This research aimed to inform the development of a health communication campaign to increase the uptake of COVID-19 prevention behaviors among university students. Twenty-eight students attending a mid-sized public university in the southeastern United States and 84 parents or guardians of university students were recruited. The study included an online survey assessing COVID-19 prevention behaviors, perceived susceptibility to COVID-19, perceived severity of COVID-19, and semi-structured interviews to elicit beliefs on COVID-19 prevention behaviors. Students and parents/guardians reported that getting COVID-19 was possible but not necessarily likely. COVID-19 was seen as serious and at least somewhat severe. Dominant interview themes for benefits, barriers, response efficacy, and self-efficacy related to prevention behaviors are reported. Overall, perceptions of behavioral benefits, barriers, and response efficacy were often shared by parents and students but varied across behaviors. These data provide insights for future campaign development for the control of infectious diseases among college students.

Background: Obesity is a well-documented risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases associated with insulin resistance. However, research on its relationship with alcohol intake and stress markers, such as cortisol and α-amylase, remains limited, particularly among young adults in the general population. Objective: This study investigated the relationship between adiposity measures, alcohol intake, and biological stress biomarkers among college students. Methods: Participants (n = 189) completed the NIH Diet History Questionnaire II. Body composition was measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis. Salivary α-amylase (sAA) activity and cortisol (sCort) were assessed using the Salimetrics α-amylase kinetic enzyme assay and enzyme immunoassay kits, respectively. Multivariable linear regression models were used to determine the association between alcohol consumption and adiposity on biological stress biomarkers. Results: Among students who were overweight and obese, higher alcohol consumption increased sAA activity (β = 1.52, p = 0.030), with a greater effect in females (β = 2.24, p = 0.012). Body fat percentage showed similar patterns with sAA activity (β = 2.20, p = 0.015), with no significant effect in males. There was no significant interaction between BMI or body fat and alcohol consumption on sCort levels. However, significant main effects were observed for African Americans (β = 0.22, p = 0.020) and overweight and obese status (β = −0.19, p = 0.025) on male students’ sCort levels. African Americans (β = 0.21, p = 0.026) and young male adults within the underfat category (β = 0.35, p = 0.022) also exhibited increased sCort levels. Conclusion: Sex-specific patterns in physiological responses between males and females revealed stronger associations in females for sAA activity and distinct patterns in sCort levels among African American males.

Background: As Covid-19 causes increased morbidity and mortality, vaccination status is at the forefront of preventive action. However, approximately 52% of residents still need to be vaccinated in Mississippi. These rates are even higher among the 18–24-year-old demographic, where only 38% have reported full vaccination.Purpose: This study aimed to assess the underlying reasons for COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among college students in the 18-24-year-old demographic.Methods: A 21-item survey was administered to college students at a large southeastern university to assess their beliefs and vaccination status regarding COVID-19.Results: Regarding safety, intention, and severity of COVID-19, statistical significance was found between those college students who were vaccinated and those who were not.Conclusion: Several identified reasons for vaccination hesitancy were derived from perceptions and beliefs on vaccine safety, intentions, and severity of COVID-19. To increase the number of vaccinations among the 18-24-year-old demographic, communication from medical providers, close family members, and university communication may be the most effective.

Background: SARS-Cov-2 (Coronavirus Disease or COVID-19) has impacted society greatly since its arrival to the United States. More specifically, college students have had to modify their behaviors on campus to minimize the spread of the virus.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify benefits and barriers to testing, reporting, and quarantining of undergraduate college students attending a large southeastern university.Methods: Undergraduate students were asked to complete an open-ended Qualtrics survey to share their perceived benefits and barriers to engage in behaviors to detect and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Data was analyzed via Grounded Theory techniques to determine codes and subsequent themes related to the probes.Results: Themes emerged in the categories of (a) Influencing Factors, and (b) Outcomes of the Health Behavior with 12 in the former and six in the latter. Emphasis on disclosure of COVID-19 status could be beneficial in preventing the spread of the virus on large college and university campuses.Conclusion: The data collected in this study can be used to inform COVID-19-related policies and health communication campaigns at similar colleges and universities.

This study examined how food systems in rural communities developed resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a qualitative research design, we conducted semi-structured interviews with purposive community key informants (CKIs) in rural communities (designated a RUCA code 7 and higher) across 13 U.S. states. CKIs across five sectors (education, food, healthcare, family-service, and Extension) were interviewed, and 38 met the study inclusion criteria of discussing organizational connection to the food system during their inter­view. Interview questions explored partnerships, supports, challenges, and organizational lessons learned while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. The research team used a collaborative and itera­tive approach to coding the interview transcripts. After inductive coding, codes were grouped by similarity and alignment with theory-driven organi­zational action to identify themes specific to food systems. CKIs shared strategies to address rural food needs that were shaped by factors such as rural community stressor, conditions and charac­teristics, formal and informal community network structures, social capital, community capacity, and rural food systems resilience. The findings high­light the capacity of rural community organizations to collaborate to enhance food security during a community stressor. It is crucial for rural food systems to integrate these insights and strategies into their practices to effectively prepare for and tackle future challenges.