Female Undergraduate College Students Research Articles

Prevalence of dysmenorrhea and its effect on the quality of life of female undergraduate students in Nigeria

ObjectivesDysmenorrhea, also known as painful menstruation, has been a source of concern among many adolescent females and has been reported to adversely affect the quality of life of adolescents if not properly managed. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and its effect on the quality of life among female undergraduate students of a private university in Nigeria. MethodsDescriptive cross-sectional research design was utilized, and stratified sampling technique was used in selecting 397 participants based on the required sample size. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, and results were summarized using descriptive and inferential statistics with level of significance set at p < 0.05. ResultsMajority of the respondents started menstruating between ages 12–15 years. Dysmenorrhea is prevalent among 69.8% of the respondents, absent in 18.4% and sometimes occurs in 11.8%. Menstrual pain affects routine work (37.8%), sleep (29.2%), and 33.8% withdraw socially during menstruation. The approaches used during dysmenorrhea include diversional therapy (59.7%), hot water bottle technique (41.8%), medications (49.4%), lower back and abdomen massage (25.9%), herbs (24.2%) and breathing exercise (11.8%). There was a significant relationship between age and the prevalence of dysmenorrhea (p = 0.000). ConclusionDysmenorrhea is prevalent among female undergraduate students, affecting their daily routine tasks. Educating adolescents on the effective management of dysmenorrhea is necessary to enhance their quality of life.

Factors Influencing Risky Sexual Behavior: A Study of Female Undergraduate Students of University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria

Background Out of 1.9 million people living with HIV in 2018, about 1.5% were within age 15 - 49 years although efforts have been made to limit the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country but it still retains an upward trajectory in certain states due to engagement of youths in risky sexual behaviours Thus, this study examined factors influencing risky sexual behaviors among female Undergraduate Students of University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria. Methods A quantitative methodological approach was adopted for this study. The study location was the University of Lagos in Nigeria. A total number of 400 sample sizes was considered for this study. The multi-stage sampling technique was applied. The questionnaire was used in the process of gathering data for this study. Frequency count and percentage, including valid percentage and cumulative percentage, were used. Results The findings of the study showed that a significant majority of respondents 367 respondents, (91.7%) have had sexual intercourse. Peer influence played a role in the first sexual activity for the majority of respondents, with 288 respondents (78.5%) indicating that their first sexual experience was influenced by their peers. The study also revealed that (62.2%) of respondents reported engaging in unprotected mouth-to-genital contact. Conclusions Notably, peer influence emerged as a crucial component of the first sexual encounters, demonstrating the influence of their peers on their choices. Recommendations such as government implementing comprehensive sex education programs that emphasize healthy relationships were made in tandem with the findings of this study

Awareness and knowledge of ovarian cancer symptoms and risk factors among female undergraduates in the university of Ibadan

Introduction: Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common malignancy among women in Africa, it affects women more frequently than any other cancer. There are various risk factors and symptoms of ovarian cancer, but women are generally found to lack knowledge on this hence leading to late diagnosis of ovarian cancer in most women.&#x0D; Methods: This study employed a cross sectional survey technique and was conducted among female undergraduate staying in the halls of residence in the university of Ibadan. The total student population was 1496. The sample size was determined using the Taro Yamane formula and the sample size was 351 students which was allocated proportionally to each hall of residence. The research instrument used for the study is a self-administered questionnaire. Using SPSS, the data were analyzed using the frequency, percentage, and chi-square test at a significance level of 0.05%. The chi-square test of independence was used to investigate the association between the age and awareness of ovarian cancer among females in University of Ibadan’s halls of residence. It was also used to investigate the association between the level of knowledge of ovarian cancer risk factors and symptoms among female staying in Queen Elizabeth II Hall and Obafemi Awolowo Hall of residence. Using SPSS, the data were analyzed using the frequency, percentage, and chi-square test at a significance level of 0.05%.&#x0D; Results: The results showed that 92% of female undergraduate students at the University of Ibadan are well-informed about ovarian cancer and majority of female undergraduates are quite knowledgeable about the symptoms and risks factors of ovarian cancer. The study found that that there is no significant relationship between the ages of the female undergraduate students in University of Ibadan and their awareness of Ovarian cancer and also conclude that there is a significant relationship between the hall of residence of the female undergraduate students in University of Ibadan and their awareness of Ovarian cancer.&#x0D; Conclusion: In conclusion, this study has revealed just like every other related study that most female undergraduate have a considerable high knowledge about the symptoms and risk factors of ovarian cancer however the University management should take the advantage of special occasions like world cancer day should do more sensitization on the symptoms and risk factor of ovarian cancer and other type of cancer particularly in halls of residence with lower level of knowledge on ovarian cancer.

Perceived emotional invalidation, physical appearance comparisons and attitude towards cosmetic surgery among female undergraduate university students

Perceived emotional invalidation, physical appearance comparisons and attitude towards cosmetic surgery among female undergraduate university students

“Take a Mental Break”: Examining the Coping Efforts of Black College Students Exposed to Police Killings

Given the repeated police killings of unarmed Black people and their increasing visibility because of recent technological advances, Black people are especially vulnerable to adverse mental health effects. However, little is known about how they attempt to cope with these incidents or how their efforts may affect their mental health. Informed by trauma theory and stress, appraisal, and coping theory, this study used semi-structured in-depth interviews with 30 Black male and female undergraduate college students (aged 18–28) exposed to police killings of other unarmed Black people to examine their coping efforts and the impact on their mental health. Students were recruited from four historically Black colleges and universities in South Carolina. Grounded theory analysis identified several emotion-focused coping and problem-focused coping employed by Black college students to cope with repeated police killings. Furthermore, findings suggest that proactive planning for police killings, at both individual and personal network levels, buffers students against the negative mental impacts of these events. Research and practice implications suggest the need for future studies to identify and develop culturally specific interventions that support effective coping skills to mitigate adverse health outcomes for Black people in the aftermath of police killings.

Sensory profile of picky eaters among college female students

Picky eaters are at risk of an unbalanced diet, which is critical for women of reproductive age. A sensory profile, which is a potential factor in picky eating, has not been well researched. This study assessed the differences in sensory profile and dietary intake according to the picky eating status among female Japanese undergraduate college students. Cross-sectional data were obtained from the Ochanomizu Health Study conducted in 2018. The questionnaire included items regarding demographic characteristics, picky eating status, sensory profile, and dietary intake. Sensory profile was assessed using the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile questionnaire, and dietary intakes were calculated using a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. Among the 111 participants, 23% were picky eaters and 77% were non-picky eaters. The age, body mass index and household status did not differ between the picky eaters and non-picky eaters. Being a picky eater was associated with higher scores on sensory sensitivity and sensation avoiding, and lower thresholds for taste and smell, touch, and auditory stimuli than being a non-picky eater. Of the picky eaters, 58% and 100% were at a high risk for folate and iron deficiencies, respectively, compared to 35% and 81% of non-picky eaters. Nutrition education for picky eaters in reproductive age to increase vegetable dishes comfortably in their diet is suggested to prevent anemia during their future pregnancy.

Effectiveness of a cervical cancer prevention program to improve health literacy among Japanese undergraduate females in their 20s: A quasi-experimental study

To improve health literacy (HL) regarding cervical cancer prevention, a health program for females in their 20s was previously developed. The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of that program. We conducted a quasi-experimental study (with control groups) on female undergraduate students in a private university in Japan. In total, 15 and 60 students were categorized into the experimental and control groups, respectively. Intergroup pair-matching using the identified variables yielded a final assessment population of 28 students (n = 14 in each group). The data analysis consisted of group comparisons of the participants between baseline and final assessment using the Wilcoxon signed-rank sum test and McNemar's test. Experimental group comparisons revealed a significant difference in median HL scale scores (baseline, 57.0; final assessment, 66.0; p =.002), median women's health knowledge test scores (baseline, 14.5; final assessment, 16.0; p =.029), and the percentage of participants who felt confident explaining their own body to a medical practitioner (baseline, Y = 14.3, N = 0.0; final assessment, Y = 100.0, N = 0.0; p<.001); however, no significant difference was found for cervical cancer screening behavior. No changes were seen in any of the variables between baseline and final assessment in the control group. These results indicated that our program was effective for improving HL, confidence in explaining one's own body to a medical practitioner, and women's health knowledge test scores, but not for changing cervical cancer screening behaviors. Further research is needed to determine how to provide more appropriate health programs for females in their 20s.

The relationship between individual symptom connectivity and global eating disorder symptom severity.

The network approach has emerged as a useful framework for conceptualizing and investigating psychopathology, including eating disorders. Network connectivity, that is, the density of the connections among network nodes, has been somewhat neglected despite its theoretical relevance. As predicted by network theory, symptom connectivity would be distinct but related to symptom severity and may be a useful clinical indicator of psychopathology as stronger and/or more diffuse connections among symptoms offer more avenues for symptom activation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between moment-by-moment individual-level symptom connectivity and global levels of symptom severity in the context of eating disorder symptoms and experiences. A sample of 58 female undergraduate college students, mean (SD) age=20.5 (3.1) provided data on eating disorder symptoms eight times a day over the course of 10 days. Network analyses were used to calculate the eating disorder symptoms network connectivity for each participant. In addition, participants completed survey of self-report measures of eating disorder symptom severity and trait mindfulness and body image flexibility. Analyses revealed a moderate, positive relationship between individual network connectivity and eating disorder symptom severity. In addition, symptom connectivity predicted unique variance of symptom severity even after controlling for other clinically-relevant variables. Individual-level network connectivity may be an important dimension of psychopathology and further work exploring the role of network connectivity is warranted. These findings suggest that symptom severity and the extent to which different eating disorder symptoms are connected are related but different dimensions. Investigating how these different dimensions play a role in eating disorder pathology could help to better understand and treat these disorders.

Prevalence of Suicide Ideation and its Gender Distribution Among Undergraduate of University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to find out the prevalence of suicide ideation among undergraduate students of the University of Cape Coast and the gender distribution of suicide ideation among them.&#x0D; Methodology: This study was a quantitative one and it used the quasi-experimental research design, specifically, the pre-test, post-test and control group design. A total of 30 undergraduate students from four colleges of the University of Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana was non-randomly assigned to two treatment groups, Individual Psychology and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (IP and CBT) and one control group. Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation was used for the collection of data for the study. Descriptive Statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to analyse the data.&#x0D; Findings: Results showed that two out of every 15 UCC undergraduate students experience suicide ideation continuously and persistently. Again, the rate at which female students think suicidal, that is, have suicidal ideas, is higher than the male students. In other words, female undergraduate students of University of Cape Coast experience suicide ideation more than their male counterparts. It was concluded that suicide ideation is prevalent, 13.3%, among undergraduate students of UCC. &#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: Based on the findings, it was recommended that constant screening of suicide ideation be made part of the University’s program and the Counselling Centre should be mandated to organise the screening exercise. This will help educate and create more awareness on suicide ideation and offer more people, per the screening, the opportunity to benefit from the therapies.

Prevalence of Risks for Eating Disorders among Undergraduate University Students: A Cross-sectional Study from the United Arab Emirates

Background: Eating disorders are disturbances that result in severe and long-lasting abnormal eating patterns and consequences to a variety of physical and psychological components of health. Purpose: To determine the prevalence of risks for eating disorders among Emirati female undergraduate university students at higher colleges in the United Arab Emirates. Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional design, a total of 501 university students were recruited conveniently to participate in this study (the response rate was 90%). A questionnaire consisting of demographical and eating pattern sections and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) (Arabic version) were used and shared online with the university students using Google Forms. This study was conducted in the spring semester of 2020/2021. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized. Results: The prevalence of female university students with risks of eating disorders was 13.97%. The most frequent (13.6%) statement chosen by university students was “I am terrified of being overweight.” Almost 50% of the university students were not satisfied with their weight and 48.1% were dissatisfied with their physical appearance. Only 8.18% of the female university students have a family history of eating disorders and 8.98% were confirmed cases of eating disorders. Yet, the study revealed no statistically significant correlations between age (r= 0.036, P= 0.416), body mass index (r= 0.015, P= 0.734) or meals/day (r= -0.076, P= 0.087) and EAT-26 scores. Conclusions: The risks of eating disorders in the current study were lower compared to those obtained by previous studies. Regardless of that, the awareness regarding eating disorders is required by multiple education programs utilizing reading materials, online education sessions, games, mass media and social communication methods. Implications for Nursing: Extended community-based educational programs are suggested to enhance female university students’ knowledge about EDs, their consequences on health and methods to promote healthy eating habits and positive attitudes toward body image. Keywords: Eating disorders, Higher colleges, University students, United Arab Emirates, Female adolescents, Anorexia nervosa, EAT-26.

Iranian EFL and Malaysian ESL University Students’ Use of Language Learning Strategies

In recent years, more active roles have been allocated to language learners. Empowering students can help them function more autonomously and their ability to make appropriate use of language learner strategies (LLSs) predisposes them to achieve their academic goals. The participants of the present study were male and female undergraduate university students from two different countries. A multivariate analysis of variance was conducted to compare the use of the six strategy categories of memory strategies, cognitive strategies, compensation strategies, metacognitive strategies, affective strategies and social strategies together with direct strategies, indirect strategies and overall use of language learning strategies among Iranian EFL and Malaysian ESL university students. It was illuminated that social context influenced selected students’ use of social strategies. Classroom observations helped the researchers to find out about frequency of use of language learning strategies. Metacognitive and cognitive strategies were the most used in-class strategies among Iranian and Malaysian university students, respectively. It is suggested that instructors provide a wide range of language learning strategies to satisfy the needs of learners with different needs and expectations.

Perception and intention to use reproductive life plan among female final year undergraduates of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess perception (of) and intention to use reproductive life plan among 500 female final year undergraduates of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Only 22% of the respondents were aware of RLP and 63% had good perception of RLP. Most (85.1%) had the intention to plan their pregnancy and 64.5% intended to use RLP as a tool for planning pregnancy. More respondents (85.8%) who were aware of family planning methods had intention to plan their pregnancy compared to those that were not (61.5%; p = .015). Similarly, 65.8% of respondents who were aware of family planning methods had intention to use RLP compared to 23.1% of those who were not (p = .002). Respondents’ awareness of the concept of RLP was poor and majority agreed to use RLP as a tool for planning pregnancy. Awareness of family planning methods was associated with intention to use RLP. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Reproductive life plan (RLP) is a tool for setting goals in terms of childbearing. It outlines personal goals about pregnancy which includes having the desired number of children, avoiding unintended pregnancies and avoiding ill health that may threaten reproduction. RLP is a useful tool in preconception and the tool can adequately prepare young unmarried girls for motherhood, thus reducing the high rate of unintended pregnancy which remains a public health and social challenge especially in low income settings including Nigeria. What do the results of this study add? This study has been able to bridge an existing gap in knowledge because no study has been conducted to assess the perception of RLP and intention to use it as a preconception tool in Nigeria. The results provided new information on the perception and intention to use reproductive life plan among female final year undergraduate students of University of Ibadan, Nigeria. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The use of RLP serves as health promotion strategy to improve the health of each woman prior to conception by planning their pregnancies, identifying risk factors, providing education and stabilising medical conditions so as to optimise maternal and foetal outcomes.

Finding Strength in Times of Crisis? Post-Traumatic Growth During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Saudi Arabian Perspective.

This paper contributes to the Covid-19 literature by exploring the concept of post-traumatic growth (PTG) utilizing a mixed methods approach. The study examines to what extent the participants experienced positive growth and renewal arising from the prolonged period of lockdowns and emergency online learning. Exploring the experiences of 552 female undergraduate students in a private Saudi Arabian university, an online survey was utilized to gather the data. All the students had experienced online education as a result of the pandemic. The findings indicate the participants underwent a diversity of personal growth experiences. In addition, they also developed different coping mechanisms. The study provides insights into the responses of the students to the issues they were facing during the pandemic. It identifies ways in which participants experienced personal growth as well as a shift in perspective about their lives. There are implications for educators, counselors and policymakers emerging from this study.

Prevalence, patterns, and determinants of body image dissatisfaction among female undergraduate students of University of Delhi.

ABSTRACTBackground:Body image is an essential aspect of young girls’ self-definition and individual identity and is influenced by multitude of factors including cultural, social, cognitive, affective, and biological. In recent times, excessive concern about the body image has been reported and the prevalence of body image dissatisfaction (BID) has increased among adolescent and young girlsObjectives:The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of BID, its pattern and the factors associated with it among female undergraduate students and also to assess the level of concern about their body imageMethods:This cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 female undergraduate students using a contour drawing rating scale and a body shape questionnaire to assess BID and its pattern, and the level of concern about body image, respectively. Binary logistic regression was applied to identify the factors determining body image perceptionResults:The prevalence of body mage dissatisfaction was 76.7% with overweight and obesity, and media influences being significantly associated with it. Nutritional status, mother’s educational status, and media influences were the determinants. Body shape concerns were found among 30.6% of the participants out of which 7.3% reported marked to moderate concernsConclusions:Our findings highlighted a higher prevalence of perceived dissatisfaction with the body image and also that it is not simply the outcome of sociocultural pressure to conform to a certain body type but is the result of a complex interaction between individual differences in actual body mass and preference for a thin body ideal.

Relationship of eating behavior and self-esteem with body image perception and other factors among female college students of University of Delhi

BACKGROUND:Eating disorders (EDs) can lead to life-threatening nutritional deficiencies whereas self-esteem influences interpersonal relationships and academic performance. Excessive concerns about body image resulting in body dissatisfaction not only affect psychological well-being but also predisposes to disordered eating behaviors. The objective of this study is to assess the eating behavior and level of self-esteem, their relationship with body image perception and also identify factors associated with them among undergraduate female college students.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 female undergraduate students of University of Delhi. Sociodemographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Eating Attitude Test-26, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, Contour Drawing Rating Scale and Body Shape Questionnaire 34 were used to assess eating behavior, self-esteem, body image dissatisfaction and body shape concerns, respectively. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used and binary logistic regression was applied to identify the factors determining high risk eating behavior and low self-esteem.RESULTS:In this study, 27.8% of the study participants were overweight or obese, 30.6% had body shape concerns and 76.7% had body image dissatisfaction. Significant proportion (13.9%) of the participants was identified as high risk for the development of EDs and having low self-esteem (12.8%). Body shape concern and family influences were significant predictors of high risk eating behavior whereas type of college and family influences significantly predicted low self-esteem.CONCLUSIONS:The study concluded that factors such as nutritional status, family influences, type of college and body shape concerns lead to high risk eating behavior and low self-esteem. These findings will help in creating awareness on importance of concept of positive body image, healthy weight control behaviors and in developing future interventions.

Exploring the Effects of Perpetrator, Victim, and Participant Gender on Perceptions Related to Sexual Assault

ABSTRACT This study investigated male and female undergraduate college students’ perceptions of sexual assault. Participants included 280 students (115 males, 165 females; Mage = 20.30) randomly assigned to one of two vignettes: male-to-female sexual assault and female-to-male sexual assault. After reading the vignette, participants’ perceptions of negative emotional impact on the victim and perpetrator’s guilt were assessed. We hypothesized that: (a) regardless of their gender, participants would have greater perceptions of negative emotional impact on the female victim and perpetrator guilt for the male perpetrator, (b) regardless of the gender of the perpetrator or victim, male participants would have lower perceptions of negative emotional impact on the victim and perpetrator guilt compared to female participants, and (c) perceptions of emotional impact on the victim and perpetrator guilt would vary significantly depending on vignette perpetrator gender and gender of the participant. ANOVA results for guilt perceptions indicated a significant main effect for vignette perpetrator gender (p = .000) and significant interaction (p = .020). ANOVA results for emotional impact perceptions indicated significant main effects for both participant gender (p = .000) and perpetrator gender (p = .002), and the interaction was marginally significant (p = .077). Implications of these findings are discussed.

Challenges of teaching and learning grammar in online classes at the tertiary level

This paper investigates the attitude of teachers and students towards the teaching and learning of grammar for online classes. The current study aims to identify the difficulties that the students face when learning grammar through online sessions. The paper also gives an insight from teachers’ perspectives who had conducted grammar classes online. For this, 20 male and female teachers and 80 female undergraduate students of a public university in Saudi Arabia were chosen as participants to carry out the study. To find out the benefits of this shift from face-to-face classes to online classes, the instruments used were questionnaires distributed to the teachers and students who experienced online sessions for almost two semesters. Based on the findings of the results of the study, the paper concludes and gives some recommendations on how both teachers and students can cope with the challenges faced during online classes while teaching and learning grammar.

Interpersonal sensitivity and social avoidance and distress in female college students: Mediating role of self-inconsistency and moderating role of self-consciousness

This study aimed to explore the relationship between interpersonal sensitivity and college students’ social avoidance and distress. Our sample consisted of 544 Chinese female undergraduate college students selected through cluster sampling (mean age = 19.3 years, SD = 1.43 years). The students completed the Symptom Check-List-90 (SCL-90), Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS), Self-Consistency and Congruence Scale (SCCS), and Self-Consciousness Scale (SCS). The results showed that higher interpersonal sensitivity predicted higher social avoidance and distress. Self-inconsistency scores played a mediating role in the relationship between interpersonal sensitivity and social avoidance and distress. Specifically, when self-inconstancy scores were high, interpersonal sensitivity was high, and social avoidance and distress was high. Moreover, self-consciousness moderated the relationship between interpersonal sensitivity and social avoidance and distress. Specifically, when self-consciousness scores were high, self-inconsistency was low, and social avoidance and distress was low. Consistent with self-consciousness theory, we conclude from these findings that interpersonal sensitivity effects on social avoidance and distress behaviours of college students would depend on their levels of self-inconsistency and self-consciousness.

Assessment of Physical Activity among Female Undergraduate Students of Umm Al-Qura University

Background: Whereas being physically active has well-documented benefits, physical inactivitycauses major non-communicable diseases. This study assessed physical activity levels among femaleundergraduate students at Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) in Saudi Arabia.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during UQU’s first semester, spanning September toDecember 2019, and involved 516 female undergraduate students aged 18 to 27 years (mean age ± SD:22.22 ± 1.8 years). The participants were administered the online version of the International PhysicalActivity Questionnaire.Results: Among the participants, 322 (62%) had a total physical activity of 236.6 ± 141.3 MET (metabolicequivalent of task) minutes/week, indicating engagement in light-intensity physical activity; 184 (35.7%)had 2997.0 ± 613.3 MET minutes of activity per week, equivalent to moderate-intensity physical activity;and 10 of the participants registered 3193.7 ± 218.1 MET minutes of activity per week, pointing to vigorousphysical engagement.Conclusion: The female undergraduate students exhibited low rates of physical activity. Understanding thesefindings may increase awareness of implications for the essential development of government initiatives,especially Saudi Arabia’s Quality of Life Program 2030, which is aimed at increasing physical activitylevels in all ages.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Anxiety towards Covid-19 among Female Postgraduate and Undergraduate University Students in Riyadh

Despite the relentlessness of the novel Coronavirus, majority of the individuals globally worldwide have continued to be unconscious about it. They are not informed on the ways in which the virus is spread, its signs and symptoms, or the steps they need to put in consideration to avoid being infected. The main contributing factor of the high rate of spread of Coronavirus is public unawareness. To help its people from being infected with the virus, Saudi Arabia as a country has opted for rigorous and strict measures. The move is characterized by exceptional criteria with the objective of taking control of Coronavirus and prevent people from being infected. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the Coronavirus, a virus that has been identified for the first time, and it is also referred to as SARSCo- 2 [1].