Students’ knowledge and attitudes towards GMOs and nanotechnology

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 628-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharareh Hekmat ◽  
Lindsay Nicole Dawson
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Future Research ◽  
First Year ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Nutritional Studies ◽  
First Year University

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate knowledge and attitudes toward genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and nanotechnology among the Canadian youth demographic. The primary objective of this pilot study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes toward GMOs and nanotechnology among first year university students. The secondary objective was to compare knowledge and attitudes toward GMOs and nanotechnology among students studying nutrition as to students who do not study nutrition. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was developed by researchers and student volunteers. This questionnaire was distributed to first year university classes at Western University. The multiple-choice questions were analyzed using SAS, and open-ended questions were analyzed using theme analysis. Findings GMO knowledge was strong for both populations, however questions related to the percentage of GM foods grown in Canada indicated nutrition students had a stronger GMO knowledge (p = 0.031). Open-ended questions revealed overall attitudes toward GMOs were either unsure or negative between both populations. Nutrition students had a more positive attitude toward nanotechnology, and a slightly stronger knowledge regarding applications of nanotechnology (p = 0.006). Theme analysis indicated that participants enrolled in nutritional studies were less apprehensive toward GMOs. No differences were indicated in open-ended questions related to nanotechnology between both groups, which may be due to the lack of awareness related to the novelty of the technology. Research limitations/implications Without a validated questionnaire, this reduces the reliability of the results from the questionnaire. The questionnaire was carefully designed by combining previous studies questionnaires, as well as producing questions from related literature, which increases the reliability and accuracy of the questionnaire. In addition, the questionnaires underwent several rounds of pre-piloting as well as multiple revisions with current health-care professions to increase the reliability and accuracy of the questionnaire. Practical implications This study will assist in understanding the current knowledge of GMOs and nanotechnology among first year university students. This will then allow us to understand if knowledge has a factor in altering students’ attitudes toward these technologies. If students do not have a strong knowledge toward these technologies, then this may lead to the potential implementation of education regarding GMOs and nanotechnology. As these technologies are emerging and being used in everyday food items, individuals should be aware of the implications, as well as the benefits of these technologies. Originality/value This is the first study regarding this topic in Canada. Results from this study provide baseline data that may be used to conduct future research.

scholarly journals P4.044 Knowledge and Attitudes About HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health Practises in First-Year University Students

2013 ◽  
Vol 89 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A302.1-A302
Author(s):  
B Sangchart ◽  
P Harnlakorn ◽  
P Kosalaraksa ◽  
C Sota ◽  
S Barusrux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
First Year ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
First Year University ◽  
Hiv Aids

AIDS Knowledge and Attitudes towards Homosexuals of Black First-Year University Students: 1990–1992

1994 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 819-823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lionel J. Nicholas ◽  
Colin Tredoux ◽  
Priscilla Daniels
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
Baseline Data ◽  
First Year ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Aids Knowledge ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
First Year University ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Using an anonymous structured questionnaire to obtain baseline data on knowledge and attitudes of first-year black university students about the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and their attitudes towards homosexuals during 1990, 1991, and 1992 ( ns = 1902, 2113, and 1558), the following information was obtained. Students' knowledge of AIDS was inadequate and misconceptions about AIDS transmission prevalent as were prejudiced and exclusionary beliefs about people with AIDS. Little difference was evident on any of the scales over the three-year period.

scholarly journals Supporting students' transition to higher education

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarina Perander ◽  
Monica Londen ◽  
Gunilla Holm
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
University Students ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Study Strategies ◽  
First Year ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Regulated Learning ◽  
Regulated Learning ◽  
Transition To Higher Education ◽  
First Year University

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate how a workshop can enhance first-year university students' understanding of their study strategies and self-regulated learning.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative content analysis was done of 190 reflective journals written by first-year university students.FindingsThe main findings confirmed that starting studies in higher education is challenging for many students. New insights were provided on how these challenges can be addressed, especially regarding self-regulated learning. Students perceived that they gained several insights from the workshop that they believed could benefit their studying and thereby enhance motivation.Practical implicationsThis study showed that even small measures promote both good study habits and specifically self-regulated learning skills. Interventions like the workshop described in this study ease first-year students' transition to the university and foster successful studies for all students.Originality/valueThis study contributes to research on supporting students' transition to higher education by investigating how students perceive early study skill interventions. It adds to a holistic perspective of students' challenges and coping strategies during their first semester in higher education.

scholarly journals Motivational Mindsets and Reasons for Studying: Development and Validation of a Classification Tool

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Job Hudig ◽  
Ad W. A. Scheepers ◽  
Michaéla C. Schippers ◽  
Guus Smeets
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
First Year ◽  
Study Success ◽  
Student Sample ◽  
Classification Tool ◽  
First Year University

First-year university students have multiple motives for studying and these motives may interact. Yet, past research has primarily focused on a variable-centered, dimensional approach missing out on the possibility to study the joint effect of multiple motives that students may have. Examining the interplay between motives is key to (a) better explain student differences in study success and wellbeing, and (b) to understand different effects that interventions can have in terms of wellbeing and study success. We therefore applied a student-centered, multidimensional approach in which we explored motivational profiles of first-year university students by combining three dimensions of motives for studying (self-transcendent, self-oriented, and extrinsic) which have been shown to be differently related to academic functioning. Using cluster analysis in two independent, consecutive university student cohorts (n = 763 and n = 815), we identified four meaningful profiles and coined them motivational mindsets. We validated the four mindset profiles not only within each student sample but also found almost identical profiles between the student samples. The motivational mindset profiles were labeled: high-impact mindset, low-impact mindset, social-impact mindset, and self-impact mindset. In addition to validating the paradigm, we developed a mindset classification tool to further use these mindsets in practice and in future research.

Organic food and university students: a pilot study

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey Hamilton ◽  
Sharareh Hekmat
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
University Students ◽  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Organic Food ◽  
Consumption Patterns ◽  
Future Research ◽  
First Year ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Canadian Population ◽  
University College

Purpose The purpose of this study is to provide information relating to organic food consumption patterns specific to the Canadian population and youth demographic. The primary objective of this pilot study is to investigate the knowledge, consumption patterns and willingness to pay for organic food among the first-year University students enrolled in courses at Brescia University College. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire has been developed by the researchers and distributed to several first-year classes at Brescia University College. The results have been analyzed using Wilcoxon scores (rank sums), Wilcoxon two-sample test, Spearman correlation coefficients and univariate and multivariate regression analyses. A theme analysis has been generated from open-ended questions. Findings No significant differences exist between nutrition and non-nutrition students. Attitudes toward organic food and knowledge score significantly impact the consumption patterns and willingness to pay for organic food (p = < 0.0001). Most students indicated that they were willing to pay a premium for organic food and had positive associations with it. Originality/value This is the first study relating to this topic and the Canadian population. Results from this study provide baseline data that may be used to conduct future research.

scholarly journals Application of Cannabis Use Intention Questionnaire (CUIQ) to First Year University Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Inês Teodoro ◽  
Hugo Torres ◽  
Nuno Venâncio ◽  
Guilhermina Moutinho ◽  
Maria Deolinda Auxtero
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Self Control ◽  
First Year ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Intent To Use ◽  
First Year University

Cannabis is the illegal drug most used worldwide. Its long-term use increases the risk of depression and schizophrenia, causing a major public health problem. A validated questionnaire was applied to first year students of Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz to assess their intention regarding cannabis use. They do not consider cannabis to be much associated with well-being, they slightly consider the opinion of relatives, and they show a low intent to use the drug, believing themselves to have strong self-control. Scores are above average for 18-y.o. Portuguese students, except for belief in self-control.

scholarly journals Factors associated with depressive episode among first year University students in Serbia

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Čanković ◽  
D Čanković ◽  
I Radić ◽  
D Rakić ◽  
S Ukropina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
University Students ◽  
Depressive Episode ◽  
Social Health ◽  
Support Network ◽  
First Year ◽  
Behavioral Factors ◽  
First Year University

Abstract Background Some findings indicate that university students are at higher risk of depression despite being a socially advantaged population, showing that 15 to 25% of them develop some type of mental disorder during graduation, and depression is one of the most prevalent. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its association with gender, material status, social health, and behavioral factors among university students. Methods The research represents a cross-sectional study conducted at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia. The research involved 455 first-year students. The average age of participants was 19.3 years (72.1% girls and 27.9% boys). Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to measure depressive symptoms (cut point for depressive episode ≥10). Additional questions were focused on self-assessed material status, social health, and behavioral factors (smoking and alcohol use). The binary logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between depression and observed independent variables. Results The prevalence of moderate to severe depressive episode among students was 18.0%, with no gender differences. Out of the total, 11.0% of students had suicidal thoughts or thoughts of hurting themselves. Multivariable logistic regression showed that self-assessed poor material status (OR = 2.04; 95%CI: 1.06-3.89), self-assessed poor social health (OR = 8.9; 95%CI:4.87-16.42) and smoking (OR = 2.18; 95%CI: 1.09-4.39) were significant predictors of depression among first-year university students. Conclusions High prevalence of depressive episode among university students call for the action for the promotion of mental health, particularly among those of lower socioeconomic status, and points out the importance of social health and social network in the prevention of mental disorders. Key messages Students on the first year of University should be screened for depressive symptoms. It is important to educate students on how to create a strong support network and to implement intervention programs for improving mental health through fostering healthy lifestyles change.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document