Digital Commons Network^™

Team Up Against Overdose Deaths, Mary Elizabeth Pendergrass

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

This grant proposal describes a community collaboration strategy for reducing overdose deaths. Utilizing a Community Advisory Board, the goal of the project is to increase awareness, knowledge, and usage of the Good Samaritan Law to obtain emergency medical care.

Reducing Short-Chain Pfas Levels In California Water Supplies, Manu Prabandham

Pomona Senior Theses

This thesis proposes twelve specific policies based on precedents set by prior regulation of persistent organic pollutants (such as PCBs), the costs and benefits of short-chain PFAS, technologies available to remove and destroy short-chain PFAS, and the roles and limitations of California’s regulatory institutions. The twelve policies are chosen to be politically and financially feasible, effective at removing short-chain PFAS from water supplies, and equitable towards lower-income and minority Californians, who suffer the most from the consequences of PFAS and other environmental pollutants. The new definitions, education campaigns, studies, taxes, bans, standards, testing, and filtration systems proposed are intended to …

Introduction: Autoimmunities In The Wake Of Covid-19, Travis Alexander, Nishant Shahani

English Faculty Publications

Our introduction and the essays collected in this Special Section address themselves to the ruins, creations, and legacies of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. More precisely, we ask how our notions of immunity and especially autoimmunity have changed over the last three years. We theorize autoimmunity in the wake of COVID-19 through approaches that consider the material and experiential phenomenology proliferated by the longue durée of both the experience of COVID-19 infection and the pandemic itself. In this way, we connect our inquiries both to the history of recent epidemics—most notably HIV/AIDS—and to broader philosophical and cultural investigations of what immunity …

Guideline To Decrease Nursing Turnover In Intensive Care Units, Carol L. Mention

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: Turnover rates of registered nurses working in intensive care units continue to increase significantly after the pandemic. Many nurses have left the profession due to the increased workload and stress during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Having staffing challenges and turnover can affect the outcome of this patient population. Intensive care nurses experience workplace violence at an increasing volume. Also, robust nurse onboarding and training programs can help decrease turnover rates. The current national guideline does not address these concerns about nursing turnover. A guideline project was performed to identify needed recommendations based on evidence for stakeholders to …

Comparison Of Ketamine-Xylazine, Butorphanol-Azaperone-Medetomidine, And Nalbuphine-Medetomidine-Azaperone For Raccoon (Procyon Lotor) Immobilization, Shylo R. Johnson, Christine K. Ellis, Chad Wickham, Molly R. Selleck, Amy T. Gilbert

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are frequently handled using chemical immobilization in North America for management and research. In a controlled environment, we compared three drug combinations: ketamine-xylazine (KX), butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (BAM), and nalbuphinemedetomidine- azaperone (NalMed-A) for raccoon immobilization. In crossover comparisons, raccoons received a mean of the following: 8.66 mg/kg ketamine and 1.74 mg/kg xylazine (0.104 mL/kg KX); 0.464 mg/kg butorphanol, 0.155 mg/kg azaperone, and 0.185 mg/kg medetomidine (0.017 mL/kg BAM); and 0.800 mg/kg nalbuphine, 0.200 mg/kg azaperone, and 0.200 mg/kg medetomidine (0.020 mL/kg NalMed-A). Induction time was shortest with KX (mean6SE, 10.060.7 min) and longest with NalMed-A (13.061.3 min). …

Creation Of A Survey And Study On Sleep Habits Of College Students, Sierra Stein

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Sleep is extremely important in all aspects of life. From the time someone is born to the time they pass they need sleep. It is crucial for their abilities to function and live their day to day lives. However, in different parts of life sleep is more crucial than ever. Young adults/college age students are one of those groups who need sleep but tend to pass up on adequate sleep. Throughout this, there will be the detailed importance of sleep and one way in which sleep can be studied in correlation to academics, physical health, eating habits, mental health and …

The Impact Of Mental Health On Recidivism: A Logistic Regression Analysis Examining Federal Probation Outcomes, Stephanie Kowal

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

This research paper investigates the impact of mental health issues on probation success, utilizing secondary data from the Criminology Research Group at the University of Montana. Employing binary logistic regression analysis, the study examines various factors affecting probation outcomes, with a focus on mental health treatment as a primary independent variable. Findings reveal that individuals receiving outpatient mental health care are significantly more likely to recidivate, supporting the hypothesis that ongoing mental health struggles pose substantial barriers to probation success. Moreover, employment status, age at the start of supervision, adult criminal offenses, and days under supervision emerged as significant predictors …

The Use Of Telehealth Evaluations For Diagnosis Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Children Aged 0-7: A Literature Review, Teah L. Ruiz

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The following literature review was intended to review current research studies related to diagnostic evaluation using Telehealth for young children aged 0-7 seeking a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The analyzed research created a comprehensive guide on the quality, quantity, and state of Telehealth research for ASD evaluation will result. Through the synthesis of available literature, the strengths, and weaknesses of different models of Telehealth ASD evaluation were assessed. The results of this literature review found that there is evidence to support Telehealth’s use in some aspects of evaluation, but not as a stand-alone methodology. Further research is required …

The Effect Of An Intervention To Improve Screening For Opioid Use In Patients With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Tammy Swartz

DNP Projects

Background: Rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were reported to be higher during COVID-19 than during any other epidemic in history. Patients diagnosed with PTSD are at an increased risk of experiencing opioid use disorder (OUD). Early detection, prevention, and treatment are essential to prevent OUD.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to determine if education aimed at increasing nurses’ knowledge increased patient screenings for OUD.

Methodology: A baseline chart audit was performed to determine the number of patients seen in the emergency department with PTSD who also were evaluated for OUD. Two hundred and forty emergency department registered …

2023-2024 Louisiana Adult Justice, Institute For Public Health And Justice, Data Collecting And Reporting

Policy & Position Papers

No abstract provided.

2023-2024 Louisiana Juvenile Justice, Institute For Public Health And Justice, Data Collecting And Reporting

Policy & Position Papers

No abstract provided.

Health Behaviors Predicting Risk Of Obesity In Us Adults: What Does A Healthy Lifestyle Look Like?, Jacqueline Vernarelli, Jessica R. Kiel, Christopher D. Coleman, Satya S. Jonnalagadda

Public Health Faculty Publications

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between lifestyle factors and body weight in a nationally representative sample of US adults and to evaluate the association between a novel “Healthy Habits Composite Score (HHCS)” and risk of obesity.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included data from 4870 adults who participated in the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The HHCS was developed based on 4 factors: diet, physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep, all of which were measured during the NHANES. A “healthy lifestyle” was defined as meeting ≥3 of the 4 established criteria. Data …

I Am A Man: Understanding Black Male Identity And Mental Health Needs, Rommel Johnson

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

Despite the historical and perpetual trauma, racism, discrimination, socio-economical, and socio-political disparities they have experienced in the United States, Black men have consistently forged ways to demonstrate resilience and assert their own sense of autonomy and masculinity. Nevertheless, their ecological context of living in a country that has historically sought to dehumanize them and eradicate their manhood is cumbersome to their mental wellbeing. Furthermore, the tendency by researchers to pathologize Black males obfuscates the reality of their situation in the United States, minimizing their mental needs. Understanding both the complexity of their ecological context as well as their adaptability and …

The Lawnmower And The Pediatric Lower Extremity: A Catastrophic Combination, Sairandri Sathyanarayanan, Chioma G Obinero, Jackson C Green, Kasra N Fallah, Matthew R Greives, Wendy Chen, Phuong D Nguyen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Lower extremity (LE) trauma within the pediatric population may be debilitating and have different implications and etiologies than in adults. Specifically, lawnmower injuries can cause catastrophic sequelae to the lower extremities, often requiring complex reconstruction or resulting in amputation. This study aims to present our experience with pediatric LE lawnmower injuries at one of the busiest level 1 trauma centers in the United States.

METHODS: An IRB-approved retrospective analysis was performed studying pediatric patients (age < 18 >years) who experienced LE trauma due to a lawnmower injury over a 5-year period (2012-2017). Patient demographics, perioperative data, and types of reconstruction were …

Productivity In Private Practice: Experiences And Best Practices Of Mental Health Counselors, Mark C. Pilger

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study is to understand how mental health counselors in private practice conceptualize, approach, and manage productivity, including key strategies and best practices employed through a qualitative study of lived experience. Inclusion criteria for participant eligibility included being a licensed counselor with a degree from a CACREP-accredited counseling program, working primarily in a private practice setting, and with primarily adult clients. Nineteen participants (N = 19) met these criteria and were included in the study. A thematic analysis was utilized by a team of researchers, which resulted in seven primary themes. The primary themes relate to the …

The Australian Frailty Network: Development Of A Consumer-Focussed National Response To Frailty, Natasha Reid, Adrienne Young, Loretta Baldassar, Anja Christoffersen, Tracy Comans, Simon Conroy, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Jason Ferris, Maria Fiatarone Singh, Sarah Fox, Emily H. Gordon, Manonita Ghosh, Chandana Guha, Sarah Hilmer, Lisa Kouladjian O’Donnell, Benignus Logan, Kristiana Ludlow, Michelle Miller, Mark Morgan, Alison Mudge, John Muscedere, Donna Reidlinger, Kenneth Rockwood, Rosemary Saunders, David Ward, Paul Yates

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Frailty is an important concept in the care of older adults. Over the past two decades, significant advances have been made in measuring frailty. While it is now well-recognised that frailty status is an important determinant of outcomes from medical illnesses or surgical interventions, frailty measurement is not currently routinely integrated into clinical practice. In the community setting, it is uncommon for general practitioners to deliver frailty-optimised care. In hospitals, there is substantial variability in how people living with frailty are managed. This variability is notable between and even within disciplines. Furthermore, gains from understanding frailty mechanisms and risk factors …

Health Policies Within The Poverty Agendas Of Lula And Rousseff, Welington Lazarini, Francis Sodré, Carlos Eduardo Siqueira

Gastón Institute Publications

The anti-poverty agenda has been at the heart of the World Bank’s discourse in recent decades. Social policies started to be identified as strategic for combating poverty and promoting development in poor countries. We analyzed the health policy recommendations made by the World Bank to Brazil in the Lula da Silva and Rousseff administrations from 2003 to 2014. Document analysis was used to explore the partnership contracts between the World Bank and Brazil, projects financed by the World Bank in Brazil, and the document “20 Years of Construction of the Health System in Brazil: An Analysis of the Unified Health …

Training Underrepresented Minority Students For Careers In Public Health Leadership – Public Health Leaders Fellowship Program, Jigsa Tola

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Background: Shortage and lack of diversity in the United States public health workforce is well documented and remains a challenge to meaningfully improving the health of the population. Although the diversity of the public health workforce has implications for access, care quality, and career opportunities in low-income communities, there is no strong mechanism by which minorities are trained to replenish the workforce. Morehouse College’s Public Health Leaders Fellowship Program (MC-PHLFP) is a cooperative program with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to train undergraduate students for careers in public health leadership.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is …

Public Perspectives On Investigative Genetic Genealogy: Findings From A National Focus Group Study, Jacklyn Dahlquist, Jill O Robinson, Amira Daoud, Whitney Bash-Brooks, Amy L Mcguire, Christi J Guerrini, Stephanie M Fullerton

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Background: Investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) is a technique that involves uploading genotypes developed from perpetrator DNA left at a crime scene, or DNA from unidentified remains, to public genetic genealogy databases to identify genetic relatives and, through the creation of a family tree, the individual who was the source of the DNA. As policymakers demonstrate interest in regulating IGG, it is important to understand public perspectives on IGG to determine whether proposed policies are aligned with public attitudes.

Methods: We conducted eight focus groups with members of the public (N = 72), sampled from four geographically diverse US regions, …

Situations Predisposing Primary Care Patients To Use Antibiotics Without A Prescription In The United States, Lindsey A Laytner, Barbara W Trautner, Susan Nash, Fabrizia Faustinella, Roger Zoorob, Kiara Olmeda, Michael K Paasche-Orlow, Larissa Grigoryan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Patients' situations can impact their intentions to use antibiotics without medical guidance (non-prescription use) in the future. This survey determines the prevalence of intended (future) use of non-prescription antibiotics for 13 predefined situations and identifies the sociodemographic characteristics associated with intended use for these types of situations.

METHODS: Patient surveys (N = 564) were conducted from January 2020 to June 2021 in the waiting rooms of 6 safety-net primary care clinics and 2 emergency departments in a private healthcare system. We used principal component analysis to identify 3 situational summary factors: barriers to a doctor visit, accessibility of non-prescription …

Maladaptive Behaviors In Disasters: Case Study Evaluation Of Hurricane Hugo, Hurricane Katrina And The Haiti Earthquake, Andrew M Milsten, Christopher S Kang, Ira Nemeth

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Maladaptive behaviors during a disaster refer to actions that do not benefit the individual or society. Quarantelli highlights several maladaptive behaviors myths associated with disasters: widespread antisocial behavior, passivity, role conflict or abandonment, and sudden widespread mental health breakdowns (1). Despite early work reporting these myths, the common perception is that maladaptive behaviors such as rioting, looting, panic, and criminal conduct are prevalent in the wake of disasters. This is despite research by de Ville de Goyet and Arnold which has called on public officials and the media to stop propagating false disaster myths (2, 3). The classic academic response …

Changes In Perceptions Of First Responders After Witnessing A Drug Overdose: Individual And Contextual Variations Among People Who Use Opioids In West Virginia, Kathleen L. Egan, Kelly Gurka, Alexandria Macmadu, Herb Linn

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Success of opioid overdose interventions involving first responders is dependent on the comfort level that bystanders have with first responders and their willingness to call for assistance. Positive or negative experiences with first responders following witnessing an overdose may influence a person’s willingness to call a first responder for assistance in the future.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine changes in bystanders’ perceptions of first responders following witnessing an overdose attended by emergency medical services or a law enforcement official. It specifically explored perception changes among a sample of individuals residing in Appalachia who use prescription …

Health Insurance Determinants Of The Working-Class, Lall Ramroo

Student Theses

Abstract:

This research delves into healthcare coverage disparities within the working class, spotlighting challenges in accessing essential services. Leveraging data from the 2021 American Community Survey, we scrutinize coverage intricacies for those above Medicaid eligibility yet unable to afford private insurance. Findings unveil a worrisome trend: the working class faces limited healthcare access due to income thresholds, placing them in precarious situations. Those earning too much for Medicaid but lacking private insurance means or employer-sponsored coverage grapple with significant obstacles. This paper underscores the need for targeted policies to bridge healthcare gaps for the working class, advocating for equitable access …

Physical Therapy Professionals’ Opioid Knowledge And Attitudes In A Midwestern State: A Cross Sectional Survey, Steven G. Kinney, John D. Kiesel

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To determine perspectives towards opioid use, knowledge on managing an opioid overdose, and awareness towards individuals who use opioids of Indiana physical therapy (PT) professionals. Methods: An online questionnaire was disseminated to PT professionals in Indiana from various practice settings. This questionnaire included two standardized measures, the Opioid Overdose Knowledge Scale (OOKS) and the Opioid Overdose Attitude Scale (OOAS). An additional 12 questions regarding the role of PT and other groups in the opioid crisis as well as opioid education were included. These questions were developed by discussion between investigators as well as feedback from another rehabilitation professional. Descriptive …

Clinical Leadership In Athletic Training, Tyler G. Vannucci, Lindsey E. Eberman, Matthew J. Rivera, Matthew J. Drescher, Justin Young, Kenneth E. Games

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Clinical leadership behaviors demonstrated by nurses delivering patient care are associated with improved patient outcomes and increased job satisfaction. Clinical leadership behaviors have not been studied in athletic training; therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate athletic trainers’ frequency of demonstrating these behaviors. Method: Participates completed an electronically distributed survey consisting of demographic variables, the Clinical Leadership Survey (CLS), and the Global Rating of Clinical Leadership Scale (GRCLS). Results: We found statistically significant differences between the CLS score of those in a supervisory role (M = 65.3 ± 5.4) and those who are not (M = 63.5 …

Implementation Of Fast-Track Triage Process To Improve Ambulance Patient Offloading Time (Apot) In A Psychiatric Emergency Services (Pes) Unit, Oke Augustine Umeugoji

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract.

Background.

Ambulance delays in hospital EDs have recently been significant in the United States. This delay has been attributed to emergency department overcrowding, a record number of 911 calls, a shortage of ED staff (doctors and nurses), and poor resources available in the communities as alternatives to an ED visit. Local Emergency Medical Service Authorities (LEMSA) monitor and determine the community standards for measuring ambulance offload delays (AOD), usually in minutes.

Problem.

Lengthy ambulance patient offload times and their subsequent impact on EMS have been significant all around the state of California as well as nationwide. The ambulance delay …

Paper-Based Ratiometric Sensor Array For Pathogenic Bacterial Species Identification, Aayushi Laliwala

Theses & Dissertations

Bacterial infections are the leading cause of mortality worldwide due to the lack of accurate diagnosis of the pathogens causing infections. Currently, microbiological and molecular techniques are used to identify pathogenic bacteria. However, these techniques have limitations as they are time-consuming, cost-inefficient, and require trained personnel. Therefore, timely and precise identification of pathogenic bacteria is crucial for public safety. Our lab previously synthesized a fluorescent sensor array (3-hydroxyflavone derivatives) encapsulated in hyaluronic acid-based nanoparticles to identify bacterial species and recognize their Gram status. Though promising, this technique was relatively time-consuming and required high sample and volumes.

To overcome these limitations, …

Identifying Locations Of Drug Overdose In Las Vegas To Implement The Cardiff Violence Prevention Model, John Girard, Shikha Pandey, Zack Bunn, Chris Papesh, Jacquelyn Cheun Phd, Ying Zhang

SMU Data Science Review

This paper will provide an innovative approach to drug overdose prevention programs. Using data from Las Vegas emergency departments, this paper will analyze geospatial trends of drug overdoses. Leveraging the Cardiff Violence Prevention Model, the information is shared with local law enforcement agencies and decision makers to empower them to make evidence-based strategies. This paper highlights the efficacy of a data-driven model in addressing public health issues and underscoring its ability for even broader implementation in urban settings. Findings will suggest significant implications for policymaking, crime prevention, and public health initiatives, demonstrating a step towards a safer Las Vegas.

Bringing Car T Cell Therapy Trials To Underserved Populations, Hoda Badr, Rayne Rouce, Michael E Scheurer, Premal Lulla, Martha Mims, Pavan Reddy

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

There is a critical need for equitable access to cell therapies in cancer treatment, particularly within public safety-net healthcare systems that serve minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. We discuss how the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine is piloting a cell therapy program aimed at addressing cancer care disparities and has the potential to serve as a national model for enhancing health equity in cancer care.

Criminal Justice Interventions For Individuals With Mental Health Disabilities: A Systematic Literature Review, Fidelis Azeke, Nassrine Noureddine

Pacific Journal of Health

In the criminal law, with few exceptions, for a finding of guilt, the physical act and the state of mind to commit the offense must be present at the time of the commission of the offense. People with mental disabilities often lack the state of mind required to commit the offense for which they are eventually charged for and or convicted. This paper examines the effectiveness of some past and present criminal justice system interventions that addresses the mental health disabilities of criminal offenders pre-adjudicative proceedings. A systematic review of the literature was used to examine past and present criminal …