Findings supported the TPB in predicting HIV testing intention. Although future studies must determine the generalizability of these results, the findings highlight the importance of perceived behavioral control, attitude, and perceived risk of HIV infection in the prediction of HIV testing intention among students who have not previously tested for HIV.

Truck drivers constitute a highly vulnerable population with very limited opportunities for healthy foods and healthy eating choices. This cross-sectional study assessed the utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in understanding and predicting healthy eating intention among Midwestern truck drivers in the United States. Participants were recruited through online trucker forums and advertisements at truck stops. Each participant completed an anonymous, web-based questionnaire that measured attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. One hundred and forty-six truck drivers responded, with the average Body Mass Index (BMI) 32.7 and working as a truck driver for 10.3 years. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis assessed the predictive value of individual TPB constructs and the model. The predictive model containing the TPB constructs explained 18% of the variance in healthy eating intention, with attitude and subjective norm making significant and unique contributions. With the variance explained, the findings minimally supported the utility of TPB in understanding and predicting healthy eating intention among the truck drivers. These findings should be interpreted in view of the study limitations; the small sample size and being a self-report study. Notwithstanding, the findings highlight the importance of attitude and subjective norms in understanding and predicting healthy eating intention among Midwestern truck drivers in the United States.

Studies of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge among university students have previously been conducted, typically to the exclusion of faculty and staff. The study aim was to assess HPV knowledge among university students, staff, and faculty in the state of Indiana during 2016, 2019, and 2022. The three samples comprised a total of 1275, 1056, and 403 students, staff, and faculty respectively during 2016, 2019, and 2022. Ages ranged from 18 to 70 + each year of the study. A 27-item survey was administered including sociodemographic questions and quantitative HPV knowledge questions were modified from a previously validated instrument. Descriptive statistics characterized the study participants and differences in scores were reported. Among the overall sample who answered receiving the vaccine question (n = 1917), 39% had received the HPV vaccine. HPV knowledge significantly increased among students from 2016 to 2019 but decreased in 2022. Among staff, there was a significant knowledge difference between 2016 and 2022, but no significant knowledge difference among the faculty. About 86% of the total sample did not know that HPV usually does not need any treatment. Further, participants correct knowledge scores were less than average on the following items: HPV can cause throat cancer (49%); HPV can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact (42%). More education and campus-wide efforts need to be implemented to increase awareness and accurate HPV-knowledge. Targeted and individual messaging for students, staff, and faculty may be a way to increase awareness of HPV and improve HPV knowledge.

Dear Editors,E-cigarette consumption has increased rapidly over recent years, partly due to the belief that the use of e-cigarettes is a potential smoking cessation aid, and harm-reducing alternative to conventional cigarettes 1 . However, evidence is mixed regarding the efficacy of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation 2 . Further, potential harmful health effects of e-cigarettes have been reported, but scientific research is yet to fully examine these effects 3 . In view of the inconsistent conclusions regarding e-cigarette safety, and use as a smoking cessation aid, it is unclear how health professionals, such as nurses, guide their patients about e-cigarette use. We assessed knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding e-cigarettes among a cohort of United States Midwestern hospital nurses using the theory of planned behavior as a theoretical framework.A cross-sectional study of nurses recruited through the hospital email system was conducted. An invitation email containing the informed consent, purpose of study, and the survey link was sent out to 200 nurses, who provide preventive care at the family medicine center of the hospital. Of these, 65 responded. The survey (available as supplementary information) measured demographics, knowledge, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and practices regarding e-cigarettes. The survey-questions utilized were adapted from a previous study 4 . Descriptive statistics characterized the study population while correlation analysis assessed associations, using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 24. Ethical approval was sought and granted by the institutional review board, and the participating hospital.All study participants had heard of e-cigarettes and 61.5% (see Table 1) reported that they knew nothing or very little about e-cigarettes. About 68% of the participants first learned about e-cigarettes through media advertisements, other sources reported include patients/ clients (23.1%), roadside posters such as billboards (4.6%), and professional sources, including journal articles and newsletters (4.6%). Half of the nurse participants were willing to learn more about e-cigarettes. There were mixed responses regarding e-cigarette safety, and efficacy in smoking cessation. About 26% of them believed e-cigarettes are safer alternatives to conventional cigarettes, and 67% agreed that e-cigarettes may be a gateway to conventional cigarette use. Support for e-cigarette regulation in public and work places was relatively high (87.6%) among the nurses. About 86% of the respondents believed that e-cigarettes should be regulated like other tobacco products. Only 34% of the nurses agreed that e-cigarettes are a helpful aid for smoking cessation. A considerable number (61.8%) of the nurses reported being uncomfortable counselling patients about e-cigarettes. Moreover, 60.3% indicated that their decision to counsel patients would most likely be influenced by their supervisors/managers and 20.6% by their co-workers. There was positive and signific...

The health benefits of physical activity are empirically supported and well accepted. However, the relationship between physical activity, physical fitness, and academic performance remains to be clearly established. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement among a sample of Illinois high school students. Analyses were based on the 2016–2017 school year Archival Fitnessgram physical fitness test scores and cumulative GPAs of ninth- through twelfth-grade students (N = 371). Pearson correlation assessed the relationship between physical fitness and academic performance. Multiple linear regression predicted students’ academic achievement. There was a positive association between total fitness and academic achievement, although not statistically significant, r (369) = .002, p = .49. The regression prediction model was statistically significant (p < .001) and accounted for approximately 25% of the variance in academic achievement (R2 = .256, adjusted R2 = .246). Academic achievement was predicted by total number of absences and gender, and to a lesser extent by socio­economic status, the curl-up, and ethnicity. The findings of this study suggest a positive association between physical fitness and academic achievement. These results are potentially relevant to the development of future education policies. Thus, policy makers, school administrators, and educators must use the knowledge gained in this study, along with existing research, as evidence to emphasize the importance of the fitness–academic link, to further support the need for quality physical education curriculum and mandated physical fitness testing.