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Hiv/Aids Intervention In Ghana: A Constructivist Approach To Understanding Aids Policy, Nat Papa Kobina Markin
Hiv/Aids Intervention In Ghana: A Constructivist Approach To Understanding Aids Policy, Nat Papa Kobina Markin
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This study is about how donor policy, NGO policy and public policy work together in Ghana's national strategic response to HIV and AIDS. The dissertation touches on two areas of public policy - development policy and health policy specifically relating to HIV/AIDS to determine congruity of the policy approaches of the three groups. Based on a survey done in Accra, Ghana in summer 2010 and on documentary sources of data collection, the study captures areas of agreement and disagreement of the three groups and discusses their effects on policy implementation. In broader terms, it analyzes assistance for HIV/AIDS in the …
Impact Of Diabetes On Colorectal Cancer Outcomes, Neel A. Shah
Impact Of Diabetes On Colorectal Cancer Outcomes, Neel A. Shah
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic comorbid condition seen in elderly CRC patients. Outcomes of CRC patients with diabetes specifically stage at diagnosis, emergency condition for CRC surgery, survival, and mortality have been insufficiently explored. The aims of the study were to investigate the association between diabetes and stage at diagnosis of CRC in elderly Medicare beneficiaries; to check the association of diabetes with presenting as an emergency condition for CRC surgery in the elderly and; to explore the effect of diabetes on survival of elderly Medicare beneficiaries with CRC. Using the SEER-Medicare data from 2003-2005, patients newly …
The Social Context Of Smoking: Measuring Social Capital Among College Students, Traci Dawn Jarrett
The Social Context Of Smoking: Measuring Social Capital Among College Students, Traci Dawn Jarrett
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Social capital is an ecological theory that explains access to resources as a result of social relationships between individuals and communities. The appeal of social capital across scientific disciplines, including public health, lies in its ability to account for multiple individual and ecological factors in relation to health outcomes, economic and social disparity, and social empowerment as a result of social connections. However, scientists do not agree on the most appropriate indicators of social capital, and a panel of experts tasked with developing a methodological approach to measure social capital indicate that measurement should be context specific. Currently, there are …
Maintaining Physical Activity Levels Of Teachers In A Summer Intervention, Meghan A. Phillips
Maintaining Physical Activity Levels Of Teachers In A Summer Intervention, Meghan A. Phillips
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Schools are in a premier position to promote physical activity programs with students, faculty and staff, and the surrounding community. Since individuals of working age spend a significant portion of their lives in their work environment the workplace potentially represents a convenient, efficient, and effective access point to the individual (McGillivray, 2005). One recent suggestion in the literature discusses the need for physical education teacher education programs to help make physical educators Sport, Physical Activity, and Fitness Education Specialists (Bulger & Housner, 2009). This new role would place physical educators as potential leaders in schools for the promotion of a …
Using Concept Mapping To Identify Action Steps For Physical Activity Promotion In Cancer Treatment, Sean J. Fitzpatrick
Using Concept Mapping To Identify Action Steps For Physical Activity Promotion In Cancer Treatment, Sean J. Fitzpatrick
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The benefits of exercise during and after cancer treatment represent research areas that have received increased attention throughout the past two decades. Numerous benefits have been observed for cancer survivors who are physically active (Speck, Courneya, Masse, Duval & Schmitz, 2010). Yet oncologists have been slow to incorporate exercise counseling into practice (Daley et al., 2007). The objective of this study was to gather input from both researchers and oncologists as to what needs to happen for exercise to become part of standard care once treatment ends. The concept mapping process developed by Trochim and Kane (2007) was utilized to …
Evaluation Of A Nurse-Led Telephone Intervention With Symptomatic Heart Failure Patients, Samantha Stone
Evaluation Of A Nurse-Led Telephone Intervention With Symptomatic Heart Failure Patients, Samantha Stone
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Heart failure (HF) is a chronic illness that affects approximately 550,000 Americans each year. By 2037, the prevalence is expected to double. Many symptomatic HF patients have difficulty managing their symptoms and are often readmitted within thirty to sixty days after hospital discharge. Research has shown that symptom management and quality of life can be improved in HF patients by utilizing a nurse-led telephone intervention. With improved symptom management patients not only experience a better quality of life, but, HF hospital admission and readmission rates can be reduced. The objectives of this capstone project were to 1) increase patient awareness …
Agenda Building In Health Communication: How The Cdc Is Using Traditional And Social Media Tactics In Public Relations, Kristen Wishon
Agenda Building In Health Communication: How The Cdc Is Using Traditional And Social Media Tactics In Public Relations, Kristen Wishon
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Emerging Internet technologies, such as social networking websites and blogs, are influencing how public relations practitioners choose to disseminate health content to their constituents. Using the agenda-building theory as a guide, this exploratory study used both qualitative and quantitative methods to examine the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) social media and traditional media health messages, as well as to explore if these messages had any agenda-building effect on mainstream media placement (i.e., the Associated Press).;Personal interviews with CDC health communication specialists and three content analyses were conducted. Two significant correlations were found between the health topics in the …
An Empirical Analysis Of Health Implications And Costs Of Obesity In Appalachia, Saman Janaranjana Herath Bandara
An Empirical Analysis Of Health Implications And Costs Of Obesity In Appalachia, Saman Janaranjana Herath Bandara
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Obesity is a major health problem in the United States (U.S.) and approximately 34 percent of the U.S. adult population is obese. Studies using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), and many other research findings warn that if the current trend of obesity continues, 50 percent of the U.S. population will be obese in 2030. Unfortunately, several diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes (type II), hypertension, cancer, arthritis, asthma, and some psychological disorders are linked with obesity. Obesity increases the risk of premature mortality, and nearly 300,000 annual deaths are associated …
A National Study Of Health Behaviors And Health-Related Quality Of Life Among Survivors Of Breast, Prostate, And Colorectal Cancer Compared To Propensity Score Matched Controls, As Well As, Comparisons By Cancer Type & Gender, Traci J. Lemasters
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The objectives of this study were to 1) compare the prevalence of specific measures of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) between breast, prostate, female, and male colorectal cancer survivors to propensity score matched controls, and to compare HRQOL by type of cancer and gender and 2) compare the prevalence of specific health conditions and health behaviors between breast, prostate, female, and male colorectal cancer survivors to propensity score matched controls, and to compare health behaviors by type of cancer and gender. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a sample of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer survivors 18 years of age …
Comprehensive Model Of Lung Cancer Prediction And Prognosis, Joseph J. Putila
Comprehensive Model Of Lung Cancer Prediction And Prognosis, Joseph J. Putila
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Two unresolved issues in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer are the assessment of risk of recurrence beyond the use of tumor stage alone, and the selection of an effective chemotherapeutic agent for patients with similar tumor morphology. A prognostic model able to identify high or low-risk patients with a high degree of accuracy can be used to inform clinicians on potential improvements to the current clinical practice. Clinical presentation, pathology, demographics, and genomics have been independently verified as influencing survival. A comprehensive model capable of incorporating multiple predictors into a unified measure has the potential to simplify risk …
Predictors Of Adherence To Mammography Screening Guidelines And Preferences For Intervention Strategies In A Mobile Mammography Program, Ami Vyas
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Early detection of breast cancer (BC) in women can lead to long-term survival and better quality of life. Mammography screening is considered to be the 'gold standard' for women at an average risk to detect BC early and hence reduce BC-related mortality. West Virginia (WV) has a lower incidence of BC but higher rates of advanced and unstaged BC which has been attributed to lower mammography screening rates in women in WV. Mobile mammography programs have been in use for more than two decades to overcome barriers and increase mammography screening rates in rural and hard-to-reach populations. WV has one …
Trans-Border Advocacy Network In Tobacco Control: The Adoption Of Who-Fctc Best Practices Into Domestic Laws In Ghana And Malawi, Edward Brenya
Trans-Border Advocacy Network In Tobacco Control: The Adoption Of Who-Fctc Best Practices Into Domestic Laws In Ghana And Malawi, Edward Brenya
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The study investigates the politics characterizing the adoption of tobacco control policy in Ghana and Malawi as a way of contributing to political science literature. It combines the global advocacy network, the multi-level policy transfer, and the liberal-constructivist theories as a single framework to examine their effects on tobacco control policy adoption. Methodologically, the study uses a comparative case study approach complemented by elite interviews, review of secondary materials, and policy documents. The study finds that neither of the Parliaments of the two countries has adopted any legislation that is properly enforced. However, both countries have certain voluntary agreements to …
Metabolic Syndrome Risk In Young Adults Attending West Virginia University, Amanda M. Dent
Metabolic Syndrome Risk In Young Adults Attending West Virginia University, Amanda M. Dent
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is increasing throughout the United States across age groups. The purpose of this study was to collect descriptive baseline anthropometric and biochemical data to determine MetS prevalence in 18 to 24 year olds and to assess change in MetS risk after a 10 week web-based intervention. MetS was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program's Third Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP III) definition. Blood pressure, anthropometric and biochemical measures were obtained at baseline, post-intervention and 15 months. The overall prevalence of MetS at baseline was 15.1% (n = 14). The prevalence of one or …