Digital Commons Network^™

Regional Income Inequality And Current Substance Use Among Hispanic 12th Grade Students In The United States, Aresha Nadeem

Public Health Theses

INTRODUCTION: Income inequality has been previously shown to be related to adverse population health outcomes. A suggested etiology is that income inequality intensifies status anxiety, leading to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance use. Behavioral factors specific to Hispanic cultures may have the potential to build resiliency in adolescents against substance use related to status anxiety, but have not been considered as protective factors in large, nationwide studies on substance use among adolescents.

AIM: Determine the association between regional income inequality in the U.S. and substance use among 12^th grade students, and determine whether this association is different for …

Examining The Relationship Between The Use And Awareness Of Alternative Tobacco Products And Smoking Quit Attempt Among U.S Adolescents., Colvette Brown

Public Health Theses

Introduction: Public health interventions have heightened awareness of risk factors and ill effects of tobacco use. Though sales of conventional tobacco products have steadily been declining, there is the advent of a new generation of alternative tobacco products that are being marketed with claims of reduced harms and smoking cessation aid.

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of tobacco quit attempt among U.S. adolescents and to examine its relationship to the use and self-reported awareness of two alternative tobacco products (E-cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products).

Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of …

Psychological Distress Among Orphaned Youth And Youth Reporting Sexual Exploitation In Kampala, Uganda, Elizabeth W. Perry

Public Health Theses

Psychological distress is an increasingly recognized public health priority in low-income countries due to its long-term physical, social, and economic impact. The purpose of this study was to compute the prevalence of self-reported psychological distress among youth living in the slums of Kampala, Uganda and examine how orphan status and self-reported experiences of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) are related to psychological distress. Data were derived from a cross-sectional survey which consisted of a convenience sample of service-seeking youth (N = 1134) living in the slums or on the streets of Kampala, Uganda. Bivariate and multivariable multinomial regression analyses were …

Caregiver Support And The Mental Health Of Transgender And Gender Expansive Youth: Race-Specific Effects In A Clinic-Based Sample, Whitney Morgan Menary

Public Health Theses

Parental and caregiver support has been shown to be a protective factor against poor mental health in transgender and gender expansive (TGE) youth. However, little is known about how race and ethnicity might affect this relationship. This study extends the literature by examining whether the associations between parental support and mental health outcomes are moderated by race. A clinic-based sample of 81 TGE youth (mean age = 15.31, SD = 1.61) completed assessments of their anxiety and depression symptoms. Caregiver support scores were gathered from youth and the caregivers themselves. Results show that TGE youth of color have decreased odds …

Attitudes And Risky Sexual Behavior Among Youth In Kampala, Uganda: Empirical Analyses Of Risk Factors By Gender, Alaina M. Whitton

Public Health Theses

Purpose: The majority of HIV-infected individuals live in sub-Saharan Africa and youth account for the largest sub-population with new infections. Because the highest proportion of new infections is among girls, research is needed to understand the risk factors and context by gender. An analysis of peer and parental approval perceptions can elucidate the gender differences in this large, susceptible population in risky behaviors, including histories of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. Methods: Using the cross-sectional Kampala Youth Survey (2014) based in Kampala, Uganda (n=1,134), descriptive statistics were used to explore gender differences in demographics, peer and parental influence variables, …

Distribution Of Psychiatric Disorders Among Adolescents Of Togo, Kokou Volley

Public Health Theses

INTRODUCTION: Mental health disorders are a major public health concern, whether it is in developed countries or developing countries. The importance of the mental health disorders is more pronounced when they concern adolescents. Suicide, one of the consequences of mental health disorders, which is among the leading cause of death of adolescents in the world, is the second leading cause of death in the United States (US). In the Western world, many data have been published concerning the phenomenon and actions are being taken to prevent those disorders. Unfortunately, in the developing world, especially in Togo, which is the focus …

Trends In Prediabetes And Associated Comorbid Conditions In Adolescents Aged 12 To 19 Years, Between 2003 And 2014., Taylor Dias

Public Health Theses

NTRODUCTION: Understanding of the trends in Pre-Diabetes (PD), a reversible condition and precursor/risk factor for Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), among adolescents may help to develop robust public health initiatives for slowing the epidemic of T2DM and its associated comorbidities. Currently, published research only investigates only the prevalence of T2DM and T1DM in the adolescent population with no focus on PD. We have the following three hypotheses: the prevalence of PD will be increasing during the study period, the prevalence of both comorbid conditions will be increasing in prevalence, there association of PD with each of the comorbid conditions will …

Physical Dating Violence In Georgia: A Growing Disparity Among Hispanic Youth, Britni Knott

Public Health Theses

Background:

Nationally representative data of high school students in the U.S. indicate that levels of physical dating violence are higher among students in Georgia than in most states. This study seeks to understand the increased risk for physical dating violence among youth in Georgia and make recommendations for prevention and interventions.

Methods:

Analyses were conducted using the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a nationally representative dataset sampling of high school students in grades 9-12 in the United States. Data from a total of 13,583 adolescents were used in the study. Physical dating violence was defined as reporting being hit, slammed …

Exploratory Factor Analysis Of The Trauma Symptom Checklist For Children: A Comparison Of Two Factor Extraction Methods, Rayleen Lewis, Betty S. Lai, Shannon Self-Brown

Public Health Theses

INTRODUCTION: Assessment tools that demonstrate adequate construct validity are needed to identify youth at risk of developing posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) so these at risk youth can be referred to appropriate resources such as counseling. Research on the construct validity of instruments designed to measure PTSS have not shown a consistent factor structure of PTSS. Furthermore, the factor structure of PTSS measured using the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC), a widely used instrument, have only been studied using principal component analysis (PCA), a data reduction technique, rather than exploratory factor analysis (EFA), a factor analytic technique.

AIM: The present …

Association Between Adolescent Substance Use And Weapon Carrying: Analysis Of 2013 Yrbs, Samantha Bourque

Public Health Theses

Purpose: Substance use and weapon carrying among adolescents is a growing concern. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between adolescent substance use and weapon carrying using the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS).

Methods: Analyses were conducted using the 2013 YRBS, a nationally representative dataset sampling public and private high school students throughout the United States (US). Data from a total of 148,282 US adolescents were used in the present study.

Results: Two outcomes were assessed: weapon carrying within the past 30 days and weapon carrying on school property within the past 30 days. Among adolescents …

E-Cigarette Use Among Urban Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study Of Prevalence And Predictors Of Use, Melody Kingsley

Public Health Theses

Purpose: In a study of middle school students, the objectives were to (1) document prevalence of early e-cigarette use and characteristics of users, and (2) identify psychosocial and behavioral factors that predict susceptibility and uptake.

Methods: Students in 12 randomly selected public schools in New Haven, Connecticut, completed health and behavior surveys in grades 7 and 8 (N=490). Descriptive statistics were calculated to assess the prevalence of e-cigarette susceptibility (considering e-cigarette use) and e-cigarette uptake among students at grade 7 and grade 8. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between psychosocial and behavioral characteristics measured at grade …

Addressing Social And Structural Determinants Affecting Hiv Medical Care Among Adolescents Aged 13-24 In Georgia, 2013, Heta Patel

Public Health Theses

BACKGROUND: Adolescents aged 13-24 account for a substantial number of new HIV infections every year in the United States. Timely linkage to care and continuous engagement is very imperative for effective medical interventions and overall improved health outcomes for HIV positive young adults. This thesis addresses and evaluates the factors affecting linkage to and retention in care for the newly diagnosed HIV positive adolescents in Georgia in 2013 and potential solutions to address the disparities.

METHODS: The analysis assessed quantitative and qualitative data extracted from Georgia’s HIV Surveillance-Electronic HIV/AIDS Reporting System (eHARS), Grady Infectious Disease Program (IDP), Ryan …

Analysis Of The Association Between Availability Of School Facilities Available For Physical Activity And Met Scores Among Adolescents Aged 12-15: Nhanes National Youth Fitness Survey 2012, Alana Cilwick

Public Health Theses

Abstract

Background:

Physical activity (PA) is a means to improve the overall health and well-being of adolescents. Daily PA helps decrease the risk of obesity, chronic diseases, and mental health disorders. However, adolescents are not participating in sufficient amounts of daily PA and negative health related conditions are becoming more prevalent. Youth spend the majority of their days at school. PA in the school environment is influenced by a number of factors including, break/free times, access to PA facilities, and allotted time for physical education (PE). Improving the factors that contribute to school-based PA levels may facilitate an increase in …

An Assessment Of Selected Factors Associated With Hpv Vaccination Completion Among The African American Adolescents In United States: 2012 National Immunization Survey - Teen, Vaishali Sahu

Public Health Theses

Background: Human Papillomavirus is the most common STI in United States and is most prevalent among the adolescents and young adults. HPV causes cervical, anal, vulvar, vaginal, penile, oropharyngeal cancers and ano-genital warts. Certain populations are found to be at higher risk such as African Americans. 3 doses of HPV vaccine are recommended to adolescents before sexual debut to immunize against HPV. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors associated with the completion of 3 dose HPV vaccination series particularly among the African American adolescents.

Methods: National Immunization Survey – Teen 2012 data was used to assess …

Examining The Effects Of A Motion Comic Intervention On Hiv-Stigma Among A Sample Of Adolescent Men Who Have Sex With Men, Kristen M. Nichols

Public Health Theses

INTRODUCTION: HIV disproportionately affects African Americans, Latinos, and gay and bisexual men of all racial and ethnicity groups. People living with HIV/AIDS experience stigma related to their disease. HIV/AIDS stigma can have detrimental effects on HIV prevention, testing and treatment. Entertainment-education is a health communication strategy that can be used to influence behavioral and social change in the population.

AIM: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a Motion Comic intervention, an EE strategy, can decrease H/A stigma in a sample of MSM adolescents aged 15-24.

METHODS: Participants were recruited from GA, FL, NY and CA using convenience …

Cyberbullying Among School-Aged Adolescents And Teens: A Policy Review And Recommendations For Georgia, Britney Bennett Esq

Public Health Theses

Today, school bullying does not just stop in the schoolyard. When children return home after a school day filled with bullying incidents they are oftentimes tormented by a new phenomenon: cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is the willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices. Today, more adolescents and teens have access to technological mediums than ever before. Although different forms of technology can be used in productive manners, they are often misused by youth to torment their peers.

Some researchers believe that cyberbullying can be even more detrimental than traditional bullying because cyberbullies can …

Perceived Risk For Hiv Among High Risk Individuals: A Comparison Of Adolescents And Adults, Akele Jeffers

Public Health Theses

The United States continues to be affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and now public health is faced with new challenges in mitigating the spread of the disease. African-Americans are disproportionately affected by HIV and a further understanding about the factors that influence high risk sexual behaviors needs to be continuously examined. The aim of this study was to understand and compare the the perception of HIV risk and factors associated with risk perception in high risk adult and adolescent groups. After multivariate analysis, having multiple partners was the only predictor of an increased risk perception among adults. Among adolescents, no …

Changes In Sexual Risk Perception And Risk Taking Among Urban African American Adolescents, Rosa M. Steen

Public Health Theses

Background: Adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 acquire nearly half of all new STDs in the United States, yet they represent only 25% of the sexually active population. Young men and women in this age group have the highest rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, especially in the African American population. Adolescent risk factors include having a history of pregnancy or STDs, being arrested or incarcerated, substance abuse, early sexual debut and having 4 or more lifetime sexual partners. Protective behaviors such as parental involvement, school enrollment, and consistent condom use have been associated with decreased incidence …

Prevalence And Correlates Of Suicidal Ideation Among Students In Sub-Saharan Africa, Jane B. Palmier

Public Health Theses

OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation among youth in sub-Saharan Africa and to evaluate differences in such prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation to identify how risk behaviors vary by gender across country settings.

METHODS: Analyses are based on the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) conducted in Botswana (N=2197; 2005), Kenya (N=3691; 2003), Tanzania (N=2176; 2006), Uganda (N=3215; 2003) and Zambia (N=2257; 2004) of students primarily 13 to 16 years of age. Logistic regression analyses were computed to determine the associations between correlates (i.e., hunger, current alcohol use, problem drinking, bullying victimization, sadness, loneliness, worrying, …

Demographic Factors Associated With Condom Use In 18-24 Year Olds For Two States, 1998 And 2000/2001, Kimberly R. Glenn

Public Health Theses

Despite knowledge about the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), young adults continue to participate in sexual risk behaviors such as unprotected sexual intercourse. This study examines factors that influence condom use in adults aged 18-24 years in the United States. Using secondary data from the 1998, 2000, and 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the factors influencing condom use stratified by gender and study year. A p-value of <0.05 and 95% confidence intervals were used to determine statistical significance throughout all analysis performed. Univariate analysis found that increased age and being male were associated with increased odds of condom use. Multivariate analysis stratified by study year found that in 1998 increased age and unemployment was associated with increased odds of condom use. In 2000/2001, increased age was the only factor associated with increased odds of condom use. Being female was associated with decreased odds of condom use in that study year. When stratified by gender, only increased age was associated with increased condom use. The study results suggest that the factors influencing condom use vary between gender and year. Since different factors impact condom use for each gender, the interventions designed to increase condom use must be centered on those factors. Since age was one of the consistent factors positively associated with condom use, interventions must begin earlier to affect the decision-making processes of young adults.

Implications In Using Monte Carlo Simulation In Predicting Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Overweight Children And Adolescents, Stephen Matthew Heimbigner

Public Health Theses

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has increased considerably over the last few decades. As a result, increasing numbers of American children are developing multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis. This thesis examines the use of Monte Carlo computer simulation for understanding risk factors associated with childhood overweight. A computer model is presented for predicting cardiovascular risk factors among overweight children and adolescents based on BMI levels. The computer model utilizes probabilities from the 1999 Bogalusa Heart Study authored by David S. Freedman, William H. Dietz, Sathanur …

Physical Teen Dating Violence And Risk Behaviors Among Black And Latino Teens, Belsie R. Gonzalez

Public Health Theses

Victims of teen dating violence (TDV) in the United States engage in risk behaviors that increase their vulnerability to ill health. Although teen dating violence affects millions of adolescents of diverse ethnic backgrounds, there is a higher prevalence of TDV among Blacks and Latinos. In order to develop effective interventions for diverse populations, it is critical to understand the risk behaviors associated with different victims of TDV. The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether there is a difference between the risk behaviors (alcohol abuse, illegal drug use and perilous sexual intercourse) engaged in by Black, Latino and White …