Promoting student health at Boise State University

As BSU senior nursing students, we, Frances Campbell and Angela Farmer, enrolled in the nursing leadership course, have worked with the staff at the Boise State University Health and Wellness Center in a qualitative study to determine some of the health priorities and educational needs of BSU students.

Information was gathered from a sample population at BSU by conducting two focus groups. The data was compiled and given to the new Health, Wellness, and Counseling Services Director to possibly create more services and programs to enhance or promote student health. The information from the study showed that BSU students’ top health priorities were (from highest priority to lowest) 1) Exercise, 2) Women’s health issues and adequate amount of sleep, and 3) Anxiety, depression, stress, nutrition, family health, and social health.

The study showed the following hindered their overall health: lack of time to incorporate health-promoting behaviors in their busy schedules, lack of motivation to practice healthy behaviors, inconvenience and cost of eating healthy foods, alcohol use, as well as sexual activity. While these are some of the behaviors that hinder health, the national report for Health Students 2010 has reported priority health risk behaviors to be: behaviors that cause unintentional and intentional injuries, tobacco use, alcohol and other drugs, sexual behaviors that cause unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, dietary patterns that cause disease, and inadequate physical activity.

The Health and Wellness Center is concerned about student health and is interested in providing services unique to the health and educational needs of students at BSU. Through participation and research the Health and Wellness Center can identify the changing needs and concerns of the students which they serve. Through collaboration with other departments at BSU and with student participation it is possible to develop and offer optimal services that are cost-effective, high quality, accessible, and tailored to enhance and promote student health. This may be accomplished through educational programs, as well as other health related services offered by the Health and Wellness Center.

Angela Farmer and Frances Campbell

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