HEALTH CARE

Health Beliefs, Attitudes, and Norms ofHealth Beliefs, Attitudes, and Norms of Future Health ProfessionalsFuture Health Professionals

Regarding Alcohol, Tobacco, andRegarding Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use BehaviorsOther Drug Use Behaviors

ResearcherResearcher’’s Names Name HLTH 2105HLTH 2105

School of Health SciencesSchool of Health Sciences Walden UniversityWalden University

Research ProblemResearch Problem

•• Substance use among health professionals is aSubstance use among health professionals is a serious problem that threatens the standardsserious problem that threatens the standards and delivery of care (Dunn, Byrd, & Byrd, 2000).and delivery of care (Dunn, Byrd, & Byrd, 2000).

•• In society as a whole, lifestyle patterns andIn society as a whole, lifestyle patterns and health risk factors are associated with thehealth risk factors are associated with the leading causes of death and disability in theleading causes of death and disability in the United States (CDC, 2003).United States (CDC, 2003).

Research ProblemResearch Problem

•• Studies have found that a large percentage of healthStudies have found that a large percentage of health care workers engage in unhealthy substance usecare workers engage in unhealthy substance use behaviors (William, 2002; Aldrich, 2003).behaviors (William, 2002; Aldrich, 2003).

•• As such, some health care workers may be less likely toAs such, some health care workers may be less likely to provide advice about cessation due to their own healthprovide advice about cessation due to their own health behaviors.behaviors.

•• As a result, this can effect the overall quality of theAs a result, this can effect the overall quality of the health care experience.health care experience.

PurposePurpose

•• The purpose of this study was to provide aThe purpose of this study was to provide a descriptive profile of the substance usedescriptive profile of the substance use behaviors among public health, nursing,behaviors among public health, nursing, and medical students and the psychosocialand medical students and the psychosocial factors for use.factors for use.

MethodsMethods Research DesignResearch Design

•• A sample of convenience (n=312) wasA sample of convenience (n=312) was drawn from graduate public health,drawn from graduate public health, nursing, and medical students attending anursing, and medical students attending a medium-sized public university in themedium-sized public university in the Southeast.Southeast.

MethodsMethods SampleSample

•• Subjects consisted of public healthSubjects consisted of public health (n=93), nursing (n=111), and(n=93), nursing (n=111), and medical students (n=107).medical students (n=107).

MethodsMethods Date Collection StrategiesDate Collection Strategies

•• From September 2003 to December 2003, 312From September 2003 to December 2003, 312 students were surveyed regarding their alcohol,students were surveyed regarding their alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use behaviors, as welltobacco, and other drug use behaviors, as well as their health beliefs, intentions, norms, andas their health beliefs, intentions, norms, and attitudes regarding alcohol and tobacco use.attitudes regarding alcohol and tobacco use.

•• Data were collected on site in classrooms byData were collected on site in classrooms by research staff.research staff.

MethodsMethods Date Collection StrategiesDate Collection Strategies

•• Research personnel informed studentsResearch personnel informed students about the purpose of the study, that theabout the purpose of the study, that the questionnaire was completely confidential,questionnaire was completely confidential, and that they could refuse participation.and that they could refuse participation.

MethodsMethods Date Collection StrategiesDate Collection Strategies

•• For data collection, a survey was developed forFor data collection, a survey was developed for this study.this study.

•• The instrument examined alcohol, cigarette,The instrument examined alcohol, cigarette, smokeless tobacco use, marijuana, and cocainesmokeless tobacco use, marijuana, and cocaine use. Additionally, this instrument measureduse. Additionally, this instrument measured alcohol health beliefs, intentions, norms, andalcohol health beliefs, intentions, norms, and motivation to avoid and cigarette health beliefs,motivation to avoid and cigarette health beliefs, norms, and motivation to avoid.norms, and motivation to avoid.

MethodsMethods Statistical AnalysisStatistical Analysis

•• Data were analyzed using chi-square analysis to describe theData were analyzed using chi-square analysis to describe the demographic data and substance use behaviors of the sample.demographic data and substance use behaviors of the sample.

•• One-way ANOVA was used to compare difference between the threeOne-way ANOVA was used to compare difference between the three disciplines regarding there psychosocial factors for substance use.disciplines regarding there psychosocial factors for substance use.

•• . . . Note: This study (example) was presented at a national. . . Note: This study (example) was presented at a national conference. You (students) are proposing how you would analyzeconference. You (students) are proposing how you would analyze the data. As such, your language should be in present tense. Forthe data. As such, your language should be in present tense. For example, one-way ANOVA example, one-way ANOVA would bewould be (instead of was) used to (instead of was) used to compare difference between the three disciplines regarding therecompare difference between the three disciplines regarding there psychosocial factors for use.psychosocial factors for use.

Areas of DisseminationAreas of Dissemination

•• The example provided was presented at theThe example provided was presented at the American Public Health Association ConferenceAmerican Public Health Association Conference in Boston, MA in 2007.in Boston, MA in 2007.

•• Where would you present and/or publish yourWhere would you present and/or publish your research? Why is the conference and/orresearch? Why is the conference and/or publication you selected a good fit forpublication you selected a good fit for disseminating your research? You must bedisseminating your research? You must be specific in your answer!specific in your answer!

ReferencesReferences

•• Please provide all references in APAPlease provide all references in APA format.format.