Public Health Commons^™

Resources To Access Health Care For Low Socioeconomic Status Youth Athletes, Stephanie Walsh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Approximately 60 million youth participate in organized sports, with 13.5 million receiving care for sports related injuries each year. Most youth sports organizations do not have readily accessible health care resources; relying on parents and guardians to manage injuries. However, a majority of parents and guardians are untrained in appropriate management of injuries, therefore there is a need for understanding the availability of health care resources within the community. Resources necessary to access health care include health services, health insurance, transportation, and communication. Barriers to these resources may affect lower socioeconomic status family’s accessibility to care. Purpose: Investigate the …

Assessing Public Health Workforce Informatics Competencies: A Study Of Three Health Departments In Metro Atlanta, Olatanwa Adewale

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: There is a need for the public health workforce to be current and versatile in technology usage. Public health leveraging technology usage in service delivery has the potential to improve efficiency and bring it to the forefront in the provision of healthcare services. The purpose of this study was to assess public health workforce informatics competencies in select Atlanta health districts and determine the correlates of public health informatics proficiency.

Methods: A 10-item instrument adapted from the recommendations of a Working Group document by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the 2015 Informatics Capacity and …

Factors Associated With Hiv Testing In Liberia: Findings From The 2013 Demographic Health Survey, Miatta M.E. Dennis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is among the world’s most serious challenges. The African region is severely affected with nearly one in 25 adults being HIV infected –accounting for over two-thirds of HIV infected people worldwide. In 2013, approximately three in four men and half of women aged 15-49 had never been HIV tested. In 2018, over 7,000 Liberians were HIV positive. Increasing HIV testing rates is the primary step to reducing HIV infection rates. This study examines factors associated with HIV testing behavior among Liberians using the Knowledge Attitude Behavior (KAB) model as a conceptual framework. The 2013 Liberia Demographic …

Naloxone Availability In Georgia Retail Pharmacies 44 Months After Implementation Of A Statewide Standing Order, Enjoli Willis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Opioid overdose deaths have quadrupled since 1999. Georgia is one of 35 states with a significant increase in drug overdose deaths from 2013 – 2017, with deaths increasing by 70% during 2010-2018. Many states, including Georgia, have implemented naloxone standing orders to remove barriers to access to naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug that reverses opioid overdose symptoms. However, it is still not readily available in places where it is most needed. This research investigates naloxone availability in Georgia 44 months after the implementation of a statewide standing order. This research also seeks to determine if pharmacy and community-level factors …

Attitudes Toward The Hpv Vaccine Among University Students: Identifying Barriers To Vaccine Uptake, Kristina L. Harbaugh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 32,000 cancers occur annually that can be directly attributable to the acquisition of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Gender specificity data posits that 21,000 of the annual cancer cases are female and the remaining 11,000 cases occur among males. However, because the implementation and trajectory of HPV vaccination and prevention programs have been historically aimed toward women, vaccination rates for men remain significantly lower. The purpose of this study was to assess gender differences in knowledge attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control about HPV …

A Content Analysis Of Institutions Of Higher Education's Sexual Assault Policies: Assessing Response To Sexual Assault In Georgia, Brianna Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sexual assault is a public health concern that must be systematically addressed. The existence of a comprehensive sexual assault policy and compliance with federal regulations can guide institutions of higher education in responding to and preventing sexual assault on campus. Federal laws hold institutions accountable for providing a safe environment for students. The purpose of this qualitative content analysis was to assess compliance with federal policy and assess the response to sexual assault by IHE in Georgia. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics was utilized to identify Georgia's institutions receiving federal aid during 2018-2019. Using a proportionate stratified …

Assessing The Percieved Barriers To Early Detection, Treatment, And Management Of Cervical Cancer Among Ghanaian Women, Angela D. Blackwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess the perceived barriers and strategies for improvement of timely detection, treatment, and management of cervical cancer among Ghanaian women in a tertiary hospital setting. Methods: Sixty semi-structured interviews, comprised of thirty-five cervical cancer patients and twenty-five healthcare professionals who provide cervical cancer care, were conducted. Two focus groups were conducted, including four healthcare professionals and another with two healthcare professionals—the data were analyzed using NVivo 12. A theoretical thematic analysis was utilized to identify common themes and sub-themes that arose from the participant interviews. The social-ecological model framework was employed to …

The Effect Of Patient And Hospital-Level Factors On 30-Day Readmission After Initial Hospitalization Due To Stroke, Emmanuel Akowuah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Hospital readmissions account for a large part of healthcare costs, especially among stroke patients. Readmission is common among disabled stroke survivors because they often suffer some neurological deficits, functional impairment, and other preexisting cardiovascular conditions. Although previous studies have explored the relationship between hospital readmissions after initial hospitalization due to stroke and a set of predictors using various analytical models, it often remains uncertain which predictors are most influential or essential. This study aimed to assess the effect of patient and hospital-levels factors on 30-day readmission after initial hospitalization due to stroke using the Anderson model of healthcare …

Perceptions Of Physical Activity Engagement Among African American Emerging Adults At Georgia Southern University - Statesboro Campus, Addison Mickens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Physical Activity (PA) is critical to the health and well-being of African American emerging adults, ages 18-25. Research suggests that African American (AA) college students engage in less PA than other racial/ethnic groups. Few studies have examined the relationship between the collegiate built environment (CBE) impact on PA in this population. The Social Ecological Model (SEM) and the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) were used to show how the environment facilitates influence on the behavior through physical and social factors affecting the behavior of engaging in PA. Methods: The purpose of this cross-sectional, concurrent multi-method study was to determine barriers …

Eye Screening In U.S. Adults With Diabetes: Examination Of Trends, Racial And Ethnic Differences, And Contribution Of Medicaid Expansion, Meps 2010-2017, Karon Lewis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a prevalent cause of vision impairment and blindness among adults in the United States. Early diagnosis of DR through dilated eye examinations can reduce the risk of vision impairment or loss. Differences in eye examination rates by race and ethnicity have been suggested by prior studies emphasizing importance of increasing insurance coverage and access to care among minority populations. The Affordable Care Act aimed to expand health insurance coverage and improve access to care. This study examined trends overall and by race and ethnicity in eye examination rates and the contribution of Medicaid expansion on changes …

Assessing Hotel Employee Knowledge On Risk Factors And Risk Management Procedures For Microbial Contamination Of Hotel Water Distribution Systems, Brandon Leftwich

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Compromised hotel water supply lines by neglect or by physical and structural damage can lead to exposure of harmful pathogens to guests and staff. To reduce the risk of having contaminated water in a hotel plumbing system, some facilities may incorporate a water safety plan (WSP). WSPs are not mandatory for hotels in many US states, including the state of Georgia. As such, many hotel personnel are uninformed of WSPs and the precautions to take if their hotel water system is compromised. The purpose of this study was to identify hotel personnel’s knowledge and practices of WSPs through a …