Undergraduate University Research Articles

Diabetes Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Toward Self-Care among Nigerian Undergraduates: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Background Diabetes mellitus is a noncommunicable chronic disease that is becoming prevalent among the youthful population. Aim This study assessed diabetic awareness, knowledge, attitude, and practices among undergraduates of a Nigerian university. Methods Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 310 consenting undergraduates that completed a self-administered questionnaire on diabetes and diabetic self-care. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results The undergraduate age ranged from 16 to 30 years with the majority less than 20 years (55.5%), females 53.8%, Yoruba (87.4%), and second-year students (34.2%). Although a majority (85%) was aware of diabetes mellitus, 53% had poor knowledge, 70% had a negative attitude, and 60% had poor practices toward diabetes mellitus and diabetic self-care. Significant predictor of poor knowledge was being female (adjusted odds ratio 4.56; 95% confidence interval 2.79–7.45; p = 0.0001). Conclusion Despite high diabetes awareness, the knowledge, attitude, and practices were poor among undergraduates. There should be continuous education program on diabetes and diabetic self-care among the students.

Dual Enrollment and Conditional Credit Acceptance: Effects of Georgia’s Articulation Agreement on Timely Degree Completion

Many high school students access dual enrollment at 2-year colleges, but the credits associated with their college-level courses may not transfer if they later matriculate to 4-year institutions as first-year undergraduates. In this study, we ask whether statewide articulation agreements can support the postsecondary success of participants by preserving the credits earned and facilitating academic momentum. Employing the administrative data of students in Georgia, we use a difference-in-differences approach to investigate the effect of the state’s 2012 policy on 4-year college undergraduates who participated in dual enrollment at 2-year colleges. We find a positive impact of the policy on timely degree completion, but the effect is conditional, as it applied only to students who completed the coursework identified by the articulation agreement.

Exploring the association between social media disorder and academic procrastination of college students

The study aimed at exploring the relationship between social media disorder and academic procrastination, and to thereby investigate the mediating effects of intrusive thinking and fatigue. By enrolling 412 undergraduate college students in India, the interconnectedness of the four variables was investigated using Social Media Disorder scale by Choudhury et al. (2024), White Bear Suppression Inventory by Rassin (2003), Fatigue Assessment Scale by Michielsen et al. (2003) and Academic Procrastination Scale by Mccloskey and Scielzo (2015). The results disclosed: 1) A significant gender differences in the level of SMD; 2) Correlation analysis displayed a significant positive correlation between the four variables; 3) The multiple mediating effect test results showed that SMD caused academic procrastination directly and indirectly through three pathways.

Unveiling the relationships between language learning strategies and academic achievement among Moroccan EFL university students

This paper aims to examine language learning strategies and learning styles among EFL Moroccan undergraduate university students. It also investigates the interrelationships between learning strategies and academic achievement. The sample consisted of (N= 294) EFL undergraduate university students, enrolled in the Department of English Language at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, Beni Mellal. The participants were 151 (51.4%) females and 143 (48.6%) males, with 148 (50.3%) studying literature and 146 (49.7%) studying linguistics. The data were collected using Oxford’s (1990) Strategy Inventory to gather information on language learning strategies. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings showed that participants used language learning strategies frequently, with metacognitive strategies being the most commonly used. Memory, compensation, cognitive, metacognitive, affective, and social strategies were the most frequently used strategies in descending order. Additionally, the study found a moderately positive correlation between language learning strategies and academic achievement. Ultimately, the study drew implications for EFL students, teachers, program administrators, and curriculum designers.

Undergraduate university students mentoring program: experiences of mentors and mentees

IntroductionResearch on the impact of mentoring on students and mentors is limited. Therefore, this study explored the experiences of mentors and mentees involved in a mentoring program for undergraduate students at a governmental academic institution in Saudi Arabia. The program connected undergraduate students with peer students, academic staff, or alumni based on their needs.MethodsUsing an online survey (n = 80) and a focus group (n = 24), we examined mentees and mentors' perceptions of their mentoring experiences. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participants' responses to the survey. The focus group data were analyzed using six phases of thematic analysis.Results and discussionThe findings showed that the participants' mentoring experience was positive, with some challenges, such as limited time, unmet expectations of mentees, and a lack of student engagement. The motivation to volunteer as a mentor focused mainly on wanting to help others and appreciating the value of mentoring based on the mentors' previous experiences.

Smartphone addiction: Neck functional disability and quality of life among undergraduate university students

ABSTRACT Background: Smartphone usage is on an increasing rise among undergraduate students worldwide owing to their portability and usability. Although beneficial in many ways, excessive use places degenerative strain on the user’s skeletal system while also reducing their quality of life (QOL). This study investigated the relationships between smartphone addiction, neck functionality, and QOL among undergraduate students. Methods: A descriptive research design was adopted. Four hundred and four smartphone using undergraduates from a Ghanaian university (207 females, 197 males; mean age = 21.23 ± 1.769 years, who spent a mean of 8.13 ± 5.21 h on their smartphones daily) were recruited. The Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS), and assessment of QOL (AQoL) were used to assess smartphone addiction, functional levels of the neck, and QOL, respectively. Results: Among participants, 79.95% had a high degree of smartphone addiction. 99.26% scored above the normal range (≥20) on the CNFDS. There was a significant positive correlation between participants’ SAS and CNFDS scores (P = 0.038) and SAS and AQoL scores (P = 0.001), while CNFDS and AQoL (P = 0.885) were negatively correlated. Conclusion: Smartphone addiction is associated with neck disability among undergraduate students and negatively affects their QOL. Increasing awareness can alter how people perceive addiction. Further studies are required to understand the causes of smartphone addiction because the study also revealed that the participants were addicted to their phones.

Prevalence, predictors, perception of loneliness among medical undergraduates.

BackgroundTransition from high school to a medical school can be a challenging period for students.Life in a medical school can be very demanding with high academic pressures along with the risk of getting isolated in the new environment. As loneliness can lead to psychiatric ailments and physical disorders ,identifying and addressing the problem among medical students is the need of the hour. The authors aim was to find out the prevalence of loneliness and its various predictors among medical undergraduates. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 medical undergraduates in a private university in Maharashtra. Prevalence of loneliness was assessed using 11 item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness scale. A semi structured questionnaire was used to find out the demographic and social variables, health and study variables. ResultsAmong the 500 medical undergraduates, 450 students willingly participated. After excluding 30 students who were part of the pilot study, a total of 407 responses were taken for analysis and the rest not considered due to missing data. Sixty one percent of participants reported feeling moderately lonely, and 23.6% reported feeling severely lonely. Having financial insecurities (p=0.030) ,being a female student(p=0.01) , struggling childhood experience (p=0.003) being an introvert (p=0.006) with low self-esteem (p=0.005) and language barrier (p=0.009) less physical activity (p=0.004) more social anxiety (p=0.00) were all associated with loneliness in our study. More number of female participants perceived loneliness as a problem when compared to males (p=0.004). ConclusionPrevalence of loneliness is very high among medical undergraduates. They are more vulnerable, so various remedial measures to help reduce loneliness among them need to be addressed.

Suggestions on the construction of architectural design major under the background of vocational undergraduate

Against the backdrop of China’s vigorous development of vocational undergraduate education and the urgent need for transformation and upgrading in the construction industry, we conducted random interviews with students from vocational undergraduate colleges in Zhejiang Province that offer architectural design majors. Each school interviewed approximately 2-5 students to conduct in-depth interviews on their motivations for choosing architectural design majors. Using qualitative analysis software to encode and analyze interview data, we found that in the current environment, students’ choice of architectural design major is closely related to the charm of the architectural design major itself, personal career planning, employment considerations, personal growth experiences, and interests. This study will provide a deeper understanding of the expectations of vocational undergraduate colleges for students, which will be more helpful for the development of architectural design majors.

Personality traits, peer influence as a correlate of Nomophobic behaviour among undergraduate students in Obafemi Awolowo university, ILE-IFE, Nigeria.

The study investigated the prevalence of Nomophobic behaviour among undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. It also ascertained the correlate of each of students’ psychosocial factors (personality traits and peer influence) and Nomophobic behaviour among undergraduates. It examined the correlates of students’ social factor (peer influence) and Nomophobic behaviour and ascertained the correlates of psychological factor (personality traits) and Nomophobic behaviour among students in the study area. These were with a view to providing information on psychosocial factors that have relationship with Nomophobic behaviour among the students. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population for the study consisted of Obafemi Awolowo University undergraduate students. A sample of 1080 undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University was selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Six faculties out of 13 were selected using simple random sampling technique and two departments were selected from each of the six faculties using simple random sampling technique to give a total of 12 departments in all. Convenient sampling technique was used to select 90 (100 level to 400/500 level) students from each of the two departments selected in each faculty to make a total of 1080 respondents in all. One instrument titled Psychosocial and Nomophobic Behaviour among Undergraduate Students which contained five sections; Section A comprised item on students’ Nomophobic behaviour, Section B, contained items on students’ personality traits, and Section C comprised items on peer influence, Data collected were analyzed using percentage, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression analyses. The results showed that (83.8%) of the undergraduate students exhibited moderate level of Nomophobic behaviour. Furthermore, the results established that there was a significant relationship between each students’ personality traits and Nomophobic behaviour among the students (extraversion and Nomophobic behaviour r = 0.04, agreeableness and Nomophobic behaviour r = 0.12, conscientiousness and Nomophobic behaviour r = 0.13, neuroticism and Nomophobic behaviour r = 0.26 and openness to experience and Nomophobic behaviour r = -.01p-value< 0.05). The results also showed that there was significant relationship between peer influence and Nomophobic behaviour among the students with ([r =.18, p value< 0.05). The study concluded that peer influence had the strongest relationship with Nomophobic behaviour of university undergraduates in Obafemi Awolowo University, followed by personality traits, religiousity and depression respectively.

A cross-sectional study on the awareness of CBCT among undergraduate dental students of Central India

Background: Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is an advanced imaging device that allows in diagnosing hard tissue lesions of oral and maxillofacial location. Aim: To assess the knowledge and focus on various application elements of CBCT and also to set up the importance of dental student’s attitudes closer to new technologies utilized in dental practice among undergraduate college students of Rishiraj College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal. Strategies: Self-administered E-questionnaire inclusive of 12 questions distributed amongst 213 dental students of Rishiraj College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre. Results: It was observed through the survey that there were varied responses from the students of B.D.S 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th year and Interns, but most of students were quite aware about CBCT.

Artificial intelligence as a virtual coach in a cognitive behavioural intervention for perfectionism in young people: A randomised feasibility trial

BackgroundWe examined the feasibility and outcomes of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a virtual coach in guided self-help (GSH-AI) compared to pure self-help (PSH). MethodParticipants (N = 85 undergraduate university students; M age = 20.65 years [SD = 2.38]; 84 % female) were randomised to PSH (N = 42) or GSH-AI (N = 43). The intervention was a brief 11-module online cognitive behaviour therapy for perfectionism intervention completed over 4-weeks. GSH-AI participants were given suggested questions to ask AI for guidance in completing the intervention. Data were collected at baseline, 4- and 8-weeks post-randomisation. ResultsEngagement was good, only one person in each group did not use any modules; module completion was equivalent across conditions (6.67, SD = 3.22 and 6.18, SD = 3.42 respectively). Between baseline and post-intervention people in the GSH-AI condition showed an almost 3.5 times increase in preferring support to be received from AI versus other modes of support. Only 52 % and 22 % of participants completed 4- and 8-week post-randomisation surveys, with no differences in psychological outcomes between the PSH and GSH-AI groups. Main effects of time indicated moderate to large within-group effect size improvements for disordered eating, stress, anxiety, and perfectionism. ConclusionsQualitative feedback indicated that AI was initially acceptable as a guide and became even more acceptable after it had been experienced. Fully powered trials are required to determine the impact of AI guidance on outcomes, and whether type of AI platform (customised versus generic) and type of mental health disorder interact with its effects.

Perception of Semester System by College Teachers with Reference to Locale

In the present study an attempt is being made to critically examine the view points of the college teachers on the semester system in undergraduate colleges of Mizoram with reference to locale. For this the investigators prepared a perception scale for college teachers. The perception scale for college teachers consist of 57 statements, and were categorized under five components: General observation component, Course of study component, Evaluation component, Method of teaching component and Choice Based Credit System component. The result of the study reveals that there is no significant difference between urban teachers and rural teachers overall perception on semester system with reference to locale, similarly it was also found that there is no significant difference between urban teachers and rural teachers perception in all the components of semester system with reference to locale.

A Study on the Reform of Hybrid Mixed Teaching of Computer Composition Principles in Applied Undergraduate Colleges and Universities

A Study on the Reform of Hybrid Mixed Teaching of Computer Composition Principles in Applied Undergraduate Colleges and Universities

Test Validity of a Single-Item Food Insecurity Screening Assessment Among College Students.

Given the high prevalence of food insecurity among college students, there is an interest in identifying whether the use of a single item can adequately screen for food insecurity. The current study aimed to determine the validity of a single-item food insecurity screening question among college students. Cross-sectional study exploring food insecurity among racial and ethnic undergraduate college students. Large urban U.S. research university. Undergraduate students (n = 667) 18years or older. Food Insecurity screening was assessed via a single-item from the USDA Household Food Security Short Form (USDA FSSM-SF). Food security was assessed via the USDA FSSM-SF, a validated six-item scale that assesses food insecurity and hunger. Logistic regression assessed the validity of the single-item food insecurity question tested against the USDA FSSM-SF. The full model was statistically significant, χ2(1) = 161.44, P < .001 explaining 54.5% of the variance in food insecurity status correctly classifying 95.7% of cases. Sensitivity of the model was found to be 97.6%; specificity was found to be 69.6%. Positive predictive value was calculated to be 97.74%; negative predictive value was computed to be 68.09%. Results support for the test validity of a single-item screening question that can be used to detect food insecurity among college students and inform secondary prevention programs aimed at food insecurity.

Exploring the impact of physical exercise on mental health among female college students: the chain mediating role of coping styles and psychological resilience.

Female college students are a high-risk group for psychological conflicts, and they are more likely to adopt negative coping styles under stress, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and other psychological problems, as well as pose hidden threats to the healthy development of school education and social work. Although physical exercise is an important means of effectively alleviating the psychological health of female college students, and there may be a close relationship between coping styles and psychological resilience with physical exercise and psychological health, specific ways to promote the psychological health of female college students by influencing their coping styles and enhancing their psychological resilience have yet to be explored. The present study employed a cross-sectional design to investigate a sample of Chinese undergraduate female college students. A total of 659 participants were recruited during the second half of the 2023-2024 academic year, and they all completed assessments including the Physical Activity Rating Scale, College Mental Health Scale, Brief Coping Styles Questionnaire, and Psychological Resilience Scale. Subsequently, descriptive statistics were utilized to analyze the obtained reliable data. The study revealed two significant correlations among female college students, namely the associations between physical exercise, coping styles, psychological flexibility, and mental health. Specifically, physical exercise exhibited a positive relationship with positive coping styles and psychological resilience while displaying a negative association with negative coping styles and mental health. Moreover, psychological resilience demonstrated a positive correlation with positive coping styles but displayed negative relationships with both negative coping styles and mental health. Additionally, there was a negative relationship observed between positive coping styles and mental health. Furthermore, it was found that physical exercise significantly impacted the mental health of female college students in a detrimental manner; meanwhile, coping styles and psychological resilience played crucial mediating roles in linking physical exercise to mental health outcomes. Ultimately, our mediation model sheds the underlying mechanisms through which physical exercise predicts mental health levels among female college students; these findings underscore the importance of promoting physical exercise as an effective means to enhance overall well-being.

Differential Racialization of Filipino College Students

Filipino college students report more negative experiences on their campuses than other Asian groups in qualitative studies, but such variation is obscured in quantitative research combining all Asian students together. Little is known about Filipino American racialization in higher education. Theories of racial liminality and racial hierarchies suggest that Filipino student’s interpersonal racialized experiences will differ from those of White and Asian students while being more similar to those of Black and Latinx students. Using a large survey of early college undergraduates, we examine Filipino students’ reports of racial microaggressions compared with other racial groups. We run ordered logit regression to predict student exposure to peer, staff, and faculty microaggressions, net of controls. We find Filipino students are significantly more likely than White and Asian students to report experiencing racial microaggressions from both student peers and campus staff. Filipino students also reported significantly more faculty microaggressions than White (but not Asian) students. Black students reported significantly more student microaggressions than any other racial group but were otherwise not significantly different from Filipino students. Compared with Latinx students, Filipino students reported significantly more staff and faculty microaggressions, but similar rates of student microaggressions. We discuss theoretical and practical implications.

Effect of health education on knowledge, perception, and intended contraceptive use for family planning among university students in Pakistan

Approximately one billion women require family planning services worldwide, 842 million women are currently using modern contraceptives, and 80 million are using traditional contraceptive methods for family planning (FP). Health literacy (HL) can significantly make women aware of contraceptives for family planning. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of health education in determining perceptions and intended contraceptive use among university students in Pakistan. A pre-and post-approach with cross-sectional study design was conducted in the public sector University of Islamabad from July to December 2022. A self-administered and structured questionnaire comprising variables on knowledge level and intended contraceptive use was conducted among randomly selected students (n = 396). Survey respondents were given Health Education Intervention (HEI), which included a lecture regarding contraception use for family planning, and a posttest assessment was conducted on the same group of students. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 24 was used for statistical data analysis. An Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Health Services Academy (HSA) approved this study. A majority, 217 (55%), were female respondents. There was a significant difference in the overall mean score between pretest and posttest assessments after the intervention. Hence, the findings proved that this intervention successfully improved the knowledge and intention of the participants to use FP. Moreover, after the HEI, 99% of respondents had improved knowledge about family planning methods and the benefits of contraceptive use. Knowledge, perceived benefits, and intended use of contraceptives for FP were significantly improved after the HEI (P < 0.05). In the posttest, the most learned methods were intrauterine devices, injections, implants, and withdrawal. Most of the participants were already well aware of condoms and oral pills. The study concludes that health education is an effective intervention to improve the knowledge, perception, and intended contraceptive use among undergraduate university students regarding family planning.

PROMOTING THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF THE POPNEURO, A SUCCESSFUL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY OUTREACH PROGRAM.

Here, we report a successful initiative between Brazil and Germany to stimulate neuroscience outreach: the POPNeuro Program. The POPNeuro Program is a neuroscience outreach project created in Brazil that has been active for over ten years. It was initiated in Uruguaiana/RS/Brazil and linked to the Physiology Research Group from the Federal University of Pampa. The neuroscience dissemination was developed mainly in school environments by a team that includes neuroscientists and university undergraduate and graduate students. One of the key focuses of POPNeuro is to identify and avoid the dissemination of neuromyths (misconceptions generated by a misunderstanding, a misreading, or a misquoting of scientific facts). Following an initial research cooperation, the Brazilian and German teams decided to replicate some of the POPNeuro activities in Germany. The POPNeuro spin-off developed the first activities in Germany included neuroscience disclosure activities during the TUC Open Campus Day and a Neuroscience of Learning course for sports and physical education teachers. During the activities, participants took a quiz to identify the prevalence of neuromyths and knowledge of neuroscience facts. The results demonstrate a high prevalence of neurotmyths between the different participants. Despite the socio-cultural differences, these results are in line with previous results from POPNeuro in Brazil. Considering our experience and the participants' evaluations, we are confident that promoting the internationalization of this successful neurophysiology outreach program, expanding the Brazilian POPNeuro program in Germany will have a positive impact. This initiative represents a model of international cooperation that should be stimulated.

Familial and Individual Risk Factors, Sexual Assault, and Mental Health: A Comparison of Black, Hispanic, Asian, and White College Students.

Though sexual assault is prevalent among college campuses, there is a paucity of research on whether risk factors vary for different racial/ethnic groups. As such, this article examines familial and individual risk factors and three sexual assault types (coercive, physically forced, and incapacitated) with depressive symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms to see whether such risks vary for Black/African American, White, Asian, and Hispanic groups of college students. Data were gathered in 2019 to 2020 from 783 undergraduate college women and men at a large public university in the Midwestern United States. Results revealed that in terms of family background, Black/African American, Asian, and Hispanic students reported more experiences of child physical abuse and lower levels of warmth and support compared to White students. White college students, however, reported more frequent heavy drinking compared to Asian and Hispanic students. For sexual assault, Asian students reporting experiencing incapacitated sexual assault more so than White students, whereas Black/African American students reported experiences of physically forced sexual assault more so than White students. For mental health, Hispanic students reported more PTSD symptoms compared to White students while Asian students reported more depressive symptoms compared to their White counterparts. It is noteworthy that early experiences of child physical abuse and lower warmth and support continued to significantly impact both PTSD symptoms and depressive symptoms. Our results demonstrate the importance of going beyond the typical dichotomy of White and non-White to gain a more nuanced understanding of how risk factors vary for different racial and ethnic groups, which has implications for intervention and prevention when understanding sexual assault and mental health outcomes.

Undergraduate Science Students’ Interest in Sciences in a Flipped Instructional Strategy Learning in Zamfara State, Nigeria

University lecturers and students are surrounded by many new technology tools, giving room to use different applications and software for their personal purposes, but using these technologies for educational purposes was very low. However, the teaching and learning processes still depend exclusively on lecture method which make science less interested. Therefore, this study employed Flipped Instructional Strategy to improve students’ interest in sciences among Undergraduate University Students in Zamfara State, Nigeria. The study used Quasi-experimental design. The population of the study comprises of all undergraduate university students studying single honor courses of Biology, Chemistry and Physics for 2022/2023 session from 2 universities in Zamfara State. The sample of the study was 160 students drawn using stratified and random sampling technique. Science Students’ Interest Inventory (SSII) with reliability coefficients of 0.702 was used as an instrument for data collection. The instrument was duly validated by experts. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while ANCOVA was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that there is significant difference in the mean interest scores of undergraduate science students taught general science courses using Flipped Instructional Strategy and those taught using enhanced lecture method. Also, it implies that there is no significant gender difference on interest scores in sciences among undergraduate science students taught general science courses using Flipped Instructional Strategy. It was recommended that science lecturers should be trained by stakeholders on effective procedures for implementing FIS to improve students’ interest in sciences.