Digital Commons Network^™

Substance Use And Psychosocial Status Among People Living With Hiv/Aids Who Encountered Hiv Stigma In China: Stratified Analyses By Socio-Economic Status, Chen Zhang, Xiaoming Li, Yu Liu, Shan Qiao, Yuejiao Zhou, Zhiyong Shen, Yi Chen

Faculty Publications

This study examined whether the impact of HIV stigma on psychosocial status and substance use among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) differed by their socio-economic status (SES) in a Chinese setting. A total of 2,987 PLWHA were recruited from 12 sites with the highest number of cumulative HIV incidence in Guangxi, China. Participants were asked to provide information regarding their psychosocial status (e.g., depression, anxiety), history of substance use (e.g., tobacco, alcohol and drug) and SES (e.g., education, monthly income, residence type, and job category). By employing stratified multivariate regression analyses, we assessed stratum-specific impacts of HIV stigma on PLWHA’s …

Substance Use And Psychosocial Status Among People Living With Hiv/Aids Who Encountered Hiv Stigma In China: Stratified Analyses By Socio-Economic Status, Chen Zhang, Xiaoming Li Ph.D., Yu Liu, Shan Qiao Ph.D., Yuejiao Zhou, Zhiyong Shen, Yi Chen

Faculty Publications

This study examined whether the impact of HIV stigma on psychosocial status and substance use among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) differed by their socio-economic status (SES) in a Chinese setting. A total of 2,987 PLWHA were recruited from 12 sites with the highest number of cumulative HIV incidence in Guangxi, China. Participants were asked to provide information regarding their psychosocial status (e.g., depression, anxiety), history of substance use (e.g., tobacco, alcohol and drug) and SES (e.g., education, monthly income, residence type, and job category). By employing stratified multivariate regression analyses, we assessed stratum-specific impacts of HIV stigma on PLWHA’s …

Peer Victimization And Depressive Symptoms Among Rural-To-Urban Migrant Children In China: The Protective Role Of Resilience, Zhi Ye, Lihua Chen, Sayward Harrison, Haiying Guo, Xiaoming Li, Danhua Lin

Faculty Publications

Peer victimization can have a profound effect on children’s wellbeing and is a known risk factor for depression in childhood. Migrant children experience peer victimization at higher rates than non-migrant peers; however, limited research has examined psychological factors that may serve to reduce depression risk for this group. In particular, no studies have yet investigated whether resilience, including personal characteristics, and a strong social support network, may moderate the relationship between peer victimization and depressive symptoms for migrant children. This study utilized a latent interaction model to examine the effect of resilience on the relationship between peer victimization and depressive …

Test Site Predicts Hiv Care Linkage And Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation: A Prospective 3.5 Year Cohort Study Of Hivpositive Testers In Northern Tanzania, Elizabeth A. Reddy, Chris Bernard Agala, Venance P. Maro, Jan Ostermann, Brian W. Pence, Dafrosa K. Itemba, Donna Safley, Jia Yao, Nathan M. Thielman, Kathryn Whetten

Faculty Publications

Background: Linkage to HIV care is crucial to the success of antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs worldwide, loss to follow up at all stages of the care continuum is frequent, and long-term prospective studies of care linkage are currently lacking.

Methods: Consecutive clients who tested HIV-positive were enrolled from four HIV testing centers (1 health facility and 3 community-based centers) in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania as part of the larger Coping with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania (CHAT) prospective observational study. Biannual interviews were conducted over 3.5 years, assessing care linkage, retention, and mental health. Bivariable and multivariate logistic regression analyses were …

Does Reactance Against Cigarette Warning Labels Matter? Warning Label Responses And Downstream Smoking Cessation Amongst Adult Smokers In Australia, Canada, Mexico And The United States, Yoo Jin Cho, Jim Thrasher, Kamala Swayampakala, Hua-Hie Yong, Robert Mckeever, David Hammond, Dien Anshari, K. Michael Cummings, Ron Borland

Faculty Publications

Objective

Some researchers have raised concerns that pictorial health warning labels (HWLs) on cigarette packages may lead to message rejection and reduced effectiveness of HWL messages. This study aimed to determine how state reactance (i.e., negative affect due to perceived manipulation) in response to both pictorial and text-only HWLs is associated with other types of HWL responses and with subsequent cessation attempts.

Methods

Survey data were collected every 4 months between September 2013 and 2014 from online panels of adult smokers in Australia, Canada, Mexico, and the US were analyzed. Participants with at least one wave of follow-up were included …

Bayesian Semiparametric Quantile Regression For Clustered Data, Xin Tong

Theses and Dissertations

Traditional frequentist quantile regression makes few assumptions on the form of the error distribution and thus is able to accommodate non-normal errors. However, inference on the quantile regression models could be challenging for the unknown error distribution, though asymptotic or resampling methods were developed. Bayesian literature on quantile regression with random effects is relatively limited. The quantile regression approach proposed in this dissertation is founded on Bayesian probabilistic modeling for the underlying unknown distributions. By adopting the error density with a nonparametric scale mixture models, we developed Bayesian semiparametric models to make an inference on any quantile of interest and …

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Effects On Core Temperature, Hydration, Gastrointestinal Distress, And Performance In Exercising Humans, Dawn Marie Emerson

Theses and Dissertations

Naproxen is a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug designed to relieve pain and inflammation. Due to potentially adverse effects on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, cardiovascular and immune system, and renal function, naproxen may negatively affect thermoregulation, fluid and electrolyte balance, and performance during exercise, particularly in the heat. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of naproxen on core temperature (Tc), inflammation, hydration, GI distress, and performance during cycling in a hot environment. We utilized a double-blind, randomized and counterbalanced, cross-over design to determine the effects of naproxen (dose = 3 220 mg naproxen sodium pills) …

Effectiveness Of Community-Based Eibi Treatment: A Longitudinal Analysis Of Adaptive Behavior And Language Outcomes, John Kuntz

Theses and Dissertations

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of lifelong, neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication, relationship development and by the presence of repetitive or stereotypical behaviors including restricted interests. Continued advances in understanding treatment outcomes and broadening access to effective treatment is critical to improving the quality of life of children with autism and their families and minimizing the cost associated with care. The overall aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a community-based implementation of an Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) treatment program through a large-sample, longitudinal secondary analysis of administrative data. Additionally, …

Frequency Of Colonoscopy Surveillance In Average-Risk Adults Relative To Guideline Recommendations, Meng-Han Tsai

Theses and Dissertations

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cancer in the United States with an estimated 132,700 new cases and 49,700 deaths in 2015. Well-performed screening colonoscopies prevent cancer by allowing visualization of the entire colon and removal of precancerous polyps (adenomas). Persons with high-risk polyps at screening are therefore advised to undergo periodic surveillance colonoscopy. Screening and surveillance colonoscopy guidelines were updated by the U.S. Multi-society Task Force (USMSTF) in 2006, which emphasized risk stratification by polyp features at screening colonoscopy.

This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with screening colonoscopy at an endoscopy center in South Carolina between …

Sleep Disruption And Cancer Incidence In A Southeastern Veteran Population, Alexandria F. Delage

Theses and Dissertations

Sleep disruption influences biological processes that can facilitate carcinogenesis. However, studies examining the relationship between sleep disruption and cancer risk have been inconclusive. This retrospective cohort study used de-identified data from the Veterans Administration (VA) electronic medical record to test the hypothesis that sleep disorder diagnoses among Veterans seeking care in the Southeast United States Service Network are associated with increased risk for cancer of the prostate, breast, colorectum, or total cancer (1999-2010, N=663,869). Sleep disorders were defined as patients with an in- or out-patient diagnosis as specified by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders. Cancer cases were defined as …

Prospective Assessment Of Health Disparities And Injury Risk Factors At Basic Combat Training At Ft. Jackson, Kristin Lescalleet

Theses and Dissertations

Numerous recruits for Basic Combat Training (BCT) for the Army fail to complete the course due to injury and time lost. This study was designed to provide a more thorough list of risk factors involved in injury and attrition through real-time data analysis throughout a cycle of BCT. Throughout BCT, a researcher was placed in the Battalion Aid Station (BAS) and recorded the reason for the visit, whether it was a new or existing condition, injury location, medical history, and how long this injury has been an issue. Several risk factors were tested: sex, age, and ethnicity/race. It was found …

Low-Intensity Physical Activity And Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Among Older Adults With Multiple Chronic Conditions, Yueyao Li

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among older adults in the Unites States and is driven largely by cardiometabolic risk factors including elevated blood pressure and blood glucose. Studies have found the protective effect of moderate intensity physical activity (MIPA) and vigorous intensity physical activity (VIPA) on cardiometabolic risk factor; however, the association between light physical activity (LIPA) and cardiometabolic risk factor among older adults is not clear.

Objectives:

1. Examine the association between LIPA and cardiometabolic risk factors.
2. Examine whether the association between LIPA and cardiometabolic risk factor is moderated by multiple chronic conditions. …

Conversations About Sexuality On A Public University Campus: Exploring Perspectives From Campus Ministry Leaders And Students, Charis Rebecca Davidson

Theses and Dissertations

Since the 1800s, religious organizations have been a presence on public universities. However, there is limited research on the influence these organizations may have on student health communication and behaviors. Prior research on campus ministries has focused primarily on the culture of individual organizations. In this study, researchers explored the goals and experiences of USC leaders related to communication around sexuality with their students, as well as student perceptions of these messages, and how students incorporate religious messages about sexuality into their lives. The present study had four aims:

1. Assess whether students participating in campus ministries at USC differ …

Exposure To Mass Media And Interpersonal Counseling Has Additive Effects On Exclusive Breastfeeding And Its Psychosocial Determinants Among Vietnamese Mothers, Phuong H. Nguyen, Sunny S. Kim, Tuan T. Nguyen, Nemat Hajeebhoy, Lan M. Tran, Silvia Alayon, Marie T. Ruel, Rahul Rawat, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., Purnima Menon

Faculty Publications

The pathways through which behavior change interventions impact breastfeeding practices have not been well studied. This study aimed to examine: (1) the effects of exposure to mass media and interpersonal counseling on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and hypothesized psychosocial determinants (i.e. knowledge, intention, beliefs, social norms, and self-efficacy); and (2) the pathways through which exposure to mass media and interpersonal counseling are associated with EBF. We used survey data from mothers with children< 2 year (n = 2045) from the 2013 process evaluation of Alive & Thrive’s program in Viet Nam. Multiple linear regression analyses and structural equation modeling were used to estimate effects. Exposure to mass media only, interpersonal counseling only, both or neither was 51%, 5%, 19% and 25%, respectively. Exposure to both mass media and interpersonal counseling had additive effects on EBF as well as on related psychosocial factors, compared with no exposure. For example, EBF prevalence was 26.1 percentage points (pp) higher in the group that received interpersonal counseling only, 3.9 pp higher in the mass media group and 31.8 pp higher in the group that received both interventions. As hypothesized, more than 90% of the total effect of the two interventions on EBF was explained by the psychosocial factors measured. Our findings suggest that combining different behavior change interventions leads to greater changes in psychosocial factors, which in turn positively affects breastfeeding behaviors.

Social Communication As An Early Indicator Of Autism In High-Risk Infant Populations, Alexis Marie Brewer

Senior Theses

This senior thesis analyzes the social communicative profiles of children at high-risk for autism compared to typically developing controls. The project focuses specifically on the differences in initiating joint attention gaze shifts and joint attention gestures at 12 months in two high-risk groups, children with fragile X syndrome and younger siblings of children already diagnosed with autism. Their frequencies of gaze shifts and gestures were also analyzed to determine whether the joint attention behaviors are indicative of later autism symptom severity at 24 months.

Standpoint: Black Queer Southern Revelations, Mitchell Joseph Sewell

Senior Theses

This senior thesis project is a collection of spoken word poetry organized around the theme of the experience of one black, southern, queer man.

Perceptions And Experiences Of Human Papillomavirus (Hpv) Infection And Testing Among Low-Income Mexican Women, Leith León-Maldonado, Emily Wentzell, Brandon Brown, Betania Allen-Leigh, Leticia Torres-Ibarra, Jorge Salmerón, Deborah L. Billings, Jim Thrasher, Eduardo Lazcano-Ponce

Faculty Publications

Background

HPV infection causes cervical cancer, a major contributor to morbidity and mortality among low-income Mexican women. Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing is now a primary screening strategy in Mexico’s early cervical cancer detection program (ECDP). Research on Mexican women’s perceptions of HPV and testing is necessary for establishing culturally appropriate protocols and educational materials. Here, we explore perceptions about HPV and HPV-related risk factors among low-income Mexican ECDP participants.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 ECDP participants from two primary care health clinics in Michoacán state, Mexico. Interviews addressed women’s understandings of and experiences with HPV and HPV …

Association Of Sleep Behavior To Physical Activity And Bmi In 9th And 10th Grade Students, Sonia Lina Davda

Senior Theses

Despite the topic’s popularity in research, the relationship between sleep duration and physical activity (PA) remains unclear. Measurement protocol differences, highly specific samples, and incomplete data contribute to varying results suggesting that additional research is needed. The purpose of the TRACK II study was to examine the relationship between PA, BMI, and self-reported sleep in adolescents. 369 9 th and 10 th grade students from 2 diverse school districts participated in the study. Participants completed a self-reported sleep questionnaire and had their height and weight measured. Demographic variables were also reported by participants. Actigraph accelerometers were used to objectively measure …

A Critical Analysis Of The "Young Life" Program: Implications For The Creation Of A "Leader" Manual, Christina Anne Romano

Senior Theses

The goal of this project was to create a useful and informative manual for current Young Life leaders in Columbia, South Carolina based on research from developmental literature about adolescent needs. Young Life is a nondenominational Christian youth group made up of volunteer leaders and staff people who go into local high schools to build relationships and develop an opportunity for ministry and sharing the Gospel. This project intends to critique what Young Life could be doing better in terms of catering to the needs of adolescents in this critical stage of development while coming from the perspective that the …

Prediction Of Fluoroquinolone Resistance In Gram-Negative Bacteria Causing Bloodstream Infections, Seejil Dan, Ansal Shah, Julie Ann Justo, P Brandon Bookstaver, Joseph Kohn, Helmut Albrecht, Majdi N. Al-Hasan

Faculty Publications

Increasing rates of fluoroquinolone resistance (FQ-R) have limited empirical treatment options for Gram-negative infections, particularly in patients with severe beta-lactam allergy. This case-control study aims to develop a clinical risk score to predict the probability of FQ-R in Gram-negative bloodstream isolates. Adult patients with Gram-negative bloodstream infections (BSI) hospitalized at Palmetto Health System in Columbia, South Carolina, from 2010 to 2013 were identified. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for FQ-R. Point allocation in the fluoroquinolone resistance score (FQRS) was based on regression coefficients. Model discrimination was assessed by the area under receiver operating characteristic curve …

Stigma Against People Living With Hiv/Aids In China: Does The Route Of Infection Matter?, Chen Zhang, Xiaoming Li Ph.D., Yu Liu, Shan Qiao Ph.D., Liying Zhang, Yuejiao Zhou, Zhenzhu Tang, Zhiyong Shen, Yi Chen

Faculty Publications

In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that people who contracted HIV from “blameless” routes (e.g., blood transfusion, sex with stable partners) are less stigmatized compared to people who contracted HIV from “blamable” routes (e.g., injection drug use, sex with sex workers). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,987 participants in Guangxi province, China, between 2012 and 2013. We employed both explanatory and predictive modeling strategy by using multivariate linear regression models. In the explanatory models, we assessed the association between routes of infection and three types of stigma (perceived, internalized, and enacted). From identified routes of infection that …

An Increasing Trend Of Illicit Drug Use Among Romanian University Students From 1999 To 2011, Lucia Maria Lotrean, Edna Arillo Santillan, Jim Thrasher, Valeria Laza

Faculty Publications

Aim

The present study investigates the evolution of illicit drug use among Romanian university students from 1999 to 2011.

Methods

The study was performed in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, in three phases: in 1999 (T1), in 2003 (T2) and in 2011 (T3).The study was carried out by means of anonymous questionnaires among university students aged 19-24.

Results

The results show that among girls the lifetime illicit drugs use increased statistically significantly from 2.5% in 1999 to 7.5% in 2003 and to 15% in 2011. Among boys the trend was also increasing, the prevalence of illicit drug use was 14.2% at T1, 18.1% …

Supply- And Demand-Side Factors Influencing Utilization Of Infant And Young Child Feeding Counselling Services In Viet Nam, Phuong H. Nguyen, Sunny S. Kim, Tuan T. Nguyen, Lan M. Tran, Nemat Hajeebhoy, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., Marie T. Ruel, Rahul Rawat, Purnima Menon

Faculty Publications

Adequate utilization of services is critical to maximize the impact of counselling on infant and young child feeding (IYCF), but little is known about factors affecting utilization. Our study examined supply- and demand-side factors associated with the utilization of IYCF counselling services in Viet Nam. We used survey data from mothers with children <2y >(n = 1,008) and health staff (n = 60) from the evaluation of a program that embedded IYCF counseling into the existing government health system. The frequency of never users, one-time users, repeat users, and achievers of the recommended minimum number of visits at health facilities were …

Surgical Complications And Their Impact On Patients’ Psychosocial Well-Being: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Anna Pinto, Omar Faiz, Rachel E. Davis, Alex Almoudaris, Charles Vincent

Faculty Publications

Objective Surgical complications may affect patients psychologically due to challenges such as prolonged recovery or long-lasting disability. Psychological distress could further delay patients’ recovery as stress delays wound healing and compromises immunity. This review investigates whether surgical complications adversely affect patients’ postoperative well-being and the duration of this impact.

Methods The primary data sources were ‘PsychINFO’, ‘EMBASE’ and ‘MEDLINE’ through OvidSP (year 2000 to May 2012). The reference lists of eligible articles were also reviewed. Studies were eligible if they measured the association of complications after major surgery from 4 surgical specialties (ie, cardiac, thoracic, gastrointestinal and vascular) with adult …

Differences In Resting-State Functional Connectivity Of Chronic Migraine, With And Without Medication Overuse Headache, And The Effectiveness Of Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block As A Treatment For Repairing Dysfunctional Connectivity., Kaitlin Krebs

Theses and Dissertations

Chronic Migraine (CM) is a debilitating neurological condition that occurs when the migraine frequency progresses to a chronic state of more than 15 headache days per month. The overuse of analgesic medication (MOH) is one of the most prominent risk factor of this chronification and little is known about why it is a cause. The repetitive inhibition of the Sphenopalatine Ganglion is one promising treatment that is used to treat chronic migraine. The purpose of this study is to determine if a specific pattern of disruption is present for chronic migraine, both with and without medication overuse headache, and if …

The Association Between Physical Activity And Serum Immunoglobulin G (Igg) Antibodies Against Periodontal Bacteria, A. Paige Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to add more research and evidence to the mechanisms surrounding periodontal disease, periodontal microorganisms, and physical activity. The main objective of this study is to evaluate and explore the association between physical activity and serum IgG antibodies, which are grouped into four distinct clusters, formed from species specific 19 periodontal antibody titers. This cross sectional study divided physical activity into three categories: adequately physically active, inadequately physically active, and inactive based on MET scores. Certain models were adjusted for confounders including age, sex, race/ethnicity, income-to-poverty ratio, years of formal education, smoking, alcohol intake, BMI, …

Contextualizing Multilayered Sexual Subjectivities Of Heterosexual Black Female Undergraduate Students At A Predominantly White Institution In The South, Amarachi Rossana Anakaraonye

Theses and Dissertations

This study uses an intersectional theoretical framework to examine Black college women’s sexual health by focusing on how they engage in sexual decision making within their social contexts. This qualitative study analyzed 20 individual in-depth interviews of Black female undergraduate students, ages 18-22, who attend a predominantly white institution (PWI) in the Southeastern United States. The themes that emerged from qualitative data analysis include Black female undergraduate students’ perceptions of the sexual culture of their campus and the protective strategies they employ to navigate the sexual culture in order to achieve and/or maintain physical, emotional, and social well-being. Key findings …

The Informational And Emotional Support Needs Of Grandparents Of Children With Pompe Disease, Natasha Lousie Rudy

Theses and Dissertations

The complex roles and experiences of grandparents of children with various diagnoses have been described, but previous studies have not investigated the roles and experiences of grandparents of children with treatable, Mendelian conditions such as Pompe disease. The availability of treatment and heritable nature of Pompe introduce the possibility for unique grandparent roles, experiences and needs. This is a particularly timely investigation given the advent of newborn screening for Pompe. This study aimed to characterize grandparents’ roles and involvement, identify grandparents’ information and emotional support needs, and explore the psychosocial impact felt by grandparents of children with Pompe. An online …

Comparison Of The Effects Of Energy Flux On Metabolic Conditions And Satiety In Young Adults, Molly Madison Demello

Theses and Dissertations

Within the United States, 68% of all adults have been classified as overweight to obese, as defined by 25 kg/m2 ≤ BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2. Research has shown that overweight/obese individuals can still gain health benefits through participation in aerobic activity without losing weight. These improvements include improved glucose control, CRF, HDL and quality of life. More research is necessary to understand the health benefits associated with a chronic aerobic intervention under weight stable conditions. We therefore examined the health benefits of an aerobic 6-month intervention under weight stable conditions on body composition, cholesterol and measurements of appetite and satiety …

The Influence Of Fine Particulate Matter On Inflammatory Bowel Disease In South Carolina: An Ecological Analysis, Joshua Eric Sellner

Theses and Dissertations

Background. The Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, including both Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease, are lifelong disorders of the Gastrointestinal tract. In recent years, both conditions have become much more prevalent and recognized as major public health issues. Environmental factors have become the focus of recent research around the cause of these diseases. Although shown to have detrimental effects on diseases similar to that of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, fine particulate matter’s role in these diseases has not been adequately investigated.

Aim. The purpose of this study was to test the relation of fine particulate matter with hospitalizations attributable to …