A goal-systems perspective on plant-based eating: keys to successful adherence in university students

AbstractObjective:To explore adherence to a plant-based diet from the perspective of goals- and motivations-based systems.Design:A cross-sectional, survey-based study was conducted regarding eating patterns, goals and motivations for current eating habits.Setting:Data were collected using an online survey platform, including the Goal Systems Assessment Battery (GSAB) and other survey tools.Participants:University students were recruited, including thirty-three students reporting successful maintenance of a plant-based diet (Adherents) and sixty-three students trying to adhere to a plant-based diet (Non-adherents).Results:Using GSAB subscale scores, discriminant function analyses significantly differentiated adherents v. non-adherents, accounting for 49·0 % of between-group variance (χ2 (13) = 42·03, P < 0·000). It correctly classified 72·7 % of adherents and 88·9 % of non-adherents. Constructs including value, self-efficacy, planning/stimulus control and positive affect were significant and included in the discriminant function. Logistic regression results suggested that participants who successfully adhered to a plant-based diet were seventeen times more likely to report ‘To manage or treat a medical condition’ as motivation and almost seven times more likely to report ‘To align with my ethical beliefs’ as motivation compared with non-adherents. However, these participants were 94 % less likely to report ‘To maintain and/or improve my health’ as motivation compared with non-adherents. Controlling for motivations, hierarchical logistic regression showed that only planning as part of the GSAB self-regulatory system predicted adherence to a plant-based diet.Conclusions:Values-based approaches to plant-based diets, including consideration for ethical beliefs, self-efficacy and proper planning, may be key for successful maintenance of this diet long-term.

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Attitudes towards the New Zealand Government’s Smokefree 2025 goal associated with smoking and vaping in university students aged 18 to 24 years: results of a 2018 national cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037362 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. e037362

Author(s):

Ben Wamamili ◽

Mark Wallace-Bell ◽

Ann Richardson ◽

Randolph C Grace ◽

Pat Coope

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

New Zealand ◽

University Students ◽

Confidence Intervals ◽

Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Smoking Prevalence ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lower Odds

ObjectiveIn March 2011, New Zealand (NZ) launched an aspirational goal to reduce smoking prevalence to 5% or less by 2025 (Smokefree 2025 goal). Little is known about university students’ awareness of, support for and perceptions about this goal. We sought to narrow the knowledge gap.SettingUniversity students in NZ.MethodsWe analysed data from a 2018 cross-sectional survey of university students across NZ. Logistic regression analysis examined the associations between responses about the Smokefree goal with smoking and vaping, while controlling for age, sex and ethnicity. Confidence intervals (95% CI) were reported where appropriate.ParticipantsThe sample comprised 1476 students: 919 (62.3%) aged 18 to 20 and 557 (37.7%) aged 21 to 24 years; 569 (38.6%) male and 907 (61.4%) female; 117 (7.9%) Māori and 1359 (92.1%) non-Māori. Of these, 10.5% currently smoked (ie, smoked at least monthly) and 6.1% currently vaped (ie, used an e-cigarette or vaped at least once a month).ResultsOverall awareness of the Smokefree goal was 47.5% (95% CI: 44.9 to 50.1); support 96.9% (95% CI: 95.8 to 97.8); belief that it can be achieved 88.8% (95% CI: 86.8 to 90.7) and belief that e-cigarettes/vaping can help achieve it 88.1% (95% CI: 86.0 to 89.9).Dual users of tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes had greater odds of being aware of the Smokefree goal (OR=3.07, 95% CI: 1.19 to 7.92), current smokers had lower odds of supporting it (OR=0.13, 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.27) and of believing that it can be achieved (OR=0.15, 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.24) and current vapers had greater odds of believing that e-cigarettes/vaping can help to achieve it (OR=8.57, 95% CI: 1.18 to 62.52) compared with non-users.ConclusionsThe results suggest strong overall support for the Smokefree goal and belief that it can be achieved and that e-cigarettes/vaping can help achieve it. Smoking and vaping were associated with high awareness of the Smokefree goal, but lower support and optimism that it can be achieved.

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Knowledge, socio-cognitive perceptions and the practice of hand hygiene and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study of UK university students

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10461-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Christine Barrett ◽

Kei Long Cheung

Keyword(s):

Risk Perception ◽

Hand Hygiene ◽

University Students ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Online Survey ◽

Time Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Hygiene Behaviour

Abstract Background During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and hand hygiene have been the primary means of reducing transmission in the absence of effective treatments or vaccines, but understanding of their determinants is limited. This study aimed to investigate knowledge and socio-cognitive perceptions, and their associations with such protective behaviours, in UK university students. Methods A cross-sectional online survey of 293 students was undertaken on 13 May 2020. Survey questions addressed demographics, knowledge of the disease and effectiveness of the protective measures, risk perception, socio-cognitive perceptions (e.g. attitude, social support, and self-efficacy), habit, time factors and trust, as well as the hand hygiene and social distancing behaviours. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the strongest associations of potential determinants with behaviour. Results Participants reported high levels of social distancing with 88.9% answering “Mostly” or “Always” for every activity, but only 42.0% reporting the same for all hand hygiene activities. Knowledge of the effectiveness of each activity in preventing transmission was high, with 90.7% and 93.5% respectively identifying at least 7 of 8 hand hygiene or 9 of 10 social distancing activities correctly. Habit (β = 0.39, p = 0.001) and time factors (β = 0.28, p = 0.001) were the greatest contributors to unique variance in hand hygiene behaviour, followed by ethnicity (β = − 0.13, p = 0.014) and risk perception (β = 0.13, p = 0.016). For social distancing behaviour, the determinants were self-efficacy (β = 0.25, p < 0.001), perceived advantages (β = 0.15, p = 0.022), trust in policy (β = 0.14, p = 0.026) and gender (β = − 0.14, p = 0.016). Regression models explained 40% hand hygiene and 25% social distancing variance. Conclusions This study indicated that communications about effectiveness of hand hygiene and social distancing behaviours had been effective in terms of knowledge acquisition. However, in the light of likely second waves of COVID-19, attention to maintaining social distancing behaviour and improving hand hygiene behaviour may need to address more difficult areas of changing habits, overcoming time factors and building trust, as well as interventions to increase self-efficacy and address risk perception concerns.

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Prevalence and Impact of Migraine among University Students in Bangladesh: Findings from a Cross-sectional Survey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-120597/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Md. Abdur Rafi ◽

Md. Saiful Islam ◽

M. Tasdik Hasan ◽

Md. Golam Hossain

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Family Income ◽

Negative Impact ◽

External Noise ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Disruptive Effect ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Multivariable Logistic Regression Model ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background: Migraine is one of the main causes of long-term morbidity, and it is one of the major contributors of all types of headaches in worldwide. Despite its disruptive effect, it is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated in Bangladesh. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of migraines and its impact on daily life of university students in Bangladesh.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,352 students of Rajshahi University and Jahangirnagar University during March 2020 through a self-administered online survey. ID MigraineTM scale and HIT-6 scale were used to screen migraine and its impact respectively. Frequency distribution, and Chi-square test, t-test along with multiple logistic regressions model were used to determine the prevalence and associated factors of migraine respectively. Results: The overall prevalence of migraine among the participants was 21.4%. The prevalence was higher among females (29%) than males (12%). A multivariable logistic regression model provided the following eight risk factors of migraine: (i) gender (p<0.01), (ii) family income (p<0.01), (iii) marital status (p<0.01), (iv) infrequent exercise (p<0.01), (v) family history of headache (p<0.01), (vi) high screen time (p<0.05), (vii) depressive symptoms (p<0.05) and (viii) anxiety disorder (p<0.01). More than two-thirds of the migraineurs reported more than five attacks during the past month with moderate to severe intense headache. Stress was the most reported trigger of migraine among university students (71%) followed by irregular sleep (47%), academic pressure (33%), and external noise (28%). Almost 37% of the participants who had migraines reported that headache caused severe impact in their day to day life. Conclusions: The prevalence of migraine among university students of Bangladesh is alarmingly high. Frequent migraine attacks and severe intensity of headache cause a substantial level of impact among the sufferers. Cautious avoidance of the triggering factors through appropriate interventions and prophylactic medication can mitigate the negative impact of migraine as well as improve the quality of life.

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Facilitating Informed Decision Making: Determinants of University Students’ COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake

10.31234/osf.io/u46bm ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tugce Varol ◽

Francine Schneider ◽

Ilse Mesters ◽

Robert A.C. Ruiter ◽

Gerjo Kok ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Risk Perception ◽

University Students ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Online Survey ◽

Informed Decision ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Informed Decision Making ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Important Target

Objective: Although several COVID-19 vaccines are available, the current challenge is achieving high vaccine uptake. We aimed to explore university students’ intention to get vaccinated and select the most relevant determinants/beliefs to facilitate informed decision-making around COVID-19 vaccine uptake.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey with students (N = 434) from Maastricht University was conducted in March 2021. The most relevant determinants/beliefs of students’ COVID-19 vaccine intention (i.e., determinants linked to vaccination intention, and with enough potential for change) were visualized using CIBER plots. Results: Students’ intention to get the COVID-19 vaccine is high (80 %). Concerns about safety and side effects of the vaccine and trust in government, quality control, and the pharmaceutical industry are identified as the most relevant determinants of vaccine intention. Other predictors are risk perception, attitude, perceived norm, and self-efficacy beliefs. Conclusion: Our study identified several predictors of COVID-19 vaccine intention (e.g., safety, trust, risk perception, etc.) and helped to select the most relevant determinants/beliefs to target in an intervention to maximize the COVID-19 uptake. Where concerns and trust related to the COVID-19 vaccine are the most important target for future interventions, other determinants that were already positive (i.e., risk perception, attitudes, perceived norms, and self-efficacy) could be further confirmed.

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What Do Young Adults Think about the Safety of Over-the-Counter Analgesics? Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey

Pharmacy ◽

10.3390/pharmacy9010054 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 54

Author(s):

Tahlia Duyster ◽

Sara S. McMillan ◽

Ella Whately ◽

Fiona S. Kelly

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

University Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Parental Influence ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Over The Counter ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

The Difference ◽

Analgesic Use

Analgesics are commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) medicines readily available for purchase, sometimes without advice of a health professional. However, analgesics can cause harm even when taken according to dosing recommendations. Young adults may be more vulnerable to harm if they perceive low risk with OTC analgesic use, or struggle to interpret dosing instructions. This study aimed to explore factors affecting how young adults use OTC analgesics and associated perceptions of safety. An online survey was distributed to school-leavers and university students (17 to 25 years), in South-East Queensland, Australia, in the period November–December 2019. Most of the 302 respondents (school-leavers n = 147, university students n = 155) did not use analgesics frequently. School-leavers deferred to parents for analgesic information, while university students preferred the internet. The majority of respondents appeared safety conscious and did not take outside indicated use or instructions. However, a small proportion reported taking analgesics for an inappropriate indication. The difference in preferred source of analgesic information may reflect experience with analgesic use, increasing autonomy or decreased parental influence. Whilst it is encouraging that the majority of young adults appeared safety conscious, greater insight is needed into factors influencing decision making on OTC use, e.g., medicines knowledge, and changes with increasing age.

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Depression, anxiety, stress and their associated factors among Ethiopian University students during an early stage of COVID-19 pandemic: An online-based cross-sectional survey

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0251670 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. e0251670

Author(s):

Wudneh Simegn ◽

Baye Dagnew ◽

Yigizie Yeshaw ◽

Sewbesew Yitayih ◽

Birhanemeskel Woldegerima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Online Survey ◽

Early Stage ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Female Sex ◽

Modifiable Factors ◽

Reading Materials

Background The occurrence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects the mental health situation of almost everyone, including University students who spent most of their time at home due to the closure of the Universities. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing depression, anxiety, stress and identifying their associated factors among university students in Ethiopia during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We invited students to complete an online survey using Google forms comprising consent, socio-demographic characteristics, and the standard validated depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) questionnaire. After completion of the survey from June 30 to July 30, 2020, we exported the data into SPSS 22. Both descriptive and analytical statistics were computed. Associated factors were identified using binary logistic regression and variables with a p-value <0.05 were declared as statistically significant factors with the outcome variables. Results A total of 423 students completed the online survey. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in this study was 46.3%, 52%, and 28.6%, respectively. In the multivariable model, female sex, poor self-efficacy to prevent COVID-19, those who do not read any material about COVID-19 prevention, lack of access to reading materials about their profession, and lack of access to uninterrupted internet access were significantly associated with depression. Female sex, lower ages, students with non-health-related departments, those who do not think that COVID-19 is preventable, and those who do not read any materials about COVID-19 prevention were significantly associated with anxiety. Whereas, being female, students attending 1st and 2nd years, those who do not think that COVID-19 is preventable, presence of confirmed COVID-19 patient at the town they are living in, and lack of access to reading materials about their profession were significantly associated with stress. Conclusions Depression, anxiety, and stress level among University students calls for addressing these problems by controlling the modifiable factors identified and promoting psychological wellbeing of students.

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Conceptualising post-stroke fatigue: a cross-sectional survey of UK-based physiotherapists and occupational therapists

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033066 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. e033066 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Karen Thomas ◽

Clarissa Hjalmarsson ◽

Ricky Mullis ◽

Jonathan Mant

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Medical Condition ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Occupational Therapists ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Rehabilitation Care ◽

Post Stroke

With survival after stroke improving, more people are discharged into the community with multiple and persistent deficits. Fatigue is a common unmet need for stroke survivors, but there are no evidence-based guidelines for its assessment and management. This study explored how UK-based therapists conceptualise post-stroke fatigue (PSF) in current practice.ObjectiveTo describe current understanding of PSF among physiotherapists (PT) and occupational therapists (OT).DesignA cross-sectional online survey using Qualtrics software (a survey creation and analysis programme) was sent to therapists working with stroke survivors in 2019. Responses to the open ended question, ‘How would you describe PSF if approached by another healthcare professional?’ were analysed thematically by two independent researchers.Participants137 survey respondents (71 PT and 66 OT) from a range of clinical settings (25 acute care, 24 sub-acute rehabilitation care, 3 primary care and 85 community care) with 7 months-36 years of experience working with stroke survivors completed the survey.ResultsRespondents stated that PSF should be regarded as an important medical condition because it is common and can be associated with severe symptoms. Symptoms were perceived to be highly variable and the syndrome was difficult to define objectively. It was felt to have both physical and cognitive components. A variety of different opinions were expressed with regard to causation, conceptualisation and best management.ConclusionTherapists working with stroke survivors conceptualise and manage PSF in different ways. Clinical practice is hampered by a lack of a widely adopted definition, and a small evidence base. Research into causes and management of PSF is a priority.

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Characterization of alcohol consumption and related problems in university students from Mexico City

Salud Mental ◽

10.17711/sm.0185-3325.2021.015 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (3) ◽

pp. 107-115

Author(s):

Roberto Cordero-Oropeza ◽

Mirna García-Méndez ◽

Martha Cordero-Oropeza ◽

Julio Javier Corona-Maldonado

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Consumption ◽

University Students ◽

Mexico City ◽

Online Survey ◽

Latent Class ◽

Latent Class Model ◽

Survey Method ◽

Human Beings ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

Introduction. In Mexico, alcohol consumption is the main problem related to substance use among university students. Objective. To analyze emerging alcohol consumption patterns in students at a public university through the administration of an online survey. Method. This is a cross-sectional, survey-based study. Participants included 3,888 students from a large university in Mexico City, to whom the alcohol and sociodemographic data section of the Cuestionario de Estudiantes 2014 was electronically administered in August-September 2018 and 2019. Latent Class Analysis was applied to the data obtained. During the research, the principles, norms, and ethical precepts of research on human beings were observed. Results. The relevant variables observed were length of exposure to alcohol, excess alcohol consumption, consumption on a typical day and alcohol-related consequences, which were used to create a model with four groups: teetotalers and early drinkers without consequences, risky drinkers with consequences, experienced risky drinkers without consequences and habitual drinkers with consequences. 36.7% of the sample were classified into groups with consequences and a high likelihood of excess consumption. Discussion and conclusion. Lengthy exposure to alcohol influences measures of frequency and intensity of consumption in relation to the number of consequences suffered. This latent class model can guide the design and priority of universal, selective, or suggested preventive interventions.

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Prosociality and Social Responsibility Were Associated With Intention of COVID-19 Vaccination Among University Students in China

International Journal of Health Policy and Management ◽

10.34172/ijhpm.2021.64 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yanqiu Yu ◽

Sitong Luo ◽

Phoenix Kit-han Mo ◽

Suhua Wang ◽

Junfeng Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Responsibility ◽

University Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Intervention Studies ◽

Study Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

High Coverage ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Positive Effects ◽

High Coverage Rate

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination is expected to end the pandemic; a high coverage rate is required to meet this end. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of behavioral intention of free/self-paid COVID-19 vaccination and its associations with prosociality and social responsibility among university students in China. Methods: An anonymous online cross-sectional survey was conducted among 6922 university students in five provinces in China during November 1-28, 2020. With informed consent, participants filled out an online survey link distributed to them via WeChat study groups. The response rate was 72.3%. Results: The prevalence of behavioral intentions of free COVID-19 vaccination was 78.1%, but it dropped to 57.7% if the COVID-19 vaccination involved self-payment (400 RMB; around 42 USD). After adjusting for background factors, prosociality (free vaccination: adjusted odds ratio [ORa] = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.09-1.12; self-paid vaccination: ORa = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.07-1.09) and social responsibility (free vaccination: ORa = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.14-1.19; self-paid vaccination: ORa = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.11-1.14) were positively associated with the two variables of COVID-19 vaccination intention. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the positive effects of prosociality and social responsibility on the intention of COVID-19 vaccination. Accordingly, modification of prosociality and social responsibility can potentially improve COVID-19 vaccination. Future longitudinal and intervention studies are warranted to confirm such associations across populations and countries.

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Selecting relevant and changeable determinants and underlying beliefs of university students’ adherence to COVID-19-guidelines and translating the findings into a small intervention

10.31234/osf.io/rs5yu ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tugce Varol ◽

Rik Crutzen ◽

Francine Schneider ◽

Ilse Mesters ◽

Robert A.C. Ruiter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Perception ◽

University Students ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Online Survey ◽

Adherence Behavior ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adherence To Guidelines ◽

Behavioral Determinants ◽

Improvement Interventions ◽

Prevention Guidelines

Background: When reopening universities in times of COVID-19, students still have to adhere to COVID-19 behavioral guidelines. We explored what behavioral determinants (and underlying beliefs) related to the adherence to guidelines are both relevant and changeable, as input for future interventions.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted (Oct-Nov 2020), identifying behavioral determinants (and underlying beliefs) of university students’ adherence to COVID-19-guidelines, including keeping 1.5m distance, getting tested, and isolating (N = 255).Results: Attitude, perceived norm, self-efficacy, and several beliefs (e.g., risk perception beliefs ‘I am not afraid because I am young’; attitudinal beliefs, e.g., ‘I feel responsible for telling people to adhere to guidelines’; self-efficacy beliefs, e.g., ‘COVID-19-prevention guidelines are difficult to adhere to’) were strongly associated with intention to adhere to guidelines, and for those beliefs there was room for improvement, making them suitable as possible intervention targets.Conclusions: Students mostly adhere to COVID-19 guidelines, but there is room for improvement. Interventions need to enhance students’ adherence behavior by targeting the most relevant determinants as identified in this study. Based on these findings, a small intervention was introduced targeting the determinants of students’ adherence to guidelines.

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