141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

293657
An examination of health promotion practices in seminary schools: Implications for clergy in training

Monday, November 4, 2013 : 2:50 PM - 3:10 PM

Melissa Bopp, PhD , Dept. of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Meghan Baruth, PhD , Arnold School of Public Health, Prevention Research Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Seminary schools are responsible for training clergy members and clergy have been shown to be influential on the health environment of faith-based organizations. The purpose of this study was to document the current health environment at seminaries in the United States. This was a cross-sectional, mixed method study using print and online surveys. Seminary schools (n=57, representing 28% of the seminaries in the US) in the United States self-reported on health programs and policies at seminary schools. Basic statistics described the sample, health programs and related polices available at schools; t-tests and chi-square tests examined differences between large and small schools. On average campuses offered 2.59±1.68 health resources for students, with campus exercise facilities (n=30, 60%) as the most common resource available. Most reported smoking restrictions on campus, limited bike parking, considerable ease for parking on campus, and driving as the most common mode of travel to campus. Larger seminaries were more likely to report a physical activity/exercise center on campus (χ2=10.73, df=1, p=0.001) and reported more health and wellness resources (t=2.32, p=0.02) compared with smaller schools. Smaller schools reported more strict smoking policies and were more likely to report that smoking was not permitted at all on campus (χ2=7.00, df=2, p=0.03). Larger schools were more likely to offer more bike parking (χ2=10.28, df=4, p=0.03). These results provide some insight into the health-related environment of seminary schools influencing the next generation of clergy members. These institutions should be recognized as an invaluable partner for health promoting interventions.

Learning Areas:
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify some of the current health promotion activities in seminary schools. Discuss how the health promotion environment in seminary schools has implications on future faith-based organizations.

Keywords: Faith Community, Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I designed and implemented the study, analyzed the results and wrote the abstract
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.