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Medicine and Health Sciences

University of Central Florida

HIM 1990-2015

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Psychological Factors That Impact The Drop-Out Rate In Adolescent Sports, Nicole S. Mcclone Dec 2015

Psychological Factors That Impact The Drop-Out Rate In Adolescent Sports, Nicole S. Mcclone

HIM 1990-2015

Children are dropping out of sport at alarming rates. With the highest numbers of dropout occurring between the ages of ten and seventeen, the focus of this research is on the drop-out rates of adolescents from sport. Athletic participation has been linked to positive academic performance, key development of leadership skills, and increased engagement in the community. The research that has been conducted related to sport persistence has had a greater focus on examining factors related to the physical domain. Attention is now beginning to shift however, and researchers are looking outside the physical domain and analyzing sport attrition more …


Analyzing The Relationship Between Women's Decisions To Use Contraception And Their Partners' Perceptions Of Preventative Behavior, Kayla Gayle-Campbell Aug 2015

Analyzing The Relationship Between Women's Decisions To Use Contraception And Their Partners' Perceptions Of Preventative Behavior, Kayla Gayle-Campbell

HIM 1990-2015

A majority of adolescents and young adults report inconsistent use of safe sexual behaviors and contraception methods due to a variety of influencing factors. These practices can lead to limited future reproductive choices and can spread communicable disease in the population. The purpose of this study was to determine if a woman's decision to use a specific type of contraceptive method is influenced by her partner's attitude toward preventive sexual health practices. A secondary purpose was to analyze women's attitudes towards safe sex and contraceptive practices as independent entities of disease and pregnancy in the reproductive cycle. A literature review …


The Risk Of Secondary Lymphedema Due To Procedures In The Affected Arm Post-Mastectomy: A Literature Review, Lindsay Perna Aug 2015

The Risk Of Secondary Lymphedema Due To Procedures In The Affected Arm Post-Mastectomy: A Literature Review, Lindsay Perna

HIM 1990-2015

The risk for upper extremity lymphedema post-mastectomy in women surgically treated for breast cancer is a concern since it is often painful, aesthetically displeasing, and can increase the risk of infection. However, there is a paucity of data examining if diagnostic procedures performed in the ipsilateral arm post-mastectomy increases the risk of lymphedema. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between diagnostic procedures performed in the ipsilateral arm post-mastectomy and the occurrence of lymphedema with or without related complications. A systematic review of the literature was conducted from multiple, online databases available from 1992 through 2014, and …


Effectiveness Of Cardiac Rehabilitation: Secondary Prevention Increases Functional Capacity In Myocardial Infarction Patients, Kristin Badillo May 2015

Effectiveness Of Cardiac Rehabilitation: Secondary Prevention Increases Functional Capacity In Myocardial Infarction Patients, Kristin Badillo

HIM 1990-2015

The purpose of this study was to discern the effectiveness of Cardiac Rehabilitation/ Secondary Prevention Programs (CR/ SPP’s) by evaluating increased functional capacity in the form of MET (metabolic equivalent) scores post-myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack. The Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) survey is administered as part of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for participation in the Secondary Prevention Program. Criterion for the research included patients 65 and older, with a history of one myocardial infarction, and had completed all 36 sessions of CR. The scores from 11 SPP surveys were analyzed and compared in three time increments from …


Acculturation Factors Associated With The Prevalence Of Obesity In Immigrant Children And Adolescents, Suzeline Desir May 2015

Acculturation Factors Associated With The Prevalence Of Obesity In Immigrant Children And Adolescents, Suzeline Desir

HIM 1990-2015

Childhood obesity (CO) is a significant public health issue in the United States, including the immigrant populations. Obese children and adolescents are at increased risk for multiple preventable comorbidities that affect their physical health and psychological well-being. The perception exists that the immigrant child population may possess protection against CO, but this group also experienced an increased prevalence of CO. Acculturation, or the adaptation to American culture and lifestyles, has been shown to be associated with the increased obesity rate among immigrant children and adolescents. Understanding the association between acculturation factors and CO is necessary to effectively combat obesity among …


Total Body Water And Its Relationship To Functional Performance In Individuals With Diagnosed Osteoarthritis, Sara Hanson May 2015

Total Body Water And Its Relationship To Functional Performance In Individuals With Diagnosed Osteoarthritis, Sara Hanson

HIM 1990-2015

This study examines a possible relationship between Total Body Water (TBW) levels, osteoarthritic pain and functional performance in a sample of untrained adults. Participants complete a Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire, TBW is measured using single-frequency bioelectrical impedance (SF-BIA) and strength, balance and physical function are measured by the completion of 7 standardized functional tests. Participants in this study will include adult men and women, age 35 years and older, who have been previously diagnosed with Osteoarthritis (OA) in the hip or knee, or who score 35 or higher on the WOMAC. This study aims to …


Biomarkers In Athletes: A Meta-Analysis In Female Soccer And Field Hockey Players, Sophie Howard May 2015

Biomarkers In Athletes: A Meta-Analysis In Female Soccer And Field Hockey Players, Sophie Howard

HIM 1990-2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and potential abnormalities of biomarkers in female soccer and field hockey players by conducting a meta-analysis of previous studies. In this study, previous research on certain biomarkers (Creatine kinase, lactic acid, iron, hemoglobin, white blood cells, and cortisol) in collegiate, elite and national level female soccer and field hockey players was collected and evaluated. Studies on baseline measurements for these biomarkers in female soccer and field hockey athletes were collected and their group means were considered. These values were collectively put into individual forest plots, one for each biomarker, and …


Effects Of Caffeinated Energy Drink And Alcohol Usage On Perceived Stress And Burnout In Undergraduate Students, Arjun Patel May 2015

Effects Of Caffeinated Energy Drink And Alcohol Usage On Perceived Stress And Burnout In Undergraduate Students, Arjun Patel

HIM 1990-2015

Caffeinated energy beverages (CEDs) are a growing supplement being consumed by a large number of young adults aged 18 to 24 years of age. As these CEDs contain nutritional supplements, they are not classified the same way other beverages such as sodas are and they can thus bypass regulation by the Food and Drug Administration. Without regulation by this governing body, it is important to understand how these supplements may be affecting their target population. In this study, students from a large university were recruited in order to determine patterns of CED usage as well as how CED usage may …


Divorce, Separation, Mental Health And Risky Behaviors Among Fathers: What Are The Connections And How Does It Affect Family Health?, Nicolas Resciniti May 2015

Divorce, Separation, Mental Health And Risky Behaviors Among Fathers: What Are The Connections And How Does It Affect Family Health?, Nicolas Resciniti

HIM 1990-2015

Due to the fact that approximately 50% of US first marriages ending in divorce, there is a growing need to identify and understand the causal mechanisms behind these separations and what effects this event has upon the family unit. This study employed secondary data analyses on the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study to identify the differences in the frequency of adverse health behaviors among fathers that are coupled with their partner and those who are divorced/separated. Trends of the fathers from the baseline survey to the five-year follow-up allowed us to observe the following: Differences in adverse health behaviors, …


An Examination Of Relative Age Effects Among Junior Elite Wrestlers, Jayla Kelly May 2015

An Examination Of Relative Age Effects Among Junior Elite Wrestlers, Jayla Kelly

HIM 1990-2015

The purpose of this examination was to evaluate relative age effects among junior elite wrestlers across gender, weight class, and competitive rule sets. Using biographical data, this thesis explores trends representing an oversampling of athletes born earlier in the year, accompanied by potential effects for success in sport and an impact on retention rates. Currently, the use of chronological age is the most common form of classifying sports participants, though this type of classification may have potentially negative long- and short-term implications. Thus, the results may provide an evaluation of weight categorization as a less discriminatory competitive format in junior …


Subcutaneous Injection Techniques Of Anticoagulant Therapies, Leah Morissette May 2015

Subcutaneous Injection Techniques Of Anticoagulant Therapies, Leah Morissette

HIM 1990-2015

Subcutaneous anticoagulant medications like Heparin and Low-Molecular Weight Heparin are injections that readily cause bruising, pain, induration, and hematoma formation at the injection site. It is known that these adverse reactions can be correlated to the technique used to administer these medications; however, there is no established technique that reduces bruising, pain, induration, and hematoma formation at the site. Currently, the only protocol for subcutaneous Heparin and Low-Molecular Weight Heparin is that it is to be administered subcutaneously in the abdomen and when using a prefilled syringe, the air bubble should not be removed. The purpose of this study was …


Assessment Of Tracheostomy Care Practices In A Simulated Setting, Thomas Bolsega May 2015

Assessment Of Tracheostomy Care Practices In A Simulated Setting, Thomas Bolsega

HIM 1990-2015

Background: Although a tracheostomy is a common procedure for patients who require prolonged mechanical ventilation, little evidence exists as to the best practices for performing tracheostomy care to maintain the airway and promote skin integrity. Therefore, variability is likely, which may negatively impact patient outcomes. This study described tracheostomy care practices of registered nurses (RNs) and respiratory therapists (RTs) who regularly perform tracheostomy care in critical care settings. Methodology: The descriptive study was conducted following informed consent. RNs (n=15) and RTs (n=5) were asked to perform tracheostomy care on a simulated mannequin patient. An array of supplies (both required and …


Homophobia And Hiv Transmission: A Six-Country Comparative Analysis, Tiernan Middleton Jan 2015

Homophobia And Hiv Transmission: A Six-Country Comparative Analysis, Tiernan Middleton

HIM 1990-2015

This interdisciplinary study combines epidemiological data with anthropological theory to investigate the relationship between HIV transmission rates and systemic homophobia. Previous research has illustrated the link between high levels of structural violence and structural stigma to increased risk of diseases such as the link between African-Americans and heart disease. This study investigates the relationship between systemic homophobia and HIV transmission rates. Through operationalizing homophobia into seven distinct factors, I evaluated systemic homophobia in six countries, assigning a score 1-10 to each factor using secondary source aggregation. I compared composite scores, as well as scores in each operationalized factor to HIV …


Comparison Of Acoustic Measures In Discriminating Between Those With Friedreich's Ataxia And Neurologically Normal Peers, Sophia Luna-Webb Jan 2015

Comparison Of Acoustic Measures In Discriminating Between Those With Friedreich's Ataxia And Neurologically Normal Peers, Sophia Luna-Webb

HIM 1990-2015

Background: Technological advancements in speech acoustic analysis have led to the development of spectral/cepstral analyses due to questions regarding the validity of traditional time-based measures (i.e., Jitter, Shimmer, and Harmonics-to-Noise-Ratio) in objectifying perturbations in dysphonic voices. Aim: This study investigated the validity of time-based measures in discriminating those with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) from normal voiced (NV) peers when compared to cepstral-spectral measures. Method: A total of 120 sustained vowel phonations from an existing database of 40 participants (20 FA; 20 NV) of the vowels /ɑ/, /i/, and /o/ were analyzed to determine which set of variables (i.e., time-based vs. cepstral-spectral) …


The Effect Of Bacterial Vaginosis Associated Bacteria On Epithelial Factors Mediating Hiv Transmission, April Nguyen Jan 2015

The Effect Of Bacterial Vaginosis Associated Bacteria On Epithelial Factors Mediating Hiv Transmission, April Nguyen

HIM 1990-2015

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common female reproductive tract (FRT) condition characterized by an overgrowth of anaerobic species concurrent with the disappearance of commensal Lactobacilli species, is associated with a 60% increased risk of HIV-1 transmission. However, the role of the FRT epithelia in bacterial vaginosis-associated bacteria (BVAB)-augmented HIV- 1 transmission is unclear. To evaluate the increased risk of HIV-1 acquisition, we treated FRT epithelia with Atopobium vaginae, a prevalent BVAB, to determine the nature of the host response to BVAB exposure. Treatment of endocervical cells with A. vaginae resulted in a 1500-fold increase in the expression of the antimicrobial peptide …


Sports Massage Research Protocols And Industry Standards, Amber Kest Jan 2015

Sports Massage Research Protocols And Industry Standards, Amber Kest

HIM 1990-2015

The purpose of this study was to determine which MT techniques current licensed massage therapists practicing sports massage are using to treat delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) by conducting an anonymous online survey of practicing sports massage therapists. The secondary purpose was to determine if previous sports massage research protocols match current practices in sports massage to treat DOMS. There were 85 anonymous respondents ranging in age from 24 to 74 years with a mean age of 44.5 years. Participants included 55 female (65.5%) and 29 male (34.5%) therapists. Professional experience ranged from 4 years or less to more than …


Induced Hypothermia And Its Effects On Cardiac Arrhythmias, Shatoyia Barlow Aug 2014

Induced Hypothermia And Its Effects On Cardiac Arrhythmias, Shatoyia Barlow

HIM 1990-2015

The purpose of this integrated review of the literature was to determine the relationship between therapeutic hypothermia and cardiac arrhythmias. The reviewed literatures were English based articles from year 2003-2013. Relevant information from the American Heart Association and the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation was used to further enhance research results. The results of this literature review showed hypothermia treatment propensity to prolong QT interval without precipitating life-threatening arrhythmias. Although arrhythmias can be potentially increased under induced hypothermia, it has been shown that treatment is easier while under hypothermic conditions. The reviewed research also shows that hypothermia treatment should be …


Identifying Populations At Risk For Infection After Knee Arthroplasty: An Integrated Literature Review, Christian Coker Aug 2014

Identifying Populations At Risk For Infection After Knee Arthroplasty: An Integrated Literature Review, Christian Coker

HIM 1990-2015

The purpose of this integrated review of the literature was to explore the postsurgical infection complications commonly occurring in individuals undergoing total knee replacement surgery, and the relationship of co-morbidities, lifestyle choices, and genetics on the risk for complication. A comprehensive search of the literature focusing on the patient surgical site infection and total knee replacement surgery using the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Medical Literature On-line (MEDLINE). Initial searches revealed 80 results. Upon closer scrutiny, duplicates were removed, as well as those not relevant to infection in total knee arthroplasty. This resulted in a …


The Acquisition Of Student Nurses' Knowledge Of Genetics And Genomics And Attitudes Toward The Application Of Their Knowledge In Clinical Practice, Theresa Munroe Aug 2014

The Acquisition Of Student Nurses' Knowledge Of Genetics And Genomics And Attitudes Toward The Application Of Their Knowledge In Clinical Practice, Theresa Munroe

HIM 1990-2015

BACKGROUND: Nurses have the opportunity to bring a unique perspective to genetic and genomic healthcare through their emphasis of health promotion, prevention, screening, caring, and patient, family, and community relationships. Nurses are expected to have genetic and genomic knowledge that can be integrated into clinical practice. However, researchers today are finding nursing students are not competent or comfortable in the clinical applications of genetics and genomics, even though these students will soon be working in healthcare as it advances in these fields. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the genetic and genomic knowledge of nursing undergraduate students and …


The Use Of Mobile Applications In Preventive Care And Health-Related Conditions: A Review Of The Literature, Naomi Ringer Aug 2014

The Use Of Mobile Applications In Preventive Care And Health-Related Conditions: A Review Of The Literature, Naomi Ringer

HIM 1990-2015

The purpose of this review of literature was to understand the role of mobile device applications in health related conditions and to analyze their effects on health outcomes related to the management of chronic illnesses. Implications for future use of applications in client-centered care and interpretation of the data by health care providers was also explored. Peer-reviewed, English-language research articles published from 2008 to present were included for synthesis. Study results revealed positive outcomes when health-related mobile applications were used in practice and support clinicians' use of mobile applications as a tool for monitoring symptoms and communicating with individuals. The …


The Use Of Drug Therapy For Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd) In The Management Of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (Odd): A Literature Review, Shaina Flowers Aug 2014

The Use Of Drug Therapy For Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd) In The Management Of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (Odd): A Literature Review, Shaina Flowers

HIM 1990-2015

Children with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and a concurrent Axis I diagnosis are often prescribed drug therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to manage disruptive behavior. However, ODD symptoms tend to be poorly controlled, raising questions about the effectiveness of drug therapy in children with the condition. Safety and long term consequences of pharmacological agents for ODD are important factors clinicians must consider before initiating treatment. The purpose of this literature review is to examine the pharmacodynamics and efficacy of drug therapy used for ODD in school-age children and adolescents. Additionally, awareness of poor behavior patterns and recognition of …


Education For Pediatric Oncology Nurses On Fertility Preservation Of Pediatric Oncology Patients, Elyse Breit May 2014

Education For Pediatric Oncology Nurses On Fertility Preservation Of Pediatric Oncology Patients, Elyse Breit

HIM 1990-2015

Although the survival rate of childhood cancer is high, nearly two thirds of these survivors experience negative long-term secondary side effects from cancer treatments. Infertility is one such side effect that can have a prominent impact on quality of life as the patient ages. It is important for nurses working with pediatric oncology patients to provide the patient and family with education about risk for infertility and fertility preservation (FP) in order to allow families to make decisions about FP before cancer treatment starts. However, pediatric oncology nurses report being uneducated about FP guidelines and are hesitant to broach this …


Athletic Trainers' Knowledge And Perceptions Of Testicular Cancer And Testicular Cancer Prevention Practices, Christopher Mings May 2014

Athletic Trainers' Knowledge And Perceptions Of Testicular Cancer And Testicular Cancer Prevention Practices, Christopher Mings

HIM 1990-2015

Context: Collegiate male athletes have a higher risk of testicular cancer due to their age group, an increased risk of testicular contusions, and a lack of secondary prevention education. As the athletic training profession increases emphasis on evidence-based practice, it is important for athletic trainers to understand testicular cancer and testicular-self examination as it is outlined within their scope of practice. A general understanding of testicular cancer and the prevention techniques will be important for athletic trainers to promote awareness and health behavior practices. Objective: To examine the athletic trainers' actual knowledge, concern, perceived responsibility, training, feeling of embarrassment, and …


Factors That Influence Implementation Of Pain Management Strategies In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Geraldine Martinez May 2014

Factors That Influence Implementation Of Pain Management Strategies In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Geraldine Martinez

HIM 1990-2015

In the United States, 10% to 15% of newborns are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Painful procedures are unavoidable during NICU care; the neonate experiences approximately 12 painful procedures per day. Inconsistent and/or inappropriate pain management in the NICU remains a problem. The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalent factors that influence the implementation of pain management strategies among nurses who work in a NICU setting in a Central Florida hospital. This study was conducted using a voluntary and anonymous electronic survey. The survey was divided into two sections; the first section designed to …


Comparative Differences Between Traditional Chinese Medicine And Western Medicine In Treating Type Two Diabetes Mellitus, Neley Morales May 2014

Comparative Differences Between Traditional Chinese Medicine And Western Medicine In Treating Type Two Diabetes Mellitus, Neley Morales

HIM 1990-2015

In the United States alone, there were 25.8 million people suffering from diabetes in 2010. The prevalence of diabetes is expected to markedly increase worldwide over the next 30 years, an estimated 2.8% in 2000 and 4.4% in 2030. For individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), treatment is essential to control adverse effects such as hypertension and diabetic neuropathy. The focus of this study is to examine various approaches to maintain and improve the lifestyle of individuals suffering from T2DM. A comparative approach has been used to evaluate the differences in the treatment of T2DM with the use …


Use Of Complementary And Alternative Therapies: A Pilot Survey, Hector Ortiz-Cintron May 2014

Use Of Complementary And Alternative Therapies: A Pilot Survey, Hector Ortiz-Cintron

HIM 1990-2015

Meeting patient expectations in relation to pain management is an essential component of palliative and end-of-life care. However, previous research has demonstrated that pain is highly prevalent, especially during the four months prior to death. Poorly controlled pain contributes to cognitive failure, depression and an inability to complete daily activities. Unfortunately, pain and symptom management are often inadequate for patients placed in hospice care. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the perspectives of hospice nurses on complementary and alternative therapies to determine if there is an educational need in order to aide in the management of chronic pain …


Addressing Need For Research-Focused Nurses By Increasing Interest And Socialization At The Undergraduate Level, Sarah Thomas May 2014

Addressing Need For Research-Focused Nurses By Increasing Interest And Socialization At The Undergraduate Level, Sarah Thomas

HIM 1990-2015

The U.S. shortage of qualified nursing teachers and researchers is affecting national health care outcomes. Methods such as fast-tracking Baccalaureate nurses into graduate programs and embedding leadership development early into nursing curricula have been proposed to address faculty and research shortages. Early interest in nursing research careers increases likelihood of enrollment in graduate education. One way undergraduate nursing students may develop an interest in research careers is through a mentored apprenticeship with research-active faculty. In this thesis, the author uses an autoethnography methodology to examine the benefits that a mentored research apprenticeship model brought to her undergraduate experience. Her experience …


The Use Of Physical Restraints Among Nursing Home Residents: Do Disparities Exist?, Shekinah Fashaw Jan 2014

The Use Of Physical Restraints Among Nursing Home Residents: Do Disparities Exist?, Shekinah Fashaw

HIM 1990-2015

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to examine how nursing home (NH) characteristics, specifically racial composition of nursing homes residents, influences the use of physical restraints. As the population ages and becomes more diverse, it is essential to mitigate/eliminate racial/ethnic disparities in quality care. Methods: This is cross-sectional study using a 2010 national data set from Brown University Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research. This study employs Donabedian's Structure-Process-Outcome (SPO) conceptual framework. Statistical analysis includes univariate, bivariate, and a logistic regression model. It is hypothesized that nursing homes with higher proportions of black residents, more Medicaid residents, and for-profit …


Sodium (Na) Levels In Drinking Water (H20) And Development Of Hypertension In Children, Sara Schiffman Aug 2013

Sodium (Na) Levels In Drinking Water (H20) And Development Of Hypertension In Children, Sara Schiffman

HIM 1990-2015

This integrative review of the literature focused on sodium (Na) content in drinking water (H?O) supplies and the subsequent effect on blood pressure levels in children. Studies for this review were drawn from the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health, PubMED, Science and Technology Databases, PsychInfo, United States (US) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EPA in Florida websites. Criterion for inclusion in the data base searches were hypertension, high blood pressure, sodium in drinking water, drinking water salinity, children or preg'. Subsequently, further article selection criteria included children (under 18 years of age) and published in the English language …


Perceptions Of Senior Citizens In Central Florida Regarding Quality Of Care Under The Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act (Aca), Rafael Nieves Aug 2013

Perceptions Of Senior Citizens In Central Florida Regarding Quality Of Care Under The Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act (Aca), Rafael Nieves

HIM 1990-2015

On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) into law. This reform, it is argued, is projected to increase insurance coverage of pre-existing conditions, to expand access to insurance for more than 30 million Americans, and to increase estimated National medical spending while lowering projected Medicare spending. This thesis sought to investigate and analyze the perceptions of senior citizens in Central Florida about PPACA and their perceived effects on the healthcare quality provided to them under this law. Four sections of PPACA bill, thought to specifically pertain to the elderly, were selected …