Background: The non-communicable disease epidemic among Pacific Islanders prompted the Pacific Island Health Officers Association to declare a health emergency throughout the United States-Affiliated Pacific Islands (Resolution #48-01). Subsequently, the University of Guam Health Science Program initiated the Pacific Islands Cohort of College Students (PICCS). The purpose here is to (1) describe the PICCS development and (2) estimate 2016 baseline health indicators of participants enrolled in PICCS. Methods: Research theory and application were incorporated in undergraduate core courses. Student researchers led data collection, analysis, and dissemination of a cross-sectional study of 417 college students conducted September–December 2016. Self-reported information on demographics, health risk behaviors, and awareness were ascertained. Height and weight were measured to estimate weight status. Mean (standard deviation) for ratio variables and frequency (percentages) for categorical variables were calculated. Results: The PICCS curriculum resulted in multiple successes: 22 abstracts, one manuscript, five acceptances to health leadership programs, four travel awards, and one federal grant. Mean age of the 2016 PICCS research participants was 22.5 (3.6) years. Majority was female (55%). The predominant race/ethnic groups were single-race Asians (49%) and Pacific Islanders (31%) followed by Other/Mixed Ethnicity (20%). Majority reported health risk behaviors: inadequate sleep (63%), high stress (66%), frequent fast-food consumption (63%), infrequent fruit/vegetable intake (81%), and sedentary lifestyle (64%). Overweight and obesity (49%) were also a concern. Conclusion: The PICCS curriculum produced multiple research successes. Integration in an undergraduate program will sustain the monitoring of college student health risk behaviors and informing of targeted intervention strategies.
Background The non-communicable disease (NCD) epidemic among Pacific Islanders prompted the declaration of a regional state of NCD emergency throughout the United States-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPIs) in 2010. Subsequently, the University of Guam Health Science Program launched a pilot study on NCD research in its undergraduate curriculum modeled after the Pacific Data for Decision Making (DDM) framework – a field epidemiology training program employed in the USAPIs. The primary objective of the research is to conduct annual assessments of student health indicators with plans for longitudinal follow-up. Here, development and evaluation of the undergraduate research curriculum are described. Methods The Pacific DDM framework covering knowledge and skills in resourcing, types of data and indicators, data sources, data management, information products, and data dissemination and use were incorporated in undergraduate core courses of the Health Science Program. During the data collection pilot years, 2013 and 2014, a survey containing questions predominantly on NCD risk factors was launched at the university. The survey was administered by upperclassmen in the Health Science Program and evolved into the Pacific Islands Cohort of College Students (PICCS) research study. The initial years were spent developing the infrastructure. Program outputs were tracked annually to measure program success. Results Students in the Health Science Program obtained research knowledge and skills through various courses while enrolled in the program. The PICCS data collection continued annually as a cross-sectional survey from 2015 to current. Numerous successes have resulted including student abstracts and publications, acceptances to summer programs and fellowships, a sustained annual health fair for college students, a grant award, and other program-related impacts. Conclusion The PICCS framework provided the organizational structure and documented tools, protocols, roles, and responsibilities to enhance consistency and reproducibility. Undergraduate students applied their knowledge and skills to an ongoing study focused on NCD risk factor surveillance of college students. Additionally, multiple research successes have been achieved through the PICCS curriculum. Plans are underway to begin the longitudinal design of the PICCS research study and sustain it through the curriculum, with room for adaptation as courses are updated over time.
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