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Abstract
Background: The mobile health unit (MHU) was a grant-funded national initiative to explore the utilization of a mobile clinic to provide health promotion and clinical services for college students in the United States. Purpose: In 2010 and 2011, a 38-foot mobile clinic tested the feasibility of utilizing the clinic to deliver health promotion and clinical services to students on and off campus. Methods: Undergraduate peer educators, supervised by 2 certified health education specialists, provided health promotion at night (9:00 pm to midnight) near bars and restaurants. Clinical services provided on the mobile clinic included influenza vaccinations administered by nursing students. HIV antibody testing was also piloted. Results: The mobile clinic was utilized for health promotion and clinical services (N = 1561) at the pilot university. Discussion and Translation to Health Education Practice: Replication of this project could include additional health promotion and clinical services. Mobile clinics could possibly serve unmet health needs on regional campuses, and this merits further investigation. This project supports university administrators exploring the use of mobile health services in different locations on college campuses and in communities.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Dr. Valerie Rose, coauthor of the “The Late Night Breakfast Buffet” for her assistance in developing our project; Darien DeLorenzo, Executive Director, Mobile Health Clinics Association; Ayana B. Olomajeye, former Director of Regional Development in the Division of University Advancement at Miami University; and Dave Schmitt, CEO at The Armor Group, Inc. The authors also thank members of the 2008 Student Advisory Board who assisted during the planning stages of this project. These members include Renee Angelo, Christopher Escue (coauthor), Anthony (A.J.) Hayes Jr, Francoise Kazimierczuk, Erica Keeney, Breanna Robinson, and Tyler Topel.
Funding for this project was provided by a grant awarded to Dr. Reginald Fennell from the Ford Foundation, grant #10800610-0. A partnership with Amor Mobile Systems provided the Mobile Health Unit for use during this project.