COLLEGE-STUDENTS PERCEPTION OF VULNERABILITY SUSCEPTIBILITY AND DESIRE FOR HEALTH INFORMATION

The specific aims of this study were to develop a questionnaire and co nduct a survey of college students 18-22 years of age, in order to det ermine (1) their perception of being vulnerable and susceptible to hea lth problems and (2) their interest in receiving help and information about health maintenance. Material from four 2-h focus groups provided the content for the initial questionnaire. Pilot testing of the early drafts consisted of several phases in which students completed the to ol in both group situations and in face-to-face interviews. The final questionnaire was completed by 364 students on two campuses in the Mid west. Two scales were identified using factor analysis and analysis fo r internal consistency. The Vulnerability/Susceptibility Scale demonst rated a good reliability (Kuder-Richardson-20 = 0.8136) and five facto rs were identified through factor analysis. The Information Scale demo nstrated a high reliability (Kuder-Richardson-20 = 0.8958) and two fac tors were identified through factor analysis. Based on analysis of var iance (ANOVA) data, a model was developed using the variables of the V ulnerability/Susceptibility Scale, the Information Scale, gender and h ealth rating. The model was then tested using multiple regression anal ysis. This study identified health related areas about which the stude nts feel vulnerable/susceptible and are interested in receiving health help/information. This study suggests which population of college stu dents might be most receptive to health information and future behavio ral strategies.