Public Health Commons^™

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health News (2011-2023)

• Georgia Southern Professor Recognized for Outstanding Contribution

Epidemiology News, Georgia Southern University

Epidemiology News (2012-2018)

• Georgia Southern Professor Recognized for Outstanding Contribution

Correction Of Verication Bias Using Log-Linear Models For A Single Binaryscale Diagnostic Tests, Haresh Rochani, Hani M. Samawi, Robert L. Vogel, Jingjing Yin

Biostatistics Faculty Publications

In diagnostic medicine, the test that determines the true disease status without an error is referred to as the gold standard. Even when a gold standard exists, it is extremely difficult to verify each patient due to the issues of costeffectiveness and invasive nature of the procedures. In practice some of the patients with test results are not selected for verification of the disease status which results in verification bias for diagnostic tests. The ability of the diagnostic test to correctly identify the patients with and without the disease can be evaluated by measures such as sensitivity, specificity and predictive …

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health News (2011-2023)

• Georgia Southern Monitors for Adverse Events Post Marketing Approval of Drugs
• Georgia Southern Assesses the Needs of Children in a Former Slave Community
• Georgia Southern Examines the Association between Arthritis and Depression
• Georgia Southern Compares Providers Perception of Challenges and Facilitators to Disability Services
• Georgia Southern Student Inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society

Community Health News, Georgia Southern University

Community Health Department News (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Examines the Association between Arthritis and Depression
• Georgia Southern Assesses the Needs of Children in a Former Slave Community
• Georgia Southern Compares Providers’ Perceptions of Challenges and Facilitators to Disability Services

Epidemiology News, Georgia Southern University

Epidemiology News (2012-2018)

• Georgia Southern Examines the Association between Arthritis and Depression

High Prevalence And Genetic Heterogeneity Of Rodent-Borne Bartonella Species On Heixiazi Island, China, Dong-Mei Li, Yong Hou, Xiu-Ping Song, Ying-Qun Fu, Gui-Chang Li, Ming Li, Marina E. Eremeeva, Hai-Xia Wu, Bo Pang, Yu-Juan Yue, Ying Huang, Liang Lu, Jun Wang, Qi-Yong Liu

Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Publications

We performed genetic analysis of Bartonella isolates from rodent populations from Heixiazi Island in northeast China. Animals were captured at four sites representing grassland and brushwood habitats in 2011 and examined for the prevalence and genetic diversity of Bartonella species, their relationship to their hosts, and geographic distribution. A high prevalence (57.7%) and a high diversity (14 unique genotypes which belonged to 8 clades) of Bartonella spp. were detected from 71 rodents comprising 5 species and 4 genera from 3 rodent families. Forty-one Bartonella isolates were recovered and identified, including B. taylorii, B. japonica, B. coopersplainsensis, B. grahamii, B. washoensis …

Monitoring For Adverse Events Post Marketing Approval Of Drugs, Karl E. Peace, Macaulay Okwuokenye

Biostatistics Faculty Publications

This brief communication provides information to those developing monitoring plans for serious adverse events (SAE’s) following regulatory approval of a new drug. In addition, we (1) illustrate how many patients would need to be treated in order to have high confidence of seeing at least 1 pre-specified SAE, (2) show that absence of proof of a SAE is not proof of absence of that SAE, and (3) identify statistical methodology that could be used for formal statistical monitoring of SAE’s.

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health News (2011-2023)

• Georgia Southern Examines the Impact of Health Behaviors
• Georgia Southern Examines Factors Driving LHDs Partnerships

Community Health News, Georgia Southern University

Community Health Department News (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Examines the Impact of Health Behaviors

Health Policy & Management News, Georgia Southern University

Health Policy & Management Department News (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Examines Factors Driving LHDs Partnerships

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health News (2011-2023)

• Georgia Southern Examines Size and Power of Tests of Hypotheses
• Georgia Southern Analyzes Awereness about Emerging Public Health Trends

Health Policy & Management News, Georgia Southern University

Health Policy & Management Department News (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Analyzes Awareness about Emerging Public Health Trends

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health News (2011-2023)

• Georgia Southern Examines the Role of Adiposity
• Georgia Southern Receives Georgia Department of Natural Resources and NOAA Grant
• Georgia Southern Receives Contract from Georgia Association of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Health Policy & Management News, Georgia Southern University

Health Policy & Management Department News (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Receives Georgia Department of Natural Resources and NOAA Grant
• Georgia Southern Receives Contract from Georgia Association of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Epidemiology News, Georgia Southern University

Epidemiology News (2012-2018)

• Georgia Southern Examines the role of Adiposity

Environmental Health News, Georgia Southern University

Environmental Health News (2012-2018)

• Georgia Southern Receives Georgia Department of Natural Resources and NOAA Grant

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health News (2011-2023)

• Georgia Southern Examines Facebook Use by Local Heath Departments

Health Policy & Management News, Georgia Southern University

Health Policy & Management Department News (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Examines Facebook Use by Local Health Departments

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health News (2011-2023)

• Georgia Southern Examines the State of Accreditation Readiness in Georgia

Dealing With West Nile Virus: Evaluate, Re-Evaluate, Respond, Rosmarie Kelly

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Dealing With West Nile Virus: Evaluate, Re-Evaluate, Respond

Evaluation Of Food Access And Food Security Concerns Among Public Health Housing Residents, Cheryl L. R. Gaddis, Brad Lian, Nicole Watts, Leontyne Thompson

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: In 2012, food insecurity affected 14.5% of the households in the U.S and 20% in the state of Georgia. Individuals who are food-insecure can experience malnutrition, and social and physical problems. The purpose of this study was to assess food access and security concerns in two counties of the North Central Health District 5-2 (NCHD 5-2) in Georgia and to aid in devising interventions to increase food access and reduce food insecurity.

Methods: Data collection involved surveying 399 public housing residents within two NCHD 5-2 counties using the Household Food Security Survey developed by the US Department of Agriculture. …

Social And Behavioral Implications Of National Collegiate Athletic Association Sickle Cell Trait Screening: The Athletes' Perspective, Raymona H. Lawrence, Alison Scott, Carlton Haywood Jr., Kayin Robinson, Mondi Mason

Community Health Faculty Publications

Background: In August 2010, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) implemented a policy mandating sickle cell trait (SCT) testing for all Division I collegiate athletes. Subsequently, all Division II-III athletes were also compelled to undergo SCT testing. This decision has met with controversy among healthcare providers, researchers, and sickle cell advocates. However, there is little information concerning the athletes’ perspective of this policy. The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a qualitative study that explored college athletes’ perceptions of sickle cell trait SCT, NCAA policies on SCT testing, and potential implications of SCT screening.

Methods: …

Impact Of The Georgia Charitable Care Network On Cost Savings From Lowering Blood Pressure And Decreasing Emergency Department Use, Phaedra Corso, Rebecca Walcott, Justin Ingels

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The Georgia Charitable Care Network (GCCN) is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to foster collaborative partnerships to deliver compassionate health care to low-income, uninsured individuals. Hypertension screening and management is a service provide by 90+ clinics in the GCCN statewide.

Methods: With data from N=1661 patients who were screened and treated for hypertension at n=12 clinics in 2013, the impact of hypertension management on blood pressure levels, the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, and utilization of emergency departments (EDs) were examined. The resulting changes in healthcare utilization were converted to changes in healthcare costs …

Missed Opportunities For Diagnosing Hiv Via Routine Screening In An Inner- City Primary Care Clinic, Abigail Hankin, Sara Turbow, Jennifer Spicer, Heather Freiman, Bijal Shah, Natasha Travis

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Although routine, opt-out HIV screening has been recommended for nearly a decade, clinical practice has not kept pace. Here, we examine missed opportunities for HIV screening among patients newly diagnosed with HIV via a routine non-targeted opt-out HIV screening program in a primary care clinic at an inner-city safety-net hospital.

Methods: Select demographic and clinical data were analyzed for all persons with a new HIV diagnosis between July 9, 2013 and August 31, 2015. Retrospective reviews of medical records were performed to identify missed opportunities for HIV screening in the year prior to HIV diagnosis.

Results: Among 6,582 patients …

Impact Of Laws Aimed At Healthcare-Associated Infection Reduction: A Qualitative Study, Patrica W. Stone, Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz, Julie Reagan, Jacqueline A. Merrill, Brad Sperber, Catherine Cairns, Matthew Penn, Tara Ramanathan, Elizabeth Mothershed, Elizabeth Skillen

Health Policy and Management Faculty Publications

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are preventable. Globally, laws aimed at reducing HAIs have been implemented. In the USA, these laws are at the federal and state levels. It is not known whether the state interventions are more effective than the federal incentives alone.

Objective: The aims of this study were to explore the impact federal and state HAI laws have on state departments of health and hospital stakeholders in the USA and to explore similarities and differences in perceptions across states.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted. In 2012, we conducted semistructured interviews with key stakeholders from states with and …

Promoting Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Haitian Americans, Steven S. Coughlin, Erica I. Lubetkin, Jennifer L. Hay, Renald Raphael, Selina A. Smith

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Few studies have examined colorectal cancer screening among Haitian Americans, although striking disparities in colorectal cancer screening and mortality are well-documented among U.S. Blacks. Race, socioeconomic status, and place of birth are factors associated with colorectal cancer incidence and mortality patterns.

Methods: In this article, we summarize published studies on colorectal cancer screening among Haitian Americans, identified through bibliographic searches in PubMed and CINAHL through August 2015, and offer recommendations for further research.

Results: Only one qualitative study and three quantitative surveys have examined colorectal cancer screening among Haitian Americans. A qualitative study found important differences in perceptions of …

Sexual Health Education In Georgia: A Role For Reducing Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Adolescents, Madison L. Gates, Veronica Walker, Nancy C. Webb

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: In Georgia, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a substantial health issue, particularly among young adults in vulnerable and minority populations. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that sexually active adolescents and at-risk adults receive behavioral counseling and education in primary care settings, community organizations, departments of health, and schools.

Methods: The present approach used in Georgia for educating adolescents at high risk for STIs about these diseases was assessed. The data collected included standards for sexual health education, survey results from educators and students, and observations from a pilot study with adolescents detained by the juvenile justice …

Use Of Geographical Information Systems To Identify Counties In Georgia With High Risk For Childhood Lead Poisoning, R. Christopher Rustin, Christy Kuriatnyk, Byron Lobsinger, Simone Charles

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: For children in Georgia, lead poisoning is a substantial public health problem. Primary risk factors include low socioeconomic status and poor-quality housing built prior to 1978. The Environmental Health Team of the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) utilized geographical information system (GIS) technology and census housing data to identify counties in which children have high risk for lead poisoning. The purpose of this research was to update and refine previous maps developed with older technology and on a different geographic scale so that targeted public health interventions can be developed.

Methods: Data related to stratified and median housing …

Differences In Health Literacy Knowledge And Experiences Among Senior Nursing Students, Sharon S. Williamson, Joanne Chopak-Foss

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Low health literacy has been identified as a significant public health problem. Also, higher expenditures due to longer hospital stays have been reported for persons with low health literacy. Nurses can assist patients with low health literacy to reduce their hospital stays and increase compliance with discharge instructions.

Methods: A quantitative, descriptive research design was employed to assess knowledge and experiences of 192 senior nursing students. These students were administered the Health Literacy Knowledge and Experiences Survey (HL-KES), a 2-part survey that included assessment of knowledge about health literacy and experience in working with populations of low health literacy. …