The American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment Survey will be conducted at both the Fremont and Newark Ohlone campuses, March 15 – 25. A pilot program in 1998, the ACHA-NCHA Survey was distributed nationally to institutions of higher learning. This was an attempt to identify factors affecting the academic performance, as well as the general health and welfare of its students. This marks the 10th anniversay of the ACHA-NCHA program. Sally Bratton, RN, director of the Student Health Center at Ohlone, will supervise the disbursement of the survey on campus. “We have attempted to do random sampling to keep the data valid, but have had a difficult time enlisting enough classes with a large number of students that represent a cross section of our student population,” said Bratton, in an announcement made Friday. “We prefer classes that are more than 20 students and are varied in discipline,” she continued, soliciting the active participation of the faculty to have the survey conducted in their classrooms. The paper and pencil survey takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. “Proctors from the Student Health Center will bring the survey to your classroom to administer, give directions, stay for any questions and collect the surveys to keep the data as anonymous as possible,” said Bratton. Students are advised, prior to taking the survey, that their participation is completely voluntary. “You may choose not to participate or not to answer any specific question or you may skip any questions you are not comfortable in answering,” states the prompt at the onset of the survey. The data accumulated from the surveys taken over the past 10 years has made it possible to track the changes in health issues.
Bratton is also the Regional Representative for the Health Services Association of California Community Colleges, (HSACCC), an organization of college student health professionals. “In 2007, we were part of a 13- California-College consortium who administered the survey so were able to compare our data to other schools which was very valuable,” said Bratton. The survey consists of eight components. “Health, Health Education and Safety” leads the list, opening the survey with the question, “How would you describe your general health?” It continues with “Have you received information on the following topics from your college or university?”
Alcohol and other drug use, depression/anxiety…, as well as violence prevention are other topics that are covered in the survey. Preventive care, sexual and reproductive health to weight, nutrition and exercise and mental health are included in the data collected pertaining to student health and the impact that each of the areas surveyed has had on a student’s academic performance. The California Community College Mental Health data determined that 17 percent of students surveyed in 2007 had been diagnosed with depression, 32 percent within that school year. This adversely affects the academic performances of those students. Relationship issues and difficulties have contributed as a factor in assessing students receiving lower than average grades. Stress and sleep deprivation also have a negative impact on the health and well being of the student populace. All of these factors culminate sometimes in the result of students dropping courses altogether since they can not deal with the workload. Ohlone, in a response to the growing complexities facing students, has incorporated a life coaching program within the personal counseling services offered on campus. The Health Center under Bratton’s direction has actively participated in a “Depression Screening Day,” which is held in October.
By DENISE ANN BURGAN
Staff writer
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