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Factors Impacting Vaccine Uptake, Safety, And Efficacy Concerns Among Black And White Adults Previously Infected With Covid-19: A Survey-Based Study, Klea Troka

Public Health Theses

BACKGROUND: Despite COVID-19 disproportionality impacting Black communities, vaccine hesitancy may be higher in this group owing to longstanding and enduring systemic racism. In this study, we determined whether Black (vs White) adults within a Georgia (GA) integrated healthcare system, previously infected with COVID-19, were more or less likely to report vaccine hesitancy, report concerns about vaccine safety, and efficacy. We also explored how factors like social determinants of health and hardships faced during the COVID-19 pandemic can affect the impact race has on vaccine outcomes (uptake, safety concerns, efficacy concerns).

METHODS: We invited all adult members age ≥18 years at …

The Differential Incidence Of Gestational Hypertension Among Georgia Counties, Douglas Hoffmann

Public Health Theses

ABSTRACT

The Differential Incidence of Gestational Hypertension Among Georgia Counties

Douglas G. Hoffmann, MD

October 31, 2019

INTRODUCTION: Gestational hypertension is responsible for a significant number of maternal mortality cases. It is hypothesized that county-level incidence differences of gestational hypertension in Georgia are related to county demographic or environmental characteristics and disease risk.

AIM: This study aims to determine factors related to differential incidence rates of gestational hypertension in Georgia.

METHODS: Data was obtained from the Georgia Department of Public Health and publicly available sources for the years 2013-2017. Gestational hypertension clusters were identified using GeoDa software. Contextual continuous variables …

The Prevalence Of Chronic Disease Risk Behaviors And Their Association With Hypertension In Racial/Ethnic Minorities: An Examination Of Nhanes Data 2015-2016, Oluyemi Farinu

Public Health Theses

INTRODUCTION: Insufficient physical activity, poor diet, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption are each associated with the prevalence of chronic diseases such as hypertension. However, the clustering or co-occurrence of these chronic disease risk behaviors with the prevalence of hypertension among different racial/ethnic groups has not been fully investigated. Understanding the significance of this relationship is essential for efforts in prevention, as well as the alleviation of disparities in hypertension.

AIM: To examine racial/ethnic differences in the relationship between clustered chronic disease risk behaviors and hypertension.

METHODS: Data was obtained from the 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition …

The Association Between History Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus And Current Type 2 Diabetes Status: An Examination Of Nhanes Data 2011-2014, Linda Tran

Public Health Theses

Background: Diabetes is a growing chronic disease that affects more than 29 million adults in the United States and 422 million adults globally. Women with a history of gestational diabetes (GDM) are identified to be at higher risk for developing subsequent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The prevalence of GDM varies based on the data collection method, response rate, and diagnostic criteria. The aim of this study is to examine the association between history of GDM diagnosis and current T2DM status and how the relationship differs based on the participant’s age, race, and BMI.

Methods: Data from the 2011-2012 and …

Association Between Food Deserts And Diabetes Related Morbidity And Mortality Among Residents Of Fulton County, Georgia, Madhubanti Chatterji

Public Health Theses

Background: Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability among chronic diseases in the United States. Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes cases, is a preventable form of disease which can be controlled through diet and physical activity. But residents of places such as ‘food deserts’, with no access to fresh food, often bear the burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes. There have been very few studies which have particularly looked at the association between food environment and diabetes prevalence in such deprived areas.

Objective: The study investigated the association …

Associations Of Vigorous Physical Activity With Depression: An Examination Of Nhanes Data 2007-2008, Ugonma U. Emeruem

Public Health Theses

ABSTRACT

Background: Major depressive disorder or depression is a mental illness which affects people of a range of different ages. In terms of years lost due to disability, it is a leader. Physical activity is currently being used as a therapeutic treatment of depression that decreases levels of depression in individuals suffering from it. Physical activity can also be used as a form of prevention against depression. This study examines the association between vigorous physical activity and depression.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that utilized the secondary data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2008. Statistical …

Race And Health Online: A Public Health Exploration Of The Digital Landscape, Tanisha Kelley

Public Health Theses

The Internet has continued to reach new audience members and is an integral part of United States society. Social Cognitive Theory addresses the impact of the environment on health behavior, providing justification for surveillance of the digital environment in health behavior research. Health information headlines from two highly trafficked news sites were analyzed using content analysis. Search terms used were health, Blacks, African American, ethnicity and 2011. The headlines were coded by independent graduate level individuals and assessed for nine indices of interest.

There were 209 headlines analyzed for the study. Headlines contained health information that …

Comparison Of Screening Methods For Pre-Diabetes And Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus By Race/Ethnicity And Gender, Ashleigh E. Heath

Public Health Theses

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: Current screening guidelines for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus note that there are discrepancies in diagnosing the disease using the fasting plasma glucose test, oral glucose tolerance test, and HbA1_c in high-risk populations. The objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of screening methods for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and pre-diabetes by race/ethnicity and gender.

METHODS: Secondary analyses of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2005-2008) were performed using SPSS 19.0. Screening outcomes were assessed and compared for a sample of n=10,566, NHW, NHB, MA, and Multiracial/other men and women. Analyses included …

Validity Of Waist-To-Height Ratio As A Screening Tool For Type 2 Diabetes Risk In Non-Hispanic Whites, Non-Hispanic Blacks, And Mexican American Adult Women, Lindsey Cochran Ms.

Public Health Theses

Abstract

Validity of waist-to-height ratio as a screening tool for type 2 diabetes risk in non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks, and Mexican American Adult Women, from the ages 20-65 years of age.

Background:

A prominent screening measure for type 2 diabetes is a simple measure of waist circumference. Waist circumference is an aggregate measurement of the actual amount of total and abdominal fat accumulation and is a crucial correlate of the complexities found among obese and overweight patients. However, waist circumference does not take into consideration the frame of an individual. Hence, recent epidemiologic data have suggested the use of height …

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.