Digital Commons Network^™

Characteristics Of The Health Information Technology Workforce In Georgia, Imaobong Ekpo, Emmanuel Akowuah, Bettye Apenteng, Samuel Opoku

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Advancement in medical technology, as well as the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, has in part influenced the demand for health information technology (HIT) workers. While other sectors have experienced a tremendous increase in the information technology workforce, the health sector lags in this regard. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of the HIT workforce in Georgia, relative to surrounding states and the United States.

Methods: The supply of the HIT workforce in Georgia, surrounding states, and the United States was estimated using data from the 2014-2016 American Community Survey (ACS). …

Experiences Of Violence Among Female West African Asylum Seekers In Atlanta: A Qualitative Analysis, Kathleen E. Curtis, Dabney P. Evans

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: As the world faces the greatest number of displaced persons in history, it is urgent for countries offering refuge and asylum to understand the needs of these vulnerable populations. Asylum seekers face great uncertainty in the US legal system, and female asylum seekers often face additional challenges. The Atlanta Asylum Network (AAN) facilitates access to low or no-cost physical, psychological and gynecological evaluations to enable a fair and complete judicial process. The purpose of this analysis is to assess the presence of various types of violence experienced by a population of female West African asylum seekers, and to make …

Examining The Characteristics Of Physicians That Leave Georgia After Medical School Training, Emmanuel Akowuah, Imaobong Ekpo, Samuel Opoku, Bettye Apenteng

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: We sought to examine the characteristics of physicians who leave Georgia after graduating from a Georgia medical school.

Methods: Using the 2017 National Physician Compare data merged with the 2015-2016 Area Resource File, we compared the individual and practice location characteristics of physicians who went to medical school in Georgia and practice in the state to those who left.

Results: Less than half of physicians who had their medical school training in Georgia still practice here; those who leave are typically specialists practicing in older, affluent and less racially diverse counties.

Conclusions: Strategies to retain physicians in Georgia after …

Use Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine Among People With Cardiovascular Diseases In Southeast Georgia, Chimuanya Okoli, Stacy Carswell, Sewuese Akuse, Kelly Sullivan

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Proper treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease is essential and can be challenged by non-disclosed use of complementary or alternative treatments. The objective of this study was to assess which demographics were associated with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and if education affects the use of CAM.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a stratified random sample of residents of Southeastern Georgia. Sampling was stratified by urban/rural residence in order to reach sufficient rural residents. Participants that indicated they had been diagnosed with hypertension or …

Living Arrangement: A Contributor To Vascular Disease In Asymptomatic African American Women, Meldra Hall, Elizabeth Ofili, Rigobert Lapu-Bula, Ernest Alema-Mensah, Stephanie Miles-Richardson

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Diminished social support has shown to lead to worse cardiovascular outcomes and since cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States (U.S.), it is critical to non-invasively study its precursor- vascular disease (VD). Assessing the impact social support has on vascular outcomes can unveil potential CVD susceptibilities in at-risk populations. African American women exhibit the greatest burden of CVD morbidity and mortality; therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the association between living arrangement/social support and impaired vascular function in asymptomatic African American women.

Methods: Vascular function was assessed by a non-invasive …

Social Media Usage And Influenza Beliefs, Risk Perceptions And Behavioral Intentions Among Students At A University In Southeastern Us, Jingjing Yin, Pei-Ling Tseng, Kotwoallama Reine Zerbo, Zion Tsz Ho Tse, Levi Ross, Isaac Chun-Hai Fung

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: To document social media usage for the retrieval of health information among college students; and to understand the beliefs, risk perceptions and behavioral intentions among participants who retrieved CDC influenza information via social media.

Methods: We conducted an online survey to a convenience sample of students at a university in Southeastern United States during Spring 2015. The survey was self-administered and every matriculating student received an electronic invitation to participate at least once.

Results: A total of 930 students completed the online survey. Most participants (n=905, 97.3%) reported that they had used a social networking site in the previous …

Health Care Access By Weight Status In The State Of Georgia, Elizabeth Pullekines, Janani Rajbhandari-Thapa

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Obesity continues to grow in prevalence in the United States and within the state of Georgia. Obesity is a risk factor for many chronic and preventable diseases. As such, obese individuals have higher demand for health care services than non-obese individuals. In addition, the health care system can play a role in preventing obesity and other conditions caused by obesity.

Methods: This research follows the established positive relationship between health care use and access to health care services through insurance coverage. The paper analyzes how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affected insurance coverage and access to health care services …

Sociodemographic And Biometric Factors Associated With Eating Behaviors Among African American Women Aged 18-74, Takiyah J. Thomas, Jammie M. Hopkins, Riba Kelsey-Harris, Folashade Omole, Ernest Alema-Mensah

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Obesity is a growing problem in the United States and is disproportionately increasing among African Americans. The objective of this study is to examine the sociodemographic and biometric factors associated with eating behaviors among African American women.

Methods: We analyzed data from the 2009-2010 dietary screener and weight history questionnaire from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multivariable analyses were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to determine the association between six specific eating behaviors and different sociodemographic and biometric factors. Analyses were conducted using SAS 9.4.

Results: The analyses show …

Mental Health Outcomes, Parenting Skills And Family Functioning Of Adult And Family Treatment Court Participants, Carolyn A. Malone, Jessica S. Rogers, Wendy P. Guastaferro, Daniel J. Whitaker

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Parental substance use places children at risk for poor social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes. Many parents with substance use disorders (SUD) are treated through accountability drug courts including adult drug courts (ADC) through the criminal justice system and family drug treatment courts (FTC) through the child welfare system. Little is known about the children of parents who participate in treatment through adult drug courts, which could serve as an important treatment venue for improving child outcomes. Children treated through family treatment courts are often the center of treatment. This research compared outcomes of parents and children involved in adult …