The data provide justification for broader educational programs and access to family planning services, condoms, and HIV testing on community college campuses.
The 18-24 age group is experiencing a greater increase in smoking prevalence than any other age group in recent years. This article presents a case study of how a California community college successfully implemented a comprehensive tobacco control program to counter pro-tobacco influences, to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, and to increase the availability of cessation services. The college strengthened the reasonable distance policy by establishing designated smoking areas to the recent adoption of a smoke-free campus. The Student Health Center led the efforts in creating a student coalition, planned advocacy and educational campaigns, developed partnerships with multiple campus departments, implemented an enforcement program, and revised clinical interventions to reflect the US Public Health Service Guidelines. The project was in collaboration with the local health department and two other college campuses. Successful policy change resulted in affecting social norms and a decreased smoking prevalence of 13% in 2000 to 8% in 2004. We encourage other campuses, particularly community colleges, to address tobacco control issues and use some of the strategies presented.
HIV testing and counseling is the cornerstone of a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention and education. This article examines reasons for and barriers to obtaining an HIV test among 230 Chinese/Chinese American college students. Using Health Belief Model constructs, a cross-sectional study was administered at four California community college campuses. The self-report survey results indicated that 30% of respondents have obtained HIV testing. The most common reasons for testing were “just to find out” (73%), “having had unprotected sexual intercourse” (63%), and “having had sex with a new partner” (57%). Among those who were never tested, low levels of perceived susceptibility (66%) and lack of knowledge on testing sites (36%) were the most common barriers. Multiple unconditional logistic regression analyses revealed age, ethnic identity, lack of condom use during last intercourse, lower perceived barriers, and higher self-efficacy as significant predictors of HIV testing history. Emphasizing these factors in HIV education campaigns will likely increase testing rates within this population.
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