Digital Commons Network^™

The Allied Health Work Readiness Study: Identifying Personal Characteristics Signalling Work Readiness In Allied Health Students, Maxine O'Brien, Kelli Troy, Jayne Kirkpatrick

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Clinical placements associated with university degrees for the allied health professions aim to support the preparation of students for post graduate employment through the practical application of theoretical constructs. However, employers recognise that a range of generic skills and attributes outside of technical and academic achievement impact of work readiness. Allied health clinical educators within Darling Downs Health (DDH) sought to identify these generic characteristics, and their relative importance, with a view to further supporting the work readiness of students completing placements in the district. Method: The study utilised the knowledge and experience of allied health clinical educators, experienced …

Changing Weight Management Self-Efficacy Among Obese Puerto Rican Adults: A Quantitative Study Using A Health Coaching Intervention, Richard Valentin Ayala, Josh Bernstein

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Obesity and associated healthcare-related issues continue to increase. The prevalence of obesity is on the rise, which has led many health professionals to find ways to improve health interventions. Health coaching can be a viable tool to reduce the obesity epidemic. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the effects of an 8-weekhealth coaching intervention in obese individuals from Puerto Rico and to determine if self-esteem and body image influence weight managementself-efficacy. Method: A pretest-posttest design using a weight management self-efficacy scale helped the researcher evaluate the effectof the coaching sessions. In addition, body image …

Individual And Community Social Determinants Of Health Associated With Diabetes Management In A Mexican American Population, Cici Bauer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Diabetes is a major health burden in Mexican American populations, especially among those in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) in the border region of Texas. Understanding the roles that social determinants of health (SDOH) play in diabetes management programs, both at the individual and community level, may inform future intervention strategies.

Methods: This study performed a secondary data analysis on 1,568 individuals who participated in Salud y Vida (SyV), a local diabetes and chronic disease management program, between October 2013 and September 2018 recruited from a local clinic. The primary outcome was the reduction of hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) …

The Prevalence Of Overweight And Obesity In Irish Children Between 1990 And 2019, Aisling O'Donnell, Maria Buffini, Laura Kehoe, Ann Nugent, John Kearney, Janette Walton, Albert Flynn, Breige Mcnulty

Articles

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the temporal prevalence of overweight and obesity in Irish children through different methodologies and evaluate the change in rates between 1990 and 2019.

A Scoping Review Of Theoretical Models And Conceptual Frameworks Used In Public Health Services And Systems Research (Phssr) Literature, Zahra Shahin, Anna Messick, Jenna Harris, Kristie C. Waterfield, Gulzar H. Shah

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

Objectives

Theoretical models and conceptual frameworks are often used to design research methods. This study aims to provide an overview of the application of theoretical models and conceptual frameworks in Public Health Services and Systems Research (PHSSR). We also examine how the integration of such terms in research can improve intervention designs and support the decision-making process within the field of public health practice.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted using publications from public health journals to identify relevant articles in the field of PHSSR. The eligibility of studies was determined after performing evaluations through a full-text review of each …

Maternal Mortality Among African American Women In The State Of Georgia, Causes, Policy, And Ethical Considerations, Zahra Shahin, Isabella M. Hardwick, Nancy Jeffery, Jalisa Jordan, William Mase

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

Background

The U.S. is currently one of thirteen countries where maternal mortality rates (MMR) is worse now than it was fifteen years ago. Reducing maternal mortality is one of the significant challenges facing the health system in the United States, especially in the State of Georgia, which has one of the highest MMR in the nation. The purpose of this review is to explore the causes, policy, and ethical contextual factors contributing to increased maternal mortality rates among African American women in the State of Georgia. Also, identifying and addressing weaknesses and gaps that exist in the healthcare system and …

The Cholera Crisis In Yemen: Case Studies On Vulnerability And Resilience In Sana'a, Al Hudaydah, And Ma'areb, Noor Albannein A. Al-Saad

Honors Theses and Capstones

The largest recorded cholera epidemic in history is happening right now in Yemen, a country which has reported over 2 million cases of cholera as of 2020. Yemen has a history of endemic cholera, but prolonged conflict in the country has led to deteriorating conditions that have triggered massive outbreaks of the disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate the direct and indirect causes of the cholera epidemic in Yemen by proposing factors that may confer vulnerability and resilience in Yemeni governorates. Case studies were constructed for three governorates: Sana’a and the inner municipality of Amanat Al Asimah; …

Does Smoke-Free Legislation Work For Teens Too? A Logistic Regression Analysis Of Smoking Prevalence And Gender Among 16 Years Old In Ireland, Using The 1995-2015 Espad School Surveys, Shasha Li, Sheila Keogan, Luke Clancy

Articles

Objectives: To assess the role of tobacco control legislation (TCL) in youth smoking in Ireland. To examine the effects of smoke-free legislation in youth. To consider whether TCL contributed to the gender equalisation in prevalence in 16 years old seen between 2003 and 2015.

What The Covid-19 Crisis Is Telling Humanity, David Wiebers, Valery Feigin

Animal Sentience

The planet is in a global health emergency exacting enormous medical and economic tolls. It is imperative for us as a society and species to focus and reflect deeply upon what this and other related human health crises are telling us about our role in these increasingly frequent events and about what we can do to prevent them in the future.

Cause: It is human behavior that is responsible for the vast majority of zoonotic diseases that jump the species barrier from animals to humans: (1) hunting, capture, and sale of wild animals for human consumption, particularly in live-animal markets; …

Development And Validation Of A Mindful Food Parenting Instrument To Assess The Relationship Between Parent Food Practices And Children’S Dietary Outcomes, Su-Nui Escobar

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

American children’s diets are commonly recorded as deficient in nutrient rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Such diets often exceed amounts of unhealthy items such as added sugars and sweetened beverages. In addition, 23% of children are considered overweight or obese. Mindfulness techniques in parents have been correlated with improved dietary outcomes in children and a healthier family eating environment.

The primary aim of this study was to develop and validate an instrument that reflects the theoretical framework drawn from current models of mindful eating, mindful parenting and mindful food parenting. The instrument is a practical tool …

The Dietary Decision-Making Process Of Women In Nigeria, Gachomo Joanne Mapis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nigerians have been opting for a more processed Western diet. These changes in dietary choices have aligned with obesity and undernutrition, attributable to micronutrient deficiencies or malnutrition. Many scholars have presented varying intervention strategies ranging from consumption of a variety of foods containing the necessary micronutrients to food fortification. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explore the perceptions of women in an urban city in Nigeria on indigenous foods and Western dietary influences to determine social interactions, the consequence of the interactions, and the women’s current perceptions of food choices. The social-ecological model was used to explore …

Predictors Of The Health Effects Of Marijuana Use On The Hepatic Function, Makafui Kokou Gbogbo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The quantity of marijuana use, the length of time it was used, and the age of initiation of the drug are at the core of the discussions about the potential health effects of marijuana use on the liver. Results of recent studies regarding how the drug affects human health have resulted in a number of conflicting conclusions. Nevertheless, based on these findings, marijuana users are being denied liver transplants. The objective of this study was to identify predictors of the health effects of marijuana on the liver and provide guidance in the care management of marijuana users. To address the …

The Association Between Central Line Insertion Practices And Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections, Mona Elgowainy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Healthcare-associated infections, specifically central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), continue to remain a serious public health concern in the United States. Though CLABSI can often be prevented, healthcare professionals struggle to have a positive impact on CLABSI rates. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether CLIP Bundle adherence has an impact on CLABSI standardized infection ratio (SIR) rates in various patient care areas in California. The research questions were focused on assessing whether there was an association between patient care areas, CLABSI rates, and CLIP Bundle adherence scores. A quantitative, cross-sectional study design utilizing secondary data was used …

African American Maternal Mortality In The United States: A Quantitative Analysis Of Chronic Disease And Maternal Deaths, Glory Inyang

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women have higher rates of chronic disease including diabetes and cardiovascular related disease compared to White women and are 3 to 4 times more likely to die during childbirth, more than any other ethnic group in the United States. . When African American women become pregnant these conditions may influence their maternal health outcomes. This study aimed to determine difference in pregnancy related death associated with chronic conditions between African American women and White women. Based on secondary/archival data from the Center for Disease Control and Preventions' 2017 National Center for Health Statistics Mortality Multiple Cause Files a …

The Relationship Between Cervical Cancer And Women Living With Disabilities In Kentucky, Carolyn Akakpo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractDespite many national interventions, cervical cancer (CC) rates persist, and in Kentucky (KY), CC incidence rates are on the rise. Additionally, women with disabilities face more barriers to secondary prevention and healthcare access, have more known risks, and experience more health disparities than women without disabilities. Given that 1 in 4 persons live with a disability, the purpose of this observational, cross-sectional, quantitative study was to explore the relationship between CC and women with disabilities as evidenced by reproductive cancer discharges from inpatient hospital (IHD) and outpatient services databases (OSD) so as to compare population-specific differences from social determinants of …

Factors Associated With Prostate Cancer Screening Among African American Men In California, Frank Ibe Agodi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In Los Angeles County, California, prostate cancer (PC) is the second primary cause of cancer-related death in men. Previous studies have focused on sociodemographic factors influencing racial and ethnic inequalities in health in the United States. However, research was lacking regarding if and to what extent social-ecological factors predict PC screening, specifically among African American men residing in Los Angeles County. The purpose of this quantitative study, using a cross-sectional design, was to identify the factors that may align with PC screening among African American men living in Los Angeles. African American men aged 45 and older were the targeted …

Risk Factors For Polysubstance Abuse: A National Secondary Data Analysis Study, Dakota Mcmurray

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Substance abuse is a serious public health problem in the United States and globally. Abuse of more than one substance is considered polysubstance abuse and can cause more harm than abuse of only one substance. Polysubstance abuse compounds the problems of addiction because of the variety of substances that may be used and the resulting side effects. This quantitative cross-sectional secondary data analysis, guided by the socio-ecological theory, assessed patient characteristics and how predictive they were for polysubstance abuse. The study sample of 986 patients was analyzed by binomial logistic regression to assess the association between patient-related factors and polysubstance …

Barriers To Mental Health Services Related To Stigma In Northern California, Kandalena Ary

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

California Senate Bill 1041 recognized mental health as a contributing barrier for individuals struggling to achieve independence from aid through the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program to meet the needs of the state's low-income families while reducing barriers to self-sufficiency. As mental health illnesses continue to increase, the engagement and utilization of services have not increased. The purpose of this study was to explore county policy infrastructure addresses making mental health services known, accessible, and increase participation to decrease barriers in utilization of available resources. The research questions were used to examine the effectiveness of processes …

Prostate Cancer Screening Intention Among African American Males Ages 40 To 65 Years, Paul L. Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American men are at a higher risk of developing and dying from prostate cancer (PCa) compared with any other race or ethnic group. Despite prostate cancer screening (PCS) recommendations, African American men are less likely to be screened for PCa compared with any other race or ethnic group. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence the intentions of African American men to obtain a PCS. A nonexperimental cross-sectional research design was used to identify factors associated with the intention to obtain PCS. The theoretical framework for the study was the social-ecological model which posits that …

Primary Care Physicians’ Knowledge And Perception Of The Impact Of Health Literacy On Patient Care, Lutrisha S. King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Until recently, many health literacy studies were completed from the patient and nurse perspective, while few focused on the physician perspective, specifically the primary care physician. The purpose of this study was to provide insight into the health literacy knowledge and education of primary care physicians and determine the association, if any, between physicians’ perceptions of patients’ limited health literacy and physicians’ use of health literacy communication techniques. The knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) framework directed this study. This framework posits that knowledge informs or influences attitudes, which leads to practices. The KAP framework was employed to answer the research …

Microvascular Disease And Chronic Kidney Disease In Persons With Diabetes In Grenada, Jennifer Elizabeth Lewis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a set of pathophysiological reactions that impact the functionality of the kidney. The association between microvascular disease (MVD) and CKD as it relates to diabetes is important to the evaluation of organizational effectiveness in-hospital services planning as well as improving health outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional study was to determine if there is an association between MVD and CKD severity in persons with diabetes. Using the socioecological model, the association between gender, age group, cigarette smoke, cigarette smoke frequency, alcoholic drink, alcoholic drink frequency, hypertension, albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) severity, cholesterol, sickling (i.e. persons …

Addressing Cardiovascular Disease Among Populations Disproportionately Impacted In The United States, Michael Leron Sells

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes the most deaths in the United States and is disproportionately impacting certain groups more than others. A gap in the research exists when focusing on national data for those who bear the highest burden of CVD amongst people with hypertension when cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are examined. There is also a need to investigate the relationships between key indicators for CVD health disparities in people with hypertension. The purpose of this quantitative study is to investigate the cumulative effect of key health disparities indicators such as race, age, gender, education, and income using national-level surveillance data …

Eye Screening In U.S. Adults With Diabetes: Examination Of Trends, Racial And Ethnic Differences, And Contribution Of Medicaid Expansion, Meps 2010-2017, Karon Lewis

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a prevalent cause of vision impairment and blindness among adults in the United States. Early diagnosis of DR through dilated eye examinations can reduce the risk of vision impairment or loss. Differences in eye examination rates by race and ethnicity have been suggested by prior studies emphasizing importance of increasing insurance coverage and access to care among minority populations. The Affordable Care Act aimed to expand health insurance coverage and improve access to care. This study examined trends overall and by race and ethnicity in eye examination rates and the contribution of Medicaid expansion on changes …

What Do We Know About The Nexus Between Culture, Age, Gender And Health Literacy? Implications For Improving The Health And Well-Being Of Young Indigenous Males, Anthony Merlino, James A. Smith, Mick Adams, Jason Bonson, Richard Osborne, Barry Judd, Murray Drummond, David Aanundsen, Jesse Fleay, Benjamin Christie

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Health literacy, although diversely defined, refers to the abilities, relationships and external environments required for people to successfully promote health. Existing research suggests that health literacy is related to health inequities, including individual and community capacity to navigate health. A diverse range of factors shape health literacy abilities and environments, especially culture, gender and age. However, the nexus between these variables and their cumulative impact on health literacy development remains largely unexplored. Commentary that explores these dynamics among young Indigenous males is particularly scant. In turn, strategies to bridge health equity gaps have been obscured. This article brings together disparate …

Doctor-Patient Communication: The Experiences Of Black Caribbean Women Patients With Diabetes, Rosanne Paul-Bruno

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to examine the verbal and non-verbal communication experiences of Black Caribbean diabetic women patients with their doctors, in order to provide a better understanding of the essential aspects of doctor- patient communication and their experiences as they managed their condition. Black Caribbean women have been disproportionately impacted by medical conditions such as diabetes. It has been a documented fact that minorities experience disparities in the health care system at different levels and doctor-patient communication is no exception. Poor doctor-patient communication has been known to hinder patients’ health outcomes, and therefore warrants such studies to increase …

The Impact Of Body Mass Index And Sociodemographic Factors On Moderate-To-Vigorous Physical Activity And Sedentary Behaviors Of Women With Young Children: A Cross-Sectional Examination, Danae M. Dinkel, Nicholas Hein, Kailey Snyder, Mohammad Siahpush, Shannon I. Maloney, Lynette M. Smith, Evi A. Farazi, Corrine K. Hanson

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

OBJECTIVES: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity provides multiple benefits to women after childbirth. To achieve these benefits, the recommendation that adults obtain, 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week and reduce sedentary behaviors, also applies to women in the post-partum phase of the life span. However, research examining the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviors of women with young children (0-2 years) is limited. A greater understanding of these behaviors from a nationally representative sample is needed. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to determine the levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviors of a nationally representative sample …

Reduction Of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids With Tumor Progression In A Lean Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mouse Model, Elizabeth M. Vlock, Shilpa Karanjit, G. Talmon, Evi A. Farazi

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Background and Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in Western countries. While obesity and diabetes are the hallmarks of NAFLD, it also develops in lean individuals in the absence of metabolic syndrome, with a prevalence of 7 percent in the U.S. and 25-30 percent in some Asian countries. NAFLD represents the spectrum of liver disease, starting with excess liver fat accumulation (NAFL) that can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To date, the pathogenesis of lean NASH-HCC is poorly understood and a mouse model is lacking. We aimed …

Parasitic Infections Represent A Significant Health Threat Among Recent Immigrants In Chicago, Jesica A. Herrick, Monica Nordstrom, Patrick M. Maloney, Miguel Rodriguez, Kevin Naceanceno, Gloria Gallo, Rojelio Mejia, Ron Hershow

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Parasitic infections are likely under-recognized among immigrant populations in the USA. We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate if such infections have health impacts among recent immigrants in Chicago and to identify predictive factors for parasitic infections. A total of 133 recent immigrants were enrolled, filling out a standardized medical questionnaire and providing blood and stool samples. Appriximately 12% of subjects (15/125) who provided a blood or stool sample for testing were found to have evidence of current or prior infection with a pathogenic parasite, of which Toxocara spp. (8 subjects, 6.4%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (5 subjects, 4%) were most …

The Chemical Lives Of Young Filipinos, Gideon Lasco

Development Studies Faculty Publications

Many young Filipinos are using a wide array of ‘chemicals’ that structure, and are structured by, their everyday lives. These chemicals - cosmetics, supplements, narcotics, beverages - range from local to foreign, cheap to expensive, licit to illicit; orally ingested to topically applied, and are used for different reasons in a variety of contexts. This chapter analyzes and seeks to make sense of the use of chemicals by young Filipinos.

Nasa Dugo (‘It’S In The Blood’): Lay Conceptions Of Hypertension In The Philippines, Gideon Lasco, Jhaki Mendoza, Alicia Renedo, Maureen L. Seguin, Benjamin Palafox, Lia M. Palileo-Villanueva, Arianna Maever L. Amit, Antonio L. Dans, Dina Balabanova, Martin Mckee

Development Studies Faculty Publications

Introduction: Understanding explanatory models is important for hypertension, a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. This article aims to determine what adult patients with hypertension in the Philippines attribute their condition to, how these views might be explained and what the implications are for hypertension management. Methods: This is a qualitative study drawing on 71 semistructured interviews (40 initial and 31 follow-up) and four focus group discussions with patients diagnosed with hypertension. The setting was urban and rural low-income communities in the Philippines. Results: Four prominent perceived causes were identified—genetics, heat, stress and diet—for what patients refer to …