National College Health Assessment
Fall 2004

The Student Health Service visited 34 classrooms and student groups in October and November 2004 to administer this survey. We truly appreciate the assistance we received from the 20 instructors/coaches who granted us access to these students and also to the Human Subjects Research Committee. Students were informed this survey is voluntary and anonymous. A summary of the results is as follows:

Number of valid surveys= 644

Classification of students:
    1st year  undergraduate -- 33.7%
    2nd year undergraduate -- 23.7%
    3rd year undergraduate -- 16.6%
    4th year undergraduate -- 11.6%
    5th year undergraduate -- 5.9%
    Graduate or professional -- 7.7%
    Adult special or other -- 0.7%

    Full-time student  -- 90.4%

Gender
    Male -- 27.9%
    Female -- 72.1%

Age
    Average age -- 24.3 years
    18-20 years -- 42.6%
    21-24 years -- 28.2%
    25-29 years -- 11.4%
    30+ years -- 17.9%

Housing:
    Campus residence -- 15.0%
    Fraternity or sorority -- 0.2%
    Other university -- 0.5%
    Off-campus -- 49.3%
    Parent/guardian's -- 23.3%
    Other -- 11.8%

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use
65.7% of students had 0-5 drinks the last time they "partied."
24.6% had 0 drinks the last time they "partied".

72.4% did not use cigarettes in the past 30 days.

84.7% did not use marijuana in the past 30 days.

General Health of MSU-Billings Students:

48.8% of students surveyed described their health as very good or excellent.

Within the last 12 months, college students reported experiencing:
Allergy problems -- 45.8%
Depression -- 25.9%
Back pain -- 51.6%
Sinus infection -- 26.5%
Strep Throat  -- 18.3%

Preventive Health:

87.8% reported being vaccinated with measles, mumps, rubella (2 shots)
69.9% reported having a dental exam and cleaning in the last year.
47.4% of males reported that they performed testicular self exam in the last month.
52.3% of female students reported that they performed breast self exam in the last month.
90.9% reported having their blood pressure checked in the last 2 years.
81% "mostly" or "always" wore a seatbelt within the last 12 months
19.2% reported using sunscreen daily.

Challenges Remain . . .

35% of students reported within the last 30 days driving after drinking any alcohol at all.

14.5% reported driving after having 5 or more drinks.

23.8% of female students reported being in an emotionally abusive relationship (within last 12 months).

In the last 12 months, as a result of their own drinking:
    37.8% reported doing something they later regretted
    25.2% reported having unprotected sex

If you have questions or comments about our survey or other Student Health Service programs, contact dtylermcsherry@msubillings.edu