Public Health Commons^™

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, …

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% …

Sexting Among Adolescents: Examining The Association Between Sexting And Self-Esteem, Hanaah Fannin

Physician Assistant Studies | Student Capstone Presentations

The primary objective of this study is to provide a systematic review of the published literature, examining the association between sexting and self-esteem in adolescents, and to identify gaps in existing knowledge to provide recommendations for future research.

Examining Differences In Physical Activity By Socio-Demographics, Employment, And Social Support Among U.S. Adolescents, Ashleigh Marie Johnson

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

The overall decline in physical activity levels during adolescence supports the examination of intrapersonal-, interpersonal-, and behavior-level factors that may influence physical activity behavior among this population. The three papers within this dissertation aimed to examine associations of socio-demographics and socio-environmental factors with physical activity among U.S. adolescents. Papers 1 and 3 used data from the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) Study. Paper 1 examined differences in adolescent physical activity by gender and race/ethnicity, and examined modification by grade and socioeconomic status (SES). Paper 3 examined the association of parent- and adolescent-reported parental social support with adolescent …

The Epidemiological Burden Of Obesity In Childhood: A Worldwide Epidemic Requiring Urgent Action, Mariachiara Di Cesare, Maroje Sorić, Pascal Bovet, J Jaime Miranda, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Gretchen A. Stevens, Avula Laxmaiah, Andre-Pascal Kengne, James Bentham

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: In recent decades, the prevalence of obesity in children has increased dramatically. This worldwide epidemic has important consequences, including psychiatric, psychological and psychosocial disorders in childhood and increased risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) later in life. Treatment of obesity is difficult and children with excess weight are likely to become adults with obesity. These trends have led member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) to endorse a target of no increase in obesity in childhood by 2025.
Main body: Estimates of overweight in children aged under 5 years are available jointly from the United Nations Children's Fund …

The Effect Of Collective Efficacy And Neighborhood Structural Disadvantage On Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents In The United States, Christyl Teres Dawson

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine (1) the moderating role of parental neighborhood perceptions on the relationship between neighborhood structural disadvantage and adolescent depressive symptoms, (2) if adolescent neighborhood perceptions moderated the association between neighborhood structural disadvantage and adolescent depressive symptoms, and (3) the effects of neighborhood structural disadvantage on depressive symptom trajectories as well as the moderating role of neighborhood perceptions on the relationship from adolescence to young adulthood. Data came from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) (N=12,105), and random effects multilevel modeling along with growth curve modeling were used.

Results …

Patterns Of Problem Behaviours Among A Representative Sample Of Youth In Ontario, Chantal Williams

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Behavioural addictions among adolescents are becoming a growing public health concern. It is well established that problem behaviours, particularly substance use behaviours, tend to cluster together. Some research indicates that gambling is associated with substance use, aligning with Problem Behaviour Theory, which suggests that problem behaviours stem from an underlying disposition toward deviance. This study sought to assess whether a) behavioural addictions, including gambling, video gaming and technology use, cluster together and with substance use and b) profiles of problem behaviours are associated with age, race, socioeconomic status, grade achievement, school connectedness, and antisocial behaviour in the total sample and …

Barriers To Healthy Eating Among High School Youth In Rural Southern Appalachia, Jodi L. Southerland, Taylor M. Dula, Deborah L. Slawson

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Diet and nutrition play an important role in a child’s health and reduce the risk of numerous health problems including obesity. Dietary habits can be difficult to modify in children, particularly in Appalachia, where access to affordable, healthy foods is limited.

Purpose: To examine barriers to healthy eating among Appalachian youth.

Methods: In 2013–2014, data were gathered via focus groups and interviews from parents, school personnel, and adolescents (N=99) in six counties across southern Appalachia. Data were analyzed using thematic network analysis. Analysis was completed in 2015.

Results: Participants identified multiple barriers to healthy eating among adolescents. Barriers comprised …

Cost Effectiveness Of School-Located Influenza Vaccination Programs For Elementary And Secondary School Children., Byung-Kwang Yoo, Stanley J. Schaffer, Sharon Humiston, Cynthia M. Rand, Nicolas P N Goldstein, Christina S. Albertin, Cathleen Concannon, Peter G. Szilagyi

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Studies have noted variations in the cost-effectiveness of school-located influenza vaccination (SLIV), but little is known about how SLIV's cost-effectiveness may vary by targeted age group (e.g., elementary or secondary school students), or vaccine consent process (paper-based or web-based). Further, SLIV's cost-effectiveness may be impacted by its spillover effect on practice-based vaccination; prior studies have not addressed this issue.

METHODS: We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis on two SLIV programs in upstate New York in 2015-2016: (a) elementary school SLIV using a stepped wedge design with schools as clusters (24 suburban and 18 urban schools) and (b) secondary school SLIV …

Pilot Evaluation Of Oneworld's Education Sessions On Sexually Transmitted Infections For Adolescents And Young Adults In The South Omaha Community, Mariela Bahena

Capstone Experience

Background. Rates for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Douglas County, specifically gonorrhea and chlamydia, are among the highest in the nation. Adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 are one of the most at-risk groups for acquiring either STI. Though not fatal itself, gonorrhea and chlamydia can lead to serious complications and physical discomfort in both males and females. Evidence-based and age-appropriate sexual health education has been proven to reduce the risk of STIs. Studies have shown that comprehensive education programs with a focus beyond abstinence are effective in promoting safe sex practices.

Aim. This project …

Clinic-Based Delivery Of The Young Men’S Health Project (Ymhp) Targeting Hiv Risk Reduction And Substance Use Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol For A Type 2, Hybrid Implementation-Effectiveness Trial, Jeffrey T. Parsons, Tyrel Starks, Sitaji Gurung, Demetria Cain, Jonathan Marmo, Sylvie Naar

Publications and Research

Background: Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are disproportionately at risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Adapting and testing the effectiveness of the Young Men’s Health Project (YMHP), an efficacious intervention designed to reduce substance use and condomless anal sex (CAS) among YMSM, at clinics in Miami, Detroit, and Philadelphia has the potential to reduce HIV and STI disparities among urban YMSM.

Objective: This study (Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions [ATN] 145 YMHP) aims to adapt YMHP for clinic and remote delivery by existing clinic staff and compare their effectiveness in real-world adolescent HIV clinics. …

Electronic Vapor Product Use And Suicidal Behavior In Adolescents, Vy Bao Cao, Allison C. Greene, Courtney Williams, Chelsey Little, Julia Kaya, Beth Awhaitey, Kelsey Gleason Donovan

Master of Public Health Culminating Projects

Objective: To determine whether an association exists between electronic vapor product use (EVP) and suicidal behavior in middle and high school students

Methods: Multilevel logistic regression analysis for suicidal behaviors using data from the 2017 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

Results: Middle school EVP users were significantly more likely to report suicidal behavior than non-users. No statistically significant association was found in high school students.

Discussion: While further study is necessary to clarify the relationship between EVP use and suicidal behavior, these findings highlight the need for suicide prevention and smoking cessation efforts.

An Educational Module For Adolescents On Cannabis Following Its Legalization, Anna Lidofsky

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Recreational use of cannabis has been recently legalized in Vermont. One year prior to its legalization, 42% of high school students in Washington County reported at least one-time use of cannabis. An educational module for adolescents was developed to address the increasing potency of cannabis and health risks associated with its use.

Effectiveness Of Digital Media Technologybased Interventions On Hiv & Sti Risk Reduction Among Young People: A Metaanalysis, Paul Sherwin O. Tarnate, Keith Roger R. Serrano, Vanessa-Maria F. Torres-Ticzon, Kathlynne Anne A. Senen

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Background: Prevention strategies delivered through digital media technology (DMT) have been developed to reduce HIV incidence among young people. However, no best-practice DMT intervention strategies exist in handling HIV prevention programs among young people. Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of DMT-based interventions in reducing risk-taking behaviours among young people that may predispose them to acquiring HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Subjects and Selection Criteria: Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies with rigorous controls comparing DMT-based interventions and controls on reducing risk-taking behaviors among young people aged 10-24 years were included. Data Collection: Search methods were done on the following: …

Prevalence Of Low Back Pain Among Adolescents In Relation To The Weight Of School Bags, Fatemah Akbar, Muneera Albesharah, Jumana Al-Baghli, Farah Bulbul, Dana Mohammad, Bann Qadoura, Abdullah Al-Taiar

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background

The association between the weight of school bag and Low Back Pain (LBP) amongst students remains under intense debate worldwide. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of LBP amongst public high school students (14 to 19 years) in Kuwait and to investigate the association between LBP and the weight of school bags.

Methods

An analytical cross-sectional study using multistage cluster random sampling with probability proportional to size was conducted on a total of 950 public high school students from all governorates. Data on LBP were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. A 0–10 Numeric Pain Rating …

Sex Differences In The Outcomes Of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury In Children Presenting To The Emergency Department, Taylor M. Yeates

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) put children and adolescents at risk for short and long-term health risks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate sex differences in post-acute outcomes among children and adolescents presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) for mTBI. The study is a secondary analysis of a de-identified dataset which was drawn from a concurrent cohort, prospective, and longitudinal study design that included 8 to 16 year-old children with mTBI and a comparison group of children with mild orthopedic injuries (OI) not involving the head. Participants were recruited and completed an initial assessment during their initial visit …

Adapting An Elementary School Nutrition Context Assessment For High School Settings And Students, Deborah H. John, Beret Halverson, Tia H. Ho

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Publications and Presentations

The school nutrition context is comprised of supportive environmental features, programs, policies, and social relationships that shape students’ healthy dietary choices and patterns. When engaging students as change agents, advocates, and partners in making healthy nutrition choices easier, environmental assessment tools developed for adults may be too complex or inappropriately tailored for youth. Adolescents need practical, user-tailored tools that reliably measure the food and beverage environments they encounter in school to inform youth-led changes to the school nutrition context. To meet this need, an evidence-based school environmental assessment was adapted for use in high schools by students as evaluators. Cooperative …