Public Health Commons^™

Clinician Perspectives On Fistula Mental Health, Victoria K. Leonard

Doctoral Dissertations

Background – Obstetric fistula is a childbirth injury caused by prolonged labor that leads to stillbirth and incontinence, spurring social exclusion and isolation. These layers of trauma put women with fistula at great risk for psychological suffering, which has profound negative socioeconomic impacts on them, their families, and communities. This study captured treatment as usual at Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT), the country’s largest provider of fistula care.

Method – Improving holistic fistula treatment requires engaging the clinicians who care for women with fistula. This study aimed to investigate the training, beliefs, and treatment approaches of nurses and …

The Role Of Social Support In Protecting Against Perinatal Depression Among Egyptian Women, Radwa Raafat Abdelshafi

Theses and Dissertations

Perinatal Depression (PND) is a global public health issue affecting many women as they transition to motherhood, and carrying detrimental consequences for both mothers and infants. Research in low and middle-income countries shows higher PND prevalence rates than in high-income and Western countries. In addition, social support has been shown to strongly protect or reduce the impact of PND. This study aimed to address a gap in research on PND in Egypt, and to build an understanding of the social support ecological system of new mothers. A survey was conducted with 81 first-time middle-class mothers living in Greater Cairo between …

Determinants Of Physicians' Brain Drain In Egypt, Mennatallah Elbeheiry

Theses and Dissertations

Egypt is enduring a significant shortage of physicians, despite the annual graduation of approximately 10,000 medical students from its 27 medical schools. In 2016, the physician density was alarmingly low, with only one doctor per 12,285 people. This shortage is exacerbated by a physicians’ brain drain, as Egypt is a leading exporter of physicians to countries like the United Kingdom and Australia. As of 2020, the Egyptian Medical Syndicate reported 212,835 registered physicians, yet 56 percent of them work abroad, and only about 62,000 are actively employed in public hospitals, serving a population of over 110 million. The government’s efforts …

Professional Identity Formation Through Exploring Academic, Professional, And Personal Well-Being, Andrele Brutus St. Val, Ann N. Sinsheimer

Articles

Law students have reported common barriers during their academic journeys. They report that demands on their time are at an all-time high, that they believe that there’s one “right way” to be a law student and lawyer, or that they are constantly comparing themselves to others. Research suggests, however, that students can shape the way they experience difficult moments by looking at these challenges in positive ways and adopting a perspective that helps them to thrive. Working with psychology researcher Dr. Omid Fotuhi, and a group of law students, we created an intersession course—Thriving in the Law: Tools for Academic, …

Review Of The Heumann Perspective Podcast, Jennifer Woody Collins

Feminist Pedagogy

This media review of the Heumann Perspective podcast encourages educators to use it as a way to discuss and teach disability justice and activism.

Emotional Overeating And Eating Motives During Covid-19 In Polish Women: Intergroup Comparison Among Participants In Various Body Mass Index Categories, Adriana Modrzejewska, Justyna Modrzejewska, Kamila Czepczor-Bernat, Julia Wyszomirska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Taking into account the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ac-companying lockdown resulting in increased negative emotions, it is interesting to learn about eating motives and behaviors and check their intensity. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between Polish women in various body mass index categories in terms of eating motives and emotional overeating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: This study sample comprised 1,447 women (M_age = 31.34 ± 11.05; M_BMI = 23.79 ± 4.59). The research used the following tools: the Eating Motivation Survey, the Emotional Overeating Questionnaire, and …

Secular Trends In Underweight, Overweight, And Physical Fitness Of Girls And Boys Aged 16–18 In Eastern Poland From 2006 To 2016–2021, Agnieszka Wasiluk, Jerzy Saczuk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Significant changes in the nutrition and physical fitness of children and adolescents have been observed in many countries around the world. The purpose of this study is to determine the changes in the prevalence of underweight, normal BMI, and overweight, as well as in the physical fitness of girls and boys from eastern Poland. Materials and methods: The study was conducted over the years 2006–2021. BMI was calculated, and physical fitness was assessed using the EUROFIT test. The results were statistically analyzed. Results: Minor changes in underweight were observed, and even a re-duction in its prevalence among girls was …

Providing End-Of-Life Counseling: A Narrative Inquiry, Carol Hecht, Sibyl West

Adultspan Journal

This qualitative study aimed to address the gap in the research related to end-of-life counseling by exploring the experiences of counselors working with clients at end of life. While counseling literature and education are lacking regarding end of life, many counselors will work alongside clients approaching death. The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to better understand the nuanced experiences of counselors providing end-of-life counseling and (b) to explore the supports and preparations helpful for counselors to provide end-of-life counseling. A narrative approach, using the Listening Guide (Gilligan, 2015), was employed to analyze and present the stories of three …

Considerations Of Medicare Telehealth Services With Older Adults, Sonah Kho, Amanda Dediego

Adultspan Journal

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic set in motion a rapid expansion of mental health services offered via telehealth. With this rapid expansion came the need to examine how policy and practice should be shaped in a future where telehealth is considered common in counseling practice. For counselors to understand how to support older adult clients in using telehealth services, they must understand telehealth policy. Following the eligibility of licensed counselors to participate in Medicare, counselors need to stay abreast of regulatory changes regarding restrictions and regulations on use of telehealth for mental and behavioral health services, including video and …

Case Title: Uncovering The Truth: The Unexpected Incidental Discovery Of Metastatic Carcinoid Tumor In An Elderly Patient., Kavitha Chittaragi Dr, Shwetha R. Poojary Dr

Radiology Teaching Files

Carcinoid tumors are rare neuroendocrine neoplasms with varied clinical presentations. We report a case of a 70-year-old female patient who presented with history of loose stools, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Imaging revealed a small hyper-enhancing nodule in the small bowel, multiple liver lesions, and a mesenteric mass, all suggestive of metastatic carcinoid disease. Biopsy confirmed a neuroendocrine tumor. As these tumors can remain indolent for years, early detection and treatment are critical for effective management and better prognosis.

Economic Impacts Of Establishing A Neutron Source Facility In Windsor, Abdur Rahman

Major Papers

Cancer poses a significant health challenge in Canada, with two in five individuals likely to develop the disease. This paper explores the economic impacts of establishing a prototype compact accelerator-based neutron source (PC-CANS) facility in Windsor that will produce medical isotopes locally in Windsor, Ontario, rather than relying on centralized production and transportation from London, Ontario. Fluorine-18 medical isotopes, crucial for positron emission tomography (PET) scans, experience significant decay losses during transportation due to their short half-life of 109.8 minutes, increasing costs and restricting availability. Using a differential analysis approach, the study quantifies economic benefits, focusing on three main impacts: …

Expanding Healthcare Access For The Undocumented Immigrant Community: The Heal For Immigrant Families Act Of 2023, Perla Torres Estrada

The Gettysburg Journal for Public Policy

When it comes to the topic of universal healthcare, most of us will readily agree that healthcare is a human right. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of who should be granted this right, and if it should be left to the free market to determine access and affordability. Specifically, the political debate on expanding healthcare access to undocumented immigrants in the United States revolve around concerns over costs, legality, and equity. Proponents maintain that it is a human right whereas opponents question the potential burden on taxpayers and the implication for immigration policy. The HEAL …

Differences In Happiness And Perceived Meaning In Life Between U.S. Working-Age Adults With Versus Without A Self-Care Disability, Nastassia Vaitsiakhovich, Scott D. Landes, Shannon M. Monnat

Population Health Research Brief Series

Subjective wellbeing (SWB) - being happy or perceiving one’s life has meaning, is critical to good physical health. People who are happier and who report that their lives have meaning are healthier and live longer. In general, individuals with disabilities have worse SWB compared to those without disabilities. This brief summarizes findings from a study that used data from the National Wellbeing Survey collected in early-2021 to examine differences in happiness and perceived meaning in life between U.S. working-age adults (ages 18-64) with versus without a self-care disability (such as difficulty eating, using the toilet, or dressing without assistance) and …

Impact Of County-Level Urbanicity On Quality Of Life For People With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities In A Rural State., Alyssa M. Smith, Allison Caudill

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face challenges, such as decreased access to physical, environmental, and social health-related services that can negatively impact their overall quality of life (QoL). Additionally, people living in rural communities may experience geographic distancing and other factors, like decreased transportation and available housing, that contribute to increased isolation and decreased health outcomes, overall. It is important to consider the QoL of people with IDD living in these communities given the additional intersectional constraints of rurality and having an intellectual disability or other co-occurring conditions. A secondary data analysis reviewed closed and open-ended survey data …

Interoception In Pregnancy: Implications For Peripartum Depression, Paul W. Savoca, Laura M. Glynn, Molly M. Fox, Misty C. Richards, Bridget L. Callaghan

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

"In this perspective piece, we propose a novel mechanistic framework for peripartum depression in which improved interoceptive functioning in pregnancy and postpartum typically protects against depressive symptoms, but when there is a failure to improve interoception, the result is an inability to maintain metabolic efficiency, which ultimately poses risk for depression. First, we will review an emerging theory that links the modeling and predictive regulation of metabolic resources as central to the expression of many depressive symptoms. Then, focusing on the period of pregnancy to articulate the framework, we will discuss the physiological changes induced by pregnancy that place an …

Developing A Stand-Alone Children’S Hospital In Southern Nevada: Improving Pediatric Care And Diversifying The Regional Economy, The Lincy Institute

Lincy Institute Events

Southern Nevada is the largest metropolitan region in the country without a stand-alone children's hospital. The absence of such a facility results in poor health outcomes for children, fragmented and inadequate specialized care, and a shortage of pediatric medical professionals. Currently ranked last in clinical care nationwide, Nevada urgently needs a centralized, academic-based children's hospital to improve health services.

The Lincy Institute hosted a community forum to release the findings of a new report conducted by Tripp Umbach detailing why Southern Nevada needs a stand-alone children’s hospital. Tripp Umbach is a recognized industry leader, with 30 years of successful partnerships …

Developing A Stand-Alone Children’S Hospital In Southern Nevada: Needs, Opportunities, And Economic Development Considerations, Tripp Umbach

Policy Briefs and Reports

This independent study developed by Tripp Umbach demonstrates how an independent, research-intensive, stand-alone children’s teaching hospital can significantly enhance the health status of Southern Nevada’s children, reduce outmigration, attract children from neighboring states, and stimulate the healthcare economy. Tripp Umbach evaluated the need for a children’s hospital, the barriers to overcoming its absence, and the advantages of establishing a stand-alone children’s hospital in Southern Nevada for diverse audiences throughout Nevada and nationally.

Assessing The Feasibility Of Implementing A Hands-On Diabetes Course Curriculum In Community Settings, April Litchford, Jenna Dyckman, Carrie Durward

Transforming Communities

Diabetes remains a significant health concern in the United States, with millions affected and at risk. Despite the known benefits of diabetes education programs, barriers such as accessibility and engagement persist. To address these challenges, Utah State University Extension developed the Diabetes Cook Along (DCA) program and conducted a study to determine the feasibility of implementing these classes in community settings. The DCA curriculum is based on national standards and emphasizes changes in dietary and lifestyle components critical for diabetes management. Data collection included pre- and post-surveys, along with qualitative feedback. Overall participation in the classes and satisfaction of participants …

Supporting Students’ Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Within High School Physical Education, Ken Murfay, Aaron Beighle, Heather Erwin, Erin Aiello, Sarah Pyszczynski

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Research examining physical activity (PA) is significant because of the known benefits of PA. Studying high school (HS) students is particularly important due to the consistent decline in PA as students age. One strategy to increase PA is to increase someone’s self-efficacy (confidence) to be physically active which is commonly positively associated with PA. Most of the research on how to support physical activity self-efficacy (PASE) comes from outside-of-school interventions with minimal literature on how to support students’ PASE within HS physical education (PE). This study attempted to identify and share practices that current HS PE teachers were implementing to …

Infertility’S Impact On Couples’ Functioning, Elizabeth Sanders

Dissertations

Historically, infertility has been a taboo topic of discussion and is often avoided in conversation because of the stigmatization of the diagnosis. According to the World Health Organization (2022), infertility affects 186 million individuals globally. However, there seems to be a gap in the research as it pertains to the psychological well-being and treatment of men and women diagnosed with this condition. While it has become less of a feared topic, it still is not discussed or researched enough, thus further exacerbating the gap in research on mental health and treatment options. The following dissertation completed a critical review of …

Factors Influencing Graduate Students Of Diverse Backgrounds In Their Selection Of Occupational Therapy As A Career, Jeffrey T. Lucas, Scotillia Fogg, Mandie Lynch

The Journal of the Research Association of Minority Professors

The population of the United States is becoming more culturally diverse; however, the profession of occupational therapy does not reflect this change, whether examining educators, practitioners, or students. This study was designed to identify factors influencing graduate students of diverse backgrounds, and how a career in occupational therapy was determined. Participants for this study comprised first- and second-year occupational therapy students enrolled at Lenior-Rhyne University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Winston-Salem State University. A convenience sample was used to obtain the population. These universities were the only graduate-level occupational therapy programs willing to participate in the …

Leveraging The Science Of Early Life Predictability To Inform Policies Promoting Child Health, Laura M. Glynn, Sabrina R. Liu, Candice Taylor Lucas, Elysia Poggi Davis

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Addressing the tremendous burden of early-life adversity requires constructive dialogues between scientists and policy makers to improve population health. Whereas dialogues focused on several aspects of early-life adversity have been initiated, discussion of an underrecognized form of adversity that has been observed across multiple contexts and cultures is only now emerging. Here we provide evidence for “why unpredictability?”, including: 1. Evidence that exposures to unpredictability affect child neurodevelopment, with influences that persist into adulthood. 2. The existence of a translational non-human animal model of exposure to early life unpredictability that can be capitalized upon to causally probe neurobiological mechanisms. 3. …

The Role Of Indonesian Doctors As Content Creators In Fighting Health Hoaxes, Myths, And Stigma On Social Media, Lydia Okva Anjelia, Deddy Mulyana, Jenny Ratna Suminar

Jurnal Komunikasi Indonesia

Amidst the proliferation of disinformation and misinformation related to health on social media, the public must ensure that the sources of information are trustworthy. This research aims to explain the role of doctors in the fight against health hoaxes, myths, and stigma spread through social media. The study adopts qualitative research with a phenomenological approach to understand doctors' experiences and perceptions regarding their efforts to address health hoaxes, myths, and stigma on social media. Fifteen doctors as content creators in Jakarta and Bandung were selected as informants using purposive sampling. The data was collected through interviews, observation participation, and documentation …

Diabetes Health Literacy, Diabetes Numeracy, And Cognitive Function As Predictors Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Self-Management, Twinkle Gupta

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The present study assessed older adults (≥ 45 years old) diabetes health literacy, diabetes numeracy, cognitive function, and its association with their Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) self-management outcomes. These factors are of concern as diabetes is a lifelong condition affecting the body’s conversion of food into energy and may lead to complications and comorbidities if this condition is not properly self-managed. Diabetes health literacy refers to having the necessary capabilities in finding and analyzing diabetes-related information to make informed decisions regarding their health. Numeracy in diabetes has to do with being able to compute diabetes-related math such as insulin …

Phe 302 Social And Environmental Determinants Of Health, Tailisha Gonzalez

Open Educational Resources

This course is an introduction to the social, behavioral, and commercial factors that influence health. Theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of these determinants will be discussed from a social ecological perspective. Social determinants cover five domains: economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context. Behavioral determinants include such factors as smoking, physical activity, and alcohol use. Commercial determinants include economic and political domains with examples such as cigarette marketing and the placement of toxic waste sites in low-income communities.

Addressing Patient Loyalty Through Their Commitment Influenced By Electronic Word-Of-Mouth And Hospital’S Image, Al Quadhri Upe, Alida Palilati, Sudirman Zaid, Nasrul Nasrul

Kesmas

This article explores the influence of Electronic Word of Mouth (e-WoM) and hospital image on hospital patient loyalty, emphasizing the mediating role of patient commitment. Amidst the development of the healthcare industry sector in Indonesia, this study highlighted that e-WoM and hospital image significantly enhanced patient loyalty, with patient commitment playing an important mediating role. This article suggested practical strategies for hospitals, such as improving the quality of healthcare services, leveraging positive e-WoM, and implementing loyalty programs to elevate patient commitment and loyalty. These findings underscore the importance of hospital image and e-WoM in patient retention, providing valuable insights for …

The Open Defecation Free Program Evaluation Using The Context, Input, Process, And Product Model In Jambi, Indonesia, Guspianto Guspianto, Willia Novita Eka Rini, Rizalia Wardiah, Susi Desmaryani, Herlina Herlina

Kesmas

The Open Defecation Free (ODF) program was initiated by the government to increase access to healthy latrines. This study aimed to evaluate the ODF program using the CIPP evaluation model. A qualitative and exploratory descriptive method was adopted to investigate informants' experiences regarding the program's implementation. Data was explored through semi-structured interviews with 17 informants and analyzed using content analysis. The results showed that the program was crucial as numerous people engaged in open defecation due to economic, geographical, cultural, and knowledge factors. The absence of ODF policy was due to lack of priority, limited government and private support, insufficient …

“Dead Or Alive?” Assessment Of The Binary End-Of-Event Outcome Indicator For The Nemsis Public Research Dataset, Mary E. Helander

Social Science - All Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The broad absence of definitive patient outcomes in the NEMSIS public release data hinders research that seeks to understand the impact of pre-hospital care, operations, and overall patterns of population health – including geospatial and demographic differences. This study evaluated the recently proposed binary end-of-event outcome indicator to provide additional validity of the method, to evangelize its employment for more studies to analyze survival impact following an emergency medical event, and to identify appropriate use and interpretation given imperfection in predicted outcomes. METHODS: A recently published binary end-of-event outcome indicator was applied to datasets for each year from 2017 …

Exploration Of Positive Deviance In Prevention Of Underweight In The Under-Five: A Qualitative Study On Low-Income Urban Families, Irwan Budiono, Lukman Fauzi, Dewi Sari Rochmayani

Kesmas

Children under the age of five (the under-five) from low-income families are more vulnerable to experience underweight. This nutritional vulnerability is evident in the preliminary study, where 35.1% of the under-five experience underweight, and 28.48% are low-income families. This study aimed to explore Positive Deviance (PD) behaviors in preventing underweight among the under-five. The study applied a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data collection took place in July-August 2022, focusing on low-income families in the Gunung Brintik area. Data were collected through two focus group discussions, seven in-depth interviews, and five key informant interviews. Coding, subtheme, and theme …

Risk Factors For Cognitive Impairment In Adult Population Of Coastal Area: A Cross-Sectional Study In Maringkik Island, Indonesia, Herpan Syafii Harahap, Arina Windri Rivarti, Nurhidayati Nurhidayati, Fitriannisa Faradina Zubaidi, Dini Suryani, Legis Ocktaviana Saputri, Yanna Indrayana, Athalita Andhera, Muhammad Hilam, Abiyyu Didar Haq

Kesmas

Cognitive impairment is a medical condition commonly found in elderly populations, which can be due to vascular risk factors in patients. There remains limited data on risk factors for cognitive impairment among coastal region populations. This study aimed to investigate risk factors for cognitive impairment in the adult population of Maringkik Island, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. Data collected were age, sex, education level, hypertension, antihypertensive treatment, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, and body mass index status. A total of 114 participants were recruited using a consecutive sampling method. The participants’ cognitive function assessment used the Mini-Cog instrument. The cognitive impairment …