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Prophylactic Antibiotic Analysis In Obs-Gyn, Orthopedics, Gastrointestinal Surgery At A South Tangerang Hospital, January-March 2024, Evelina Endang Nurjaman, Helen Andriani Jan 2026

Prophylactic Antibiotic Analysis In Obs-Gyn, Orthopedics, Gastrointestinal Surgery At A South Tangerang Hospital, January-March 2024, Evelina Endang Nurjaman, Helen Andriani

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Inappropriate use of prophylactic antibiotics (PAs) remains a primary driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR); however, global adherence to established prescribing guidelines remains suboptimal. This study aimed to analyze the compliance and rationality of PA prescription and to evaluate the underlying causes of physician non-adherence in obstetrics, orthopedic, and gastrointestinal surgeries at a hospital in South Tangerang City, Indonesia. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, this investigation combined a quantitative assessment of 208 surgical patient records (January–March 2024) with qualitative exploratory interviews conducted with three specialist peer group heads. This design allowed the triangulation of prescribing data with underlying clinical perspectives. PA rationality …


Partial Versus Full Revision In Cementless Single-Stage Exchange For Hip Periprosthetic Joint Infection: A Multicenter Comparative Study With 10-Year Survivorship Analysis, Wenbo Mu, Atthakorn Jarusriwanna, Boyong Xu, Scot A. Brown, Xiaogang Zhang, Alexander Dawes, Javad Parvizi Md, Li Cao Jan 2026

Partial Versus Full Revision In Cementless Single-Stage Exchange For Hip Periprosthetic Joint Infection: A Multicenter Comparative Study With 10-Year Survivorship Analysis, Wenbo Mu, Atthakorn Jarusriwanna, Boyong Xu, Scot A. Brown, Xiaogang Zhang, Alexander Dawes, Javad Parvizi Md, Li Cao

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is one of the most challenging complications following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Traditional management typically involves full revision to ensure comprehensive infection eradication. However, for patients with well-fixed implants, partial revision in a single-stage cementless approach may provide a viable alternative, potentially preserving bone stock and reducing operative time. The relative efficacy of this approach compared with full revision remains to be fully explored. This multicenter study aims to determine whether partial revision in cementless single-stage exchange surgery offers comparable infection control outcomes to full revision for select patients with well-fixed implants.

METHODS: We conducted …


Community And Individual Risk Factors Associated With Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes: Ca, Md, And Oh, [2017-2021]., Kadiatu Banjoko Jan 2026

Community And Individual Risk Factors Associated With Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes: Ca, Md, And Oh, [2017-2021]., Kadiatu Banjoko

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are unsuccessful treatment outcomes with Tuberculosis (TB) disease, although effective therapies exist. This study aimed to identify predictors of unsuccessful treatment using the socioecological model. A quantitative cross-sectional study and multinomial logistic regression analysis were used to measure the associations between long-term care (LTC), homelessness, correctional facility, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), diabetes, excess alcohol, illicit drug use, and TB treatment outcomes of death, lost to follow-up, and treatment refusal. The sample consisted of 7,589 individuals aged 15 and older with pulmonary TB between 2017 and 2021, residing in California, Ohio, and Maryland. Findings indicated a correlation between community factors …


Obesity And Long Covid: Intersecting Epidemics?, Michael Gottlieb, Huihui Yu, Ji Chen, Erica S. Spatz, Nicole L. Gentile, Rachel E. Geyer, Michelle Santangelo, Caitlin Malicki, Kristyn Gatling, Kelli N. O'Laughlin, Kari A. Stephens, Joann G. Elmore, Lauren E. Wisk, Michelle L'Hommedieu, Robert M. Rodriguez, Juan Carlos C. Montoy, Ralph C. Wang, Kristin L. Rising, Efrat Kean, Jonathan W. Dyal, Mandy J. Hill, Arjun K. Venkatesh, Robert A. Weinstein, Inspire Group Jan 2026

Obesity And Long Covid: Intersecting Epidemics?, Michael Gottlieb, Huihui Yu, Ji Chen, Erica S. Spatz, Nicole L. Gentile, Rachel E. Geyer, Michelle Santangelo, Caitlin Malicki, Kristyn Gatling, Kelli N. O'Laughlin, Kari A. Stephens, Joann G. Elmore, Lauren E. Wisk, Michelle L'Hommedieu, Robert M. Rodriguez, Juan Carlos C. Montoy, Ralph C. Wang, Kristin L. Rising, Efrat Kean, Jonathan W. Dyal, Mandy J. Hill, Arjun K. Venkatesh, Robert A. Weinstein, Inspire Group

Jefferson Center for Connected Care Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Obesity affects over 10% of the world population and has significant public health implications. With rising recognition of the long-term effects of Long COVID (LC) coupled with new agents to facilitate weight loss, it is critical to understand the influence of obesity on LC. This study assessed the association of obesity with rates of LC and degree of LC-related mental and physical health outcomes among participants up to three years after initial infection.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, multisite study of participants with SARS-CoV-2 infection from 12/11/2020–8/29/2022, with data collected through 4/2/2024. Surveys included validated tools for physical and …


Postdischarge Pediatric Mortality In Nigeria For Children Under 5 Years Of Age, Philomina Nwaugo Chukwudike Jan 2026

Postdischarge Pediatric Mortality In Nigeria For Children Under 5 Years Of Age, Philomina Nwaugo Chukwudike

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child mortality has remained a public health issue that is prevalent among families living in Nigeria and low- and middle-income countries. Factors associated with post-discharge pediatric mortality among children under 5 have not been explored. The study involved examining associations between timely individual follow-up visits, availability of healthcare facilities for follow-up care, and likelihood of post-discharge mortality among children under 5 while adjusting for household income, geographical location, mothers’ age, and mothers’ education. The theoretical framework was the social ecological model. Data were generated from the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey. A sample size of N=21,671 was used to determine …


Long-Term Mpox Sequelae 11 To 18 Months After Acute Illness : A Cohort Study In Two Us Cities, Preetam A Cholli, Jason Zucker, Karen J Vigil, Faisal S Minhaj, Paul J Weidle, Melanie M Taylor, Brett Gray, Dana L Haberling, Agha Ajmal, Agam K Rao, Anyelina Cantos, Sarah Anne J Guagliardo, Max Flanagan, Gilhen H Rodriguez, Irene Tamí-Maury, Siobhán M O'Connor Jan 2026

Long-Term Mpox Sequelae 11 To 18 Months After Acute Illness : A Cohort Study In Two Us Cities, Preetam A Cholli, Jason Zucker, Karen J Vigil, Faisal S Minhaj, Paul J Weidle, Melanie M Taylor, Brett Gray, Dana L Haberling, Agha Ajmal, Agam K Rao, Anyelina Cantos, Sarah Anne J Guagliardo, Max Flanagan, Gilhen H Rodriguez, Irene Tamí-Maury, Siobhán M O'Connor

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Little was known about persistent sequelae of mpox before the 2022 multinational clade II mpox virus outbreak.

Objective: To characterize post-mpox sequelae 11 to 18 months after acute mpox diagnosis and compare outbreak-associated psychosocial and behavioral impact between at-risk persons who had or did not have mpox.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: New York City, New York, and Houston, Texas.

Participants: Adults attending HIV, pre-exposure prophylaxis, or sexually transmitted infection clinics diagnosed with mpox during May 2022 to January 2023 (post-mpox) or at risk for but never diagnosed with mpox (no-mpox).

Measurements: All participants completed psychosocial and behavioral self-assessments. A …


Protocol For The Development Of The Who Gestational Weight Gain Charts, Thais Rangel Bousquet Carrilho, Olufemi Taiwo Oladapo, Jennifer A. Hutcheon, Giovanna Gatica-Domínquez, Kathleen M. Rasmussen, Monica C. Flores-Urrutia, Richard Kumapley, Ӧzge Tunçalp, Dang Bahya-Batinda, Amel A. Fayed, Annick Bogaerts, Aris T. Papageorghiou, Cinthya Muñoz-Manrique, Dayana Rodrigues Farias, Eric Ohuma, Harshpal Sachdev, Hayfaa A. Wahabi, Helena J. Teede, Molin Wang, Nandita Perumal Phd Jan 2026

Protocol For The Development Of The Who Gestational Weight Gain Charts, Thais Rangel Bousquet Carrilho, Olufemi Taiwo Oladapo, Jennifer A. Hutcheon, Giovanna Gatica-Domínquez, Kathleen M. Rasmussen, Monica C. Flores-Urrutia, Richard Kumapley, Ӧzge Tunçalp, Dang Bahya-Batinda, Amel A. Fayed, Annick Bogaerts, Aris T. Papageorghiou, Cinthya Muñoz-Manrique, Dayana Rodrigues Farias, Eric Ohuma, Harshpal Sachdev, Hayfaa A. Wahabi, Helena J. Teede, Molin Wang, Nandita Perumal Phd

Faculty Publications

Introduction Gestational weight gain (GWG) is an important indicator of maternal nutrition to be monitored during pregnancy. However, there is no evidence-based tool that can be used to monitor it across all geographic locations and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) categories. The WHO is undertaking a project to develop GWG charts by pre-pregnancy BMI category, and to identify GWG ranges associated with the lowest risks of adverse maternal and infant outcomes. This protocol describes all the steps that will be used to accomplish the development of these GWG charts.

Methods and analysis This project will involve the analysis of individual …


Genomics Reveal Staphylococcus Aureus Persists During Long-Term Urinary Catheterization Despite Antimicrobial Therapy And Catheter Exchanges, Jesus M Duran Ramirez, Chelsie E Armbruster, Blake M Hanson, Jennifer N Walker Jan 2026

Genomics Reveal Staphylococcus Aureus Persists During Long-Term Urinary Catheterization Despite Antimicrobial Therapy And Catheter Exchanges, Jesus M Duran Ramirez, Chelsie E Armbruster, Blake M Hanson, Jennifer N Walker

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Urinary catheters, the most frequently placed medical devices in the US, increase the risk of developing symptomatic catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) and asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) - the presence of bacteria in the urine - with those requiring long-term urinary catheters (LTUCs) at highest risk. While ASB and CAUTI are caused by a broad range of uropathogens, most remain understudied. We use whole-genome sequencing to investigate the understudied uropathogen, Staphylococcus aureus. Analysis of 153 longitudinal S. aureus isolates previously collected from urinary catheter or urine samples from 20 individuals with LTUCs (average of 8 longitudinal isolates/person) demonstrates that most strains …


Characteristics And Effectiveness Of Maternal Health Interventions To Prevent Mother-To-Child Transmission (Pmtct) Of Syphilis In A Global Setting: A Scoping Review Using Intervention Mapping As A Framework, Jinni Tang, Anusha Sajja, Christine Markham, Emily T Hebert, Irene Stafford, Sheryl Dacso, Melissa F Peskin Jan 2026

Characteristics And Effectiveness Of Maternal Health Interventions To Prevent Mother-To-Child Transmission (Pmtct) Of Syphilis In A Global Setting: A Scoping Review Using Intervention Mapping As A Framework, Jinni Tang, Anusha Sajja, Christine Markham, Emily T Hebert, Irene Stafford, Sheryl Dacso, Melissa F Peskin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Despite the availability of cost-effective treatments, maternal syphilis continues to contribute significantly to preventable stillbirths and congenital syphilis cases worldwide. This scoping review aimed to identify and characterize maternal health interventions designed to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of syphilis globally, using a modified Intervention Mapping (IM) framework.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review of maternal health interventions targeting PMTCT of syphilis published between January 2010 and August 2023. Searches were performed in PubMed, Medline Ovid, and Embase, supplemented by manual reference screening. Eligible studies described at least one maternal health intervention addressing syphilis PMTCT and were analyzed using a …


State Prior Authorization Prohibitions And Buprenorphine Retention Among Privately Insured Patients, Ju-Chen Hu, Shashi N. Kapadia, Hao Zhang, Ali Jalali, Kristen Underhill, Christina Andrews Ph.D., Yuhua Bao Jan 2026

State Prior Authorization Prohibitions And Buprenorphine Retention Among Privately Insured Patients, Ju-Chen Hu, Shashi N. Kapadia, Hao Zhang, Ali Jalali, Kristen Underhill, Christina Andrews Ph.D., Yuhua Bao

Faculty Publications

Importance  Buprenorphine is the most commonly prescribed medication for opioid use disorder, but rates of retention in treatment remain low. Prior authorization (PA) has been identified as a barrier to the administration of buprenorphine, and patients may need multiple PAs to continue treatment; thus, many states have passed laws to prohibit the use of PA for buprenorphine in private insurance.

Objective  To examine the association between PA prohibitions and buprenorphine treatment retention overall and by branded vs generic drug status.

Design, Setting, and Participants  This cross-sectional study used a difference-in-differences design and private insurance claims data from 49 states and …


Factors Affecting The Level Of Grief Experienced By Men Whose Female Partner Died In The United States, Keona C. Lee Jan 2026

Factors Affecting The Level Of Grief Experienced By Men Whose Female Partner Died In The United States, Keona C. Lee

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Grief is an emotional reaction to the loss of a loved one through death. Although grief is a universal human experience, its perspective is unique, and research has often ignored the varied experiences of racial/ethnic and cultural groups, particularly men of color in the United States. The purpose of this quantitative study was to measure the level of grief experienced by men whose female partner died and to determine whether ethnicity, having a prior mental health diagnosis, social support, and traumatic or anticipated loss significantly impacted their level of grief. The study was guided by the social-ecological model to explain …


Trends In The Implementation Of The Cyberchondria Severity Scale: Bibliometric Analysis, Adam C Powell, Cayetana Calderon-Smith Jan 2026

Trends In The Implementation Of The Cyberchondria Severity Scale: Bibliometric Analysis, Adam C Powell, Cayetana Calderon-Smith

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Cyberchondria, a combination of the words "cyber" and "hypochondriasis," is a condition that is receiving increasing attention from clinicians and researchers globally. Researchers are currently using multiple instruments to quantify it. Furthermore, the instruments have been translated into multiple languages.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the extent to which researchers are measuring cyberchondria using the 33-item Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS) and its 12-item abbreviated version, the CSS-12. It also examined the relative use of cyberchondria instruments in different languages.

METHODS: PubMed and PsycInfo were searched for articles published between May 1, 2019, and December 31, 2024, featuring the …


Optimal Intervention Strategies In Age-Structured Sirvd Model: Epidemiological And Economic Analysis Of Covid-19 In Korea, Joon Chun, Melisa Hendrata Jan 2026

Optimal Intervention Strategies In Age-Structured Sirvd Model: Epidemiological And Economic Analysis Of Covid-19 In Korea, Joon Chun, Melisa Hendrata

Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics

This study employed an age-structured Susceptible-Infected-Recovered-Vaccinated-Deceased (SIRVD) model to design optimal COVID‑19 intervention strategies by integrating epidemiological dynamics with economic costs. Using empirical data from South Korea, we estimated transmission parameters and analyzed quarantine-based non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) alongside targeted vaccination scenarios. Our results indicated that a stronger form of mild NPI (upper range of Level I), when combined with targeted vaccination that prioritized seniors, achieved substantial reductions in infection peaks and overall economic burden. These findings underscore the effectiveness of age-specific strategies in epidemic management and offer critical insights for policymakers seeking balanced, resource-efficient approaches.


Sexually Transmitted Infections And Screening: An Educational, Evidence-Based, Quality Improvement Bundle, Misty D. White Jan 2026

Sexually Transmitted Infections And Screening: An Educational, Evidence-Based, Quality Improvement Bundle, Misty D. White

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: With sexually transmitted diseases on the rise in central Texas, advance practice providers were not following evidence-based practice recommendations for sexually transmitted infection screening, treatment, and follow-up. Screening for sexually transmitted diseases occurred at a rate of less than one patient every 7.75 days.

Objective: The objective of this project was to develop and implement an advanced practice provider training tool to educate the clinic providers on sexually transmitted infections, collect pre- and post-data for the educational sexually transmitted infection bundle, and collect sexually transmitted infection screening, identification, treatment, and follow-up data generated by the clinic advanced practice providers …


Anti-Sars-Cov-2 Nucleoprotein Iga Is Associated With Worse Disease Severity In Critically Ill Covid-19 Pneumonia Patients, David Brett-Major, Dylan S. George, Eric D. Morrell, Carmen Mikacenic, Julie Carstens, Laura E. Evans, Mark M. Wurfel, Pavan K. Bhatraju, M. Jana Broadhurst Jan 2026

Anti-Sars-Cov-2 Nucleoprotein Iga Is Associated With Worse Disease Severity In Critically Ill Covid-19 Pneumonia Patients, David Brett-Major, Dylan S. George, Eric D. Morrell, Carmen Mikacenic, Julie Carstens, Laura E. Evans, Mark M. Wurfel, Pavan K. Bhatraju, M. Jana Broadhurst

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

While humoral responses to vaccination and infection have largely focused on IgG, there is an evolving literature on ways in which IgA may drive neutrophil activity in lung injury secondary to viral infections, including COVID-19. We evaluated 238 immune-naïve, critically ill patients in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a laboratory-developed, multiplexed antibody testing, clinical history, medical record, and machine learning, we pursued relationships between systemic IgA and disease severity. Individuals with elevated anti-N IgA had 4-fold odds of more severe disease. This work emphasizes the importance of continued work to understand how different elements of the immune …


West Nile Virus Transmission Suitability Modeling For Culex Pipiens Via Temperature And Humidity, Hunter Jones, David Brett-Major, Joseph R. Fauver, Yeongjin Gwon, Jesse E. Bell Jan 2026

West Nile Virus Transmission Suitability Modeling For Culex Pipiens Via Temperature And Humidity, Hunter Jones, David Brett-Major, Joseph R. Fauver, Yeongjin Gwon, Jesse E. Bell

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

West Nile Virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States, yet predicting its transmission remains a significant challenge for public health officials. Many studies use correlative statistical models to predict disease cases using temperature and humidity, but accessible mechanistic approaches that simulate mosquito behavior traits can capture more of the transmission process. This study adapts an existing R-language package, the Mosquito-borne Viral Suitability Estimator (MVSE), which was created to model Aedes aegypti mosquito transmission of dengue, and tunes it to Culex pipiens transmission of WNV. Equations for mortality, biting rate, and incubation period were updated, …


Ebola In The Drc: A Different Problem Compounded By Violence, David Brett-Major Jan 2026

Ebola In The Drc: A Different Problem Compounded By Violence, David Brett-Major

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

A Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) has been declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to Ebola disease from Bundibugyo virus. Non-health-focused factors should be fundamental to how DRC and its partners respond to and recover from the current emergency. Filovirus emergencies are violent in every sense-the disease experience of patients and their caregivers, the tumult in impacted communities, sometimes the physical manifestations of frustration against healthcare services, the fits and starts of concerted response, and the milieu of conflict in which this emergency occurred. Yet, interpersonal and organized violence may contribute to frequency of health …


Longitudinal Implementation Of A Neurodevelopmental Screening Program For Children Born To Mothers Living With Hiv In Maternal–Child Clinics In Kenya: A Mixed Methods Study, Megan S. Mchenry, Eren Oyungu, Amina Abubakar, Ananda Roselyne Ombitsa, Micaela Gaviola, Cleophas Cherop, Beatrice Kaniaru, Carolyne Jerop, Alan Mcguire, Rachel C. Vreeman Jan 2026

Longitudinal Implementation Of A Neurodevelopmental Screening Program For Children Born To Mothers Living With Hiv In Maternal–Child Clinics In Kenya: A Mixed Methods Study, Megan S. Mchenry, Eren Oyungu, Amina Abubakar, Ananda Roselyne Ombitsa, Micaela Gaviola, Cleophas Cherop, Beatrice Kaniaru, Carolyne Jerop, Alan Mcguire, Rachel C. Vreeman

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background: Children with perinatal HIV exposure are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental (ND) delays, yet little is known about ND screening implementation for this population.

Methods: This longitudinal study evaluated ND screening implementation at a health clinic in Kenya, from 9/2021 to 8/2023. Children aged 18-36 months with perinatal HIV exposure were screened using a 12-item general ND tool. Implementation outcomes—acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and sustainability—were assessed through time-motion observations, clinic records, and semi-structured interviews with caregivers and staff.

Results: Of 507 eligible children, 405 (80%) were screened. Screening rates were consistent over 24 months, with average time …


Outbreak Preparedness And Response In A Globalized World: Are We Ready?, Francesca F. Norman, David Brett-Major, Chiara Sepulcri, Emmanuel Bottieau, Theresa Sepulveda, Federica Toscanini, Laura A. Nicolini, Jesse J. Waggoner, Sami Alcedo, Davidson H. Hamer, Ralph Huits, Michael Libman, Geosentinel Network, Tropnet Network, Kevin O'Laughlin Jan 2026

Outbreak Preparedness And Response In A Globalized World: Are We Ready?, Francesca F. Norman, David Brett-Major, Chiara Sepulcri, Emmanuel Bottieau, Theresa Sepulveda, Federica Toscanini, Laura A. Nicolini, Jesse J. Waggoner, Sami Alcedo, Davidson H. Hamer, Ralph Huits, Michael Libman, Geosentinel Network, Tropnet Network, Kevin O'Laughlin

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Recent global epidemics and pandemics have highlighted the need for adequate diagnostic capacities to respond to emerging threats. Strengthening operational capacities can lead to improved preparation; investing in emergency response infrastructure may diminish progression of outbreaks and prevent escalation.

METHODS: An email-linked survey was sent January-March-2025 to two global infectious disease surveillance networks' (GeoSentinel and TropNet) participating clinics assessing capacity for Oropouche virus (OROV) diagnostic testing. Data on testing capacity for other arboviruses was also requested.

RESULTS: Responses were obtained for 58 GeoSentinel/TropNet sites (58/104, 55.8%): 50% responding sites (29/58) had OROV diagnostic testing available at a public reference …


The Utilization Of Uv-C Devices To Improve Cleaning And Disinfection In The Operating Room For Reduction Of Infection Rates: An Integrative Research Review (Irr), Kathrina Joyce L. Manalo Jan 2026

The Utilization Of Uv-C Devices To Improve Cleaning And Disinfection In The Operating Room For Reduction Of Infection Rates: An Integrative Research Review (Irr), Kathrina Joyce L. Manalo

Covenant Nurses Week 2026

No abstract provided.


Exploring Biopsychosocial Influences On Hookup Culture And Disrupting Compulsory Behaviors In Emerging Adults: A Multidisciplinary Analysis Of A Contemporary Public Health Concern, Catherine Benjamin Jan 2026

Exploring Biopsychosocial Influences On Hookup Culture And Disrupting Compulsory Behaviors In Emerging Adults: A Multidisciplinary Analysis Of A Contemporary Public Health Concern, Catherine Benjamin

Honors Theses and Capstones

Multidisciplinary analysis, including biology, psychology, and sociology, to better understand the compulsory Hookup Culture that exists as a contemporary public health concern among the age group defined as emerging adults. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) diagnoses are steadily rising in the United States and disproportionately affecting college students. Early socialization and current educational resources that contribute to shame and stigma are discussed to explain how lifestyle and social conditions can act as risk factors for individual health outcomes.


Implementation Of A Reminder/Recall Messaging Program In Kentucky, Laura Schwarz Jan 2026

Implementation Of A Reminder/Recall Messaging Program In Kentucky, Laura Schwarz

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

Childhood vaccination remains a critical public health priority, yet measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination rates in several rural Kentucky counties fall below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity. Recent declines in coverage, compounded by socioeconomic disparities and barriers to healthcare access, place children at increased risk for vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks. This capstone project proposes the implementation of an evidence-based reminder/recall (R/R) text messaging intervention utilizing the Kentucky Immunization Registry (KYIR) to improve timely MMR vaccination among children aged 4–6 years before kindergarten entry.

The proposed program targets thirteen Kentucky counties with vaccination rates below 70% and documented …


Bayesian Multivariate Modelling Of Lone Star (Amblyomma Americanum) Tick Life Stage Abundance And Temporal Trends To Inform Public Health Risk In Virginia, Thabo Lephoto, Henry Mwambi, Oliver Bodhlyera, Holly Gaff Jan 2026

Bayesian Multivariate Modelling Of Lone Star (Amblyomma Americanum) Tick Life Stage Abundance And Temporal Trends To Inform Public Health Risk In Virginia, Thabo Lephoto, Henry Mwambi, Oliver Bodhlyera, Holly Gaff

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The increasing abundance of ticks poses a growing public health concern due to heightened human exposure to tick bites. The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum: Ixodida: Ixodidae), a common human-biting species in the United States, has expanded its range in recent years. However, how its different life stages vary across time, habitats, and locations remains insufficiently understood. We analyzed tick abundance data collected in southeastern Virginia between 2009 and 2018, focusing on larval, nymphal, and adult life stages. A Bayesian multivariate modelling framework was used to examine seasonal patterns, habitat effects, spatial variation, and biological links between life stages. Two …


Fusion, 2026, George Washington University, William H. Beaumont Medical Research Honor Society Jan 2026

Fusion, 2026, George Washington University, William H. Beaumont Medical Research Honor Society

Fusion

No abstract provided.


Characteristics Of Pulmonary Vs. Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Cases In Kentucky From 2020 To 2024, Mariam M. Alkhairat Jan 2026

Characteristics Of Pulmonary Vs. Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Cases In Kentucky From 2020 To 2024, Mariam M. Alkhairat

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

Objective: Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important public health concern in the United States, especially among people experiencing social and clinical vulnerabilities. Extrapulmonary TB, which occurs outside of the lungs, can be harder to detect and diagnose than pulmonary TB. This study aimed to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of people with active TB in Kentucky and to identify factors associated with extrapulmonary TB.

Methods: Secondary surveillance data were obtained from the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) using the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System (NTSS). The study sample included 301 confirmed active TB cases reported in Kentucky. Descriptive statistics were …


Environmental Predictors Of Human Lyme Disease Incidence Across Appalachian Counties In Kentucky, Virginia, And West Virginia, 2000-2019, Karlie D. Rennison Jan 2026

Environmental Predictors Of Human Lyme Disease Incidence Across Appalachian Counties In Kentucky, Virginia, And West Virginia, 2000-2019, Karlie D. Rennison

Theses and Dissertations--Epidemiology and Biostatistics

This ecological study examined county-level environmental, landscape, and host-related predictors of Lyme disease incidence across Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia from 2000-2019. Lyme disease is an emerging public health concern in the Appalachian region, where geographic expansion and shifting ecological conditions may influence disease risk.

Lyme disease case rates (per 10,000 population) were analyzed in relation to climate variables, land cover metrics, host density measures, and rurality using publicly available data sources. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between candidate predictors and disease incidence.

Substantial geographic variation in Lyme disease incidence was observed, with higher case rates …


Evaluation Of Mycoplasma Genitalium Positivity And Co-Infection With Chlamydia Trachomatis And/Or Neisseria Gonorrhoeae At Various Care Sites Across The United States, Rebecca Lillis, Rodney Arcenas, Christy M. Boraas, Steven E. Chavoustie, Lashonda Crane, Nicole D'Empaire, Aaron C. Ermel, Glenn Harnett, Federico Hinestrosa, Stacey House, Joseph Miller, Anthony Mills, Ronald Poblete, Stephen Young, Barbara Van Der Pol Jan 2026

Evaluation Of Mycoplasma Genitalium Positivity And Co-Infection With Chlamydia Trachomatis And/Or Neisseria Gonorrhoeae At Various Care Sites Across The United States, Rebecca Lillis, Rodney Arcenas, Christy M. Boraas, Steven E. Chavoustie, Lashonda Crane, Nicole D'Empaire, Aaron C. Ermel, Glenn Harnett, Federico Hinestrosa, Stacey House, Joseph Miller, Anthony Mills, Ronald Poblete, Stephen Young, Barbara Van Der Pol

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) positivity and co-infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), based on results from a trial assessing clinical performance of the Cobas® Liat CT/NG/MG point-of-care test. METHODS: A prospective, US, multicenter, noninterventional study assessed MG positivity in prospective urine samples (male) and clinician-collected vaginal swabs (female) from symptomatic/asymptomatic patients aged ≥14 years attending various clinical settings. Participants were designated positive or negative for MG, CT, and NG based on combined results from three US Food and Drug Administration-approved assays and one laboratory-developed test. MG co-infection with CT and/or NG was assessed. RESULTS: Among …


Socio-Spatial Patterns Of Suicide Mortality In The United States, Kushagra Tiwari, M. Amin Rahimian, Marie-Laure Charpignon, Philippe J. Giabbanelli, Praveen Kumar Jan 2026

Socio-Spatial Patterns Of Suicide Mortality In The United States, Kushagra Tiwari, M. Amin Rahimian, Marie-Laure Charpignon, Philippe J. Giabbanelli, Praveen Kumar

VMASC Publications

Suicides cause more than 49,000 deaths per year in the United States, including 55% associated with the use of a firearm. Across states and counties in the US, suicide mortality exhibits substantial geographical and sociodemographic heterogeneity. However, the role of large-scale social networks in shaping this variation remains underexplored. To assess how both the risk of suicide mortality and the effect of firearm restriction policies propagate through inter-county social ties, we integrate data on county-level suicide mortality (2010–2022) and the Facebook Social Connectedness Index (SCI), a continuous measure of the strength of social ties between counties used to derive weighted …


Politics Of A Silent Pandemic: Antimicrobial Resistance And State Capacity In India And Nigeria, Mia Kelly Jan 2026

Politics Of A Silent Pandemic: Antimicrobial Resistance And State Capacity In India And Nigeria, Mia Kelly

CMC Senior Theses

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has emerged as one of the most pressing yet widely underestimated health threats of the 21st century; this thesis explores the potentially devastating global impact of this “silent pandemic”, exposing how deeply health outcomes depend on political choices, regulatory capacity, and economic constraints. Although the danger of spreading drug-resistant pathogens is now widely acknowledged in both the scientific and political communities, states differ in their abilities to contain the issue, with low- and middle-income countries facing the greatest obstacles to national action plan implementation. This thesis investigates these disparities through a comparison of India and Nigeria, two …


Determinants Of Routine Childhood And Adolescent Vaccine Hesitancy And Uptake Among Parents In The United States: A Scoping Review, Precious Johnson Jan 2026

Determinants Of Routine Childhood And Adolescent Vaccine Hesitancy And Uptake Among Parents In The United States: A Scoping Review, Precious Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Routine childhood and adolescent vaccination is an essential public health strategy for preventing disease and protecting communities. However, parental vaccine hesitancy and barriers to vaccine uptake continue to affect vaccination decisions in the United States. This scoping review examined factors associated with routine childhood and adolescent vaccine hesitancy and uptake among U.S. parents. A comprehensive literature search of PubMed and EBSCO identified peer-reviewed studies published in English between 2016 and 2026. Studies focusing on parents, guardians, or caregivers of children and adolescents in the United States were screened according to predefined eligibility criteria. Of 69 records identified, 52 remained after …