harmful compulsions, like exercise dependence, and should be recommended with caution by health education specialists. Translation to Health Education Practice: Consequences of wearable use are important to consider in the development of health education materials and interventions promoting wearable use. Certified Health Education Specialists should consider how to address negative aspects of fitness technology in physical activity promotion.

Background: Limited research exists on mental health correlates of behaviors of weight-conscious drinking (BWCD) and students' perceptions of how BWCD should be addressed. Purpose: The objectives were to (1) examine BWCD and different aspects of mental health and (2) gain insight into students' perceptions of such behaviors and potential strategies to address them. Methods: Four-hundred-twelve students completed a survey consisting of validated measures for: BWCD, eating disorders, exercise addiction, alcohol use, and psychological distress. Eight focus groups explored students' understanding of BWCD, its presence on campus, and potential intervention strategies. Results: Majority (62%) of participants indicated they engaged in at least one behavior associated with BWCD "very often" or "all the time." Hierarchical linear regression analysis indicated that disordered eating and exercise addiction were significant predictors of BWCD. Focus groups indicated participants struggled with awareness and ability to identify concerning BWCD. Taken together, the results indicated high prevalence of behaviors, but limited awareness of associated health consequences, and identification of BWCD. Discussion: BWCD are pervasive in this college sample, but students do not perceive them as harmful or problematic. Translation to Health Education Practice: There is a need for comprehensive education to address the intersection between alcohol use, exercise, and disordered eating.

Prior research has established associations between body mass index (BMI) and use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. However, little research has been done investigating the relationship between other common illicit drugs and BMI trends. The present study investigated whether adolescents who reported using illicit drugs showed differences in BMI compared to peers who reported no drug use. There was a positive relationship between drug use and BMI as well as the number of drugs used and BMI. The results suggested that the positive relationship between the use of illicit drugs and BMI is largely due to smoking. Further research needs to ascertain whether smoking, illicit drug use, or both are among the first of many unhealthy behaviors that can subsequently lead to greater gains in BMI. Implications for health educators are discussed.

Classification of sexual assault varies based on the characteristics of the victim, perpetrator, and event. However, most studies focus on the individual characteristics of participants asked to classify the assault, the victims' characteristics, or the event; few have examined variations in the perpetrator. Therefore, this study examined whether the occupation of the perpetrator affected the classification of the event as sexual assault. Participants included a primarily White female sample of undergraduate students (n = 401) at a south-Atlantic university. They completed a paper-and-pencil survey containing an ambiguous sexual assault encounter where the occupation of the perpetrator (athlete, reporter, college student, or politician) was randomly varied. Participants were asked to classify whether the encounter was sexual assault and what an appropriate punishment might be. Additional measures included the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (IRMA) and questions about personal experience with sexual assault. Overall, most participants labeled the encounter as sexual assault, indicating that college students are aware of the legal parameters for providing consent. However, this classification occurred differentially based on the occupation of the perpetrator. Participants were most likely to label the athlete as committing sexual assault, followed by the college student, politician, and reporter, respectively. Females and those who reject rape myths were more likely to label the scenario as sexual assault. A "personal apology" and a "sexual rehabilitation program" were the most common punishments selected for the perpetrator. These findings highlight potential concerns and the need for additional training when college students adjudicate sexual assault reports and determine appropriate consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper handwashing reduces the transmission of deadly, preventable diseases. Schools, even those with limited resources, have the power to promote handwashing through simple, effective interventions. This study evaluated the impact of a school-based handwashing program consisting of two interventions: a hand-hygiene curriculum and group handwashing station. Quantitative and open-ended pre/postintervention surveys were administered to students at one primary school in Kenya (n = 38) and at one primary school in Uganda (n = 57). Matching procedures were followed at each school. Paired ttests for pre/postsurveys demonstrated an increase in students' knowledge (p < .001) and frequency of handwashing (p < .001). After 6 months, students were still engaging in daily group handwashing. The curriculum increased knowledge, and the handwashing station enabled students to translate their knowledge into action. This study supports educational interventions combined with built environmental interventions should be used to promote handwashing behaviors and emphasizes the role of group handwashing stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study systematically explored the barriers and facilitators to routine antenatal HIV testing from the perspective of pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa during the implementation period of the Millennium Development Goals. Articles published between 2000 and 2015 were selected after reviewing the title, abstract, and references. Twenty-seven studies published in 11 African countries were eligible for the current study and reviewed. The most common barriers identified include communication with male partners, patient convenience and accessibility, health system and health-care provider issues, fear of disclosure, HIV-related stigma, the burden of other responsibilities at home, and the perception of antenatal care as a “woman's job.” Routine testing among pregnant women is crucial for the eradication of infant and child HIV infections. Further understanding the interplay of social and cultural factors, particularly the role of women in intimate relationships and the influence of men on antenatal care seeking behaviors, is necessary to continue the work of the Millennium Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender inequality is often cited as a barrier to improving women’s sexual and reproductive health outcomes, including contraceptive use, in low- and middle-income countries such as those in sub-Saharan Africa. To date there is limited, recent, evidence available regarding women’s empowerment, household status and contraceptive use in Ghana. The objective of this study was to investigate whether women’s empowerment and status in the household were associated with contraceptive use and unmet need for contraception using the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. The study sample consisted of 1828 women aged 15–49. Women’s empowerment was measured based on two composite indexes created by the DHS: attitudes towards intimate partner violence and decision-making. Women’s status in the home was measured using indicators of work status, relationship to household head, control over monetary earnings and land ownership. Decision-making was found to be positively associated with contraceptive use and not having unmet need for contraception. Women who justified wife beating in one or more instances were less likely to use contraception, and more likely to have unmet need for contraception. Current or past employment and higher levels of male partner education were associated with contraceptive use. This study indicates that women’s empowerment and household status are influential for contraceptive indicators. Future interventions aimed at improving contraceptive uptake and use should promote women’s empowerment, i.e. decision-making, self-worth and education. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Nigeria is the second largest contributor to child (under-5) mortality in the world, with an average of 128 child deaths per 1000 live births, and is not on track to meet the Millennium Development Goals of reducing childhood mortality rates to 64 per 1000. Data from the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) report were analysed to explore the relationship between structural and intermediary maternal characteristics and likelihood of childhood mortality. Binary logistic regressions for the first three reported births were conducted with childhood mortality (e.g. death before 59 months of age) as a dependent variable. Maternal characteristics investigated included age, education, region, antenatal care, and breastfeeding. Significant factors for birth 1 included region of residence, breastfeeding, literacy, wealth, number of children, and antenatal care. For second birth, not breastfeeding and attending antenatal care with a nurse were negatively associated with survival. For third birth, wealth and number of children were positively associated with survival. The results point to some maternal characteristics that may be influential in childhood mortality. However, community and systems level factors should be accounted for in interventions, as maternal characteristics do not offer a full explanation for why children are dying so young in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]