Public Health Commons^™

Barriers To Hiv Related Services Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (Msm) In Rural Georgia, Jordan D. Helms, Alvin Tran, Neal Carnes, Eric J. Nehl

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (MSM) living in the Southeastern United States are at high risk of contracting HIV, and those in rural communities experience challenges in accessing HIV prevention and treatment.

Methods: Seven health care workers and 17 MSM in rural health care districts participated in semi-structured interviews. A theory-informed thematic analysis approach was used to summarize and compare perspectives between health care workers and MSM participants.

Results: Stigma, insufficient resources, and social structures of rural life emerged as barriers to accessing HIV-related services

Conclusions: Overcoming these barriers are necessary to reduce HIV infection …

The Impact Of Rurality, Underlying Cardiovascular Disease, And Socioeconomic Vulnerability On Covid-19 Outcomes In Georgia, Michael C. Morgan, Lavannya Atri, Jennifer L. Waller, Douglas Miller, Adam E. Berman

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: COVID-19 related illnesses have been associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease sequelae and worsened socioeconomic variables. We sought to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 outcomes, underlying cardiovascular disease, and socioeconomic determinants of health in rural and non-rural counties in the state of Georgia.

Methods: COVID-19, demographic, and socioeconomic data were acquired from publicly available databases including the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). The relationship between COVID-19 outcomes and markers of cardiovascular disease burden, rurality, and socioeconomic determinants of health was assessed at the county level in Georgia through the beginning of …

Lessons Learned In The Early Stages Of A Community-Academic Partnership To Address Health Disparities In A Rural Community, Tiffany R. Washington, Brian M. Rivers, L. Sherrié Raleigh, Natalie D. Hernandez, Mindy Le, A. Keith Green, Jeffery Lawrence, Henry N. Young

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

In rural Georgia, African American men are burdened by chronic health diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Community-academic partnerships that leverage community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles can facilitate the adaptation and translation of multilevel programs to address chronic disease prevention and management in rural areas. The objective of this study was to explore key components of the CBPR process that bolstered the early stages of a partnership established between rural-residing community leaders and academic partners in Georgia. Qualitative methodology was used to collect and assess data regarding the initial engagement between the community and academic partners. Findings indicate …

Increasing Breastfeeding Duration And Exclusivity In A Sample Of Rural Women: A Pilot Study, Joanne Chopak-Foss, Felicia Yeboah

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Increasing breastfeeding exclusivity and duration is an objective of Maternal and Child Health (MICH-21.4 and 21.5) of the Healthy People 2020 initiative. Breastfeeding rates differ considerably between high-income and low-income women.

Methods: This was a pilot project conducted to assess the feasibility of an intervention to increase breastfeeding practices overall and to improve exclusive breastfeeding rates among a sample of rural women enrolled in the Special, Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in a rural Georgia county. Participants were recruited from the local regional hospital (n=27). Support group meetings were offered over a four-week period and …

Evaluation Of A Diabetes Prevention Program For Rural Citizens, Barbara B. Kawulich, Diana Mindrila, Gina Brandenburg

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Georgia has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the US. Obesity and inactivity contribute to the onset of this disease. Tanner Health System addressed the obesity epidemic in three rural counties of Georgia through a 16-week diabetes prevention program (DPP) for 176 residents. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the DPP.

Methods: The multiple methods design of this project used pre- and post-surveys from January/February, 2014, classes to determine diabetes-related lifestyle factors, 11 mid-point telephone interviews, and focus groups with 17 members to identify lifestyle changes that were implemented. Additionally, initial and final measurements of body mass …

Engaging Rural Georgians In Internal Revenue Service (Irs)-Mandated Community Health Needs Assessments, Raymona H. Lawrence, Dziyana Nazaruk, Marie Denis-Luque, Stuart Tedders

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law. The law became effective on March 23, 2012. The ACA stipulates that non-profit hospitals must demonstrate benefit to their communities through the process of community health needs assessments (CHNAs). Failure to comply with this law may result in loss of non-profit status or large fines. This report describes strategies for engaging rural communities in Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-mandated CHNAs.

Methods: Public health practitioners from Georgia Southern University’s Jiann Ping Hsu College of Public Health collaborated with 18 rural, non-profit hospitals to …

Demographic And Socioeconomic Factors Associated With Hpv Vaccination In Georgia’S South Central Health District, Sydney Ekeledo, Candace Best, Stephanie Norman, Jodi Bazemore, Jessica Smith Schwind

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes are the primary cause of cervical cancer. Despite introduction of the HPV vaccine in 2006, vaccination percentages remain low across Georgia counties. The primary objective of this research was to conduct a descriptive epidemiological study of HPV vaccination coverage among individuals in the South Central Health District (SCHD) to provide guidance for targeted vaccination campaigns aimed at adolescents residing in rural communities.

Methods: Data from the Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services and AEGIS.net, Inc. were used to analyze demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with HPV vaccine uptake among individuals visiting county health departments …