Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Literature Review Of Societal Obesity And Its Impact On United States Military Recruitment, Megan Thibodeaux

Capstone

In recent decades, obesity rates have increased in the United States, raising significant health and societal concerns, especially in terms of military readiness. The ever-rising rates of weight-related health obstacles present a critical national security issue as it impacts the effectiveness of recruitment. This literature review aims to analyze how obesity impacts military recruitment and readiness to serve while utilizing the socio-ecological model to help determine gaps in evidence. Data was drawn from Embase, PubMed, and PsychInfo. Inclusion criteria consisted of academic journals and reports from government and non-profit organizations written in English. They focused only on the United States …

A Comparative Analysis Of Japan And United States School Lunch Programs, Julie Phillips

Honors Theses

Question: Are school lunch policies and programs in Japan beneficial and applicable to the United States?

Main points: Japan has a certification program that allows dietitians to teach nutrition. Japan also includes agricultural experiences as part of its academic curriculum to promote holistic development in students.

Conclusion: The School Lunch program in the United States would benefit from providing an avenue through which dietitians are able to teach students nutrition and from increasing the number of schools involved in Farm to School so that more students have experiences with nature.

Association Between Medication Adherence And Asthma Among Latinos In The United States, Denisse Silva

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prior research has shown that Latinos in the United States face disproportionate challenges in managing their asthma symptoms. Therefore, this study aimed to identify factors that may influence medication adherence and asthma episodes among Latinos in the United States and was guided by Andersen’s health behavior theory. Data from 2020 Latinos who participated in the National Health Interview System in 2020 were analyzed. Findings indicated that nearly 23% of respondents reported an asthma episode. Approximately 25% of the sample reported an asthma episode during the last 12 months. A total of 43.6% of the sample reported not taking medication every …

A Job Satisfaction Evaluation Of Nursing In The United States And Greece Utilizing The American Nurses Association's Scope And Standards Of Practice, Audrey Narhi

Honors Projects

Nursing is a multifaceted profession that is constantly evolving with the health needs of the populations it serves. Professional organizations within the field utilize evidence-based practice to provide guidelines of what best-practice nursing is. This study aims to evaluate if the American Nurse's Association (ANA), a professional nursing organization in the United States, supports the realities of nursing in a rural US hospital. An international perspective is also considered by evaluating the same principles to a urban hospital in Athens, Greece. Categories that align with ANA Scope and Standards, including workplace environment, career development, supervisor relationships, and personal work practice, …

Association Between Sociodemographic Variables And Low Birthweight Among Disabled Black Mothers, Yewunetu Dessalegn Malefia

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low birthweight (LBW) affects around 30 million infants annually. Infants with LBW face a 20-fold risk of mortality compared to those weighing 2,500 grams or more at birth. In the United States, the prevalence of LBW is nearly double among Blacks compared to Whites. Despite 61 million U.S. adults with disabilities, including 35 million women, there remains a significant research gap concerning factors that contribute to LBW among Black mothers with a disability (BMWD). This retrospective study employed 2019 and 2020 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) datasets to investigate the association between LBW and sociodemographic factors among BMWD. Bivariate …

A Culturally Sensitive And Intersectional Approach To Healthcare Among Latinx Communities, Gabriela Meza

Nursing | Senior Theses

Various factors, including immigration status, language barriers, age, and socioeconomic status, influence healthcare service utilization among the Latinx population. This study seeks to assess whether culturally sensitive care addressing intersectional factors enhances health access and outcomes in low-income Latinx communities (Purpose). The research proposes a longitudinal quasi-experimental study involving 400 Latinx participants aged 18 and above in low-income urban Los Angeles neighborhoods. A control group of 200 participants and an intervention group of 200 will be established, with the latter receiving culturally sensitive interventions when seeking care during the study. A pre-study survey will collect demographic information, health history, healthcare …

Associations Between Self-Reported Cognitive Decline And Chronic Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (Brfss) 2022, Hailey Child

Capstone Experience

Objective: This study seeks to capture how self-reports measure cognitive decline. The association between chronic conditions and cognition with age consideration in individuals aged 45 and older is investigated.

Methods: Univariate analysis generates frequencies and weighted percentages of 2022 BRFSS data. Chi-square tests and polytomous regressions generate odds ratios for bivariate analyses. A weighted multiple logistic regression model stratified by age group analyzes self-reported cognitive decline.

Results: Respondents ages 45 to 54 with three or more chronic diseases have the highest odds (OR = 6.81; 95% CI = 4.42, 10.48) of cognitive decline. Respondents 75 and older …

The Relationship Between Intuitive Eating And Body Mass Index And Diet Quality In College Students, Ashley A. Reynolds

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective

The objective of this research was to explore the influence of intuitive eating (IE) on body mass index (BMI) and diet quality (DQ) among college students.

Methods

A cross-sectional convenience sample of college students completed an online survey consisting of the short-Healthy Eating Index (SHEI) and the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (23 items). Body mass index was calculated using self-reported height and weight. Descriptive statistics were used to assess group characteristics. A linear regression was used to test if IE scores significantly predicted BMI. An independent t-test was used to compare BMIs of students with IE scores above and below …

Inclusive Education Is Power: Revising Sexual Health Education For People With Disabilities, Carly M. Tsuruda

Master's Projects and Capstones

For people with disabilities in the United States, comprehensive sexual health education is not always available. There are a number of reasons for the lack of comprehensive sexual health education, including excessive censorship and curriculum that is not representative of people with disabilities. Sexual health education and disability are both topics that have several preconceived notions attached to them, yet there is a dearth in resources that could provide accurate information to those both with and without disabilities. These preconceived notions that have been associated with these identity labels lead to negative health outcomes for people with disabilities such as …

A Phenomenological Inquiry Into Healthcare Professionals Who Are Experts In Cannabinoid Therapy And The Endocannabinoid System (Ecs), Courtney Collins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cannabis is a prevalent alternative treatment for many symptoms and conditions given its medicinal qualities and few side effects. As legalization for both medical and recreational purposes continue to develop quickly across the United States of America, there is serious discrepancy between legalization and clinical research. Clinical data is difficult since the U.S. federal government still classifies cannabis as a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Schedule I drug with no clearly established medical value. This lag in evidence-base data has affected cannabinoid therapy and endocannabinoid system education (ECS) for healthcare professionals. There are gaps in medical school and continuing medical education …

Gender Role Conflict, Campus Climate, And Satisfaction Among Male Undergraduate Nursing Students, Randelle Sasa

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background. Gender role conflict (GRC) has been identified in the literature as a contributing factor to male undergraduate students’ dissatisfaction with the nursing program. Utilizing Bandura’s social cognitive theory as guiding framework, this study examined the relationships between GRC, campus climate (CC), satisfaction with the nursing program (SS), and demographic factors among male undergraduate nursing students. Understanding the associations between these variables may inform success initiatives for these at-risk students.

Methods. A cross-sectional survey was developed from valid and reliable instruments. The Gender Role Conflict Scale – Short Form measured GRC; the adapted Inventory of Male Friendliness in Nursing Programs …

Difference In Smoking Patterns And Quitting Status Between Premium And Non-Premium Cigar Users After Two Years Of Follow Up In Us Adults: Findings From The Population Assessment Of Tobacco And Health (Path) Study, 2016-2019, Sarah Valencia

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Previous studies have described the demographics, purchasing behaviors, trends in frequencies of cigar use, and quitting status among cigar poly users, however, there has not been a study that evaluates differences in demographic characteristics and quitting status for premium and non-premium U.S. adult cigar users. This study used secondary data analyses of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study public-use files dataset for adult traditional cigar users in wave 4 (2016-2018) and wave 5 (2018-2019). Traditional cigars were classified as premium or non-premium at wave 4 (2016-2018) using the brand and price per stick of cigar that was …

Comprehensive Literature Review: Assessing The Impact Of Covid-19 Policies, School Closures And Social Distancing, On The Mental Health Of School Age Children, Fatuma A. Hassan

Capstone Experience

Mental health is vital to the well-being of all individuals, especially children. COVID-19 unveiled a significant public health issue with poor mental health during the pandemic. There is limited literature about the mental health implications of COVID-19 policies for children and adolescents and preventive strategies for future pandemics. This comprehensive literature review seeks to further investigate the mental health impacts of school shutdowns and social distancing, which were nonpharmaceutical strategies, on school-aged children, 5-18 years old, and propose recommendations for public health officials to mitigate the mental health impacts for future pandemics. Additionally, the review aims to highlight the potential …

From “Cowardice” To “Shellshock”: The Definition And Treatment Of Mental Health In The United States Marine Corps During The Age Of The Great War, Itzel Marquez

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of my master’s thesis is to study how the United States’ Marine Corps recognized, defined, and treated mental health issues during the Great War and how this translated into the treatment of Marines by their peers and commanding officers. Similar to other countries that fought in the Great War, also referred to as World War I, the United States witnessed intense discussions about the psychological effects of war. The question of whether and how modern warfare affected troops’ mental health was addressed by all branches of the United States’ military. Yet, the issue of mental health in the …

Fixing The System: A Comparative Review Of The United Kingdom, Germany, And United States’ Healthcare Systems And Lessons Learned For Potential Improvements In The United States, Jessica Goddard

Senior Theses

In an effort to provide recommendations to the United States’ considerations of a universal healthcare system, this thesis analyzes the United States healthcare system alongside the sophisticated systems of the United Kingdom and Germany. Literature review and an analysis of 10 health outcomes and indicators guided the framework for a set of interview questions to be asked of healthcare professionals in all three countries. The interview response data was then organized and used to guide the suggested recommendations to the United States in its path towards universal healthcare. While a limited number of solutions could be provided given the time …

The Geographic Pattern And Socioecological Factors Of Helicobacter Pylori Infections In The United States, Judith Ann Merryweather

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common human pathogens and may play a role in the development of several distinct diseases, which include gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, and gastric cancer. Studying geographic territories of the United States may reveal clusters with high rates of H. pylori infection and perhaps the prevalence of gastric cancer; however, geographic mapping of patterns in the United States is scarce. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in H pylori infection patterns in the United States between two different time points (2000–2002 and 2016–2018). The primary hypotheses of this study …

Sun Exposure And Protective Behaviors Among U.S. Hispanic Farmworkers, Claudia Marie Delgado Cebollero

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sun exposure increases the risk of sun-related illnesses and skin cancer among U.S. Hispanic farmworkers. Reinforced by the health belief model, the purpose of this study was to determine the association between socio-demographic factors (i.e., age, educational attainment, gender, income, and marital status) and skin cancer with the level of sun exposure (sun’s effect on skin, sunburn reported) and protective behaviors (use of cap/visor, use of sunscreen) among adult Hispanic farmworkers in the United States. The study included Hispanic farmworkers aged 21 or older (N = 112) who responded to the 2015 National Health Interview Survey. Ordinal logistic regression showed …

A Unique Hiv Harm Reduction Perspective From Costa Rica: Hogar De La Esperanza An Ethnographic Case Study And Comparative Examination Of Approach To Hiv Treatment Between The United States And Costa Rica, Kim Marie Day

Theses and Graduate Projects

This case study presents a real, currently operational scenario of harm reduction in action in Costa Rica, focusing on its success and the challenges faced by healthcare professionals, the experiences of those who live at Hogar de la Esperanza, and the implications for healthcare policies and interventions in the United States. By examining this specific case of a Costa Rican community-based HIV treatment model, the aim of this ethnographic report is to shed light on the complexities and factors contributing to the success or failure of harm reduction treatment strategies within the United States and what can be learned by …

Greenspace Across The United States: Exploring Equity And Associations With Physical Activity, Obesity, And Health-Related Quality Of Life, Ellen W. Stowe

Theses and Dissertations

Neighborhood greenspace is important for health and well-being but may not be equitably present in neighborhoods across the United States. Also, many adults are physically inactive, have obesity, and report poor health-related quality of life. Greenspace has been tied to these health conditions, but with mixed findings. The purpose of this study was to 1) use an environmental justice perspective to examine variations in 11 measures of greenspace by neighborhood race/ethnicity, income, and rurality in block groups across the contiguous United States and 2) examine 11 greenspace measures in connection to physical activity, obesity, and health-related quality of life in …

Nutrition Facts Label Use Among U.S. Adolescents, Jennifer Beth Mandelbaum

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the promise of Nutrition Facts label (NFL) use as a population-level intervention with broad reach, few studies have examined determinants of adolescents’ NFL use, and how this label use may be associated with nutrition behaviors. This study used data from the International Food Policy Study, an online cross-sectional survey of trends in dietary patterns and policy-relevant behaviors in the U.S. and five other countries. First, this study examined 1) whether NFL use was associated with healthy eating efforts and 2) whether there were sociodemographic differences in NFL use among U.S. adolescents. Results demonstrated that NFL use was positively associated …

Approvals And Prices Of Systemic Antibiotics In Saudi Arabia And The United States, Saad Alharthi

Pharmaceutical Sciences (MS) Theses

Introduction

Antibiotics is one of the therapeutic classes with the highest level of consumption in the world. Despite the global diffusion of antibiotics, their availability and prices vary by country. This study assessed differences in the availability and prices of systemic antibiotics marketed in the United States (US) and Saudi Arabia and evaluated the factors associated with the differences in prices of systemic antibiotics marketed in both countries.

Material and Methods

We collected regulatory data from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) and the …

Multi-Method Approach To Examining Psychosocial Responses And Reactions To Covid-19 In The Us And China, Fan Li

Dissertations

Objective

The purpose is to examine health care providers’ psychosocial responses to COVID-19 in China and the US via exploring relationships among psychological responses and describing experiences of working at the epicenter during the pandemic.

Methods

In manuscript one, a cross-sectional study was conducted in nurse and physician volunteers who provided direct care to COVID-19 patients in Wuhan (volunteers) and those with no COVID-19 contact outside of Wuhan (non-volunteers). A path analysis theoretical model was developed to illustrate the relationships among psychosocial variables and was separately applied to volunteer and non-volunteer groups.

In manuscript two, a cross-sectional study was conducted …

Implementation And Evaluation Of A Syphilis Screening Tool To Increase Patient Testing For Syphilis Among Adults 18 Years And Older In A Rural Primary Care Clinic, Valeria S. Wiggins

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are an increasing epidemic in the United States (U.S.) that need immediate interventions to reverse the effects of syphilis on the sexual health of adults in rural populations. Many are unaware of the growing rate of syphilis and the overall impact it causes nationally. When syphilis is detected early, it can be easily treated and cured. Rural primary care providers are ideal candidates for implementing education, screening, testing, and treatment.

Purpose: The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aims to increase the frequency of screening patients in rural primary care clinics for high-risk sexual behaviors. …

Evaluation Of An Educational Presentation On Improving Nursing Students’ Knowledge About Medication Reconciliation, My Trinh

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

Medication reconciliation is the process of comparing a patient’s medications that they are currently taking and comparing it with newly ordered medications or comparing the list to another source of information. It is completed to avoid and reduce the risk for potential adverse drug events, medication discrepancies, and improve communication between transition of care settings. Although people acknowledge and perceive the value of medication reconciliation as an important process in reducing medication errors and patient harm, healthcare team members including nurses may receive little formal training and education in school. The purpose of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) scholarly …

Comorbidity Burden And Covid-19 Vaccination Intention: Application Of The Health Belief Model, Michael Raymond

Honors Theses

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted many aspects of American’s lives causing over 79 million cases and over 950,000 deaths. Existing research shows severity of COVID-19 infection may be linked to number of underlying health conditions, known as comorbidities. The objective of this study was to determine if comorbidity burden was associated with intention to vaccinate against COVID-19. This relationship was looked at through the Health Belief Model (HBM) and its mediating variables of perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers. Our sample was compromised of 350 individuals recruited from an online platform who were not already vaccinated against COVID-19. …

Examining Structural Racism As A Cause Of Health Inequities Among Pacific Island Peoples In The United States And Aotearoa New Zealand: An Exploratory Comparative Case Study, Jake Ryann Cambia Sumibcay

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) in the United States are known to experience profound and persistent disparities across most indicators of socioeconomic status and health when compared to the majority population. Similarly, the Indigenous Māori and Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand parallel the same experiences. Reducing disparities and improving health equity among racial/ethnic minority populations have been regarded as a national priority in both the United States and New Zealand. Improved population health data have provided insights into the social determinants of health (SDoH), which has unveiled multiple factors that contribute to health disparities, including income, education, residential …

What Alternative Models Are Effective In Improving Health Outcomes In Children With Obesity In The United States?, Kelsey Reineke

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Obesity in children has increased at an alarming rate in the past three decades and has been associated with multiple comorbidities. This literature review has been focused on pediatric obesity management research utilizing Family-Based Therapy, community-centered interventions, behavioral modifications, and implementations for management within the Primary Care setting.

Purpose: There has not been an established standard of care for children suffering from obesity. This investigation was focused on the question; What alternative models are effective in improving health outcomes in children with obesity in the United States?

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using Pub …

Digital Equity Is An Environmental Justice Issue, Courtney B. Cooper

Master's Projects and Capstones

Digital equity has evolved into a more critical area of focus due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the existing digital divide, or the divide that exists between those who have access to the internet and those that do not, by moving many important services and resources online to reduce the spread of the virus. This shift has created more challenges for communities who either lack or have inadequate access to the internet. Furthermore, it is likely that internet utilization will only increase as we continue to recognize its capabilities. A lack of or inadequate access …

Female Infertility In The United States And India: An Analysis Of Treatment Barriers And Coping Strategies, Devneet Singh

Honors Theses

This research studies barriers to accessing fertility treatment in the United States (U.S.) and India, as well as the coping strategies infertile women use. Barriers include reproductive health knowledge, cost, and politics, while coping is affected by cultural stigma, family, and religion. These two countries were chosen for their different cultural contexts, healthcare systems, and political infrastructure. Ten fertility specialists across both countries were interviewed as expert informants. Reproductive health knowledge was the most important barrier to accessing care in both countries, with similar gaps in understanding when and what type of care to utilize, though social media can educate …

The Future Of Artificial Intelligence In The Healthcare Industry, Erika Bonnist

Honors Theses

Technology has played an immense role in the evolution of healthcare delivery for the United States and on an international scale. Today, perhaps no innovation offers more potential than artificial intelligence. Utilizing machine intelligence as opposed to human intelligence for the purposes of planning, offering solutions, and providing insights, AI has the ability to alter traditional dynamics between doctors, patients, and administrators; this reality is now producing both elation at artificial intelligence's medical promise and uncertainty regarding its capacity in current systems. Nevertheless, current trends reveal that interest in AI among healthcare stakeholders is continuously increasing, and with the current …