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Background Globally, COVID-19 caused a social and economic burden with more than 6 million deaths reported as of December 2022 (WHO, 2022). COVID-19 has resulted in massive public health measures, [...]

Problem Statement: Annual gynecological exams could be a strategy to increase initiation and completion of HPV vaccination series among female college students. However, few studies have examined the role these exams play in vaccination uptake. This study assesses the association of OB/GYN visitation and HPV vaccine uptake among female college students on a metropolitan campus in the Southeastern United States. Methods: Participants were 356 female students aged 18 to 30, who completed the National College Health Assessment--II (NCHA-II) during the spring semester of 2010. Descriptive statistics and y2 tests were used to assess OB-GYN visitation and HPV vaccination rates. Logistic regression assessed the magnitude of the association between annual gynecological exam and HPV vaccine uptake. Findings: Among this sample, approximately 63% reported OB/GYN visitations. An HPV vaccination was received by 43% of female college students. Women who visited the OB/GYN during the past 12 months reported 1.82 greater odds of receiving the vaccine compared to non-visitors. Conclusions: OB/GYN visitation may be linked with HPV vaccine uptake among female college students. HPV health prevention programming during OB/GYN visits may be beneficial among college female students. More research is needed to improve access to the HPV vaccine among college students. Keywords: cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV). vaccine, young adults, health services, OB/GYN visits, Introduction The human papillomavirus (HPV) continues to be a major health threat among the college population. College students have the highest prevalence rates of HPV infection (Chaturvedi et al., 2011; [...]

Abstract PROBLEM: A large number of American adults do not meet national physical activity (PA) guidelines for aerobic PA and muscle strengthening. Similarly, many American college students, specifically females do [...]

This study examined relationship power as a possible mediator of the relationship between dating violence and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The proposed mediation model was based on the theory of gender and power as well as previous research on intimate partner violence and STI risk. Survey results from a sample of 290 single, undergraduate women indicated that 85% experienced at least one form of dating violence victimization in the past year, 5.9% tested positive for an STI, and 5.2% received treatment for an STI. Results revealed that women with lower levels of sexual relationship power had higher rates of dating violence victimization and STIs; also, sexual relationship power partially mediated the relationship between dating violence victimization and STIs. Future dating violence and STI-prevention interventions targeting young women may want to use an empowerment approach to decrease their likelihood of dating violence victimization and STI risk. Keywords: sexual abuse; sexually transmitted infections; mediation analysis; theory of gender and power; relationship abuse; intimate partner violence

Background Estimates of dietary folate and vitamin B-12 intakes are currently of considerable interest, but a valid assessment method that is faster than those currently available would better suit everyday health promotion activities. Objective To validate a new assessment technique for estimating folate and vitamin B-12 intakes, known as the Food Choice Map (FCM), using serum folate and vitamin B-12 concentrations in a group of 95 women aged 18 to 25 years. Design The FCM tool was used in a cross-sectional study design to estimate the usual folate and vitamin B-12 intakes of each participant. Immediately thereafter, blood samples were taken to determine serum folate and vitamin B-12 concentrations. Subsequently, 3-day food records were completed during each of three successive weeks and used as the reference method. Using the method of triads, validity coefficients were calculated. Results There was no significant difference between the two methods in the correlations with serum values. FCM-obtained folate intakes (r=0.43, P<0.01) exhibited a similar and moderate association with serum folate as did 3-day food record-obtained folate intakes (r=0.39, P<0.01). Similarly, vitamin B-12 intakes obtained from both techniques showed a modest association with serum vitamin B-12 (FCM r=0.40, P<0.01; 3-day food record r=0.44, P < 0.01 ). However, the validity coefficient for the FCM was higher than that for the 3-day food record for both folate (FCM 0.97, 3-day food record 0.79) and B-12 (FCM 0.95; 3-day food record 0.85). Conclusions This study provides validation for the use of a new dietary assessment method, the FCM, for estimating folate and vitamin B-12 intakes in women of reproductive age. Larger validation studies that include men and other age groups are needed to further characterize the applicability of the FCM.

When encountering new or understudied populations, it is useful to build an understanding of the needs and perceptions of the target audience. This study investigated the application of the qualitative pile sort method for gaining information about nutrition and physical activity behaviors. In a pile sort, individuals make a list of topics relevant to a particular subject, and then they group these topics into related piles. This study investigated whether there was consistency in the ways in which participants grouped behaviors related to having a healthful lifestyle. Pile sorts were conducted during six focus groups among 28 female community college students (46% white; 39% had a 2-year degree or higher). A total of 74 piles of grouped behaviors were coded from the transcripts. Analyses revealed good consistency (identified nine to 12 times) for four groupings: exercise, lifestyle, how you eat, and positive foods. The pile sort method represents an activity that can be incorporated into formative research for interventions focused on complex behaviors with multiple components; in addition, this method may provide structure to counseling sessions and facilitate a better understanding of the perceptions of healthful eating and physical activity from patients' perspectives.

Unlike traditional interventions, Internet interventions allow for objective tracking and examination of the usage of program components. Student Bodies (SB), an online eating disorder (ED) prevention program, significantly reduced ED attitudes/behaviors in college-aged women with high body image concerns, and reduced the development of EDs in some higher risk subgroups. The authors investigated how adherence measures were associated with ED attitudes and behaviors after treatment. Female SB participants (n = 209) completed the Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q; C. G. Fairburn & S. J. Beglin, 1994) at baseline, posttreatment, and 1-year follow-up. Total weeks participation and frequency of utilizing the online Web pages/journals predicted pre- to posttreatment changes in EDE-Q Restraint but not in other ED symptoms. In participants with some compensatory behaviors, discussion board and booster session use were associated with increased weight/shape concerns during follow-up. In overweight participants, higher online Web page/journal use was related to decreased EDE-Q Eating Concern scores during follow-up. This is the first study to investigate the relationship between adherence to specific program components and outcome in a successful Internet-based intervention. Results can be used to inform future development and tailoring of prevention interventions to maximize effectiveness and facilitate dissemination. Keywords: prevention, eating disorder, Internet, online, adherence

The aim of this study was to replicate and extend results of a previous trial that investigated the effectiveness of 2 peer-led eating disorders prevention interventions in reducing eating disorder risk factors in undergraduate women (C. B. Becker, L. M. Smith, & A. C. Ciao, 2006). To extend findings from the previous study by allowing for investigation of differential response, the authors randomly assigned a larger sample of both higher and lower risk sorority members (N = 188; age M = 18.64 years, range = 18-21; 20% minority) to either a cognitive dissonance (CD) or a media advocacy (MA) intervention under naturalistic conditions. Interventions were delivered by trained sorority peer leaders and consisted of two 2-hr group sessions. Participants completed questionnaires that assessed eating disorder risk factors at pretreatment, posttreatment, 7-week follow-up, and 8-month follow-up. Results indicate that both interventions reduced thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, dietary restraint, and bulimic pathology at 8 months, although higher and lower risk participants responded somewhat differently. Both CD and MA generally appeared effective for higher risk participants; only CD, however, appeared to benefit lower risk participants. Results further support the viability of using peer leaders in dissonance-based prevention. Keywords: eating disorder, dissonance, peer-led, sorority, prevention

This study examined the effects of an external nasal dilator (END) on sedentary and aerobically trained women using the blood lactate threshold as a measure of aerobic performance. Three groups of women (sedentary, pre-season, in-season) participated in the study: nine sedentary college students (age 19 [+ or -] 1.0 y), eight pre-season college athletes (age 20 [+ or -] 2.3 y), and six in-season college rowers (age 20 [+ or -] 1.7 y). A two-way repeated-measures design was used with subjects in each group being exposed to both conditions (with END and without END). The first two groups performed two incremental exercise tests in random order on a cycle ergometer, and the third group performed the tests on a rowing ergometer. Participants in each group wore an END strip for only one of the tests. Venous blood was collected at rest, during the final 30 seconds of each stage, and 1 and 3 minutes into the recovery period for the determination of blood lactate concentration and identification of the blood lactate threshold. No significant differences (P = 0.05) were found in blood lactate concentration at the lactate threshold between conditions for either group (sedentary: with END 2.51 [+ or -] 1.18 mmol * [L.sup.-1], without END 2.56 [+ or -] 0.84 mmol * [L.sup.-1]; preseason: with END 2.93 [+ or -] 0.97 mmol * [L.sup.-1], without END 2.81 [+ or -] 1.15 mmol * [L.sup.-1]; and in-season: with END 3.93 [+ or -] 0.50 mmol * [L.sup.-1], without END 3.49 [+ or -] 0.387 mmol * [L.sup.-1]). We conclude that (a) the END did not improve the Lactate threshold in either sedentary or trained college-age women, and (b) the END did not result in lower blood lactate levels during moderate to high-intensity exercise in the three groups examined in this study. KEY WORDS lactate threshold, anaerobic threshold, rowing performance

This study explored the weight management practices, rates overweight and obesity, perceptions of body weight, and weight management goals in a large sample (N = 467) of Hispanic (n = 421) and Anglo (n = 46) female college students on the U.S.-Mexico border. Women self-reported their height and weight, weight perceptions, and weight management goals and practices. About one third of the sample was overweight and many reported using weight management methods, most notably exercise and restraint dieting. The only significant difference between Anglos and Hispanics was for exercise, where Hispanics reported exercising more frequently. Although most weight control practices positively intercorrelated, exercise and restraint dieting were negatively correlated. Path analyses showed that weight perceptions and weight management goals mediated associations between body mass index and weight management practices. Results suggest that weight management interventions emphasize increasing exercise and controlling calories, together, as a means to achieve healthy weight. Keywords: weight management practices; Hispanics; physical activity; caloric restriction

The characteristics associated with the use of diet pills and other dieting aids among college women who are at risk for eating disorders are examined. The results show that a substantial number of college women at risk for eating disorders are using diet aids, hence suggesting that clinicians question diet aid use among college-aged patients.

Self-objectification, which is the internalization of an observer's perspective of the self, has been related to restrained and disordered eating patterns and depression. Because disordered eating and depression are known cofactors for smoking, we tested the possible involvement of trait self-objectification in the relationship between these mental health dimensions and smoking in a sample of 130 college women smokers and non-smokers. As hypothesized, we found that trait self-objectification mediated the relationship between smoking status and dieting and disordered eating behaviors. There were no significant differences in depression between smokers and nonsmokers, which limited further exploration of the relationship. Implications for trait self-objectification as relevant to women's weight-control smoking and the relevance of self-objectification to other health behaviors are discussed. Keywords Self-objectification * Smoking * College women * Disordered eating

A study on the relationship between problematic eating behaviors and the consumption and negative consequences of alcohol use was investigated in twenty-one women. The results showed that alcohol use led to non-identical negative consequences and should be assessed in different conditions.

Multivariate analyses were used to compare key eating behavior, cognitive, affective, and body variables to determine the similarities and differences between eating-disordered, symptomatic, and asymptomatic female undergraduates. On the eating behavior (i.e., bulimic symptoms, concern for dieting, weight fluctuation), and some of the cognitive (i.e., impression management, approval by others, dichotomous thinking, self-control, rigid weight regulation, weight and approval) and body (i.e., concern with body shape, satisfaction with face) variables, the eating-disorder group reported the most severe symptoms, followed linearly by the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. On the affective (i.e., sad, anxious, guilty, shameful, stressed, happy, confident, overall self-esteem) and the remaining cognitive (i.e., vulnerability, catastrophizing) and body (i.e., importance of being physically fit and being attractive, satisfaction with body) variables, the symptomatic and eating-disorder groups did not differ from one another but had higher levels of distress than did the asymptomatic women. These findings suggest that (1) counselors need to be aware that a large percentage of female undergraduates are nondiagnosable yet experience eating-disorder symptoms, and (2) these symptomatic women are experiencing high levels of distress, particularly in the areas of affect and body image. KEY WORDS: eating disorders; body image; cognitive distortions.

Objectification theory (B. L. Fredrickson & T. A. Roberts, 1997) demonstrates how sociocultural variables work together with psychological variables to predict disordered eating. Researchers have tested models that illustrate how certain constructs of objectification theory predict disordered eating, but a more comprehensive model that integrates a combination of constructs central to the theory (i.e., sexual objectification; self-objectification; body shame; poor interoceptive awareness of hunger, satiety, and emotions) has not yet been examined. In this study, we incorporated these variables within an inclusive model based on the assertions of B. L. Fredrickson and T. A. Roberts (1997) and examined it with 460 college women. Structural equation modeling analyses suggested that the model provided a good fit to the data and supported most propositions set forth by objectification theory and the eating disorders literature. KEY WORDS: eating disorders; objectification theory; body image; college women.

Byline: H. D. Vlajinac (1,2), E. D. Dzoljic (2), S. B. Sipetic (1), V. S. Kostic (2) Keywords: migraine; nonmigraine primary headaches; hereditary patterns; female students Abstract: Abstract. Various studies have provided evidence that migraine is a multifactorial genetic disorder. The aim of the present study was to compare hereditary patterns of female students with migraine (245 subjects) and non--migraine primary headaches (1053 subjects). The prevalence study was performed combined with a case--control study. Migraineurs had significantly more frequently one or more first-degree and/or second--degree relatives with migraine. Students with menstrual migraine, in comparison with other subtypes of migraine (with the exception of premenstrual migraine),had significantly more frequently aY= 2 relatives with migraine. Among students with non--migraine primary headaches, those with menstrually related headache had more frequently relatives with migraine in comparison with students suffering from menstrually unrelated nonmigraine headache. The results obtained are in line with the results of genetic epidemiologic studies suggesting that genetic factors play a role in the occurrence of migraine. Author Affiliation: (1) Institute of Epidemiology, Belgrade University, School of Medicine, Visegradska 26, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro (2) Institute of Neurology, Belgrade University, School of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro Article History: Registration Date: 01/01/2004 Received Date: 29/07/2003 Accepted Date: 15/03/2004

Despite many theorists' assertions and researchers' findings that eating disturbances have personal, sociocultural, and relational correlates, no model of eating disorder symptomatology incorporating all 3 of these domains has been proposed. The purpose of this study, then, was to examine empirically such a model. Personal, sociocultural, and relational variables were chosen, based on their solid relations with eating disorder symptomatology, to be included within the model. Theoretical frameworks and empirical findings were used to specify variable relations and paths, and the model was tested via structural equation modeling with data from 463 college women. As expected, the model fit the data adequately, and sociocultural, personal, and relational variables all made unique contributions within the model. Most model predictions were supported, and personal and relational variables were found to fully mediate the effects of the sociocultural variable on disordered eating scores.

Previous research documents increased health problems, somatic complaints, and negative health behaviors among victims of physical and sexual violence. This study extended existing literature by examining the unique effects of partner psychological abuse on physical health and the moderating effects of approach and avoidance coping strategies. Psychological abuse was positively related to illegal drug use, physical and role limitations, negative health perceptions, and cognitive impairment in college women even after controlling for physical victimization. Psychological abuse was not related to sleep hygiene, exercise, problem drinking, or smoking. Approach coping moderated the effects of partner psychological abuse on binge drinking and health perceptions. Low approach coping was associated with more binge drinking and negative health perceptions as abuse increased; high approach coping did not show a significant relationship with binge drinking or health perceptions across levels of abuse. Avoidance coping showed only a trend as a moderator of illegal drugs. Keywords: psychological abuse; physical health; dating relationships; college women

The 30-item Decision to Leave Scale (DLS) was developed with 631 college women and 420 college women and women in shelters. Seven DLS subscales emerged for concerns in deciding to stay or leave: Fear of Loneliness, Child Care Needs, Financial Problems, Social Embarrassment, Poor Social Support, Fear of Harm, Hopes Things Change. Mean internal reliability was .73, mean test-retest reliability was .70. Discriminant validity was demonstrated by expected associations between DLS concerns and self-esteem, children, and violence. Criterion validity was demonstrated by greater DLS concerns for women in shelters than for college women. Women in violent relationships who decided to stay reported more Fear of Loneliness than women who decided to leave.

Individuals deemed high in personal control tend to attribute life events to internal, rather than external causes. A lack of perceived personal control has been linked repeatedly to deficiencies in mental and physical health. Many scholars and practitioners have suggested that eating disorders are yet another problem stemming from a perceived lack of personal control. However, empirical research linking attributional tendencies and eating disorders is limited. In the present study, it is argued that eating disorders actually could be associated with a tendency to make internal attributions of responsibility for events. Using a sample of college females, this study offers preliminary support for this assertion. Results offer a unique challenge to the view of internal attributions as universally adaptive.

The same strain of Escherichia coli that caused urinary tract infections (UTIs) in a group of California college women also caused UTIs in Michigan college women and Minnesota college women. This discovery is alarming because the strain is resistant to several antibiotics that are used to treat UTIs.

Using a sample of Caucasian and Asian American college students, this research examined gender differences within race and race differences within gender with respect to a wide range of body image and disordered eating variables. Results indicated that: (a) regardless of race, women reported more problem attitudes and behaviors than did men; (b) gender differences were similar for Asian Americans and Caucasians, although Caucasians evidenced slightly more gender differences than did Asian Americans; (c) for men, race made no difference; and (d) for women, some race differences were found, with Caucasian women engaging in more dieting and binging behavior and Asian American women reporting lower self-esteem and less satisfaction with their racially defined features. Suggestions for future research are made, and implications are discussed.

A study of 98 female college students for eating attitudes and habits, body image and psychological well-being shows that African-Americans had considerably higher body mass index than Caucasians and Asian-Americans but Caucasians reported greater levels of eating disorders and dissatisfaction with their bodies. Low-esteem and high public self-consciousness were related to higher levels of problematic eating behaviors and body dissatisfaction. Results thus suggest important racial differences among college women in body image, eating and dieting ideas.

The relationship of early mealtime experiences to later bulimia was investigated in a sample of 128 female college students. Significant group differences were found between bulimics, nonbulimics, and repeat dieters on an early meal experience questionnaire, with the bulimic group reporting the most negative and unusual experiences. Significant differences were also found between groups on depression but not on family adaptability or cohesion. These findings suggest that bulimic, repeat dieter, and nonbulimic females have differentiating histories regarding eating-related issues in the family context., Bulimia nervosa, only formally recognized by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980, is a disorder in which an individual rapidly consumes an unusually large amount of food. This 'binge' is [...]

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease implicated in the development of abnormal growths and cancer of the cervix, vagina, and vulva. Although the epidemiology of HPV is well studied, the incidence of subclinical infection is unknown. This study of 467 college women used both the ViraPap test and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine HPV infection. The women were predominantly white, in their early twenties, single, had never been pregnant, and averaged four sexual partners overall. Most had used oral contraceptives. Ninety-eight percent were at the health clinic for an annual examination, contraception, or menstrual problems. The ViraPap test detected a positive result at the cervix in seven percent. The PCR-based system found a positivity rate of 33 percent at the cervix, although there is some increase in the probably of false-positive results, that is, finding that the infection is present when it is not. The ViraPap test is easier to use, but is less sensitive. Clearly, HPV infection is common among healthy young women, although the prevalence may decrease with age. Genetic and environmental factors may cause progression to cervical cancer, but HPV infection could still be predictive in a particular group of women. How such a group might be identified is not known. HPV infection did not necessarily infect both the cervical and vulvar sites, so it appears that these infections may occur independently. The prevalence of infections with multiple HPV types was underestimated by both testing procedures. A test to detect multiple infections is under development. This and other studies will further the understanding of the progression of HPV infection and its role in cervical disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Vulvovaginal candidiasis affects approximately 20% of women annually, but it is not well characterized epidemiologically. Of 1027 respondents to two mailed cross-sectional surveys at a large university, 37.5% reported a prior clinical diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis. The frequency of first diagnosis increased rapidly after age 17, with an estimated 54.7% of women experiencing the condition by age 25. In a proportional hazards model of age at first diagnosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis was associated with initiation of sexual activity (rate ratio [RR] = 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.2, 3.8), oral contraceptive use (RR = 1.7; CI = 1.4, 2.2), and White (RR = 3.1; CI = 1.7, 5.7) and Black (RR = 5.9; CI = 3.0, 11.5) race vs Asian. (Am J Public Health. 1995; 85:1146-1148), Vaginal yeast infections appear to be fairly common among college women. Researchers surveyed 1,027 female students at the University of Michigan. They ranged in age from 17 to 52. Eighty-nine percent had sexual experience. Nearly 40% reported having had a diagnosis of vaginal yeast infection. Over half had been diagnosed by age 25. The likelihood of having had a vaginal yeast infection increased with age, becoming sexually active, oral contraceptive use, and white or black race compared with Asian race. Receptive oral sex and vaginal intercourse also appeared to be associated with increased likelihood of infection. Becoming sexually active could promote infection by injuring tissues and permitting yeast invasion or yeast could be transmitted sexually. The hormonal effects of oral contraceptives could promote yeast growth or adhesion to vaginal cells.

Studies were conducted to examine whether the point prevalence of probable cases of bulimic disorders has remained stable or has changed over time. Results indicate that probable cases of eating disorders remained relatively stable.

The presentation of smoking images and thin model images produced greater urges to smoke among female college students. This suggests that situational challenges to body image are causally linked to smoking motivation.