Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Quality Evaluation Tool For Clinician Online Continuing Medical Education, Brittany Rosen, Gary Kreps, James M. Bishop Mr., Skye L. Mcdonald

Health Behavior Research

The purpose of this study was to develop and assess an instrument evaluating the quality of online continuing medical education interventions for clinicians. A review of seminal literature for evaluating health-related websites was conducted to incorporate best practices from health education, health communication, and web-based design principles. After reviewing the literature, 12 preliminary quality indicators were developed. Two independent coders used the preliminary quality indicators to code continuing medical education interventions. Internal reliability of the preliminary indicators was calculated using the Krippendorff’s alpha coefficient. After completing the reliability testing and revising the tool, the quality evaluation framework consisted of six …

Health Literacy And Self-Rated Health Among Homeless Adults, Chisom Odoh Phd, Jennifer I. Vidrine Phd, Michael S. Businelle Phd, Darla E. Kendzor Phd, Pooja Agrawal, Lorraine R. Reitzel Phd

Health Behavior Research

Poor health literacy reduces the efficacy of behavior change interventions, hampers management of health conditions, and attenuates understanding of the prevention and treatment of diseases. Poor health literacy has also been linked to fair/poor self-rated health in domiciled samples; however, there is a paucity of studies on the relation amongst homeless adults, who bear a disproportionate burden of disease and disability and require a high level of care and access to health services. Here, we examined the association between health literacy and self-rated health among a convenience sample of homeless adults. Participants were recruited from six homeless-serving agencies in Oklahoma …

What Determines Young Adults’ Attitudes, Perceived Norms, And Perceived Behavioral Control Towards Healthy Sleep Behaviors? A Reasoned Action Approach, Paul Branscum, Katie Qualls Fay

Health Behavior Research

A common limitation to the design of public health sleep interventions is the overall lack of using theory. Previous researchers have utilized the theory of planned behavior and the reasoned action approach (RAA) to predict healthy sleep behaviors, however much of this research was done using reflective (or generalized) measures, which alone is likely inadequate to equip health practitioners with tangible information they can use to translate theory into practice. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use formative (or belief-based) measures of the RAA to evaluate the determinants of attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) of …

Negative School Experiences And Pain Reliever Misuse Among A National Adolescent Sample, Kelsi J. Wood, Keith A. King, Rebecca A. Vidourek, Ashley L. Merianos

Health Behavior Research

A recent public health concern is the nonmedical use of prescription drugs among U.S. adolescents. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between negative school experiences and lifetime and past year pain reliever misuse among adolescents enrolled in high school nationwide. A secondary analysis was performed using the National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2017 data. Participants included 8,337 adolescents enrolled in 9^th -12^th grades. A total of 6.0% of high school students reported they had misused pain relievers in their lifetime, and 3.9% reported they had misused pain relievers during the past year. …

Using The Theory Of Triadic Influence To Examine Correlates Of Positive Drug Expectancies Among Hispanic Adolescents, Wura Jacobs, Lauren Bartoszek, Jennifer Unger

Health Behavior Research

This study employs the Theory of Triadic Influence (TTI) which articulates the different variables that influence health-related behaviors into streams of influence—intrapersonal, social, and cultural—to better understand factors that influence positive drug use expectancies (PDE) among Hispanic adolescents. Data for the study came from Project RED, which included 1,963 high school students in Southern California. The relationships between participants’ drug expectancies and different streams of influence were examined using regression analysis. Participants were mostly females (54.2%); with a mean age of 17.13 years. Controlling for other covariates, there were no cultural stream variables associated with PDE (Model 1). Model 2, …

The Spread And Utility Of Social Network Analysis Across A Group Of Health Behavior Researchers, Megan S. Patterson, Tyler Prochnow Med, Patricia Goodson

Health Behavior Research

Social network analysis (SNA), both as theory and methodology, is a powerful framework for delimiting and studying health behaviors. Using SNA allows scholars to answer new research questions, innovatively investigate the social and systemic contexts of health and behavior, and collaborate on multi- or inter-disciplinary projects. As a result, SNA is growing in popularity within health behavior research and practice. Despite SNA’s contribution and appeal, few health behavior researchers and practitioners have access to formal SNA education; much of the current training efforts occur outside degree-granting curricula. Therefore, the aims of this paper were to: 1) assess the diffusion of …

Mentoring The Next Generation Of Health Professionals: A Mentor-The-Mentor Approach, Andrea L. Demaria, Stephanie Meier, Jaziel L. Ramos-Ortiz

Health Behavior Research

The purpose of this commentary is to share team-based mentoring strategies used for successful interdisciplinary research team productivity and sustainability. This commentary lists and describes the top ten considerations for building a productive mentor-the-mentor approach, inspired by the train-the-trainer method. The approach promotes reciprocal training and individualized experiences, while producing positive professional and personal outcomes. We pinpoint how relationship-building rooted in passion and clear communication, explicit expectations and regular celebrations, and routine paired with a bit of play enhances productivity and encourages future health professionals to emerge as leaders in the field.

Mers-Cov Infection In South Korea And Strategies For Possible Future Outbreak: Narrative Review, Chulwoo Park

Faculty Publications

Although there were some positive viewpoints from international press and academia that the Republic of Korea (hereafter South Korea) successfully controlled the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in 2015, the domestic point of view towards the MERS response in South Korea was critical. As people in the world’s 11th largest economy, South Koreans criticized the failure of hospitals’ initial response to the MERS index case and the lack of a proper control strategy for secondary and tertiary cases. To contain the MERS outbreak, South Korea implemented mainly three MERS control and intervention strategies: quarantine and isolation system, temporary closure …

Sex Differences In Becoming A Current Electronic Cigarette User, Current Smoker And Current Dual User Of Both Products: A Longitudinal Study Among Mexican Adolescents, Rosibel Rodríguez-Bolaños, Edna Arillo-Santillán, Inti Barrientos-Gutiérrez, Luis Zavala-Arciniega, Charity A. Ntansah, Jim Thrasher

Faculty Publications

This study aimed to assess sex differences in predictors for becoming a current exclusive electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) user, current exclusive smoker, or current dual user (concurrent smoking and e-cigarette use). This longitudinal study included 2399 females and 2177 males who had tried neither cigarettes nor e-cigarettes at baseline and attended 57 middle schools in the three largest cities in Mexico. We estimated multinomial logistic models stratified by sex. At follow-up, the prevalence of current exclusive e-cigarette use was 6.4% for males and 5.5% for females; current exclusive smoking was similar among males (3.6%) and females (3.5%); dual use was 2.4% …

Small Molecules That Inhibit Tnf Signalling By Stabilising An Asymmetric Form Of The Trimer, James O'Connell, John Porter, Boris Kroeplien, Tim Norman, Stephen Rapecki, Rachel E. Davis, David Mcmillan, Tracy Arakaki, Alex Burgin, David Fox Iii, Tom Ceska, Fabien Lecomte, Alison Maloney, Alex Vugler, Bruce Carrington, Benjamin P. Cossins, Tim Bourne, Alastair Lawson

Faculty Publications

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a cytokine belonging to a family of trimeric proteins; it has been shown to be a key mediator in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. While TNF is the target of several successful biologic drugs, attempts to design small molecule therapies directed to this cytokine have not led to approved products. Here we report the discovery of potent small molecule inhibitors of TNF that stabilise an asymmetrical form of the soluble TNF trimer, compromising signalling and inhibiting the functions of TNF in vitro and in vivo. This discovery paves the way for …

Redefining Trauma: Utilizing Restorative Justice To Repair Care Systems, Emebet Aklilu

Master's Projects and Capstones

This project examined the ways in which restorative justice programming can improve trauma informed care among the African American population in Oakland, CA. With 23% of African American men and women living at or below the poverty line in the United States, this project assesses gaps in current trauma informed care practices as evident in the literature. Following a rigorous document review the author coded and organized key programming components following six factors detailed by Rowher, Schoones, and Young (2014). Further examination of these program components was conducted using Bloom’s taxonomy levels to assess program outcomes associated with specific modules …

Art-Based Health Education For Homeless And Marginally Housed Women In San Francisco, Trineca R-N Godfrey

Master's Projects and Capstones

San Francisco currently has the highest rate of unsheltered homeless persons in the United States. Between limited resources and stigma many women included in this most vulnerable population are left with little to no support. Cis women as well as trans and non- binary people are at high risk for negative mental health outcomes due to violence (physical and psychological), stigma, lack of social support, societal marginalization, and the lack of healthcare. Lyon-Martin Health Services and the Women’s Community Clinic, in San Francisco’s Mission Neighborhood, caters to this community through its Outreach Department. Following a staff and outreach client needs …

Changing Minds: Measuring The Impact Of A Student-Led Club To Reduce Mental Health Stigma Among Teenagers, Jennifer Anolin

Master's Projects and Capstones

Introduction: Stigma is a major barrier for teenagers to access mental health services. Additional barriers include low health literacy, and demographic factors, such as gender, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity. Studies show that successful solutions to decreasing stigma involve interventions inside of schools. The purpose of this project was to measure impact of the Bring Change 2 Mind (BC2M) program and recommend program improvement needs.

Methods: Four survey instruments were used to evaluate BC2M’s student-led club program and to determine the club’s impact on reducing stigma at each participating high school. Each survey consisted of both qualitative and quantitative questions fielded …

A Nurse Practitioner-Led Group Advance Care Planning Program In An Independent And Assisted Living Community, Alexander Bustos

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

It has been well documented that the majority of people want to spend their last days in the comfort of their own homes, free of pain, and off any dependent machine. , However, the majority of people have not documented these wishes or talked with their family or provider about end of life care (Hamel, Wu, & Brodie, 2017). The Patient Self Determination Act (PSDA), which took effect on December 1, 1991, was enacted to raise awareness and promote discussions between patients and providers about end of life (EOL) healthcare decisions. The primary care nurse practitioner is in a prime …

Air Pollution & Asthma Prevalence: Hotspot Analysis On Environmental Injustice In Buffalo, New York, Zuveria Shaguphta

Graduate Dissertations and Theses

This research aims to focus on the historical impacts of segregation in these communities (with Census Bureau data) and whether we see that these are the areas with continued segregation and a disproportionate number of TRI facilities. The third part of this research will be to investigate the presence of asthma in these neighborhoods as documented by the New York State Health Department. Asthma is a chronic disease in which the airways are inflamed due to some kind of external factor causing this reaction. Literature shows that there is a relationship between outdoor air pollution from combustion of fossil fuels …

Biological And Psychological Implications Of Mindfulness Meditation For College Students, Kelsey Madison Dietrich

Honors Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was threefold: investigate the psychological implications of mindfulness meditation for college students enrolled in a semester-long course introducing these practices, investigate the biological implications of mindfulness meditation for these students, and create the Peer Education “Mindfulness” presentation for the Wellness Connection to introduce mindfulness meditation methods to a greater quantity of college students. The following paper describes the two components of this capstone project that examine the implications of mindfulness meditation opportunities available for college students specifically at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Different Combinations Of Behavior Change Interventions And Frequencies Of Interpersonal Contacts Are Associated With Infant And Young Child Feeding Practices In Bangladesh, Ethiopia, And Vietnam, Sunny S. Kim, Phuong Hong Nguyen, Lan Mai Tran, Silvia Alayon, Purnima Menon, Edward A. Frongillo Jr.

Faculty Publications

Background: Social and behavior change communication interventions are integral to improving dietary and care practices, but evidence on the impact of the combination and intensity of these interventions in different contexts is scarce. Objectives: We examined the extent of and factors associated with intervention exposure: interpersonal communication (IPC) alone or with other interventions (i.e., mass media, community mobilization, or nutrition-sensitive agricultural activities), number of and factors associated with IPC contacts, and combinations of intervention components and number of contacts associated with infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. Methods: We used endline survey data from impact evaluations in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, …

Screening Of Physical Activity Levels In Older Adults At A Community-Based Health Fair: A Feasibility Study, David B. Gillette, Preeti Oza, Todd E. Davenport

Pacific Journal of Health

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of activity level screenings in community-based health fairs. Additionally, we assessed relationships between participants’ sociodemographics, health-related factors and self-reported activity levels.

Methods: Feasibility was assessed by the time required to conduct screenings and ease of integrating it into the health fair workflow. Physical Therapy students collected responses using Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and the Physical Activity Level (PAL) items from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Results:Screenings increased service and wait times. Participants (N=37, mean age=71.5 years) reported a mean of 4.8 fall risk factors, …

Why Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients In The United States Use Or Do Not Use Emergency Medical Services Transport? Findings Of An Inpatient Survey, Sudha Xirasagar, Meng-Han Tsai, Khosrow Heidari, James W. Hardin, Yuqi Wu, Robert Wronski, Dana Hurley, Edward C. Jauch, Souvik Sen

Faculty Publications

Background: Patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who use emergency medical services (EMS) receive quicker reperfusion treatment which, in turn, mitigates post-stroke disability. However, nationally only 59% use EMS. We examined why AIS patients use or do not use EMS.

Methods: During 2016–2018, a convenience sample of AIS patients admitted to a primary stroke center in South Carolina were surveyed during hospitalization if they were medically fit, available for survey when contacted, and consented to participate. The survey was programed into EpiInfo with skip patterns to minimize survey burden and self-administered on a touchscreen computer. Survey questions covered symptom characteristics, …

7-Epi-Clusianone, A Multi-Targeting Natural Product With Potential Chemotherapeutic, Immune-Modulating, And Anti-Angiogenic Properties, Wesley F. Taylor, Maria Yanez, Sara E. Moghadam, Mahdi Moridi Farimani, Sara Soroury, Samad N. Ebrahimi, Marzieh Tabefam, Ehsan Jabbarzadeh

Faculty Publications

Targeted therapies have changed the treatment of cancer, giving new hope to many patients in recent years. The shortcomings of targeted therapies including acquired resistance, limited susceptible patients, high cost, and high toxicities, have led to the necessity of combining these therapies with other targeted or chemotherapeutic treatments. Natural products are uniquely capable of synergizing with targeted and non-targeted anticancer regimens due to their ability to affect multiple cellular pathways simultaneously. Compounds which provide an additive effect to the often combined immune therapies and cytotoxic chemotherapies, are exceedingly rare. These compounds would however provide a strengthening bridge between the two …

Condom Dispenser Program, Madilynn Turner

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Health and Wellness Services (HWS) at California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) takes an integrative health approach to support the CSUMB campus community. There six entities that make up HWS, however, the Condom Dispenser Program (CDP) was implemented under Health Promotion and Education (HPE). The mission of HPE is to ensure that CSUMB community members are reaching holistic wellness through the adoption of healthy behaviors. This goal is met through programming, outreach, and education that is provided.

The need that was discovered through analysis of the National Collegiate Health Assessment (NCHA) was that students are not using condoms to prevent …

Blueprint For Shared Safety Strategic Plan, Reann Ramos

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Blueprint for Shared Safety strategic plan will be adopted by Santa Cruz County Community Corrections Partnership as a framework of principles and practices that community leaders can use to lead shared safety strategies. By shifting the focus from the traditional criminal justice system to investments that can truly make our communities safer, the Blueprint aims to re-envision public safety together. The Community Corrections Partnership Community Education and Engagement Workgroup (CCP CEEW) has conducted data analysis to identify the key assets and gaps in Santa Cruz County. After identifying the key assets and gaps there were recommendation review sessions that …

Flowers Or Flora?: Understanding The Effects Of Probiotics On Depression, Nicole Collopy

Senior Theses

The human gut is populated with hundreds of types of bacteria and fungi. In North America, both intestinal and mood disorders are prevalent, presenting health problems that challenge health care professionals and patients alike. A scholarly literature review was conducted to explore this important relationship.

The investigation of the literature revealed that there is an association between gut health disorders and mood disorders, mainly anxiety and depression. This is due to bi-directionality between the brain-gut pathways, meaning that gastrointestinal health may have an effect on mental health and vice versa.

This connection between gut and mood can have substantial implications …

Correlation Between Carotid Intima-Media Thickness And Serum Tnf-Alpha Levels In Female With Rheumatoid Arthritis Of Different Ethnicities: A Single-Centre Experience In Malaysia, Kek Xin Yi, Asrul A. Wahab, Mohamad Norazrin Mohd Abas, Siti Amira Kamarul Abdul Wahid, Faridah Hanun Othman, Mohd. Shahrir Mohamed Said

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a destructive chronic inflammatory disease with intra- and extra-articular manifestations. It is associated with accelerated formation of arteriosclerosis. The aim of this study was to ascertain the correlation between endothelial dysfunction using carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels among the three main ethnic groups in Malaysia: Malay, Chinese, and Indian. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 23 females with RA belonging to three different ethnic groups who were free from cardiovascular risk factors. Blood sample was taken from each patient to measure serum TNF-α level, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte …

The Impact Of Income On Nutrition. A Case Study Of Northern Mozambique, Hunter Swanigan

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

In 2017, Mozambique ranked as one of the least-developed countries in the world by measures of health, education, and income, and had one of the lowest GDP per capita at $1,300. With a minimal income, purchasing adequate food to meet recommended levels of nutrients for a healthy diet is difficult, leaving almost half of the country’s population undernourished. This study researched what foods are available during the dry months (hungry season) of May through October in the Nampula province of Mozambique to analyze if it is possible to meet the National Institutes of Health’s recommended levels of nutrients from purchasing …

Diabetes And Effectiveness Of Gym Usage, Roberto Moore

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Central Coast YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) exists to support community members who are diagnosed as pre-diabetic. DPP participants are provided a free membership to the YMCA’s gym, but are under utilizing this resource. Some reasons that participants may not be utilizing the gym are lack of time, work schedules, the language barrier in utilizing the equipment and childcare concerns. If participants are not utilizing the gym they may not complete the program and may be at risk of contracting diabetes and possibly losing a limb. In order to understand the specific barriers for this group in utilizing this …

Factors Influencing Consumers’ Choices Of Oral Hygiene Products: A Cross-Sectional Study, Faiza Awais, Hazik Bin Shahzad, Kiran Naheed, Ayyaz Ali Khan

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Environment, peer-groups, and salespersons influence consumers’ purchasing decisions regarding oral hygiene products. Other influences include various cultural, social, demographic, and socioeconomic factors. This study was designed to determine factors motivating and influencing consumers while choosing oral hygiene aids. Methods: 410 patients (age, 10–70 years), who visited the outpatient department of Sheikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore, Pakistan, were subjected to a close-ended questionnaire survey. Factors investigated included cost, packaging, media advertisement, perceptions, and previous experiences. Results: The cost of oral-hygiene products (82%) were the biggest influence. Advertisements influenced 55% of consumers in their purchase decisions regarding oral …

The Roles Of Intra-Household Gendered Dominance In Unmet Need For Family Planning Across Myanmar, Win Ei Phyu, Chalermpol Chamchan

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Unmet need for family planning in Myanmar (estimated 15.8% by the UN in 2017) is relatively high compared to other South East Asia countries. Moreover, Social Institutions and Gender Index in Myanmar is very high and cultural norms promote childbearing. Thus, this paper was conducted to examine role of intra-household gendered dominance (IHGD) in unmet need for family planning across Myanmar to set more effective intervention for family planning. Methods: The study utilized secondary data from 2015–2016 MDHS. Total 7,652 married women in reproductive age (MWRA) were included and 16% of them had unmet need for family …

Experiences Of Parents And Caregivers Of Children With Disability On Community-Based Rehabilitation (Cbr) Services In Malaysia: A Qualitative Study, Haliza Hasan, Syed Mohamed Aljunid Syed Junid

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The rehabilitation program for disabled children is provided through community-based rehabilitation (CBR) services by an initiative of the Department of Social Welfare Malaysia. This long-term program needs commitment and compliance, which relates to the quality of services experienced by parents and caregivers. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of the parents and caregivers of disabled children on the CBR services. Methods: This qualitative study utilized in-depth interview sessions held from March to May 2015. Fifteen parents and caregivers who had disabled children participating in the CBR program were selected using a purposive …

Chronic Constipation Among Community-Dwelling Older People In The East Coast Region Of Peninsular Malaysia, Patimah Abdul Wahab, Azidah Abdul Kadir, Yeong Yeh Lee, Siti Hawa Ali, Dariah Mohd Yusoff

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, symptoms, and factors associated with chronic constipation among community-dwelling older people in the East Coast region of Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four selected health clinics using stratified cluster sampling. A face-to-face interview was carried out among the elderly outpatients, in order to complete a structured questionnaire. Results: A total of 400 participants were included in the study. The mean age was 68.7 ± 6.4 years, and 55% of the cohort were women. The prevalence of chronic constipation was 32.3% among the sample population. The …