An undergraduate curriculum to study health risk factors of college students in Guam: The Pacific Islands Cohort of College Students (PICCS)

Abstract

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.