Research & Reports | Student Health Services

Research is conducted in Student Health Services, as related to the clinical quality assurance process, the program review process, assessing student learning outcomes, and/or contributing to the advancement of college health practice. Surveys are administered periodically to students, in classroom settings, at point of service contacts, and on-line to assist in the assessment, implementation, and evaluation of program activities. In-house database information is analyzed periodically as part of clinical outcomes measurements and utilization review.

SRJC National College Health Assessment II

The Student Health Services department has outlined an ongoing cycle of assessment for their Student Learning Outcomes that includes this major assessment project every three years. The National College Health Assessment II (NCHA II) Survey is a standardized instrument used in college health settings in the United States that measures health indicators, knowledge, behaviors and needs of college students. Health issues impact student success and retention, and SRJC’s Student Health Services programs are committed to maintaining program relevancy to address health and student success issues, with effective assessment and interventions. During Spring 2016, this will represent the fourth time the survey will be implemented (started in 2007), offering a clear trend analysis and highlight changes in student health needs, partially based on the shifts in the demographic diversity of our college’s student population.

Student participants are sampled through randomly selected credit courses, with paper-based surveys administered in the classrooms in February and March. Students will be given approximately 40 minutes to complete the survey. Participation is voluntary, both for faculty of the class sections selected, and individual students in the classroom. It is completely anonymous, and SHS staff will be present during the survey administration to facilitate the process, and to maintain complete confidentiality of the survey responses.

The questions on the NCHA II are broad in scope, and include:

Student Demographics
Preventive Health Practices
Health and Life Issues Impacting Academic Performance
Violence
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use (ATOD)
Sexual Behavior
Nutrition and Exercise
Mental Health

In addition to obtaining this critical information for SHS program planning purposes, SRJC will participate in a statewide consortium of California Community Colleges that also are administering the NCHA survey at the same time. Facilitated by the Health Services Association of California Community Colleges (HSACCC), this Consortium project in the past has resulted in over 20,000 students being surveyed, representing the largest study of community college students in the nation. This large sample assists in articulating the health issues and needs of California Community College students on a statewide basis, informing policy and advocacy activities.