Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Weekday, Season, Federal Holidays, And Severe Weather Conditions On Emergency Department Volume In Montgomery County, Ohio, Kiran A. Faryar

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine whether day of the week, season, federal holidays, and severe weather conditions affected emergency department (ED) volume in Montgomery County, Ohio. A retrospective analysis of ED visits from July 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011 was conducted. Meteorological data in Montgomery County was obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A two tailed Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine if the total number of ED visits were significantly associated with these variables. The average number of ED visits per day was 722.5. Monday had the highest ED volume …

The Relationship Between School District Tobacco Policy And Smoking Rates Of 10th Grade Students In Montgomery County, Ohio, Ajiri E. Ikede

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Tobacco use is responsible for a multitude of preventable deaths each year in the United States. Smoking is the most common form of tobacco use and tends to begin during the adolescent years, thereby resulting in a prolonged lifetime exposure to the harmful effects of tobacco. Smoking behavior among students has been shown to be influenced by school tobacco policies, thus the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) recommends all school campuses adopt a 100% tobacco-free policy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between school district tobacco policies and student smoking rates. Survey responses from students in …

Fetal Deaths Related To Congenital Anomalies In The State Of Ohio: 2006-2010, Ashley M. Rhoby

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

This report analyzes the 2006-2010 fetal death files for the state of Ohio by a variety of maternal and fetal characteristics. The issue of fetal deaths related to congenital anomalies is a growing concern as very few epidemiologic studies have been conducted in order to assess the correlation between maternal factors and the development of congenital anomalies. For this study, maternal demographics, the presence of a congenital anomaly, and maternal risks towards the pregnancy were analyzed. A Chi-Square analysis to test for variance between fetal deaths with and without the presence of a congenital anomaly was conducted. The results showed …

Air Force Demographics Of Sexually Transmitted Infections 2007 To 2012, Daniel R. Shea

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

In the United States there is a significant gap between Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) rates of Caucasians and African Americans. This disparity is attributed to many causes including access to health care, socioeconomic status, and social dynamics. The objective of this research is to describe the racial demographics of STI infections in the Air Force and explore possible disparities based on military pay grades. The military enforces many of the recommendations on how to limit STI health disparities by offering easy access to free health care and mandatory regular checkups. Despite these policies, the data reveals significant disparities based on …

Parasites In Paraguay: An Analysis Of The Presentation And Management Of Intestinal Parasites By Short-Term Medical Mission Volunteers In Paraguay, Robert A. Eick

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Introduction. International medical aid in the form of short-term medical missions (STTMs) receives more than $250 million in annual donations. Needs assessments prior to the STTM and outcomes analysis for improvement are often lacking. Objective. Describe the patient population attended to during a one-week STTM in Paraguay, South America, while examining “parasites” as a presenting concern, as a diagnosis by the providers, and the prescription of antiparasitic treatment. This analysis identified variance in intestinal parasite presentation and management by age, gender, and location. The administration frequency of antiparasitic medication was considered as prophylactic versus disease-treatment based.

Methods. This study was …

The Healthy Lifestyle Center: A Case Study Illustrating The Opportunities And Challenges Confronting Local Health Departments In Preventing Chronic Disease, Katherine Anne Kemper Blossom

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Obesity is at epidemic levels in the United States, and is directly associated with decreased life expectancy, reduced quality of life, and increased health care costs. Public health system partners agree that reversing obesity trends will require a concerted effort led by government as well as business and civic organizations and that a multi-faceted approach will be needed to transform communities into places where the healthy choice becomes the easy choice for everyone. A foundational role for local health departments is to promote healthy behaviors. Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County (PHDMC) has a history of providing community-based health …

A Case For Gun Violence Prevention In Medical And Public Health Curriculum, Shaun Hamilton

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Gun violence profoundly impacts the landscape of violence in the United States. The costs of gun injuries are, estimated to be $100 billion each year in the United States. Although many physicians and health professionals agree that they have a role to play in the prevention of violence (American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP], 2002), there is a distinct disconnect between perceived responsibility and actual practice (Sidelinger, Guerrero, Rodriguez-Frau, & Mirabal-Colon, 2005). Physicians inherently have a role to play in the prevention of violence. The nature of their occupation places them in the “process” of violence in the form of treatment. …

Changes In Food Selection After Implementation Of A Nutritional Labeling Program In A Worksite Cafeteria, Brenda Bodenmiller

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

This quantitative study examined the individual employee selection changes that occur in cafeteria purchases after the implementation of nutritional information point of purchase campaign in a hospital worksite. The study utilized data received from daily sales. Twelve selected variables were obtained from the labeling campaign. One entrée, soup, side item, and dessert were chosen from each of the nutrition color categories: red, yellow, and green. A comparison of the monthly sales totals for the selected menu items from each category (red, yellow, green) items was completed. Each monthly total was compared for any identifiable trends. The original analysis plan was …

Diabetes Is A Community Issue: Evidence-Based Diabetes Education Outreach Programs In The African American Population, Maleka J. Embry

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

The purpose of this study was to assess the health needs of Montgomery County and determine which populations are at a greater risk for diabetes. The research looked at evidence-based diabetes outreach programs geared towards those populations and how they can be implemented in Montgomery County. Methods: The Montgomery County Community Health Assessment 2010 was examined. The assessment was conducted using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Ohio Department of Health Data Warehouse, Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association hospital discharge data, Dayton Children’s …

Improving Dental Care Access For Low-Income Populations, Ethan Jones

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

The Surgeon General’s Call to Action report in 2000 established the problem of oral health disparities as an important public health issue. Because of its widespread prevalence and preventable nature, the problem of untreated dental caries and poor oral health has been called a “neglected epidemic.” As in other areas of health, the poor often carry a disproportionate burden of oral health problems. The purpose of this research was to examine the patient population who utilized the dental clinic at the Good Neighbor House, a health and human service organization that serves as a safety net clinic, to determine the …

Adolescents, Obesity, And Motivational Interviewing, Betty J. Cheney

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

The United States has seen higher rates of obesity (18.4%) in adolescents in recent years. The impact of obesity can be felt at all levels of public health because of the co-morbidities that correlate to obesity, especially in adolescents. Health outcomes for these future adults are dampened by health behavior decisions made today. Motivational interviewing has demonstrated promising evidence but mixed results when addressing health-related behaviors in adolescents. It is unclear what intervention characteristics are most successful, so more research is required to determine the intervention most appropriate for adolescents to improve health-related behaviors and ultimately improve health outcomes associated …

Factors Affecting Uptake Of, And Adherence To, Treatment For Latent Tuberculosis Infection In Ventanilla, Peru, Mariano Matias Iberico Lozada

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

In Peru, treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) with isoniazid is free for all people younger than 20 who have been in close contact with a person with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Despite the availability of this drug therapy within the context of a TB control program that exceeds the international standards for TB care, very few children access, and even fewer complete a full course of treatment. This study was done in order to understand which factors contribute to latent tuberculosis infection treatment uptake and adherence, and whether a socio-economic intervention could improve uptake and adherence of treatment for …

The Birds, The Bees And The Stds: A Content Analysis Of Teenage Sexual Health Internet Message Boards, Jessica A. Kruse

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Recent research indicates that teenagers rely on electronic media for information about sexual health. In the present study the author examined the online information-seeking behaviors of male and female teenagers on two Internet message boards. Content analyses were conducted on user questions about pregnancy, birth control and sexually transmitted infections. Results indicated that (1) teens are very concerned about pregnancy but are less concerned about STIs, and (2) teens are not comfortable with negotiating condom use or STI testing with sexual partners. The outcomes from this study support the previous findings that teens do discuss sexual health on the Internet …

Critical Analysis Of Contemporary Public Health Genomics And Needs Assessment For Public Health Genomics Course Curriculum, Kim London

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Objective: To analyze the need for increased content on genomics in Public Health (PH) academic curriculum.

Methods: A literature synthesis was performed of various genetic science studies. Results were assessed with regard to the number and type of genomic studies published, cost to perform genetic analyses, health care provider and the public’s use and understanding of genetic testing capabilities. A search was conducted and assessment performed of public health genomics curriculum at accredited public health educational programs.

Results: The cost to sequence a single genome declined from $10 million in 2007 to under $10 thousand in 2012. This cost reduction …