Honors Capstone Project
1
Advisor(s)
Dr. Kristen Sobota
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Paper
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Ballroom
Start Date
18-4-2023 2:15 PM
End Date
18-4-2023 5:00 PM
Abstract
Background: In 2019, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) reported that 77% of Americans take some kind of dietary supplement. Of the types of supplements being taken, multivitamins (MV) ranked number one overall with a percentage of 58%1. The purpose of this study is 1.) to evaluate the habits of students and faculty from Ohio Northern University taking a daily, over the counter (OTC) MV and 2.) to determine if an individual’s college affiliation in which they study or teach influences their decision in taking a daily OTC MV.
Methods: This study was conducted at Ohio Northern University and was IRB approved by the institution. An electronic survey with ten Likert scale and free response questions was developed and piloted by study authors. Study participants included enrolled students over the age of 18 and faculty who teach in the various colleges. University staff and administration were excluded from the study. Demographic information was collected as well as the college affiliation of the participants. The survey was emailed out through both the student and faculty listservs and collected responses from December 6 2022 until February 3 2023. If the participant answered “yes” to ever taking a MV, survey questions explored the individual’s habits of OTC MV use such as brand of medication, dosage form, routine, and their decision to take the product. If the participant answered “no” to taking a MV, the survey asked why and what factors would be most important in the future if they ever decided to begin a MV.
Results/Conclusion: A total of 341 students and faculty participated in the study. Out of the total participants, 90% have taken a MV with a brand name medication being preferred. The overall preferred dosage form was gummies. The results suggest that students and faculty in healthcare majors are more likely to take a daily OTC MV. When comparing the factors as to why participants take a MV, the number one most important reason to the majority of participants was “a recommendation from a primary care provider or pharmacist.” Similarly, when asked to those who currently do not take a MV if they were to start to take one, their most important factor going into making that decision would be “a recommendation from a primary care provider or pharmacist.” References available upon request.
Recommended Citation
Lenz, Zachary, "The College Decision: Exploring the Perceptions of University Students and Faculty on Taking Multivitamins" (2023). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 24.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2023/papers/24
Level of Access
Restricted to ONU Community
Restricted
Available to ONU community via local IP address and ONU login.
The College Decision: Exploring the Perceptions of University Students and Faculty on Taking Multivitamins
ONU McIntosh Center; Ballroom
Background: In 2019, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) reported that 77% of Americans take some kind of dietary supplement. Of the types of supplements being taken, multivitamins (MV) ranked number one overall with a percentage of 58%1. The purpose of this study is 1.) to evaluate the habits of students and faculty from Ohio Northern University taking a daily, over the counter (OTC) MV and 2.) to determine if an individual’s college affiliation in which they study or teach influences their decision in taking a daily OTC MV.
Methods: This study was conducted at Ohio Northern University and was IRB approved by the institution. An electronic survey with ten Likert scale and free response questions was developed and piloted by study authors. Study participants included enrolled students over the age of 18 and faculty who teach in the various colleges. University staff and administration were excluded from the study. Demographic information was collected as well as the college affiliation of the participants. The survey was emailed out through both the student and faculty listservs and collected responses from December 6 2022 until February 3 2023. If the participant answered “yes” to ever taking a MV, survey questions explored the individual’s habits of OTC MV use such as brand of medication, dosage form, routine, and their decision to take the product. If the participant answered “no” to taking a MV, the survey asked why and what factors would be most important in the future if they ever decided to begin a MV.
Results/Conclusion: A total of 341 students and faculty participated in the study. Out of the total participants, 90% have taken a MV with a brand name medication being preferred. The overall preferred dosage form was gummies. The results suggest that students and faculty in healthcare majors are more likely to take a daily OTC MV. When comparing the factors as to why participants take a MV, the number one most important reason to the majority of participants was “a recommendation from a primary care provider or pharmacist.” Similarly, when asked to those who currently do not take a MV if they were to start to take one, their most important factor going into making that decision would be “a recommendation from a primary care provider or pharmacist.” References available upon request.