Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 30 of 89
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Examining The Process Of Shared Use Through Community-School Partnerships, Brooke C Towner
Examining The Process Of Shared Use Through Community-School Partnerships, Brooke C Towner
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
No abstract provided.
Stoking The Flames Of Wellness: An Exploration Of Factors That Influence West Virginia Firefighters' Health Behaviors, Chelsea B. Wooding
Stoking The Flames Of Wellness: An Exploration Of Factors That Influence West Virginia Firefighters' Health Behaviors, Chelsea B. Wooding
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The concern over health and wellness among firefighters in the US has escalated recently due to increasing obesity rates, on-duty cardiovascular event risk, and job stress. Besides unique aspects of the work, a number of other barriers to health and wellness have been identified within the firefighter culture. Using a qualitative approach with multiple sources of data, the current study sought to answer the question, "what impacts the health of firefighters in West Virginia?" Eight focus groups, and Photovoice data from nine participants were inductively analyzed using guidelines from consensual qualitative research. House tours were also done to provide ethnographic …
Identification Of School Physical Activity Leader Competencies Using Concept Mapping, Kiel M. Illg
Identification Of School Physical Activity Leader Competencies Using Concept Mapping, Kiel M. Illg
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Background/Purpose: Various public health and educational organizations have called for the implementation of comprehensive approaches at the state, district, and school levels to promote physical education and physical activity among children and adolescents. Proponents have argued that physical education teachers are positioned to assume the role of director of physical activity in the school setting; however many physical educators do not see directing comprehensive school physical activity programs (CSPAP) as their responsibility, nor have they been formally trained to provide this measure of leadership. Furthermore, there is limited research on CSPAPs and the associated leadership roles integral to planning, implementing, …
Functional Characterization Of Phosphodiesterase-4a In Behavior And Obesity, Rolf T. Hansen Iii
Functional Characterization Of Phosphodiesterase-4a In Behavior And Obesity, Rolf T. Hansen Iii
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Cognitive disorders such as depression, anxiety, and senescent-induced memory loss are a growing pandemic in the world. Anxiety is the most common psychiatric disorder in America, affecting upwards of 50 million people a year; depression has a lifetime prevalence of 20% of the population, and it's predicted pathological memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) will reach exponential levels by the year 2050. While there are treatments for anxiety and depression, far less success has been reached with therapeutics for AD. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) may be a potential novel target for future therapeutics aimed at combatting these psychiatric illnesses and neurodegenerative …
Smoking Cessation And Breastfeeding Promotion Education For Prenatal Providers In West Virginia, Kimberly Greenfield
Smoking Cessation And Breastfeeding Promotion Education For Prenatal Providers In West Virginia, Kimberly Greenfield
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Background: West Virginia has the highest prenatal smoking cessation rate in the United States and is among the states with the lowest breastfeeding rate in the nation. West Virginia also faces health disparities and limited prenatal health resources, especially in at-risk areas. In an effort to improve resources in at-risk areas of the state, the "Health Education for Prenatal Providers in Appalachia (HEPPA), using the ACOG 5As smoking cessation intervention and breastfeeding promotion, was developed for delivery to interprofessional providers. Method: The HEPPA program delivered to healthcare and social service providers in four contiguous counties was evaluated by comparing pre-test …
An Evaluation Of State Employees' Preferences For Worksite-Based Physical Activity, Nutrition, And Stress Management Programs, Peter Kadushin
An Evaluation Of State Employees' Preferences For Worksite-Based Physical Activity, Nutrition, And Stress Management Programs, Peter Kadushin
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Worksite wellness programs (WWPs) have evolved over the last several decades as a way to positively impact employees' health, and to manage rising healthcare costs. Despite the impact that WWPs can have both clinically and financially, participation rates in many programs remain low. Some research has reported success in increasing participation and engagement through tailoring programs to fit employee preferences. The purpose of this study was to investigate the wellness programming preferences of state employees in West Virginia. A secondary purpose was to identify how these preferences differ by health risk, worksite wellness participation, age, and gender. Respondents (N = …
Effect Of Head Width, Head Height And Clamp Force On The Noise Reduction Provided By Two Different Styles Of Earmuffs, Jonathan R. Lewin
Effect Of Head Width, Head Height And Clamp Force On The Noise Reduction Provided By Two Different Styles Of Earmuffs, Jonathan R. Lewin
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Earmuffs provide necessary protection from the hazardous effects of noise for workers and the general population. The wearability and effectiveness of these devices is crucial for protection of hearing in noisy conditions. One component critical to the function of the earmuff is the clamp force that keeps the earmuff securely against the head and around the pinna. This clamp force must be high enough to provide a good seal, but not so high that it makes the muff uncomfortable. This study investigated the relationship between noise reduction (NR) and the force on the ear. This force was incrementally varied by …
Association Of Individual And Combined Metabolic Risk Factors With Cancer, Ruchi Bhandari
Association Of Individual And Combined Metabolic Risk Factors With Cancer, Ruchi Bhandari
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Introduction: The prevalence of metabolic risk factors (MRFs), individually and in the aggregate, is growing rapidly. There is limited biologic and epidemiologic evidence indicating an association between MRFs and cancer. The goal of this dissertation was to examine the association between individual and combined MRFs with subsequent risk of overall and site-specific cancers of the breast, digestive system, and lung.;Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis on the association between metabolic syndrome (a cluster of MRFs) and breast cancer was conducted. In addition, associations between MRFs and risk of overall and site-specific cancers were assessed by multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression …
Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Healthy Me A Nutritional And Exercise Program For African American Adolescents In An Urban School Utilizing The Cope/Teen Program, Patricia D Setlow
Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Healthy Me A Nutritional And Exercise Program For African American Adolescents In An Urban School Utilizing The Cope/Teen Program, Patricia D Setlow
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Background.;Obesity, a preventable and reversible condition, increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, while decreasing both life expectancy and quality of life (U.S. Department of Health And Human Services, 2001). The national obesity rate for adolescents ages 12-19 years was 18.1% in the 2007-2008 period, a significant change from 6.1% in the early 70's (CDC, 2009). According to Barlow (2007) these figures have sounded alarms for all involved in the health care of children and adolescents.;Objectives.;The purpose of this pilot program was to assess the effectiveness of providing nutritional education and exercise opportunities for African American adolescents …
Colorectal Cancer Disease In Appalachia: Symptom Interpretation And Cancer Worry Predictors, Omar F.S. Attarabeen
Colorectal Cancer Disease In Appalachia: Symptom Interpretation And Cancer Worry Predictors, Omar F.S. Attarabeen
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
In the Appalachian region, many cultural, religious, and psychological factors have been identified to affect health. These factors are expected to play a role in health disparities, such as higher rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality. Appalachia-specific factors such as geographic isolationism, poverty, and Appalachian stereotypes have been reported to negatively affect preventive health care including CRC screening. Although previous research has investigating the impact of some of these Appalachia-specific factors on seeking health care, impact of symptom interpretation and psychological states of the Appalachian population on health care seeking behavior needs to be clarified. The objective of …
Evaluation Of The Bond Strength Of Asphalt Overlays, Seth Knihtila
Evaluation Of The Bond Strength Of Asphalt Overlays, Seth Knihtila
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The objective of this study was to develop a test method and testing device for measuring the bond strength between pavement layers. The research evaluated tack coat materials and mix designs for the West Virginia Department of Highways. The project included a laboratory and a field phase. For the laboratory work, 9.5 mm and 19 mm NMAS mix designs were evaluated. NTSS-1HM and SS-1h tack coats were evaluated. Two surface conditions were simulated; the interface was either cut HMA or milled HMA. Also, the effect of the AASHTO T-283 conditioning was evaluated as a subsidiary to the laboratory testing.;In the …
Examination Of Factors Associated With Obesity, Physical Activity And Income In Metropolitan Areas Of The United States, Ahadu T. Tekle
Examination Of Factors Associated With Obesity, Physical Activity And Income In Metropolitan Areas Of The United States, Ahadu T. Tekle
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The prevalence of obesity has increased significantly in the past three decades. Obesity and inadequate physical activity are the major contributors to health problems. In addition to understanding the contribution of biological and psychological factors in the growth of obesity rates, there is a growing interest in understanding the impact of environmental factors on obesity. This study examines the relationship between obesity, socioeconomic factors, environmental factors and physical activity. The study is focused on metropolitan areas and relied on metropolitan county level built environment, natural amenities and outdoor recreational opportunities measures. Individual level socioeconomic and location information is from the …
Predictors Of Distress During The Breast Diagnostic Period, Mariann M. Harding
Predictors Of Distress During The Breast Diagnostic Period, Mariann M. Harding
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women and the leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide (Warner, 2011). Mortality from breast cancer in the United States has been decreasing in part due to advances in therapy and the detection of the disease at earlier stages. As a result, more than 1.6 million U.S. women will undergo a breast biopsy in 2013 with approximately 232,340 of these being diagnosed with cancer. Although distress in women undergoing a breast diagnostic evaluation has been recognized as having the potential to alter treatment outcomes in those diagnosed with cancer, few …
Characterization Of Atmospheric Particulate Matter In Mountaintop Mining And Non-Mining Areas In West Virginia With Known Health Differences, Laura M. Kurth
Characterization Of Atmospheric Particulate Matter In Mountaintop Mining And Non-Mining Areas In West Virginia With Known Health Differences, Laura M. Kurth
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Introduction: Mortality and morbidity rates in the Appalachian region are higher than in the national population. People who live in Appalachian areas where coal mining is prominent have increased health problems compared to people in non-mining areas of Appalachia. Health disparities remain higher in mining areas even after adjusting for lifestyle and demographic effects illustrating that additional factors, such as environmental influences, are associated with adverse health outcomes. Coal mines and coal mining activities result in the production of atmospheric particulate matter (PM), which is associated with environmental and human health effects. Environmental studies of air and water quality in …
An Examination Of Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis In Rural Youth, Molly R. Matthews-Ewald
An Examination Of Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis In Rural Youth, Molly R. Matthews-Ewald
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Weight gain among United States' children, adolescents and adults has become a pandemic problem, and is of great public health concern, given the increased risk for myriad chronic health problems and associated medical expenditures. It is well established that increased energy expenditure through physical activity may reduce weight and improve health. However, the predominant focus of this research has been with moderate to vigorous levels of activity (MVPA). A growing body of evidence suggests that activity levels below this (i.e., light levels), may also be beneficial. Specific to light activity, a recent area of focus has been on non-exercise activity …
The Role Of Tobacco Cessation Counseling In Physical Therapist Practice And Education, Rose M. Pignataro
The Role Of Tobacco Cessation Counseling In Physical Therapist Practice And Education, Rose M. Pignataro
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The goal of this research was to promote the use of evidence-based TCC guidelines in physical therapist practice and education by applying principles of knowledge translation as defined by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). According to the NIDDR, research should be framed so that knowledge gained is ultimately applied in a manner geared towards improving the lives of people with disabilities.;Study 1 resulted in a perspectives paper which established a sound clinical rationale for the inclusion of TCC as a component of physical therapist practice. This rationale is based on the pathophysiologic effects of smoking on …
Thrombelastography Parameters Versus Classical Coagulation Profile In Trauma Patients: A Retrospective Study, Abdulraouf Y. Lamoshi
Thrombelastography Parameters Versus Classical Coagulation Profile In Trauma Patients: A Retrospective Study, Abdulraouf Y. Lamoshi
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The West Virginia University Guide to the Preparation of Masters Theses Abdulraouf Y. Lamoshi Thrombelastography Parameters versus Classical Coagulation Profile in Trauma Patients: a Retrospective Study Background: Thrombelastography (TEGTM, Hemoscope, Niles, IL) is increasingly utilized. As TEG depicts overall coagulation it may be more comprehensive and capable to detect any coagulation abnormalities in comparison to classical coagulation tests (CCT: PT, PTT, INR, platelets). Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is thought to contribute to coagulopathy. The primary aim was to compare TEG parameters of TBI vs. Non-TBI patients. The secondary aim was to identify TEG vs. CCT parameters associated with outcome (mortality, …
Healthcare Quality And Expenditure Benchmarks Along The Continuum Of Care: The Role Of Primary Care Use And Community Healthcare Resources, Tricia Lee Wilkins
Healthcare Quality And Expenditure Benchmarks Along The Continuum Of Care: The Role Of Primary Care Use And Community Healthcare Resources, Tricia Lee Wilkins
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Objective: The current studies examined the relationship between lapses in quality (ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations and all cause 30-day readmissions) and patient-level, provider-level, and county-level healthcare resources. Specific attention is paid to the association between patient-level primary care use and provider-level care coordination. One of the studies also evaluated the association between chronic complex illness and lapses in quality after adjusting for individual-level, provider-level, and county-level characteristics within a longitudinal and unified framework. Yet another study evaluated whether avoiding poor quality outcomes can be achieved below an expected expenditure benchmark.;Study Design: The study used a retrospective cross-sectional as well as …
Occupational Risk Factors In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Bent C. Doney
Occupational Risk Factors In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Bent C. Doney
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes increased disability and mortality in the U.S. population. Approximately 15% of cases of COPD can be attributed to occupational exposure. There are gaps in the knowledge of the relationships between occupational exposure and COPD and further investigation can provide information helpful in improving COPD preventive strategies in the workplace. The objective of this project was to assess COPD prevalence in population based studies and characterize the relationship between COPD and occupational exposure.;Methods/Results: Three separate U.S. population-based cross-sectional studies of COPD were conducted. In the first study, a COPD job exposure matrix (JEM) was …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …