Penn State University Park Student Health Assessment Spring 2020: Key Findings, Study notes of Public Health

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PENN STATE

STUDENT

HEALTH

ASSESSMENT

SPRING 2020

A summary of health behavior

data about Penn State University

Park undergraduate students.

About the Assessment The American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment III (ACHA-NCHA III) is a national research survey organized by the American College Health Association (ACHA) to assist college health service providers, health educators, counselors, and administrators in collecting data about their students’ habits, behaviors, and perceptions on the most prevalent health topics. This summary highlights results of the ACHA- NCHA III Spring 2020 survey for Pennsylvania State University. In March 2020, a random sample of 10,500 University Park undergraduate students were contacted by email and invited to complete the online survey. A total of 1,208 students completed surveys, with an overall response rate of 12%. 62% were female-bodied, 34% were male-bodied and 3% were non-binary. White students made up 75% of the respondents and students of color made up 25%.

of students reported feeling a sense of belonging at Penn State

Most Common

Health Problems

This chart lists the most common health problems faced by Penn State undergraduate students that were diagnosed by a health professional in the last 12 months. GENERAL HEALTH 93% of students described their health as good, very good, or excellent ALCOHOL & DRUG USE IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS Alcohol: 76% Cannabis: 31% Tobacco or nicotine delivery products: 30% NUTRITION 31% reported eating 3 or more servings of vegetables per day in the last 7 days 18% reported eating 3 or more of fruit servings per day in the last 7 days PHYSICAL ACTIVITY 76% met the recommendations for aerobic physical activity SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 72% of sexually active students reported 1 to 2 sexual partners in the past 12 months STRESS 62% rated their overall level of stress as moderate or high in the last 30 days

1. Cold/virus or other respiratory illness
2. Flu (influenza) or flu-like illness
3. Urinary tract infection
4. Stomach or GI virus or bug, food poisoning or gastritis 45% 11% 10% 10%

Described their health as good, very good, or excellent think student health & well-being are a priority at Penn State Penn State Student Health Assessment Spring 2020 | 4

MOST COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS

ISSUES % OF STUDENTS

Quick Facts

Finances

STRESS

SLEEP &

65% reported getting 7-9 hours of sleep on average on weeknights over the last two weeks.

Top 5 Challenges in the Past 12 Months

AVERAGE HOURS OF SLEEP ON WEEKNIGHTS

5 | Penn State Student Health Assessment Spring 2020

reported getting 7- hours of sleep on average on weekend nights over the last two weeks reported no or low psychological distress (measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale)

Procrastination Intimate Relationships Academics Personal Appearance

NUTRITION

Food Security

41% of students reported low or

very low food security (based on

responses to the US Household

Food Security Survey Module).

Number of servings*

of vegetables per day

in last 7 days

7 | Penn State Student Health Assessment Spring 2020 *One serving = 1/2 cup of fresh, frozen or canned vegetables; 3/4 cup of 100% vegetable juice; or 1 cup salad greens

Number of servings*

of fruits per day in

last 7 days

*One serving = a medium piece of fresh fruit; 1/2 cup of fresh, frozen, or canned fruit; 1/4 cup of dried fruit; or 3/ cup 100% fresh fruit juice. Sugar-sweetened beverages and Energy drinks 68% reported drinking 1 or more sugar-sweetened beverages per day in the last 7 days. 84% reported drinking no energy drinks in the past 30 days.

ACTIVITY

PHYSICAL

of Penn State students met the weekly guideline for aerobic exercise The U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services guidelines for physical activity are:

• Aerobic activity: 150 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity or the equivalent combination
• Strength training: 2 or more days a week of moderate or greater intensity activities that involve all major muscle groups MINUTES OF MODERATE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN LAST 7 DAYS

NUMBER OF DAYS OF STRENGTHENING OR

TONING MUSCLES IN LAST 7 DAYS

Hours of

Leisure

Screen

Time per

Day in a

Typical

Week

Penn State Student Health Assessment Spring 2020 | 8

Most Common Alcohol-Related

Consequences

of female-bodied students who drink reported experiencing one or more alcohol- related negative consequence of male-bodied students who drink reported experiencing one or more alcohol- related negative consequence Penn State Student Health Assessment Spring 2020 | 10

1. Brownout (forgot where I was or what I did for short periods of time and can remember once someone reminds me) 37% CONSEQUENCE % OF STUDENTS
2. Did something I later regretted 28%
3. Blackout (forgot where I was or what I did for a large period of time, but cannot remember, even when someone reminds me)
4. Had unprotected sex
5. Physically injured myself 21% 17% 9%

TOBACCO USE

Tobacco or Nicotine Delivery

Product* use in the last 3 months

• Includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes, Juul or other vape products, water pipe or hookah, chewing tobacco, cigars, etc

Frequency of Cannabis use in last 3 months 11 | Penn State Student Health Assessment Spring 2020

• non-medical use *Includes only students who reported ever using cannabis; includes marijuana, weed, hash, edibles, vaped cannabis, etc. Use of Drugs in last 3 months

Percentage of students* who reported using condoms or another protective barriers for different types of sexual activities most of the time or always within the last 30 days Three most frequently used types of contraception: Oral Sex Anal Intercourse Vaginal Intercourse 4% 28% 47% Birth Control Pills Male (external) Condom Fertility Awareness 66% 54%^ 27% 90% of students who reported having vaginal intercourse in last 12 months used a method of contraception Use of Emergency Contraception (morning after pill or Plan B) in last 12 months: 12% of males reported their partner used emergency contraception 17% of females reported they used emergency contraception This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. U.Ed. STA 21-