Health Promotion and Health Service/Program Use on an Urban Campus in the U.S.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to find the main predictors for the utilization of campus health-related services in order to figure out the help-seeking process of urban graduate students seeking a healthy life. Of 2,400 students, 536 were randomly selected (response rate: 22%) and recruited. Selected students responded to an online survey for September and October in 2011. In order to figure out the main predictors and their effects, five sets of binary hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted among students who used the campus services and other students who did not use them. Generally, system adjustments and social activities were closely associated with the utilization of campus health-related services. In specific service use, all had different predictor patterns. The student health service was more associated with awareness of service and system adjustments such as attendance status and semester. The counseling center was more related to age, race, physical accessibility and system adjustments, and emotional need. Minority group and physical health status were important predictors of the wellness hub use. A relaxation room was related to physical accessibility and social activities. This study suggests that the Andersen Behavioral Model can be applicable in informal campus health-related service use. Various services are needed with different approaches to encourage students in need to use services.