title: Assessment of Knowledge of Critical Cardiovascular Risk Indicators among College Students: Does Stage of Education Matter?
abstract: The health risk of college students in the United States (US) is on the rise, with a significant increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the US, costing approximately $475.3 billion yearly. The goals of this "Know Your Numbers" study were to: (1) estimate the awareness of college students of their critical health numbers (CHN); and (2) compare a college of pharmacy entry class (IP1) with second semester non-commuter freshman college students (FCS) in knowing their numbers. A cross-sectional 15-item pre-test survey was conducted among a convenience sample of IP1 and FCS. All statistical tests were performed at α = 0.05. Awareness of their: cholesterol (7%), blood pressure (BP) (35%), glucose (8%), and body mass index (BMI) (42%) were low. The IP1, compared to FCS, were more knowledgeable of: (1) their BP (46% vs. 28%,p= 0.01); (2) BP normal range (74% vs. 63%,p= 0.02); and (3) BMI normal range (39% vs. 23%,p= 0.04). The IP1s maintained a healthier diet than the FCS (64% vs. 36%,p< 0.0001). Awareness of knowing CHN was very low. Knowledge of one's CHN was significantly associated with knowledge of normal reference values for BP, glucose, and BMI.
authors.affiliation: Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities for Research and Education, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA. dsarpong@xula.edu.
authors.forename: Daniel F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Sarpong
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of South Alabama, 5721 USA Drive N. Room 3068, Mobile, AL 36688-0002, USA. mscurry14@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: India Y
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Curry
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Jackson State University, 305 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave, Jackson, MS 39213, USA. Melinda.n.williams@students.jsums.edu.
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases; D002784:Cholesterol; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Know Your Numbers; cardiovascular disease; college students; prevention; young adults