Public Health Commons^™

Analysis Of Genes Encoded By A Chromosomal Insert In Rickettsia Philipii, Sydney A. Wright

Honors College Theses

Background: Spotted Fever group rickettsiae are obligate intracellular arthropod-borne bacteria. Rickettsiae are globally distributed yet typically confined to the distribution of their vector(s). Rickettsia rickettsii and Rickettsia philipii are closely related human pathogens endemic to the United States and cause similar febrile illness with differing morbidity and mortality. Genomic comparison found the presence of a 19 kilobase insert containing eleven genes in Rickettsia philipii. The functions of proteins encoded by this insert are speculated to affect virulence and pathogenicity.

Materials and Methods: Bioinformatic analysis was performed to identify functional motifs in four proteins encoded by the insert. Homologous proteins …

Knowledge Disparities In Diabetes Mellitus Among Undergradute College Students: An Exploratory Study, Caroline Duffy

Honors College Theses

The primary goal of this research study is to examine the knowledge disparities in diabetes mellitus of health related and non- health related undergraduate majors at Georgia Southern University. The Newest Vital Sign tool is used to assess health literacy between majors. Health related majors will have a higher health literacy score. The research questions to be investigated are (a). do non-health related majors lack an understanding of diabetes mellitus and (b). do all college students have adequate health literacy. With the findings, health education and promotion programs can be established and directed towards the appropriate population.

Nanoparticle Penetration Of Respirator Masks At Construction Sites, Jefferson W. Doehling

Honors College Theses

This experimental investigation studies the effectiveness of N95 respirators at blocking particles between 11.5 and 154 nm in diameter during 4 different construction activities. It is well known that large amounts of dust and debris are generated during construction activities. New research has found that significantly more nanoparticles are generated during construction activities than previously thought. Consequently, the N95 respirators commonly worn to protect against these particles are only rated to block 95% particles larger than 0.3 microns in size. In this investigation, two respirator models were tested, a NIOSH TC-84A-0007 pleated N95 respirator and a NIOSH 42CFR84 foldable N95 …

Exploring Psychosocial Factors And Sexual Risk Behavior Of Men Who Have Sex With Men In The United States Military: Project Minds, Erin Jordan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Statement of the Problem: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at disproportionate risk for HIV infection. While many studies have examined psychosocial factors associated with HIV risk among MSM, few have focused specifically on MSM in the military. The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine ways in which specific psychosocial factors are associated with sexual risk behaviors among MSM in the military.

Methods: Data were collected from 63 MSM who were active duty military personnel or veterans in the Southeastern US. Participants were recruited from geosocial mobile applications, social media platforms, and military LGBT organizations. Logistic …

Perceptions Of Health Professionals In Ghana On The Role Of The Community In Chronic Disease Management, Jesuseme Omoruan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of chronic disease has been on the rise in various developing countries. This study is an exploratory investigation of the perceptions of health professionals in Kumasi, Ghana on the role of the community in chronic disease management. Using the Chronic Care Model as a framework, the objective of the study was to examine the extent of community-healthcare system in chronic disease management and to explore the barriers to and facilitators of community involvement in chronic disease management. By exploring the availability of community resources that positively contribute to the management of these patients, the study fills an existing …

Factors Associated With Iron-Folic Acid Supplement Use Among Pregnant Women In Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria - A Cross Sectional Study Using Theory Of Planned Behavior, Toyin O. Akomolafe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Iron-folic acid supplementation is one of the key interventions provided during antenatal care (ANC) services to reduce iron deficiency, maternal anemia, low birthweight and other pregnancy-related complications responsible for maternal and neonatal mortality. However, use of iron-folic acid supplements and adherence with recommended dosage in Nigeria is low. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine factors associated with iron-folic acid supplements use among pregnant women in Karu local government area (LGA), Nasarawa, Nigeria. Methods: Questionnaires were administered in face-to-face interviews with 64 pregnant women (18 – 49 years old) and 19 healthcare providers in selected …

Cutting The Cords: Provider, Payer, Policy And Maternity Outcomes In Selected U. S. States, Courtney Gustin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if there is variation in interventions and complications in the labors of women cared for by nurse midwives compared with physicians after controlling for medical risks and sociodemographic factors in pregnant women in Georgia, New Mexico, Illinois, Virginia, and Alaska.

Methods: The study was based on a secondary analysis of 2015 Birth Certificate Data from the National Center for Health Statistics. The outcome variables included VBAC, induction/augmentation of labor, third and fourth-degree laceration, and chorioamnionitis. The exposure of interest was provider type- nurse-midwife or physician. Multiple logistic regression was used to …

Examining The Issue Of Compliance With Personal Protective Equipment Among Wastewater Workers Across The Southeast Region Of The United States, Tamara L. Wright

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wastewater workers are exposed to different occupational hazards such as chemicals, gases, viruses, and bacteria. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a significant factor that can reduce or increase the probability of an accident from hazardous exposures to chemicals and microbial contaminants. The purpose of this study was to identify wastewater worker’s beliefs and practices on wearing PPE and protections offered by PPE through the integration of the Health Belief Model (HBM). Participants were workers in the wastewater industry, which included wastewater operators, laboratory analysts, maintenance workers, wastewater collection workers, equipment operators, managers, and supervisors (n=272). The instrument was a self-administered …

Factors Associated With Continuous Improvement By Local Boards Of Health, Tran Nguyen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: The continuous improvement as applied to a local board of health (LBoH) is one of the six governance functions and focuses on activities that target LBoH’s self-improvement and improvement of local health department (LHD) it governs.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the engagement level of LBoHs in continuous improvement efforts and to identify factors associated with this function. The goal was to provide insights that will inspire LBoHs to improve their continuous improvement governance function for better practices, and in turn, enhance the performance of local health departments (LHDs) for which the LBoHs serve as …

Characteristics Associated With Local Health Departments’ Completion Of Community Health Assessment, Community Health Improvement Plan, And Strategic Planning, Abraham Deng Ater

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Local health departments engage in community health assessment, community health improvement plan, strategic planning to systematically monitor health, identify risk factors, and to set strategic priorities to improve population health outcomes. Successful completion of these three processes within the last five years is also paramount as they are required for accreditation by the Public Health Accreditation Board. The main purpose of this study was to analyze characteristics of local health departments that are associated with completion of community health assessment, community health improvement plan, strategic planning, and accreditation processes. This cross-sectional study drew data from the 2016 NACCHO profile of …

Facilitators And Barriers To Implementing Farm To School Programs In Rural Georgia: Perspectives Of School Nutrition Directors, Linda Baffo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Childhood obesity is a growing public health problem. In the US, over 13.7 million children are obese. Specifically in Georgia, childhood obesity among children between ages 10 – 17 is the 8^th highest in the nation. Rural Georgia has disproportionately higher rates of overweight and obesity than urban areas of Georgia. Schools are an ideal venue through which to address childhood obesity because many US children consume up to half of their daily calories at school. The aim of this research was to determine the facilitators and barriers to implementing farm to school activities from the perspective of …

Association Between Local Health Departments’ Engagement In Phab Accreditation And Budget Cuts Prevention, Ghadeer M. Albashir

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: The primary purpose of this study is to examine whether engagement in Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) accreditation process and its requirements are associated with budget cuts prevention for local health departments (LHDs). Methods: For this study, we performed multinomial logistic regression using the 2016 National Profile of Local Health Departments Survey conducted by the National Association of County and City Health Officials. Results: While budget did not change for a majority of LHDs in comparison with previous year (48.6%), there were 28.7% that reported budget increase, and almost a quarter of LHDs had reduced budget (23%). The multinomial …