Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
University of Northern Iowa--Students--Health and hygiene; University of Northern Iowa; Students, Foreign--Health and hygiene--Iowa--Cedar Falls; Students, Foreign--Health and hygiene; Students--Health and hygiene; Iowa--Cedar Falls;
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that influence the health promoting behaviors of international students at the University of Northern Iowa. More specifically, this study identified the influence of gender and area of origin on selected factors. The total population of international students at the University of Northern Iowa during the Fall 2001 semester was used for the study. This consisted of 355 students from 80 countries excluding the researcher and they responded to a 40-item questionnaire.
Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). One way analysis of variance (ANOV A) with a p < .05 alpha level and a 2-tail significance were use to identify the influence of gender and area of origin on the selected factors.
This study identified transportation, lack of cooking skills, insufficient funds, meal skipping, and culture as significant factors influencing the nutrition behaviors of international students. Seasonal weather changes, distance to exercise facilities, intimidation, and gender discomfort also influenced the exercise behaviors of international students significantly. Additionally, language and transportation influenced the health care utilization of international students. Gender differences were observed among the factors. Males were more likely to have insufficient funds and skip meals more often than females, and seasonal weather changes influenced the exercise behaviors of females more than males. Differences were also observed among the factors by area of origin. Lack of cooking skills caused South Americans to rely on fast foods more than Africans. Africans were more likely to have insufficient funds than Asians. Distance to exercise facilities influenced the exercise behaviors of South Americans more than Europeans. Africans and Asians were more likely to feel intimidated at exercise facilities than Europeans. Language influenced the health care utilization of Africans more than South Americans. Transportation difficulties influenced the health care utilization of Asians more than South Americans. Asians were more likely to feel uncomfortable at exercise facilities than Europeans.
These results suggest that some factors influence international students from certain geographic regions more than others. Health education programs should therefore be planned to better meet the needs and diverse nature of this population.
Year of Submission
2002
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services
First Advisor
Catherine Zeman
Second Advisor
Dennis Cryer
Third Advisor
Thomas Davis
Date Original
2002
Object Description
1 PDF file (92 leaves)
Copyright
©2002 Grace Kokwe Lartey
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Lartey, Grace Kokwe, "Factors Influencing the Health Promoting Behaviors of International Students at the University of Northern Iowa" (2002). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 1738.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/1738
Comments
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