Scheduled for Research Coordinating Board Poster Session I, Thursday, March 15, 2007, 12:45 PM - 2:15 PM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall Poster Area II


An Assessment of Preferred Health Information Sources among College Students and GED Candidates

Michele L. Pettit1, Mark J. Kittleson1, Stephen L. Brown2 and Dale O. Ritzel1, (1)Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, (2)Southern Illilnois University, Carbondale, IL

Health literacy (i.e., the ability to access, synthesize, and interpret health information) represents the epitome of school health education. In light of the importance of health literacy, this proposal examines the preferred sources of health information among college students and GED candidates. The preferred health information sources of individuals with and without completed semesters of health education in high school also are explored. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed no significant differences between the preferred health information sources of college students and GED candidates, adjusting for gender, race, household income, and exposure to health education in high school. However, an independent t-test indicated that individuals who were exposed to health courses in high school (i.e., all participating college students and 80% of selected GED candidates) had a greater likelihood of consulting healthcare practitioners (M = 4.19 and M = 3.31), the internet (M = 3.33 and M = 2.69), health educators (M = 3.25 and M = 2.50), and voluntary health agencies (M = 3.08 and M = 2.38) for health information. Overall, participants were most apt to seek health information from family and friends. Based on results from this study, high school health courses appear to promote health literacy through utilization of potentially credible health information sources.
Keyword(s): college level issues, health education K-12, high school issues

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