Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons^™

The Life-Saving Drug That No One Knows About: Naloxone Education And The Health Belief Model, Sarah Tilford

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Naloxone hydrochloride, popularly known by the brand name Narcan, is an emergency treatment used to reverse an overdose on opioid drugs. The CDC reports upwards of 26,000 individuals saved by naloxone between 1996 and 2014 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). Despite this success rate, those outside of the medical field largely remain unaware of what naloxone is or how they can use it in an emergency, leading to needless loss of life. Many studies focusing on naloxone access and education have been unable to offer findings meant to increase the use and ownership of the drug by lay …

Linking Health Behavior Theory And Interventions To Increase Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake, Gretchen Elizabeth Neal

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease in adults in the United States (US). Persistent HPV infection can cause several cancers, including cervical, oropharyngeal, and anal cancer. To prevent these cancers, the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that all adolescents start the HPV vaccine series at ages 11-12 years. Despite the safety and efficacy of available HPV vaccines, vaccine uptake rates remain lower than public health goals. In the US, only 51.1% of eligible adolescents have completed the vaccine series, a rate lower than the Healthy People 2020 goal of 80% coverage for series completion. …

The First Year: The Relationship Between Loneliness & Wellness Among College Freshmen, Isabel M. Jimenez-Bush

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Loneliness is common in the majority of first-semester college students, but if left unaddressed, long-term loneliness may cause physical health problems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived loneliness and physical health among college freshmen at James Madison University using a Qualtrics survey. The relationship between loneliness and health was assessed using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) to gauge physical health and the UCLA Loneliness Survey (UCLA-LS) to gauge perceived loneliness. Contrary to the hypothesis, results indicated there was no relationship between loneliness and physical health. It was thought the BRFSS was a …

The Effect Of Patient Reminders On Osteoporosis Screenings, Billie-Ann Black

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Osteoporosis is characterized by reduction of bone mass and compromised bone strength, resulting in an increased fracture risk. Since a reduction of bone mass has been shown to be predictive of future fracture risk, prevention strategies target screening those patients at risk for decreased bone mass by using bone mineral density (BMD) dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans. Current national guidelines recommend that all women 65 years and older undergo BMD testing using central DXA every two years. Despite these recommendations, women age 65 years and older still do not participate in this screening. Greater rates of osteoporosis screening could …

The Effects Of Education On Cardiovascular Disease Knowledge, Lauren A. Ostrowski-Winkler

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for adults in the United States. The three main risk factors for the development of CVD include hypertension, high cholesterol, and tobacco use; these factors are largely prevented or reduced through lifestyle modifications. Researchers indicate that knowledge of CVD mortality has been linked with individual action to reduce one’s CVD risk. Researchers have also indicated that segments of our underserved society, particularly those with the highest CVD mortality rates, are also the least knowledgeable about CVD and their own personal risk. These risk factors were a concern within the …

The Effectiveness Of Health Education Materials In Influencing Hiv Testing Behavior: The Unlv-Siphi Study, Rebecca Tsegay

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The UNLV-SIPHI (Sexual Health Internet-Based Public Health Intervention) Study focused on HIV prevention by improving HIV testing behavior through the development and dissemination of health education materials. The goal of the UNLV-SIPHI Study was to develop effective, custom-made HIV health education materials that promote the knowledge, intention and practice of HIV testing among UNLV students. The UNLV-SIPHI Study was conducted during Spring 2012 semester in selected UNLV undergraduate classes. An online quasi-randomized-control trial (RCT) was used to measure the difference in HIV testing behavior contributing factors among students exposed to the health education materials. Several nonparametric tests were used to …

Factors That Influence Immunization Status Among A Sample Of University Students, Abigail Marie Miller

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to gather demographic information about the sample population as well as information on their attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors in relation to immunizations, vaccine-preventable diseases, and the immunization policies for entrance into California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB).

Cognitive And Emotional Barriers To Colorectal Cancer Surveillance: Increasing Screening Rates Within The Community, Cari N. Krzyzaniak

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Background: The rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in the United States continues to be low, allowing colorectal cancers to remain undiagnosed and mortality rates to remain high. Current literature points to lack of education, healthcare access, and physician counseling as key barriers to screening, in addition to cognitive-emotional apprehensions.

Objectives: This study examined whether cognitive-emotional apprehensions are barriers to screening despite physician recommendation. Moreover, it examined what particular cognitive-emotional barriers inhibit participation and how these barriers can potentially be alleviated.

Methods: A convenience sample of 40 faculty members at Eastern Michigan University were surveyed about attitudes toward screening.

Results: …

Men's Health: How Men Understand The Concept Of Health And How This Understanding Shapes Actions, Craig T. Thompson

Theses : Honours

The purpose of this research was to explore how men understand the concept of health, and how this understanding shapes actions. This dissertation developed as a result of both working at a Community Health Centre, and having an awareness that in Australia, statistics indicate that men's health is steadily deteriorating. A theoretical framework implementing the concepts of health, socialisation (masculinity) and cognition was utilised to guide the research. The research involved interviewing six male participants, who were university students ranging in age from 20 to 40 years. Participants were questioned regarding their perceptions of health and health management. Interview transcripts …