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The Contribution Of A Global Ethics Approach To Health And The Environment In The Niger Delta Region, Augustine Wayii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

THE CONTRIBUTION OF A GLOBAL ETHICS APPROACH TO HEALTH AND THE

ENVIRONMENT IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION

By

Augustine Lezorgia Wayii, M. ED, M.A.

May 2020

Dissertation supervised by Gerard Magill, PhD

The dissertation presents a global ethics approach that connects health and the environment in the context of the Niger Delta Region. The people of the Niger Delta region in Nigeria are experiencing major catastrophes that connect health and the environment. In the bid to ameliorate these pivotal problems, this dissertation undertakes an ethical analysis that connects health and the environment. Insofar as these problems can be characteristic …

Epidemics, Politics And Public Health: Ludwig Rajchman, Md, The League Of Nations Health Organization And The Creation Of A Transnational Health Institution, Paul J. Weinbaum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Traditional scholarship on the League of Nations labels the organization as a failure because it did not prevent the outbreak of the World War II. Recent research examines League activities in a more comprehensive manner and concludes that the organization should be credited with important and enduring achievements. Perhaps the most successful work was carried out by the Health Section led by Dr. Ludwick Rajchman. Using primary sources from the League archives in Geneva, documents from organizations such as the Rockefeller Foundation, articles from medical journals and other relevant secondary sources, I argue that the Health Section, became the world’s …

A Qualitative Analysis Of End-Of-Life Healthcare In Tennessee: Politics, Principles, And Perceptions, Erin Mauck

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The unprecedented growth of the aging population in Tennessee is a significant demographic trend that highlights the necessity for healthcare policy that tackles end-of-life issues. This study examined the perceived quality of end-of-life healthcare in Tennessee, areas that are in need of improvement, policies that have the potential to influence improvements, and the role of politics in end-of-life healthcare policy. It also assessed the support for end-of-life healthcare policy that would advance quality of care and expand end-of-life choices for Tennesseans, while evaluating the policy-making process that legislators employ.

For this study, data were collected using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with …

Characterization Of Adiposity And Inflammation Genetic Pleiotropy Underlying Cardiovascular Risk Factors In Hispanics., Mohammad Yaser (Anwar)

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The observed overlap between genetic variants associated with both adiposity and inflammatory markers suggests that changes in both adiposity and inflammation could be partially mediated by common pathways. The pervasive but sparsely characterized “pleiotropic” genetic variants associated with both adiposity and inflammation have been hypothesized to provide insight into the shared biology. This study explored and characterized the genetic pleiotropy underpinning adiposity and inflammation using genetic and phenotypic observations from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC). A total of 3,313 samples and >9 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were examined in this study. Mixed model genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were …

The Green House Nursing Home Model: The Gh Elements And Their Impact On Quality Of Care In Nursing Homes., Deborah Kaminka Niyongabo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nursing homes (NHs) have been described as hospital-like facilities where residents are more likely to experience isolation or abuse. The Green House (GH) model is a type of culture change which focuses on deinstitutionalizing traditional NHs to provide better quality of care and quality of life to NH residents. The two main objectives of this study are: to describe the GH model and its elements and to identify which GH elements impact the quality of care. This study also seeks to identify organizational theories used in the GH analysis. The next objective is to analyze the impact of the GH …

Stroke Preventive In African American Women Ages 20-40 That Are Using Or Have Used Oral Contraceptives, Ashanti L. N. Coleman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project will inform the audience of stroke awareness as it pertains to oral contraceptives. The study’s focus was to enhance the knowledge of African American women ages 20–40 that have used or are currently using an oral contraceptive. It has been identified that this patient population lacked the knowledge regarding stroke and oral contraceptives, and African American women continue to have the highest incidence of stroke. African American women also make up more than half of the consumers utilizing oral contraceptives. An oral contraceptive knowledge questionnaire was utilized from previous research to determine if any …

The Impact Of Cooking Knowledge, Attitude, Behavior, And Food Security Status On Diet Quality Of College Students At The University Of Maine, Angela I. Czup

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Food insecurity in the United States is a complex issue. Nutrition interventions and studies are often designed for high-risk populations with others being overlooked. Until recently, few studies and interventions have focused on college-aged students. In order to understand the nutrition-related needs of students at the University of Maine, it is necessary to determine their cooking knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and food security status. Study participants included college sophomores, juniors, and seniors [n=16 sophomores, (38.1%), n=15 juniors, (35.7%), n=11 seniors, (26.2%)]. The study design was cross-sectional where participants completed a combined Qualtrics online survey and the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment …

A Comprehensive Model Of Stress-Induced Binge Eating: The Role Of Cognitive Restraint, Negative Affect, And Impulsivity In Binge Eating As A Response To Stress, Rachael M. Huff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As obesity-related health issues account for the leading number of deaths in America, and these illnesses are even more prevalent in those that binge eat, treating obese individuals with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) has become a matter of life and death. Stress, negative affect, cognitive restraint, and impulsivity have all been implicated in binge eating symptomatology, suggesting that these may be key variables to consider when developing a comprehensive model (Groesz et. al., 2012; Friese et. al., 2015; Galanti et. al., 2007; Gay et al., 2008; Racine et. al., 2015; Leehr et. al., 2015). This project aims to further examine …

Investigation Of Factors Affecting The Hiv Continuum Of Care In Tennessee, Elaine Loudermilk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Factors contributing to the HIV continuum of care (HCC) for adults in Tennessee (TN) have not been studied in depth with known predictors for HIV risk, specifically adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), among low annual income or sexual minority groups [lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT)].

Methods: A mixed methods study design was used to assess factors related to the HCC. Quantitative analysis used the TN Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to examine at risk and ever tested for HIV, to (1) investigate ACEs among adults with low-income (<$25,000 annually) in 2016-2017 and (2) among LGBT in 2018. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression (MLR) analysis stratified by TN grand division were performed. Qualitative analysis included 11 interviews with persons living with HIV (PLWH) receiving care at a local clinic to evaluate surveillance questions related to ACEs and the HCC to develop a culturally appropriate survey.

Results: Quantitative results found that among LGBT (N=262) and low-income …

A Mixed-Methods Analysis Of Abortion Attitudes And Perceptions Among Women Living In Alabama And South Carolina, Anthony Peluso

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Legal induced abortion is a safe option for terminating a pregnancy for women of reproductive age in the United States (U.S.), though access has varied since the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton cases in 1973. Information is lacking on women’s attitudes toward and perceptions of abortion as well as on related constructs such as pregnancy attitudes and contraceptive use. Exploring these constructs is important in that it can provide much needed context to women’s reproductive life planning. This research aimed to explore perceptions of abortion access and safety and examine the potential associations between attitudes toward abortion access …

Cluster Analysis Of Opioid Accessibility In The Carolinas Using Data From The Arcos Database And An Enhanced Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Method, Michael T. Bunker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study takes advantage of transaction level data from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS) database made newly available under court order by The Washington Post in July 2019. This data details individual shipments of pharmaceutical opioid analgesics from wholesalers to retail distributors. Using the Enhanced 2-Step Floating Catchment Area (E2SFCA) method, this study calculated access to opioid morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per capita for census tracts in North Carolina and South Carolina during the year 2009. This study demonstrated that outlier volumes of opioid analgesics at individual pharmacies are not always …

Exploring The Relationship Between Dietary Self-Monitoring With A Mobile App And Weight Change, Jason Payne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Approximately 70% of the adult population in the United States has overweight or obesity and increased risk for developing chronic diseases. Dietary self-monitoring adherence using a paper diary is associated with weight loss; however, few studies have examined this association with dietary self-monitoring apps. Objectives: 1) explore if an association exists between app-based dietary self-monitoring and weight change among adults with overweight or obesity and 2) explore the relationships between the frequency, consistency, and completeness of self-monitoring and weight change. Methods: Participants self-monitored dietary intake for 8 weeks using the app Calorie Counter by FatSecret. Participants were assigned …

Health And Academic Achievement In College And University Students, Amber Beane

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this non-experimental quantitative correlational study was to investigate the relationship between academic achievement and health in a national sample of college students using quantitative data analysis. Specifically, the researcher analyzed the relationship between three health-promoting behaviors (physical activity, strength training, and fruit and vegetable consumption), three negative health behaviors (cigarette, e-cigarette, and opioid use) and obesity with GPA.

Cross-sectional data on student health collected from the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment II (ACHA-NCHA-II) and completed by 426,650 college students from 650 U.S. colleges during the semesters between 2015 and 2019 formed the foundation for …

Association Of Perfluorinated Chemicals With Endocrino-Carcinogenetic, Obesogenic And Metabolic Health And With Markers Of Chronic Inflammation And Oxidative Stress, Ogbebor Enaholo Omoike

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

First, this study examined the association of perfluorinated chemicals with 1) cardio-metabolic health outcomes and 2) the association of phthalates with cardiometabolic health outcomes, and 3) cardio-metabolic health outcomes while assessing the possibility of additive interactions between perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) and phthalates. Second, association with markers of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress were explored. Finally, this study examined the association of these chemicals with estrogenic cancers- Breast cancer, prostate cancer, uterine cancer and ovarian cancer.

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between PFCs and the cardio-metabolic …

Preventable Hospitalization Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients In Kentucky Before And After Medicaid Expansion 2010-2017., Turky Jamil Arbaein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: 1) Analyze county level variation in T2DM-PH rates in Kentucky before ACA (2010-2013) and after the ACA (2014-2017). 2) Analyze the relationship between county level socioeconomic factors (income per capita, percentage of uninsured people, percent of urban population, primary care and general preventive offices, population aged 65 and above, median age, household income, percentage in poverty, and unemployment rate ) and county level T2DM-PH rates before (2010-2013) and after (2014-2017) ACA implementation in Kentucky. Method: This research was conducted in two phases: Phase one of this study estimated the county-level PH variation among T2DM patients across eight years (2010-2017), …

Volatile Organic Compound Exposure And Cardiometabolic Syndrome Risk In A Nationally Representative Cohort., Stacey Lane Konkle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: The relative importance of environmental exposures such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is one of the paramount public health priorities of our time, yet is presently unstudied. VOCs are ubiquitous in the environment and have been associated with numerous adverse health effects, including a number of cardiovascular and metabolic effects that are components of Cardiometabolic Syndrome (CMS). OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between CMS and individual-level exposures to VOCs, measured as urinary metabolites of VOCs (UM-VOCs), in a nationally representative sample. METHODS: Associations between urinary biomarkers of exposure to 19 parent VOCs and CMS were assessed using the National …

Managing Stress In A Constantly-Changing Workforce, Lorri Burch-Hubbard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

When staffing reductions occur in the workplace, staff left behind may face increased stress, may not be given the support they need to manage the feelings caused by the reduction. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of stress caused by staffing reductions has on medical technologists (MT), medical technicians (MLT) and respiratory therapists (RT), and to identify any common methods of stress management used by those staff who remain in the organization.

Literature research showed the negative impact stress can have on individuals when it is not addressed, such as decreased work performance, health issues, and even the …

Converting Threats Into Opportunities Predicting Medical Error Reporting Behavior., Whitney Thomas Rogers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Medical errors are a public health epidemic and a major threat to patient safety. Estimates suggest they may be responsible for 210,000 - 440,000 preventable deaths per year. This would make medical errors the third leading cause of death in the United States. The societal burden of medical errors is steep, with the economic impact near $1 trillion. The purpose of this study was to use a theory-driven approach to better understand the reporting behavior of healthcare professional. Increased error reporting leads to heightened awareness of the precursors or conditions generating errors, which can then be corrected. In its most …

Tobacco Smoke Exposures And Fertility-Related Outcomes Among Females Seeking Fertility Care, And The Interaction With N-Acetyltransferase 2 (Nat2).., T'Shura S. A. Ali

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cigarette smoke contains thousands of harmful substances and is one of the leading preventable causes of mortality and morbidity in the United States. Past studies examining tobacco smoke exposures on fecundability and pregnancy outcomes are inconsistent. NAT2 is an important enzyme in the metabolism of xenobiotic substances found within tobacco smoke. This preconception cohort study examines associations between active smoking and secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) on fecundability and spontaneous abortion (SA), and explores a possible interaction with NAT2 acetylator status. A total of 223 women seeking fertility care were followed for up to 2.3 years. Preconception tobacco smoke exposures were …

Oral Health-Related Quality Of Life In Us Adults With Type 2 Diabetes., Giang Truong Vu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focused on the relationship between type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and the factors associated with this relationship in the US. The objectives of the dissertation research were a three-part process: (1) to understand the relationships of T2DM with poor OHRQoL, clarify risk and preventive factors that affect this association, and identify research gaps in the literature, (2) to analyze risk factors associated with poor OHRQoL in US adults with T2DM using a nationally representative random probability cluster sample, and (3) to apply structural equation modeling (SEM) to a simplified Andersen’s Behavioral Model …

Rural-Urban Variations In Meals On Wheels Programs, Lea C. Florence

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Older adults are living longer than ever before. By 2060, the U.S. population aged 65 or older is projected to reach 98 million. As adults age, the prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities increases. The need for Meals on Wheels (MOW) services is growing alongside the aging population. Yet, little is known about the geographic variation of services. Little is documented about the organizational capacity of MOW organizations in terms of geography. The current policies supporting home-and community-based services, including MOW, may be insufficient to support all older adults in all types of communities. An analysis of the More Than …

The Impact Of State-Level Laws On Syringe Service Program Access And Risk Environment Of People Who Inject Drugs (Pwid), Samuel Pettyjohn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Understanding concentrated areas with high rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) allows for improved placement of Narcan access points through syringe services programs (SSPs). People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) have lower risk of contracting infectious diseases the closer they are to SSPs. Tennessee law prohibits SSPs within 2000ft of a school or park, impacting the placement of SSPs in non-urban areas. Testing factors related to SSP siting placement within a system dynamic model can better determine the relationship between PWID risk environment and SSP access and utility.

Methods: We identified areas of greatest need for harm reduction interventions within …

A Novel Approach To Hiv Prevention: Understanding Multi-Level Influences On Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) Uptake And Outreach Among African Americans., Suur Debrah Ayangeakaa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examined and provided basis for addressing factors related to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) engagement, outreach, and uptake among high-risk African American youth groups in Louisville, KY. This qualitative dissertation study was designed through the lens of an interpretive framework of social constructivism which holds that multiple realities and interpretations exist and are socially constructed through the lived experiences of individuals and their interactions with others. Thus, lived experiences of various African American youth groups in Louisville as well as key informants of AIDS service organizations (ASOs) across the U.S. (including Louisville) were explored to develop a deeper understanding …

Increasing Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors In Cargo Drivers, Ronda L. Bell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to examine the extent to which lifestyle behaviors of transportation drivers in North Texas can be improved with health education. This research study was conducted to examine the health behaviors of transportation drivers as a result of an educational partnership between nursing and the transportation industry. The goal was to improve healthy lifestyles through education to decrease chronic illness and comorbid conditions of a significantly at-risk occupational population. The impact of this education was immediate and verified with quantitative measurement and statistical analysis. Results demonstrated that after nurse-led health education, transportation drivers reported significant …

The Effect Of Care Coordination On Hemoglobin A1c For Type 2 Diabetes Patients, Lee Ann Hinsky

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to test the impact of care coordinator visits by primary care registered nurses on serum hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. In the study, the researcher compared 2 groups of type 2 diabetes patients—those who had care coordinator visits from registered nurses and those who did not—through retrospective data collection and analysis from the patients’ electronic medical record from July 2018 through December 2018. An independent samples t test was used to compare the means of the intervention and control groups’ change in HbA1c levels. The intervention and control groups …

Resources To Access Health Care For Low Socioeconomic Status Youth Athletes, Stephanie Walsh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Approximately 60 million youth participate in organized sports, with 13.5 million receiving care for sports related injuries each year. Most youth sports organizations do not have readily accessible health care resources; relying on parents and guardians to manage injuries. However, a majority of parents and guardians are untrained in appropriate management of injuries, therefore there is a need for understanding the availability of health care resources within the community. Resources necessary to access health care include health services, health insurance, transportation, and communication. Barriers to these resources may affect lower socioeconomic status family’s accessibility to care. Purpose: Investigate the …

The Relationship Between Food Rules And Childhood Obesity In Rural And Non-Rural Families, Anna Venjohn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Childhood obesity is continuing to rise, leading to long-term health consequences. Research shows that rural populations have higher rates of childhood obesity. There is a lack of research on how the home environment may affect this health disparity. Parents often enforce food rules to control their child’s eating habits, but the difference between the rural and non-rural populations in enforcing these rules is unknown.
Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to determine if there is a significant difference in food rules between rural and non-rural school-aged children, and if these differences correlate to BMI categories.
Methods: Secondary …

Parenting Styles, Parenting Practices, And Dietary Intakes Of Preschoolers And Their Parents, Biyi Chen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Emerging research efforts have focused on the role of parents in the development of dietary behaviors of their children. Parental influences play a particularly important role in determining the children’s weight and shaping children’s dietary behaviors, especially during early childhood. Parent-related determinants can be classified as two types—general parenting (parenting style) and specific parenting practices (e.g, food parenting practices). Examining the interactions between parental influences and preschoolers’ and their parental dietary behaviors and may reveal important insights into how parents influence children’s dietary behaviors. Therefore, the goal of this research is to examine the associations between parenting styles, food parenting …

Assessing Public Health Workforce Informatics Competencies: A Study Of Three Health Departments In Metro Atlanta, Olatanwa Adewale

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: There is a need for the public health workforce to be current and versatile in technology usage. Public health leveraging technology usage in service delivery has the potential to improve efficiency and bring it to the forefront in the provision of healthcare services. The purpose of this study was to assess public health workforce informatics competencies in select Atlanta health districts and determine the correlates of public health informatics proficiency.

Methods: A 10-item instrument adapted from the recommendations of a Working Group document by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the 2015 Informatics Capacity and …

A Content Analysis Of Institutions Of Higher Education's Sexual Assault Policies: Assessing Response To Sexual Assault In Georgia, Brianna Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sexual assault is a public health concern that must be systematically addressed. The existence of a comprehensive sexual assault policy and compliance with federal regulations can guide institutions of higher education in responding to and preventing sexual assault on campus. Federal laws hold institutions accountable for providing a safe environment for students. The purpose of this qualitative content analysis was to assess compliance with federal policy and assess the response to sexual assault by IHE in Georgia. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics was utilized to identify Georgia's institutions receiving federal aid during 2018-2019. Using a proportionate stratified …