This study assessed the health risk behaviors of college students and GED candidates in an attempt to provide support for health education within the GED preparation process. Participants completed surveys consisting of items from the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey. Additional items were developed by the investigator to determine participants' household income and completed semesters of health education in high school.
Analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) indicated that GED candidates had a greater likelihood of using tobacco, using drugs, and initiating regular cigarette use than college students, adjusting for gender, race, household income, and exposure to health education in high school. Frequencies and percentages indicated that GED candidates were more susceptible to tobacco use including chew and snuff, consumption of high fat foods, marijuana use, and risky sexual behaviors. However, GED candidates reported a greater frequency of seatbelt usage than their designated peers.
Overall, selected differences existed between the health risk behaviors of college students and GED candidates. More importantly, the need for health education among GED students was affirmed, thus paving the way for further research and discourse about curricular priorities and decisions.