Scheduled for Research Coordinating Board Poster Session I (Student Posters), Thursday, April 27, 2006, 1:15 PM - 2:45 PM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall Poster Area II


Assessing the Health Promotion Needs of International Students Who Reside in the University Owned Apartments at a Central Texas University

Ranjita Misra and Christopher M. Ledingham, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

The health education/health promotion needs of international students who come to the United States to study are often hard to perceive and the ability to conduct a proper needs assessment with this unique population is critical. Needs assessments are useful tools that identify the health needs and problems of the populations, hence they are one of the most critical components of the health education program/intervention development process. Purpose: The purpose of this research was to conduct a needs assessment of health education/health promotion programs implemented at the university owned apartment's at a Central Texas University. Methods: Data were collected via telephone interviews during the evening hours between 6:00 – 8:00pm over a two week period in February 2005. The interview instrument, a 18-item survey, was developed by the researcher. Results: Of the 700 eligible residents, 235 residents completed the telephone survey (response rate of 34%). Sample characteristics indicated the mean age of respondents was 30 years and 60 % of the respondents were males. The majority of respondents did not have children (75%) in their household. Further, 80% of the residents reported they had not attended any health education program offered at the University Apartments during the previous year. Information was also collected on which health topics they would be most interested in as well as the time/day of program that will be suitable for their attendance. The processes used to conduct the assessment and the implications of the survey for future program planning and development for these residents will be discussed.

Back to the 2006 AAHPERD National Convention and Exposition