Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Perceived Cardiovascular Risk Among West Africa Immigrants In Dekalb County, Georgia, Oluwayomi Fabayo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

West African immigrants appear to carry a heavier burden of hypertensive heart disease than the native-born African Americans in the United States. In this study, I used the socioecological model theory as a guide to examine the association between perceived stress, length of stay in United States, smoking status, housing conditions, and the risk of hypertensive heart disease among West African immigrants, ages 18 - 54 years in DeKalb County, Georgia. In this quantitative, cross-sectional design, self-reported data were collected from a sample of West African immigrant (N=107) in the DeKalb County of Georgia, using a demographic data/screening sheet and …

How Fine Particulate Matter Modifies Preterm Birth Risks In Korea, Hyun Jin Choi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the increasing interest in preterm birth risk associated with maternal exposure to the current level of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Korea, there is little information on differences in PM2.5 exposure and its impact on preterm birth. This study was designed to examine the effects of Korea's air quality on preterm birth, including the possibility of moderation and mediation. This work was also designed to investigate manipulable factors for PM2.5 exposure. The theoretical framework of this quantitative and observational study included the social ecological theory and systems theory. The conceptual framework of this partially ecologic and retrospective cohort study …

Relationships Among Vitamin D Deficiency, Metabolic Syndrome, Smoking Behavior, And Physical Activity, Ethan Pham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Aging increases the risk of both vitamin D deficiency and metabolic syndrome. Vitamin D deficiency and metabolic syndrome may be related, although there are mixed findings. Furthermore, literature suggests other factors such as physical fitness activity and smoking behavior are associated with Vitamin D deficiency and the development of metabolic syndrome. A number of studies have documented associations between Vitamin D levels and physical fitness activities, while other studies found correlations between Vitamin D levels, metabolic syndrome, and smoking behavior. However, no previous study has examined the links between physical fitness activity, smoking behavior, Vitamin D levels, and the risks …

Poverty Rate And Occurrence Of Foodborne Illness Risk Factors In Retail Facilities, Margolite Joseph Cesar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the efforts of food safety regulations and rules, food contamination remains a public health concern and prevalent vehicle of pathogens. This study identifies the predictors of food risk in different types of food establishments in Miami Dade County, Florida during the period November 2014 - November 2016. Guided by the epidemiologic triangle model, this correlational study analyzed the log number of risk factor violations and failure rates controlling for US Census sociodemographic data (2010 to 2014) for the food establishment neighborhoods by using linear and logistic regression. Results indicated that most of food entity types are significant predictors of …

Low Health Literacy And Hpv Vaccine Uptake Of African American And Hispanic American Women, Peter Ntiamoah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cervical cancer incidence in the United States has declined for the past 40 years, yet the odds of developing cervical cancer is much higher among marginalized women, particularly African American and Hispanic American women. Although preventable through vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) prior to infection, uptake and completion rates of the vaccine among African American and Hispanic American women are low. The purpose of the study was to determine if a significant relationship existed between the health literacy levels of African American and Hispanic American women, ages 18-26, and the low HPV vaccination uptake. The integrated behavioral model, which …

Education Plan To Empower Wound Care Nurses For Evidence-Based Practice, Patricia Stevenson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Non-healing wounds can claim thousands of lives and costs billions of dollars each year, and nurse-led wound clinics are becoming necessary to fill a gap in care for patients with wounds. Even among certified wound nurses using evidence-based clinical protocols, key considerations of care are being missed. Therefore, this project was focused on developing and validating a new biofilm education module for certified or certification eligible wound care nurses. The aim of the module was to boost clinical assessment knowledge and improve patient outcomes. Benners skill acquisition model informed the development of this project. The design of the project also …

Cultural And Environmental Determinants Of Dental Discoloration Among School-Aged Children In Nigeria, Ogbudu Gabriel Ada

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Dental discoloration from fluorosis is a global public health problem. In Nigeria, 11.4% of the population is impacted by this disorder. Dental discoloration is caused by successive exposures to high fluoride concentrations during tooth development in utero and it is linked to the development of a variety of psychological and physiological problems, from dental aesthetics to a reduction in intelligence and skeletal changes. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional study was to examine the cultural and environmental determinants of dental fluorosis in children in a rural community in Nigeria. A multilevel theoretical model was used to develop possible fluoride exposure …

Evaluating Parents' Decisions Regarding Recommended Childhood Vaccinations, Jennifer Kline

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Vaccinations are among the greatest accomplishments of public health. However, many parents are choosing not to vaccinate. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between social media influence and parents' decisions to vaccinate their children. The health belief model indicates that individuals' likelihood of engaging in a health-related behavior is determined by their perceptions of susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers. The research questions addressed whether there is an association between parents' perception of their children's disease susceptibility and their decisions about vaccination, and whether there is an association between exposure to messaging from social media and parents' …

Oral Glucose Insulin Secretion Test For Identifying Patients With Insulin Resistance, David Kershner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Insulin resistance is an increasing public health issue with the current literature, suggesting reduced sensitivity of insulin leads to adult onset diabetes and associated downstream pathologies that reduce life expectancy. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the ability of the Oral Glucose Insulin Secretion Test (OGIST) to identify insulin resistance and examine differences in the insulin sensitivity based on gender, age, and ethnicity. This study was supported by the insulin resistance theory which focuses on the reduced ability of insulin to bind to the cellular insulin receptor, reducing the sensitivity of insulin. The OGIST lab results of …

Health Promoting Behaviors Of Young Adults With Chronic Lyme Disease, Patricia D. Bolivar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lyme disease is the most prevalent arthropod-borne (tick) disease in North America. The disease is more prevalent in some Eastern and Central states than in Western states. The general problem is that, in southern California especially in Los Angeles County, both patients and practitioners fail to recognize the disease, resulting in misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Consequently, the patient may develop the long-term, chronic Lyme disease (CLD). The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the impact of CLD on the health-promoting behaviors of ethnically diverse young adults from similar educational and socioeconomic backgrounds based on their lived experiences. The …

Relationship Between Health Literacy And End-Stage Renal Disease Among Type Ii Diabetics, Joelle M. Stolte

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The progression of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) among type II diabetics is preventable, yet complications continue to plague many. Reports show that 29.1 million people (9.3%) in the United States have diabetes, and 40% of those individuals develop ESRD. Four research questions explored the relationship between ESRD, health literacy, and healthcare. Data from 2010-2015 from the National Institute of Health (NIH) was quantitatively analyzed. The conceptual framework was the revised health service utilization theory. The target population included 3939 diverse males and females between the ages of 20-75 diagnosed with type II Diabetes. Results from Chi-square, cross-tabulation, binary, and …

Health Disparities Among Hispanic Americans With Type 2 Diabetes, Nelson Sitton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The ongoing increase in Type 2 diabetes among Hispanic Americans challenges the American public health system, particularly with health issues arising from not following appropriate health directives for the disease. This quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational study used primary data to assess the relationship between diabetes knowledge (as measured by the Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire), health literacy level (as measured by the Short Assessment of Health Literacy-Spanish and English), education level, self-efficacy (as measured by the Diabetes Self-efficacy questionnaire), and self-reported diabetes self-care behaviors (as measured by the Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities) among a sample of Hispanic Americans with Type 2 diabetes. …

Alcohol Consumption And Cervical Cancer Associations Among Women In Los Angeles, California, Tina A. Nmor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Alcohol consumption and cervical cancer caught in the early stages are preventive epidemics, though the incidence of cervical cancer has continued to rise in Los Angeles, California. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to better understand the association between alcohol consumption and cervical cancer incidence using the theory of relationism. California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) data collected in 2005 was used to investigate alcohol consumption and cervical cancer incidence among women in Los Angeles, California. The CHIS 2005 surveyed 43,020 adults; of those surveyed, 441 participants reported alcohol consumption and cervical cancer out of 25,548 adult women. Chi-square …

Neighborhood-Level Predictors And Obesity Among African-American Children, Uche Onyeka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The steady raise in childhood obesity is a major public health problem nationally and globally. Childhood obesity is primarily caused by an imbalance between caloric intake and caloric expenditure. The increase in childhood obesity rates over the past 3 decades suggested involvement of environmental and behavioral factors in the obesity epidemic. While childhood obesity is considered a public health crisis in the United States, only limited research is available about the potential impact of neighborhood-level factors such as access to healthy food, neighborhood safety, and risk-free outdoor playgrounds. The purpose of this study was to examine if any relationships existed …

Emergency Department Use For Nontraumatic Dental Conditions And Adult Oral Health, Cheryl Anne Lassiter-Edwards

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nontraumatic dental-related emergency department visits has resulted in a financial burden to hospitals across the United States. This study investigated whether there is a relationship between adult preventive dental care and emergency department visits for nontraumatic dental conditions by comparing specific states. Guided by Andersen's behavioral model of health services utilization, this retrospective quantitative study also investigated associations between state-specific community water fluoridation and dental-related emergency department visits. The population of interest was adult Medicaid enrollees who visited the emergency department for non-trauma-related dental conditions in the top 5 most populous states as identified in the 2012 NHAMCS survey. These …

Effect Of Lung Cancer Treatment On Health-Related Quality Of Life, Festus Frempong Dokyi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Advances in lung cancer treatment among older adults require a risk-benefit analysis for health professionals, patients, and family members to assess increased survival and health-related quality of life (HRQL). The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of lung cancer treatment with surgery or tumor ablation on HRQL domains. A lung cancer quality of life model guided the study. The research design was a quantitative ancillary study in which 70 participants were recruited from those who had already consented to undergo a randomized clinical trial of lung cancer treatment. Data consisted of repeated administrations (baseline, 1- and 3-months) …

Spatiotemporal Variations In Coexisting Multiple Causes Of Death And The Associated Factors, Emmanuel Oluwatobi Salawu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The study and practice of epidemiology and public health benefit from the use of mortality statistics, such as mortality rates, which are frequently used as key health indicators. Furthermore, multiple causes of death (MCOD) data offer important information that could not possibly be gathered from other mortality data. This study aimed to describe the interrelationships between various causes of death in the United States in order to improve the understanding of the coexistence of MCOD and thereby improve public health and enhance longevity. The social support theory was used as a framework, and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to …

Health Care Facilities As A Predictor Of Breast Cancer Survival Rates, Elizabeth Natalie Webster

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The disparity between survival rates for Black and White women with breast cancer is well documented and has been examined in terms socioeconomics, environment, tumor type, and genetics. However, there is little examination of the role of health care facilities in cancer disparities. Health care facilities are representative of societal norms and beliefs that include location, quality of care, finance, policies, and staffing; therefore, they are a proxy for social justice and social change. The purpose of this study was to examine correlations between health care facility type; social determinants of cancer such as poverty, culture, and social justice; and …

Association Between Androgen Deprivation Therapy For Prostate Cancer And Alzheimer's Disease, Gina Giannantoni-Ibelli

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common progressive, neurodegenerative disease and form of dementia. The hallmarks of AD are extracellular accumulation of amyloid beta protein, resulting in neuritic, senile plaques and intracellular accumulation of tau protein. AD mainly arises from imbalance of amyloid beta protein production and its clearance in the brain. Testosterone modulates production of amyloid beta protein by decreasing its accumulation. Prostate cancer remains a substantial public health challenge in the United States. While androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is an effective treatment for prostate cancer, it may be associated with cognitive impairment due to decreased levels of testosterone. …

Impact Of Violent Rapes Among Women In Eastern Democratic Republic Of Congo, Benoit Munganga Mirindi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

For the last 22 years, systematic rapes and punitive violence against women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were utilized as weapons of war and a control strategy. This quantitative study built upon the ecological model of impact of sexual assault on women's mental health to investigate the relationship between the health impacts and chronic pain and depression among women survivors of sexual rape in eastern DRC. The sample included 156 female rape survivors, between 18-80 years old, and raped between 2010 and 2014 while residing in the conflict area. The research questions focused on the association between fistulas, …

The Relationship Of Location And Educational Achievements To Vision Impairment In Asians, Sonali Trivedi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Introduction: Increasing incidence of vision impairment in the United States reinforces the urgent need for research and public health awareness. Eye diseases are of common concern in Asian and other ethnic groups globally. Glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, myopia, and retinitis are types of eye diseases and common causes of vision impairment in Asians. This study addressed the current gap in knowledge regarding vision impairment prevalence among Asian-Americans by geographical location and level of education. Socio-ecological theory was used as the theoretical foundation.

Method: A cross-sectional secondary dataset from U.S. Census Bureau included 3,916,947 participants' survey responses from 2011 through 2015 …

Factors Affecting Completion Of Childhood Immunization In North West Nigeria, Sule Abdullahi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

North West Nigeria has the lowest vaccination rate of the geopolitical regions of the country. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine associations between the parents'/caregivers' biological, cultural, and socioeconomic factors and the completion or noncompletion of routine immunization schedules. Andersen's behavioral model provided the framework for the study. Data were obtained from the 2013 National Demographic Health Survey. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables. Chi-square tests were used for categorical predictor variables, simple logistic regression models were used for the age variable, and multiple linear regression models were used for the biological, cultural, and socioeconomic variables …

Influence Of Maternal Psychosocial Health On Infant Feeding Practices, Tessy Linda Aguzie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Choice of nutrition has a great effect on the early development of human growth. Despite increased knowledge on the benefit of breastfeeding to both mother and child, some mothers still choose to formula feed. The purpose of this study is to explain how maternal health contributes to choices. The theory of maternal role attainment and the social cognitive theory are used to evaluate these feeding choices. This study tests for the association between maternal weight status and choice of infant feeding practices, the association between postpartum depression and choice of feeding and finally, if depression mediates the relationship between maternal …

Relationship Between Exposure To Phthalate And Obesity In The United States, Gladys Chidiebere Ezem

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is a public health problem. The global obesity problem has been attributed to unhealthy diet, inactivity, and hereditary factors. However, phthalates may also contribute to the obesity epidemic. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine whether there was a relationship between exposure to phthalates and obesity among adults 18 years and older in the United States. The theoretical framework was based on the socioecological model. The quantitative, cross-sectional design, and data analysis were based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2012 database. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the association between …

Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment Completion And Predictors Of Noncompletion Among Visa Holders In The Rural Setting, Scott Hutton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), a product of exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), can lead to tuberculosis (TB) and further cause death if untreated. Fortunately, TB can be prevented with LTBI treatment. Targeting newly arrived visa holders for LTBI screening and treatment is an effective strategy for decreasing future TB burden. However, LTBI treatment completion rates are low, and researches had primarily focused on the nonrural U.S. setting. This study, using a retrospective cohort design under the epidemiological disease triangle framework evaluated (a) the treatment completion rates for 2 cohorts of visa holders (i.e., immigrants, N = 31 and refugees, N …

Factors Influencing Alzheimer's Disease Healthcare Utilization Patterns In Puerto Rico, Carlamarie Noboa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with substantial healthcare utilization costs, resulting in a public health priority. In this study, the relationship between the demographic characteristics of age, gender, and type of health insurance; the presence of comorbidities of older Puerto Rican residents diagnosed with AD; and their healthcare utilization patterns (i.e., medical office and emergency room visits and hospital admissions) was examined using Andersen's behavioral model. Data from the 2013 Puerto Rico Health Study was used in this retrospective cohort design study. All AD cases aged -?¥ 60 years were extracted using systematic random sampling. One-way ANOVA-WELCH, Mann-Whitney U test, …

Factors Affecting Colorectal Cancer Screening Among African-Born Immigrants In The United States, Chidoziri Chibundu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the evidence that colorectal cancer screening is effective in reducing the incidence of and mortality from colorectal cancer, racial and ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer screening persist in the United States. African-born immigrants in the United States have lower colorectal cancer screening rates than native-born Americans. The purpose of this quantitative, retrospective, cross-sectional study was to examine how family income, health insurance status, language of interview, length of stay in the United States, perceived health status, level of education, and having a usual place for medical care affect colorectal cancer screening among African-born immigrants in the United States. The …

Public Health Strategies For Strengthening Prehospital Injury Responses In St. Lucia, Delwin Oliver Ferguson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Traumatic injuries have steadily increased during the last two decades, affecting over 5.8 million persons annually and have become a global public health issue. Since 2008, 80% of all deaths from noncommunicable diseases and trauma, approximately 29 million occurred in developing countries. Sixteen thousand young adults worldwide have died due to traumatic injuries. Additionally, injuries account for over 15% of the global burden of diseases, with approximately 90% of these injuries occurring in developing countries like St. Lucia. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to examine policy gaps in prehospital traumatic injury responses and explore implementing Essential Public …

Long-Term Health Impacts Of Cell Phone-Driven Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure In Humans, Ndukaku Omelu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Uncertainties still exist about the safety of cell phone use and the level of cell phone-driven radiation. The purpose of the current inquiry was to determine the long-term health impacts of cell phone-driven radiation via the use of cell phones. In this cross-sectional study, which was based on socio-ecological theory, secondary data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed to assess the difference in the prevalence of thyroid cancer, mouth/tongue/lip cancer, and heart disease between exposed and non-exposed/less exposed cell phone-driven radiation groups in the United States. Logistic regression was used to address three research questions. Findings initially …

Gender, Social Support, And Resiliency In Suicidal Ideation Among U.S. Army Soldiers, John Franklin Ambrose

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicidal behaviors have continued to increase in the United States (U.S.) Army population since the beginning of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Suicide rates are higher in men compared to women; yet, the rate of suicidal ideation is higher in women than men. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between suicidal ideation and protective factors, if social support and resiliency are different for men and women within the U.S. Army population, and if gender acts as a moderating variable between suicidal ideation and protective factors. The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior was …