Digital Commons Network^™

A Roadmap For Building Data Science Capacity For Health Discovery And Innovation In Africa, Joseph Beyene, Solomon W. Harrar, Mekibib Altaye, Tessema Astatkie, Tadesse Awoke, Ziv Shkedy, Tesfaye B. Mersha

Statistics Faculty Publications

Technological advances now make it possible to generate diverse, complex and varying sizes of data in a wide range of applications from business to engineering to medicine. In the health sciences, in particular, data are being produced at an unprecedented rate across the full spectrum of scientific inquiry spanning basic biology, clinical medicine, public health and health care systems. Leveraging these data can accelerate scientific advances, health discovery and innovations. However, data are just the raw material required to generate new knowledge, not knowledge on its own, as a pile of bricks would not be mistaken for a building. In …

Testing Multi-Theory Model (Mtm) In Explaining Sunscreen Use Among Florida Residents: An Integrative Approach For Sun Protection, Manoj Sharma, Matthew Asare, Erin Largo-Wight, Julie Merten, Mike Binder, Ram Lakhan, Kavita Batra

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

Florida residents have the second highest incidence of skin cancer in the nation. Sunscreen usage was found to be the one of the most effective integrative health approaches for reducing risk of skin cancer. Given the limited information on the likelihood of adopting and continuing sunscreen usage behavior, this cross-sectional study aimed to examine the correlates of initiating and sustaining sunscreen usage behavior among Florida dwellers, using the fourth-generation, multi-theory model (MTM) of behavior change. A web-based survey containing 51 questions was emailed to Florida residents aged 18 years or above, who were randomly selected from the state voter file. …

What Sets Physically Active Rural Communities Apart From Less Active Ones? A Comparative Case Study Of Three Us Counties, Christiaan G. Abildso, Cynthia K. Perry, Lauren Jacobs, M. Renée Umstattd Meyer, Megan Mcclendon, Michael B. Edwards, James N. Roemmich, Zachary Ramsey, Margaret Stout

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background: Rural US communities experience health disparities, including a lower prevalence of physical activity (PA). However, “Positive Deviants”—rural communities with greater PA than their peers—exist. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that help create physically active rural US communities. Methods: Stakeholder interviews, on-site intercept interviews, and in-person observations were used to form a comparative case study of two rural counties with high PA prevalence (HPAs) and one with low PA prevalence (LPA) from a southern US state, selected based on rurality and adult PA prevalence. Interview transcripts were inductively coded by three readers, resulting in a …

Intergenerational Perceptions And Practices In Breastfeeding And Child Feeding Among Quilombola Women In Goiás State, Brazil, Priscila Olin Silva, Muriel Bauermann Gubert, Amanda Kellen Pereira Da Silva, Lucélia Luiz Pereira, Leonor Maria Pacheco Santos, Gabriela Buccini

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

This exploratory qualitative study aimed to identify sociocultural and intergenerational aspects of perception and practices in child feeding among quilombola women, members of maroon communities in Brazil. A focus group with 12 mothers and another group with four grandmothers of children under five years of age were conducted in a rural quilombola community in the State of Goiás, Brazil. The data were analyzed with thematic content analysis, yielding four central themes and respective subthemes, which were then represented in a socioecological conceptual model with four levels of influence on child feeding as the outcome. Theme 1 dealt with the reasons …

The Individual Water Insecurity Experiences (Iwise) Scale: Reliability, Equivalence And Validity Of An Individual-Level Measure Of Water Security, Sera L. Young, Hilary J. Bethancourt, Zacchary R. Ritter, Edward A. Frongillo Jr.

Faculty Publications

Objective: The lack of a validated and cross-culturally equivalent scale for measuring individual-level water insecurity has prevented identification of those most vulnerable to it. Therefore, we developed the 12-item Individual Water InSecurity Experiences (IWISE) Scale to comparably measure individual experiences with access, use, and stability (reliability) of water. Here, we examine the reliability, cross-country equivalence, and cross-country and within-country validity of the scale in a cross-sectional sample.

Methods: IWISE items were implemented by the Gallup World Poll among nationally representative samples of 43 970 adults (15 y) in 31 low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Internal consistency was assessed …

Effectiveness Of Unconditional Cash Transfers Combined With Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplement And/Or Behavior Change Communication To Prevent Stunting Among Children In Pakistan: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Shabina Ariff, Gul Nawaz Khan, Atif Habib, Sumra Kureishy, Yasir Ihtesham, Masawar Hussain, Arjumand Rizvi, Muhammad Sajid, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: In Pakistan, the prevalence of stunting among children under-five years has remained above WHO critical thresholds (≥30%) over the last two decades.
Objective: We hypothesized that an unconditional cash transfer (UCT) combined with lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS) and/or social and behavior change communication (SBCC) will prevent stunting among children 6-23 months of age.
Design: This was a four-arm, community-based cluster randomized controlled trial conducted in the district of Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan. A total of 1729 children (UCT n = 434); (UCT+SBCC n = 433); (UCT+LNS n = 430) and (UCT+LNS+SBCC n = 432) were enrolled at 6 months …

Covid-19 Newsletter (Vol. 89), Center For Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College

COVID-19 Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Hpv Vaccination In The Virginia Context: Demographic Disparities, Patient-Provider Gender Concordance And The Impact Of Changing Recommendations, Isha Patel, Norma M. Benitez, George L. Maxwell, Fabian T. Camacho, Rajesh Balkrishnan

Virginia Journal of Public Health

Objective: Despite its effectiveness in preventing several cancers, there are marked disparities in HPV vaccination initiation and series completion. The present study sought to understand disparities in HPV vaccinations among patients in northern Virginia (ages 9-26) and the impact of patient and provider gender concordance, in lieu of CDC’s vaccine recommendation changes in 2016, which reduced the recommended doses from three to two, in this population. Design: Analyses of electronic medical records collected from 2012 to 2017. Setting: A large health care system in Northern Virginia. Participants: A total of 37,427 patients, ages 9 to 26, were included in analyses. …

Non-Elderly Adults On Disability In The Cf Population, Lea Nolan, Semret Seyoum, Julanne Wilson, Marsha Regenstein

Health Policy and Management Issue Briefs

No abstract provided.

Relation Of Breastfeeding Duration With Blood Pressure And Arterial Stiffness, Lohita Kollipara, Abbi Lane-Cordova, Xuewen Wang

Senior Theses

Background: The purpose of this analysis was to investigate the effects of differing breastfeeding duration on vascular function.

Methods: A study was designed to explore the breastfeeding patterns of 79 participants who delivered a singleton fetus 6 months-3 years ago and were aged 18-45 years old. Participant breastfeeding and dietary habits were self-reported using surveys. Breastfeeding groups were established by following the American Association of Pediatric guidelines on breastfeeding duration: Women who did versus did not breastfeeding for 6 months continuously. Blood pressure was measured using a standard oscillometric cuff, while SphygmoCor® technology was used to measure pulse wave velocity. …

Predictors Of Complementary Feeding Practices Among Children Aged 6–23 Months In Five Countries In The Middle East And North Africa Region, Linda Shaker-Berbari, Vilma Qahoush Tyler, Chaza Akik, Zeina Jamaluddine, Hala Ghattas Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Ensuring diets of children aged 6–23 months meet recommended guidance is crucial for growth and development and for the prevention of malnutrition including stunting, wasting and micronutrient deficiencies. Despite some improvement, indicators related to undernutrition and overnutrition fall short of global targets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region that consist of low- and middle-income countries witnessing political and social changes and a nutrition transition. This research aims at reviewing the situation related to the diets of children aged 6–23 months in five selected countries in the MENA region, examining factors affecting complementary feeding and providing recommendations for …

Initial Laparotomy Versus Peritoneal Drainage In Extremely Low Birthweight Infants With Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis Or Isolated Intestinal Perforation: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial, Martin L Blakely, Jon E Tyson, Kevin P Lally, Susan R Hintz, Barry Eggleston, David K Stevenson, Gail E Besner, Abhik Das, Robin K Ohls, William E Truog, Leif D Nelin, Brenda B Poindexter, Claudia Pedroza, Michele C Walsh, Barbara J Stoll, Rachel Geller, Kathleen A Kennedy, Reed A Dimmitt, Waldemar A Carlo, C Michael Cotten, Abbot R Laptook, Krisa P Van Meurs, Kara L Calkins, Gregory M Sokol, Pablo J Sanchez, Myra H Wyckoff, Ravi M Patel, Ivan D Frantz, Seetha Shankaran, Carl T D'Angio, Bradley A Yoder, Edward F Bell, Kristi L Watterberg, Colin A Martin, Carroll M Harmon, Henry Rice, Arlet G Kurkchubasche, Karl Sylvester, James C Y Dunn, Troy A Markel, Diana L Diesen, Amina M Bhatia, Alan Flake, Walter J Chwals, Rebeccah Brown, Kathryn D Bass, Shawn D St Peter, Christina M Shanti, Walter Pegoli, David Skarda, Joel Shilyansky, David G Lemon, Ricardo A Mosquera, Myriam Peralta-Carcelen, Ricki F Goldstein, Betty R Vohr, Isabell B Purdy, Abbey C Hines, Nathalie L Maitre, Roy J Heyne, Sara B Demauro, Elisabeth C Mcgowan, Kimberly Yolton, Howard W Kilbride, Girija Natarajan, Kelley Yost, Sarah Winter, Tarah T Colaizy, Matthew M Laughon, Satyanarayana Lakshminrusimha, Rosemary D Higgins, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute Of Child Health And Human Development Neonatal Research Network

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine which initial surgical treatment results in the lowest rate of death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or isolated intestinal perforation (IP).

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The impact of initial laparotomy versus peritoneal drainage for NEC or IP on the rate of death or NDI in extremely low birth weight infants is unknown.

METHODS: We conducted the largest feasible randomized trial in 20 US centers, comparing initial laparotomy versus peritoneal drainage. The primary outcome was a composite of death or NDI at 18 to 22 months corrected …

Initial Laparotomy Versus Peritoneal Drainage In Extremely Low Birthweight Infants With Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis Or Isolated Intestinal Perforation: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial, Martin L Blakely, Jon E Tyson, Kevin P Lally, Susan R Hintz, Barry Eggleston, David K Stevenson, Gail E Besner, Abhik Das, Robin K Ohls, William E Truog, Leif D Nelin, Brenda B Poindexter, Claudia Pedroza, Michele C Walsh, Barbara J Stoll, Rachel Geller, Kathleen A Kennedy, Reed A Dimmitt, Waldemar A Carlo, C Michael Cotten, Abbot R Laptook, Krisa P Van Meurs, Kara L Calkins, Gregory M Sokol, Pablo J Sanchez, Myra H Wyckoff, Ravi M Patel, Ivan D Frantz, Seetha Shankaran, Carl T D'Angio, Bradley A Yoder, Edward F Bell, Kristi L Watterberg, Colin A Martin, Carroll M Harmon, Henry Rice, Arlet G Kurkchubasche, Karl Sylvester, James C Y Dunn, Troy A Markel, Diana L Diesen, Amina M Bhatia, Alan Flake, Walter J Chwals, Rebeccah Brown, Kathryn D Bass, Shawn D St Peter, Christina M Shanti, Walter Pegoli, David Skarda, Joel Shilyansky, David G Lemon, Ricardo A Mosquera, Myriam Peralta-Carcelen, Ricki F Goldstein, Betty R Vohr, Isabell B Purdy, Abbey C Hines, Nathalie L Maitre, Roy J Heyne, Sara B Demauro, Elisabeth C Mcgowan, Kimberly Yolton, Howard W Kilbride, Girija Natarajan, Kelley Yost, Sarah Winter, Tarah T Colaizy, Matthew M Laughon, Satyanarayana Lakshminrusimha, Rosemary D Higgins, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute Of Child Health And Human Development Neonatal Research Network

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine which initial surgical treatment results in the lowest rate of death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or isolated intestinal perforation (IP).

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The impact of initial laparotomy versus peritoneal drainage for NEC or IP on the rate of death or NDI in extremely low birth weight infants is unknown.

METHODS: We conducted the largest feasible randomized trial in 20 US centers, comparing initial laparotomy versus peritoneal drainage. The primary outcome was a composite of death or NDI at 18 to 22 months corrected …

Understanding Community Health Volunteer Incentive Preferences In Kenya, Frontline Health Project, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School Of Public Health

Reproductive Health

In Kenya, community health services are implemented through community health units. Community health volunteers (CHVs) who serve these units are chosen by the community and trained by community health extension workers. This brief summarizes qualitative and quantitative findings from the Frontline Health project’s discrete choice experiment study in Kenya, which aimed to understand incentive preferences of CHVs with the aim of improving motivation, performance, and retention of CHVs.

Identifying Factors That Support Community Health Worker Motivation, Job Satisfaction, And Retention In Haiti, Frontline Health Project, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School Of Public Health

Reproductive Health

Community health workers (CHWs) play a critical role in Haiti’s health system, by connecting communities—particularly rural and hard-to-reach populations—to healthcare services. The Frontline Health project conducted a study to better understand the types of incentive structures that can best support the CHWs in Haiti and this brief summarizes those findings.

Testing Multi-Theory Model (Mtm) In Explaining Sunscreen Use Among Florida Residents: An Integrative Approach For Sun Protection, Manoj Sharma, Matthew Asare, Erin Largo-Wight, Julie Merten, Mike Binder, Ram Lakhan, Kavita Batra

UNF Faculty Research and Scholarship

Florida residents have the second highest incidence of skin cancer in the nation. Sunscreen usage was found to be the one of the most effective integrative health approaches for reducing risk of skin cancer. Given the limited information on the likelihood of adopting and continuing sunscreen usage behavior, this cross-sectional study aimed to examine the correlates of initiating and sustaining sunscreen usage behavior among Florida dwellers, using the fourth-generation, multi-theory model (MTM) of behavior change. A web-based survey containing 51 questions was emailed to Florida residents aged 18 years or above, who were randomly selected from the state voter file. …

La Migración Como Determinante De La Obesidad Infantil En Estados Unidos Y Latinoamérica, Mireya Vilar-Compte, Arturo V. Bustamante, Nancy López-Olmedo, Pablo Gaitán-Ross, Jaqueline Torres, Karen E. Peterson, Graciela Teruel, Rafael Pérez-Escamilla

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

La migración internacional tiene consecuencias económicas y en la salud. El proceso de aculturación en el país de acogida puede estar relacionado con la obesidad infan-til. Utilizamos el marco conceptual del balance energético comunitario (CEB, por sus siglas en inglés) para analizar la relación entre migración y obesidad infantil en los hogares mexicanos con migrantes internacionales. Utilizando datos longitudinales de la Encuesta Nacional de Niveles de Vida de los Hogares de México (ENNViH), exami-namos cómo influyen las redes de migrantes sobre la obesidad infantil en las comuni-dades de origen. También revisamos programas de salud binacionales que podrían ser eficaces para …

Evaluating The Health Impact Of Centeringpregnancy Program Versus Traditional Prenatal Care In Midland Obstetric Clinics And Validating Selected Item On Birth Certificate, Oluwatosin A. Momodu

Theses and Dissertations

The primary focus of this dissertation is to evaluate the health impact of the CenteringPregnancy (CP) program versus traditional prenatal care (TPNC) on important maternal outcomes of pregnancy. This is looked at in two outcomes-gestational weight gain (GWG) and pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). The specific aims are to examine the: (1) effects of CenteringPregnancy program versus traditional prenatal care on gestational weight gain (GWG); (2) effects of CenteringPregnancy program versus traditional prenatal care on pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).

Birth certificate (BC) data were linked to hospital discharge records of women who delivered in midland’s obstetric clinics of South Carolina between …

Food Choice Decision-Making Among School-Going Adolescents Amidst The Nutrition Transition In Urban Accra, Ghana, Krystal Krsna Rampalli

Theses and Dissertations

Like many countries of the world, Ghana is experiencing a nutrition transition and rising non-communicable diseases. Adolescents are susceptible to diet-related health risks as they experience significant physical and psychological changes, which are happening in tandem with food environment changes, including widespread proliferation of large portion and package sizes of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods. Both local and multinational food and beverage companies have encouraged consumption of their products through various marketing tactics targeted directly to adolescents. Some of these tactics include the use of characters or celebrity endorsement, promotional discounts, and appeal to sociocultural values, including messages about body size preferences. …

Pubh 7090 - Foundations Of Maternal And Child Health, Joanne Chopak-Foss

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course will discuss and examine the history and organization of MCH related services in the U.S. and explore the changing paradigm in the field with a focus on the life course perspective, health equity, and social determinants of health. This will be accomplished through a review of current issues central to maternal and child health, discussions of the organization and financing of MCH health services, reviewing existing data sources and scientific knowledge and their use to improve maternal and child health, analyzing the ways in which the political context in the U.S. and internationally affects the health and well-being …

Pubh 9231 – Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Jian Zhang

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course is designed to introduce the student to the ever-expanding area of chronic disease epidemiology. Students will be introduced to the current status of chronic disease and control programs, methods used in chronic disease surveillance, intervention methods, and modifiable risk factors. Some of the major chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes and arthritis will be discussed in detail. Pathophysiology and clinical features of common chronic conditions will also be presented.

Pubh 7890 – Using Spanish In Public Health Practice Settings, Tilicia Mayo-Gamble

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

Provides the student with an opportunity to investigate an area of interest under the direction of a faculty mentor. This independent study course will challenge the students to improve their existing Spanish language skills, as well as provide learning opportunities to develop Spanish language skills while discussing Public Health topics: Healthy relationships, sexual health, mental wellness and substance use.

Pubh 4231 - Health Aspects Of Aging, Jamie S. Cromley

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course is intended to familiarize students with promotion of health in an aging population, the notion that aging is a natural part of the lifecycle, community, state and federal health programs and services for the aged. Students will become acquainted with the process of and problems associated with aging in order to effectively manage this important public health issue. Specific health concerns of the elderly including the increase in life expectancy, current life extending research and technology and successful aging will also be examined. Knowledge and understanding of biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of aging as related to health …

Pubh 3431: Introduction To Global Health, Jill Johns

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course introduces a broad and growing field of global health. The course will discuss how health and illness are defined and explore the biological, cultural, social, and political forces that influence health at the global level. This is a survey course that will explore such topics as: comparative health systems, social determinants of health, health services and quality, healthcare policy, key stakeholders, and major global health initiatives. Throughout the course, an emphasis is placed on global health ethics and issues of social justice.

Pubh 3431 - Introduction To Global Health, Kristina Harbaugh

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course introduces you to a comprehensive and growing field of global health. The course will introduce students to the essentials of global health in well-structured, clear and easy to understand ways. This is a survey course that will focus broadly on five questions: What do people get sick, disabled and die from; why do they suffer from these conditions? Which people are most affected? Why should we care about such concerns? What can be done to address key health issues, hopefully at least cost, as fast as possible, and in sustainable ways? The course will be global in coverage …

Pubh 6535 - Social And Behavioral Sciences And Public Health, Stacy W. Smallwood

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course is designed to familiarize students with the history and current applications of social and behavioral sciences as they are applied to public health practice and research. It explores social and behavioral science models, theories, and approaches that inform public health, and their philosophical roots. The course also examines social and behavioral determinants of health equity across the ecological spectrum. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking skills to help students synthesize and utilize information in research and practice. An important contribution of this course is the emphasis on recognizing the contributions of social and behavioral science research and practice …

Analysis Of The Moroccan Government & Ngos Responses To Migrant Health Crisis, Jepchirchir Mutwol

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Healthcare access in Morocco for migrants has been a topic of growing interest. With the implementation of migration reforms in response to Morocco becoming a destination for migrants, it is important to assess the effectiveness of government policies in aiding migrant health. Additionally, assessing other political actors' influence in government policies is equally important. Through research of existing scholarship, I theorize that the biggest issue impacting migrant access to health is the illegalization of migrants. Without being a legal resident, let alone in asylum or a refugee, migrants cannot access public health services without the fear of deportation. Local and …

Comparación Entre Las Percepciones Médicas Y Psicológicas De La Diabetes Tipo 2 Y La Tuberculosis En El Ecuador, Héctor Ortiz

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Research Question: What are the differences and similarities between the perceptions of the medical and psychological management of both type 2 diabetes and tuberculosis? Objectives: The principal objective of this study is to understand the perceptions behind DM2 and TB as well as how these perceptions affect the care of these diseases. Secondary objectives are to define the epidemiological transition, describe the medical and psychological management and care of DM2 and TB, analyze how the people perceive the management and psychological care of DM2 and TB, and analyze the comparison of the perceptions of both diseases. Background: The epidemiological transition …

The Influence Of The Urban Food Environment On Diet, Nutrition And Health Outcomes In Low-Income And Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review, Susannah Westbury, Iman Ghosh, Helen Margaret Jones, Daniel Mensah, Folake Samuel, Ana Irache, Nida Azhar, Lena Al-Khudairy, Romaina Iqbal, Oyinlola Oyebode

Community Health Sciences

Introduction: Diet and nutrition are leading causes of global morbidity and mortality. Our study aimed to identify and synthesise evidence on the association between food environment characteristics and diet, nutrition and health outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), relevant to urban settings, to support development and implementation of appropriate interventions.
Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of 9 databases from 1 January 2000 to 16 September 2020 with no language restrictions. We included original peer-reviewed observational studies, intervention studies or natural experiments conducted in at least one urban LMIC setting and reporting a quantitative association between a characteristic of …

We Won't Go There: Barriers To Accessing Maternal And Newborn Care In District Thatta, Pakistan, Muhammad Asim, Sarah Saleem, Zarak Hussain Ahmed, Imran Naeem Abbasi, Farina Abrejo, Zafar Fatmi, Sameen Siddiqi

Community Health Sciences

Accessibility and utilization of healthcare plays a significant role in preventing complications during pregnancy, labor, and the early postnatal period. However, multiple barriers can prevent women from accessing services. The aim of this study was to explore the multifaceted barriers that inhibit women from seeking maternal and newborn health care in Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan. This study employed an interpretive research design using a purposive sampling approach. Pre-tested, semi-structured interview guides were used for data collection. The data were collected through eight focus group discussions with men and women, and six in-depth interviews with lady health workers and analyzed through thematic …