Digital Commons Network^™

Increasing Nurses’ Knowledge Of Cultural Preferences Influencing Diabetes Self-Management Among Sierra Leoneans, Winstina Aminata Taylor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The practice problem identified at the project site was the lack of nurses’ knowledge of how cultural preferences influence diabetes self-management practices among African Americans with diabetes mellitus. An educational program focused on the cultural preferences of Sierra Leoneans that influence diabetes self-management practices was provided for 48 nurses who worked in the agency. The doctoral project included concepts from nursing education and cultural competence theories to inform the approach. The project followed the ADDIE model process steps to develop and implement the educational program. The sources of evidence included pre- and posteducation surveys administered to participating nurses to assess …

The Effects Of Covid-19 On Asian American Perception Of Mental Health, Emily Tseung

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study describes a qualitative study using a grounded theory, constructivist approach, which sampled (N = 6) Asian American college students who lived in the United States during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research shows that COVID significantly impacted the Asian American perception of mental health, including mental health help- seeking behaviors and discrimination experienced. The long-term effects of this are still largely unknown. In depth, semi-structured interviews were used to explore the lived experiences of these Asian Americans. Qualitative analysis revealed thematic differences for the following themes: (a) experience with mental illness, (b) mental health help- seeking …

Anal Human Papillomavirus (Hpv) Disagreement By Linear Array Compared To Spf10 Pcr-Deia-Lipa25 System In Young Sexual Minority Men, Alan G Nyitray, Anna R Giuliano, Kayo Fujimoto

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Young sexual minority men (SMM) bear the greatest burden of anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. We assessed anal HPV genotype discordance between the Linear Array (LA) and SPF10 PCR-DEIA-LiPA25 (LiPA25).

Methods: Discordance was assessed between LA and LiPA25 using self-collected anal swabs from 120 SMM aged 18-29 who were recruited in 2014-2016. Multiple-type infection was explored as a potential confounder of testing agreement, along with clinical and behavioral factors such as HIV status, syphilis status, incarceration history, health insurance coverage, having 3 or more sex partners in the past 6 months, and co-infection with HPV-16.

Results: Significant discordance was …

Interventions Developed To Guide Pediatric Type One Diabetes Management And Transition Of Care: A Systematic Review, Danielle Pehr-Szeliga, Aneta Rutkowski

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Background: Within the context of pediatric Type 1 Diabetes (PT1D), transition management is the process of shifting PTID responsibility from caregiver to child as they approach adulthood. With PT1D on the rise, effective transition management strategies are increasingly important to ensuring safe self-management of PT1D. The main objective of this systematic review is to summarize developmentally appropriate interventions that support youth and caregivers through the transition of PT1D.

Methods: CINAHL, PubMed, and Web of Science were used to identify studies for this review. Inclusion criteria included primary research articles in English, published from 2014-2024, and focused on children ages 1-19 …

Exploring Cultural, Health, And Technology Intersections: A Focus On Migrant Experiences, Merna Mina, Sahij Gill

Bridges: An Undergraduate Journal of Contemporary Connections

Despite the plethora of theories and frameworks addressing culture, health, and technology adoption, there remains a notable absence of a unifying theory that comprehensively encompasses all three aspects, particularly concerning newcomers. The Health Belief Model, for example, underscores individual perceptions and attitudes toward health yet fails to consider the intricate interplay between cultural factors and technology adoption among immigrant populations. The Healthy Immigrant Effect, which posits that immigrants often exhibit better health outcomes than native-born individuals, does not mention the role of technology on health outcomes. Acculturation theories, while shedding light on the adaptation process, often fall short of explaining …

How To Mitigate The Risks Of Deployment Of Artificial Intelligence In Medicine?, Sevi̇l Uygun İli̇khan, Mahmut Özer, Hande Tanberkan, Veysel Bozkurt

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The aim of this study is to examine the risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine and to offer policy suggestions to reduce these risks and optimize the benefits of AI technology. Artificial intelligence is a multifaceted technology. If harnessed effectively, it has the capacity to significantly impact the future of humanity in the field of health, as well as in several other areas. However, the rapid spread of this technology also raises significant ethical, legal, and social issues. This study examines the potential dangers of AI integration in medicine by reviewing current scientific work and …

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evaluation Of Community-Based Screening Program, Mehmet Aki̇f Sezerol, Seli̇n Davun

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the results of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screenings conducted in a region of İstanbul between 2018 and 2023.Materials and methods: This descriptive study was conducted between April 2018 and February 2023 among 25,839 children aged between 18–36 months who had been screened for autism spectrum disorder in Sultanbeyli, İstanbul. Children between 18–36 months are examined and a form consisting of 5 questions and typical symptoms of ASD is filled. Each question is answered as yes or no. Answering yes to at least one of the questions is sufficient to direct them to child …

Pediatric Obesity In The United States: Age–Period–Cohort Analysis, Ashley W. Kranjac, Dinko Kranjac, Roxanne I. Aguilera

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

The rates of obesity among American children aged 2–5 years has reached a historic high. It is crucial to identify the putative sources of population-level increases in obesity prevalence among preschool-aged children because early childhood is a critical window for obesity prevention and thus reduction of future incidence. We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data and hierarchical age–period–cohort analysis to examine lifecycle (i.e., age), historical (i.e., period), and generational (i.e., cohort) distribution of age- and sex-specific body mass index z-scores (zBMI) among 2–5-year-olds in the U.S. from 1999 to 2018. Our current findings indicate that period effects, …

Assessing The Uptake Of Biosimilar Insulin Glargine Among Physicians For The Treatment Of Diabetes In South Africa, Euganthri Pillay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In South Africa, diabetes is a serious problem where 1 in 9 adults has diabetes, making it the country with the highest diabetes prevalence on the African continent. Even though insulin is an absolute necessity for treating diabetes, it is unaffordable to millions. Biosimilar insulins, however, are innovative medicines that are similar but not exact copies of the originator insulin, making alternative treatment affordable to patients. The problem is that, in South Africa, it is still not known whether patients have access to biosimilar insulin in a country where diabetes is rampant. The diffusion of innovation theory was used to …

Assessing The Uptake Of Biosimilar Insulin Glargine Among Physicians For The Treatment Of Diabetes In South Africa, Euganthri Pillay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In South Africa, diabetes is a serious problem where 1 in 9 adults has diabetes, making it the country with the highest diabetes prevalence on the African continent. Even though insulin is an absolute necessity for treating diabetes, it is unaffordable to millions. Biosimilar insulins, however, are innovative medicines that are similar but not exact copies of the originator insulin, making alternative treatment affordable to patients. The problem is that, in South Africa, it is still not known whether patients have access to biosimilar insulin in a country where diabetes is rampant. The diffusion of innovation theory was used to …

An Exploratory Analysis Of Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Physical Functional Impairment In Icu Survivors, Megan A. Watson, Marie Sandi, Johanna Bixby, Grace Perry, Patrick J. Offner, Ellen L. Burnham, Sarah E. Jolley

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

IMPORTANCE: Physical functional impairment is one of three components of postintensive care syndrome (PICS) that affects up to 60% of ICU survivors. OBJECTIVES: To explore the prevalence of objective physical functional impairment among a diverse cohort of ICU survivors, both at discharge and longitudinally, and to highlight sociodemographic factors that might be associated with the presence of objective physical functional impairment. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a secondary analysis of 37 patients admitted to the ICU in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Denver, Colorado between 2016 and 2019 who survived with longitudinal follow-up data. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Our primary …

Exploring Associations Between Poverty, Race/Ethnicity, Gender, And Childhood Obesity In Cherokee County, South Carolina, Lillie Mae Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity (CHO) rates have increased significantly worldwide over the last decade. The magnitude of CHO extends beyond physical health to include economic stability, social connections, and access to daily living resources. CHO is complex and requires a multifaceted approach that may differ from traditional prevention approaches and treatment. Over the years, interventions have focused on maintaining a balance of healthy eating and active living to reduce weight and promote lifelong behavior change. Body mass index (BMI) surveillance studies have been conducted in Cherokee County, South Carolina since 2012 to assess and inform CHO interventions. However, the data have not …

Exploring Associations Between Poverty, Race/Ethnicity, Gender, And Childhood Obesity In Cherokee County, South Carolina, Lillie Mae Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity (CHO) rates have increased significantly worldwide over the last decade. The magnitude of CHO extends beyond physical health to include economic stability, social connections, and access to daily living resources. CHO is complex and requires a multifaceted approach that may differ from traditional prevention approaches and treatment. Over the years, interventions have focused on maintaining a balance of healthy eating and active living to reduce weight and promote lifelong behavior change. Body mass index (BMI) surveillance studies have been conducted in Cherokee County, South Carolina since 2012 to assess and inform CHO interventions. However, the data have not …

Building Trust: The Role Of Place-Based Consciousness In Vaccine Hesitancy, Ramsey W. Ash

Quantitative Social Science Undergraduate Senior Theses

Vaccine hesitancy poses a threat to public health initiatives of the 21st century. Following a stark divide in the rural/urban COVID-19 vaccine uptake and harsh disparities between these areas in COVID-19 moralities and morbidities, further understanding of the drivers of vaccine hesitancy are needed. This study makes use of the framework of place-based consciousness (PBC), pioneered by scholars of rural political science, such as Katherine Cramer, to explore this phenomenon as a mechanism by which to understand vaccine hesitancy. To examine this, an experimental survey was distributed to 300 Americans (150 rural and 150 urban) that inquired about their PBC, …

Classic Grounded Theory: Identifying The Main Concern, Justine Connor, Tracy Flenady, Deb Massey, Trudy Dwyer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Grounded theory comprises a family of research approaches designed to support the generation of a theory explaining a phenomenon experienced by a group of participants. One style of grounded theory, Classic grounded theory, is used less often than other types of grounded theory. The less frequent use of Classic grounded theory may be attributed to the limited availability of clearly articulated processes for conducting this method. Particularly important within Classic grounded theory, and not used in other forms of grounded theory, is identifying the participants' main concern. Identifying the participants' main concern is a signature feature of Classic grounded theory …

Associations Between Disordered Eating Behaviour And Sexual Behaviour Amongst Emerging Adults Attending A Tertiary Education Institution In Coastal Kenya, Stevenson Chea, Adama Kazienga, Eunice Oyugi, Isaac Menza, Carophine Nasambu, Fauz Ibrahim, Osman Abdullahi, Amin Hassan, Amina Abubakar, Kristien Michielsen

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background Sexual behavior (SB) is a well-documented pathway to HIV acquisition in emerging adults and remains common amongst African emerging adults. Previous research in high-income countries indicates a correlation between disordered eating behavior (DEB) and engaging in sexual behaviors. We aimed to describe the relationship between DEB and SB amongst emerging adults attending a tertiary educational institution at the Kenyan Coast.

Methods We applied a cross-sectional design nested in a young adults’ cohort study. Eligibility included sexually active emerging adults aged 18–24 years. Three DEBs (emotional, restrained and external eating) were assessed using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire and analysed …

Voices Of Experience: Lay Perspectives On Severe Maternal Morbidity In Appalachia, Anna Hansen, Cassidy Carter, Nancy Schoenberg, Carrie B. Oser

UK CARES Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Determining Factors For Improved Uptake Of Harm Reduction Services In The United States: A Study Of Inclusive, Culturally Sensitive Messaging, Lauretta Ekanem Omale

Dissertations

Harm reduction refers to public health policies and programs aimed at decreasing the adverse consequences associated with drug use. While harm reduction services (e.g., syringe exchange programs) can mitigate health risks, marginalized groups face barriers to service access and utilization, partially due to ineffective messaging approaches that fail to align with cultural values and experiences. A one-size-fits-all approach to messaging can negatively impact service utilization, health outcomes, and health disparities. Ineffective communication can lead to poor adherence to treatment, poorer health outcomes, and increased adverse events.

Culturally insensitive communication contributes to stigma, mistrust, and lack of perceived relevance, discouraging service …

Strengthening U.S. Jail Systems’ Response To Infectious Diseases: An Evaluation Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Erinn Bacchus

Dissertations and Theses

Jails across the United States were struck with increased infections and deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies have shown the structural make up of jails, lack of preparedness plans, and overcrowding contributed to health risks and poor health outcomes both inside jails and local communities. Yet little research has been dedicated to strengthening jail responses to infectious disease outbreaks spanning prevention measures, data collection, and reentry planning. Gaps include information on the (1) myriad infectious disease mitigation strategies used in jails and adherence to CDC prevention guidelines, (2) development of a standardized epidemiologic surveillance system, and (3) experiences working at …

The Relationship Between Healthcare Access And Change In Health-Related Quality-Of-Life Among The General Population Of Five Countries During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Nadja Alexandrov, Emily Stella Scott, Mathieu F. Janssen, Erica I. Lubetkin, John N. Yfantopoulos, Gouke J. Bonsel, Juanita A. Haagsma

Publications and Research

Purpose To determine whether (1) healthcare access at onset of the pandemic and (2) age, gender, socioeconomic status (SES), and pre-existing health status were associated with change in health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study includes a general population sample of five countries.

Methods An online questionnaire was administered to respondents from Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic between April 22nd and May 5th of 2020, and 1 year later between May 23rd and June 29th of 2021. The questionnaire included questions on demographic background, health status, and …

Evolution Of Morning Sickness And How It Relates To Maternal Nutrition And Fetal Development, Leena Macias

University Honors Theses

A multitude of pregnant mothers throughout the world experience some sort of nausea and vomiting symptoms while pregnant. There is a large body of literature that has examined the evolutionary significance of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP), and why it continues to persist within our society. The purpose of this thesis is to perform a literature review and to add onto the current literature present within this multidisciplinary field. In order to do so, the field's published works were compiled and examined, being careful to only choose credible and significant sources in order to understand why pregnant mothers experience …

Incarceration Vs Treatment: Is One More Effective Than The Other In Preventing Recidivism For Drug Abuse?, Scott G. Kang

Student Theses

This study aims to determine the most effective approach for reducing recidivism among drug offenders, comparing incarceration with treatment. Two hypotheses were formulated for this research: 1) Drug offenders undergoing residential treatment will experience lower recidivism rates compared to those sentenced to incarceration. 2) Extended therapeutic treatment is more likely to positively influence behavior change among drug abusers compared to longer prison sentences. These hypotheses were tested using data from 263 participants in the Drug Treatment Alternative-to-Prison (DTAP) program, analyzed through logistic regression in SPSS. The results indicate that therapeutic interventions, specifically rehabilitative treatment, are more effective than incarceration in …

Mobility Repertoires: How Chinese Overseas Students Overcame Pandemic-Induced Immobility, Jiaqi M. Liu, Rui Jie Peng

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

The burgeoning field of immobility studies focuses on how migratory aspirations and capabilities shape a given (im)mobility status but devotes scant attention to how people traverse different (im)mobility categories. Through a case study of Chinese students in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, this article develops two arguments to shed light on migrants’ experiences and strategies in mobility transitions. First, during the pandemic, while China's restrictive travel policies and unfavorable public discourses made return migration extremely difficult, Chinese overseas students also felt unwelcome in the United States, due to visa restrictions and Sinophobic violence. This dilemma of being unable …

Trends In Fatal Opioid-Related Overdose In American Indian And Alaska Native Communities, 1999-2021, Dana Bernson, Wenjun Li, Leland K Ackerson, Marc R Larochelle, Thomas J Stopka

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Opioid-related overdose mortality rates have increased sharply in the U.S. over the past two decades, and inequities across racial and ethnic groups have been documented. Opioid-related overdose trends among American Indian and Alaska Natives require further quantification and assessment.

METHODS: Observational, U.S. population-based registry data on opioid-related overdose mortality between 1999 and 2021 were extracted in 2023 using ICD-10 codes from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research multiple cause of death file by race, Hispanic ethnicity, sex, and age. Segmented time series analyses were conducted to estimate opioid-related overdose mortality growth …

Life-Space Mobility, Transportation, And The Companionship Network Of Members Of A Hispanic Senior Center, Aiman Mushtaq

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: Companions (i.e., friends who spend time together) are important for the well-being of older adults. Senior centers in the United States are places for older adults to participate in group activities and form and maintain companionships. However, differences in mobility and transportation may affect the ability of older adults to leverage senior center activities into actual companionships.

Methods: This social network analysis was conducted to characterize the companionship network among members of a senior center in relation to their life-space mobility and transportation resources. An exponential random graph model was estimated to identify mobility- and transportation-related correlates of the …

Us Filipino Adults Have Elevated Prevalence Of Hypertension Across The Adult Lifespan: Findings From A Cross-Sectional Electronic Health Record Study, Nancy P Gordon, Irvin C Lien, Jamal S Rana, Joan C Lo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of hypertension increases with age and differs by race and ethnicity. Among U.S. Asian adults, prevalence is higher for Filipino adults than for other major Asian subgroups, but whether this disparity exists across the adult lifespan is unknown. This study examined hypertension prevalence by age decade, comparing Filipino adults with South Asian, Chinese, Black, Hispanic, and White adults.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study used 2015-2016 electronic health record data from a Northern California integrated healthcare delivery system for 1,839,603 adults aged 30-79 years, including 128,124 Filipino adults. Hypertension was defined by diagnosis codes. Sex-specific prevalence was calculated by …

Polarization, The Pandemic, And Public Trust In Health System Actors, Alessandro Del Ponte, Alan S. Gerber, Eric M. Patashnik

Political Science Faculty Articles and Research

Context: Public opinion on the performance of health system actors is polarized today, but it remains unclear which actors enjoy the most or the least trust among Democrats and Republicans, whether the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced how people view their own physicians, and whether doctors have retained the ability to influence public beliefs about policy issues.

Methods: The authors conducted two national surveys in 2022 and 2023 to examine these questions.

Findings: Democrats rated the performance of medical research scientists and public health experts during the pandemic more highly than did Republicans and independents. About three in ten Republicans said …

Failure To Mourn: Challenges To The Work Of Mourning In Twentieth-Century Italian Literature, Mattia Mossali

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This project brings together, in a novel combination and through a comparative and transnational perspective, three Italian authors from the Twentieth century who around the same years have produced texts in an effort to verbalize the pain caused by the loss of a loved one: Gina Lagorio (1922-2005), Lalla Romano (1906-2001), and Pier Vittorio Tondelli (1955-1991). Through a variety of literary forms, from fictional self-representations in “autobiographical” novels to the desire for authenticity that characterizes so-called grief memoirs, each of them confronts the challenge of how to write about the deeply painful experience of mourning. After witnessing death, they look …

A Mixed-Method Analysis Of The Contribution Of Informal Sport To Public Health In Australia, Ruth Jeanes, Justen O'Connor, Dawn Penney, Ramon Spaaij, Jonathan Magee, Eibhlish O' Hara, Lisa Lymbery

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Informal sport is a growth area of sport participation but there has been limited examination of how informal and unstructured forms of participation may contribute to health outcomes that are important for public health. This article aims to address the current lack of data examining the health outcomes associated with informal sport participation and consider the potential role of informal sport within efforts to promote healthier communities through sport. The article seeks to broaden understanding of how informal sport participation can contribute to health outcomes, particularly with regard to increasing physical activity and enhancing mental health and social connection. The …

Exploring Counseling Self-Efficacy Development Among Graduate Speech-Language Pathology Students, Rebecca Jones

Dissertations, 2020-current

Two thematically linked studies are contained within this dissertation document, completed in partial fulfillment of the degree requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy, per the Communication Sciences and Disorders Ph.D. handbook, and in agreement with an advisory committee. These projects serve to advance the scholarship of teaching and learning in the areas of counseling skill development and therapeutic alliance building. The first study deals with the impact of a university-based caregiver coaching program on SLP graduate students' counseling self-efficacy (CSE) and their perceptions of therapeutic alliances with infant caregivers. A mixed-methods approach was employed utilizing reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) and …