Brief Multiple Behavior Interventions in a College Student Health Care Clinic

Abstract

Purpose-This study examined the effects of brief image-based interventions, including a multiple behavior health contract, a one-on-one tailored consultation, and a combined consultation plus contract intervention, for impacting multiple health behaviors of students in a university health clinic.Methods-A total of 155 college students attending a major Southern university were recruited to participate in a study evaluating a health promotion program titled Project Fitness during the fall 2005 and spring 2006. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three treatments as they presented at the clinic: 1) a multiple behavior health contract, 2) a one-on-one tailored consultation, or 3) a combined consultation plus contract intervention. Baseline and one-month post-intervention data were collected using computer-assisted questionnaires in a quiet office within the student health clinic.Results-Omnibus repeated measures MANOVAs were significant for drinking driving behaviors, F(2,136)=4.43, p=.01, exercise behaviors, F(5,140)=6.12, p=.00), nutrition habits, F(3,143)=5.37, p=.00, sleep habits, F(2,144)=5.03, p=.01, and health quality of life, F(5,140)=3.09, p=.01, with improvements on each behavior across time. Group by time interaction effects showed an increase in the use of techniques to manage stress, F(2,144)=5.48, p=.01, and the number of health behavior goals set in the last 30 days, F(2,143)=5.35, p=.01, but only among adolescents receiving the consultation, or consultation plus contract. Effect sizes were consistently larger across health behaviors, and medium in size, when both consult and contract were employed together.Conclusions-Brief interventions using a positive goal image of fitness, and addressing a number of health habits using a contract and consultation strategy alone, or in combination, have the potential to influence positive changes in multiple health behaviors of college students attending a university primary health care clinic.

Screening and Brief Interventions for Alcohol Use in College Health Centers: A Review

“…Of the 12 studies identified, 8 (67%) were randomized controlled trials. [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] The remaining 4 studies were single-group, nonrandomized designs. [37][38][39][40] In the following section, we summarize the outcomes, highlight the limitations of the extant research, and provide recommendations for future research.…”

“…32,38,39 In other words, the limited data on attitudes and perceptions of SBIs support their implementation. Enrollment practices varied, with some obtaining student consent for participation and then screening for eligibility, 38,39 some not applying any screen for risky drinking, 29,35 and most screening for eligibility and then consenting only those who met hazardous drinking criteria. [30][31][32][33][34]36,37,40 Of the latter set of studies that used screening tools to identify hazardous drinkers, 63% to 80% of students were willing to enroll and receive an intervention.…”

“…Two studies did not screen for at-risk drinkers or indicate strict eligibility criteria. 29,35 Five studies (42%) used the Alcohol Use and Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) 45 as a screening tool, but the screening criteria varied: 2 studies required a cutoff score of 6 or greater, 38,39 2 required a cutoff score of 8 or greater, 30,31 and the remaining study required a cutoff score of 8 or greater for men, and 7 or greater for women. 40 The remaining studies used different criteria to detect hazardous drinkers.…”

“…36 Three studies (25%) did not report the average length of the intervention. 29,35,40 The remaining 9 studies (75%) reported intervention lengths that ranged from 5 to 75 minutes. Regarding intervention components, most interventions used motivational interviewing and/or personalized feedback.…”

The effect of exercise and lifestyle interventions on heart rate variability in students at risk of cardiovascular disease –A pilot study

“…All other parameters remained unchanged. Risky behaviours in youth are linked to unhealthy habits in adulthood (Werch et al, 2007). Most of the major CVD risk factors are lifestyle related and lifestyle counselling has been shown to be effective in causing change towards positive choices (Lie, 2007;Werch et al, 2007).…”