Digital Commons Network^™

Jeffhealth Medical Student Exchange In Rwanda, Amanda Nemecz, Alexander Rowan, Talia Stark

CwiC Posters

Teaching Community Health Workers

In rural Rwandan villages, the communities are linked to healthcare through Community Health Workers (CHW). CHW are appointed based on village election and the requirement that they can read and write. The Rwandan Ministry of Health provides general health training to the CHW so that they can educate and advise the village on health related matters. CHW administer educational sessions at village meetings about prevalent health issues, and advise members of the village when they should go to the Health Center. JeffHEALTH’s teaching aims to supplement the Ministry of Health training. Topics are chosen and approved …

Community Health News, Georgia Southern University

Health Policy & Community Health: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Examines the Impact of Health Behaviors

Predictive Factors Of Patient Satisfaction With Pharmacy Services In South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study Of National Level Data, Sunkyung Lee, Onyeka P. Godwin, Kyungah Kim, Euni Lee

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Objectives
Patient satisfaction has emerged as a prerequisite to improving patients’ health behaviors leading to better health care outcomes. This study was to identify predictive determinants for patient satisfaction with pharmacy services using national-level data.

Methods
A cross-sectional evaluation was conducted using 2008 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data. To assess the predictive factors for patient satisfaction with pharmacy services, an ordinal logistic regression model was conducted adjusting for patient characteristics, clinical comorbidities, and perception of health.

Results
A total of 9,744 people, a representative sample of 48.2 million Koreans, participated in the 2008 KNHANES, of whom …

Experiences With Food Insecurity And Risky Sex Among Low-Income People Living With Hiv/Aids In A Resource-Rich Setting, Henry J. Whittle, Kartika Palar, Tessa Napoles, Lee Lemus Hufstedler, Irene Ching, Frederick M. Hecht, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., Sheri D. Weiser

Faculty Publications

Background: Forty-nine million individuals are food insecure in the United States, where food insecurity and HIV/AIDS are prevalent among the urban poor. Food insecurity is associated with risky sexual behaviours among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). No qualitative studies, however, have investigated the mechanisms underlying this relationship either in a resource-rich setting or among populations that include men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 34 low-income PLHIV receiving food assistance in the San Francisco Bay Area. The interviews explored experiences with food insecurity and perceived associations with sexual risk behaviours. Interviews were conducted …

Short-Term, High-Fat Diet Accelerates Disuse Atrophy And Protein Degradation In A Muscle-Specific Manner In Mice, Steven L. Roseno, Patrick R. Davis, Lance M. Bollinger, Jonathan J. S. Powell, Carol A. Witczak, Jeffrey J. Brault

Kinesiology and Health Promotion Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: A short-term high-fat diet impairs mitochondrial function and the ability of skeletal muscle to respond to growth stimuli, but it is unknown whether such a diet alters the ability to respond to atrophy signals. The purpose of this study was to determine whether rapid weigh gain induced by a high-fat (HF) diet accelerates denervation-induced muscle atrophy.

METHODS: Adult, male mice (C57BL/6) were fed a control or HF (60 % calories as fat) diet for 3 weeks (3wHF). Sciatic nerve was sectioned unilaterally for the final 5 or 14 days of the diet. Soleus and extensor digitorum longus …

Self-Care Project For Faculty And Staff Of Future Health Care Professionals: Case Report, Nancy Macrae, Kelley Strout

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Self-care among health care providers is an important component of their ability to provide quality health care to patients. Health care institutions have programs in place for students that emphasize health and wellness, but few programs are available for faculty and staff. To address this gap and facilitate modeling health and wellness strategies for students, a New England institution that educates health care practitioners began a pilot self-care project for faculty and staff. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The template used for this project could be used as a stepping-stone for future wellness self-care program in higher education …

The Global Health "Interactive Curricula Experience (Ice) Platform & App": Technology That Enables Inter-Professional Innovation, James Plumb, Md, Mph, Nicholas Leon, Pharmd, Louis N. Hunter, Pt, Dpt, Martha Langley Ankeny, M.Ed, Ellen Plumb, Md, Lucille B. Pilling, Edd, Mph, Rn

College of Population Health Lectures, Presentations, Workshops

17 slide PowerPoint presentation.

Presented at APHA in Chicago Illinois.

Healthy Corner Store Network "Heart Smarts" Program, Nyssa Entrekin, Sandra Sherman, Edd, Rickie Brawer, Mph, Phd, Mches, James D. Plumb, Md, Mph

College of Population Health Lectures, Presentations, Workshops

Objectives:

1. Identify corner stores for nutrition education and health screenings based on criteria presented.

2. Identify education strategies appropriate for a corner store setting when integrating health screenings, nutrition education and food access.

3. List at least two store owner training topics for use in a corner store setting that reinforce nutrition education and disease prevention in the store.

4. Understand methods for evaluating outcomes of an integrated educational effort.

Presented at APHA in Chicago, Illinois.

Video Visits: A Closer Look At Patient Satisfaction And Quality Of Virtual Medical Care, Saddia Cheema

Applied Research Projects

Electronic medical services via video visits has revolutionized the delivery of medical care by Physicians and medical staff alike. Its steady evolution and progression towards the future of healthcare has provided insight on how to better serve patients and community members seeking care. This study will explore patient satisfaction and the quality of virtual medical care services provided by Physicians thru video visits as well as the impact of minimizing the spread of communicable diseases. Statistical data was gathered from a major U.S. healthcare company evaluating survey responses as well as feedback provided by member experience who visited with their …

Health Literacy Improves Health Care Quality, Rebecca Cook

Applied Research Projects

A lack of knowledge about health literacy is a cause for quality healthcare concern as the world advances in health information technology. Many patients struggle to understand and navigate their health and well-being as a result of lack of understanding of the treatment plan due to low literacy skills. Several federal policy initiatives promote health literacy as the responsibility of the healthcare organization. Improving health outcomes through health literacy should be a commitment of healthcare organization through providing clear communication, simplified forms, assistance, and even follow-up calls. Three major initiatives will combat health literacy to include the Affordable Care Act; …

What Can Pakistan Do To Address Maternal And Child Health Over The Next Decade?, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Assad Hafeez

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Pakistan faces huge challenges in meeting its international obligations and agreed Millennium Development Goal targets for reducing maternal and child mortality. While there have been reductions in maternal and under-5 child mortality, overall rates are barely above secular trends and neonatal mortality has not reduced much. Progress in addressing basic determinants, such as poverty, undernutrition, safe water, and sound sanitary conditions as well as female education, is unsatisfactory and, not surprisingly, population growth hampers economic growth and development across the country. The devolution of health to the provinces has created challenges as well as opportunities for action. This paper presents …

Phosphorus Ingestion Improves Oral Glucose Tolerance Of Healthy Male Subjects: A Crossover Experiment, May Khattab, Christelle Abi-Rashed, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Sani Hlais, Omar Obeid

Faculty Publications

Background:

Fasting serum phosphorus (P) was reported to be inversely related to serum glucose and insulin, while the impact of P ingestion is not well documented. The effect of P intake with or before glucose ingestion on postprandial glucose and insulin statuses was investigated.

Method:

Two cross over experiments using healthy male subjects were conducted. Experiment 1: Overnight fasted subjects (n∈=∈7) randomly received: 500 mg of P tablets, glucose (75 g) solution with placebo or 500 mg of P tablets. Experiment 2: Overnight fasted subjects (n∈=∈8) underwent similar procedures to those of experiment 1, except that placebo or 500 mg …

The Influence Of Relationship Status On Hpv Vaccine Decision-Making Among Young Adult Women, Erika L. Thompson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: The HPV vaccine is a primary prevention method available to reduce the burden of HPV-related cancers and genital warts. The vaccine is currently approved for catch-up vaccination among women 18 to 26 years of age. Despite this recommendation, the rate of vaccine uptake among this group is considerably low (~34% uptake). One demographic characteristic that is consistently reported as a risk factor for non-vaccination is relationship status, specifically married or monogamous relationships. While the epidemiological data confirm this association, there is a lack of understanding how this risk factor operates. By elucidating the mechanism for this risk factor, …

Epidemiology News, Georgia Southern University

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Examines the role of Adiposity

Velamentous Cord: A Dangerous Case Complicated By A Rural Population, Adam Franks, Md, Carolyn Curtis, Md, Shawndra Barker, Md

Marshall Journal of Medicine

A velamentous cord insertion occurs when the umbilical cord’s Wharton jelly fails to reach the placenta, due to early placental atrophy around the insertion site, leaving a segment of unprotected vessels running through the thin membranes of the amniotic sac. This area of weakness exposes a threat to the well-being of the fetus through acute hemorrhage and both acute and chronic restriction of nutrition. With advances in technology, resolution capabilities of ultrasounds allow for antenatal diagnosis, when previously this was impossible. With this knowledge, considerations for screening and management of this pathology are essential when dealing with a rural population …

Exploring Ecosystems And Health By Shifting To A Regional Focus: Perspectives From The Oceania Ecohealth Chapter, Jonathan Kingsley, Rebecca Patrick, Pierre Horwitz, Margot Parkes, Aaron Jenkins, Charles Massy, Claire Henderson-Wilson, Kerry Arabena

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This article highlights contributions that can be made to the public health field by incorporating “ecosystem approaches to health” to tackle future environmental and health challenges at a regional level. This qualitative research reviews attitudes and understandings of the relationship between public health and the environment and the priorities, aspirations and challenges of a newly established group (the Oceania EcoHealth Chapter) who are attempting to promote these principles. Ten semi-structured interviews with Oceania EcoHealth Chapter members highlighted the important role such groups can play in informing organisations working in the Oceania region to improve both public health and environmental outcomes …

Cross-Sectional Associations Between Exposure To Persistent Organic Pollutants And Leukocyte Telomere Length Among U.S. Adults In Nhanes, 2001-2002., Susanna D. Mitro, Linda S. Birnbaum, Belinda L. Needham, Ami R. Zota

Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background: Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dioxins, furans, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may influence leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a biomarker associated with chronic disease. In vitro research suggests dioxins may bind to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and induce telomerase activity, which elongates LTL. However, few epidemiologic studies have investigated associations between POPs and LTL.

Objectives: We examined the association between 18 PCBs, 7 dioxins, and 9 furans and LTL among 1,330 U.S. adults from NHANES 2001-2002. Methods: We created three summed POP metrics based on toxic equivalency factor (TEF), a potency measure including affinity for the …

A Tail Of Two Phages: Genomic And Functional Analysis Of Listeria Monocytogenes Phages Vb_Lmos_188 And Vb_Lmos_293 Reveal The Receptor-Binding Proteins Involved In Host Specificity, Aidan Casey, Kieran Jordan, Horst Neve, Aidan Coffey, Olivia Mcauliffe

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

The physical characteristics of bacteriophages establish them as viable candidates for downstream development of pathogen detection assays and biocontrol measures. To utilize phages for such purposes, a detailed knowledge of their host interaction mechanisms is a prerequisite. There is currently a wealth of knowledge available concerning Gram-negative phage-host interaction, but little by comparison for Gram-positive phages and Listeria phages in particular. In this research, the lytic spectrum of two recently isolated Listeria monocytogenes phages (vB_LmoS_188 and vB_LmoS_293) was determined, and the genomic basis for their observed serotype 4b/4e host-specificity was investigated using comparative genomics. The late tail genes of these …

Using Height-For-Age Differences (Had) Instead Of Height-For-Age Z-Scores (Haz) For The Meaningful Measurement Of Population-Level Catch-Up In Linear Growth In Children Less Than 5 Years Of Age, Jef L. Leroy, Marie Ruel, Jean-Pierre Habicht, Edward A. Frongillo Jr.

Faculty Publications

Background: Evidence from studies conducted in nutritionally deprived children in low- and middle-income countries (LIMC) in past decades showed little or no population-level catch-up in linear growth (mostly defined as reductions in the absolute height deficit) after 2 years of age. Recent studies, however, have reported population-level catch-up growth in children, defined as positive changes in mean height-for-age z-scores (HAZ). The aim of this paper was to assess whether population-level catch-up in linear growth is found when height-for-age difference (HAD: child’s height compared to standard, expressed in centimeters) is used instead of HAZ. Our premise is that HAZ is inappropriate …

The Impact Of Antenatal Care On Maternal Mental Health In Rural Maharashtra, Cameron Barker

India: Public Health, Policy Advocacy, and Community

This study seeks to understand the major mental health concerns experienced by pregnant women and recent mothers in rural villages in Maharashtra and how these concerns are impacted by different elements of holistic antenatal and postnatal care. The risk factors that may lead to poor maternal mental health are strongly tied to social factors and vary from community to community. Unfortunately, in most developing countries mental health takes a back seat to other health issues deemed more pressing. This is especially true for female specific illnesses, given that the overall health of women and girl children is often neglected. The …

Prevalence Of Depression Among Active Tb And Tb/Hiv Patients In Kisumu County, Esther Lee

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in four people have been affected by a mental health disorder at one point in their lives.^[1] Kenya’s mental disorders account for 5.9% of the total global burden.[2] Mental disorders like depression is often comorbid with TB and HIV and disproportionately affects those with lower socio-economic income. Kisumu, a city in Nyanza province, has the highest HIV and TB prevalence in Kenya. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression among TB non-coinfected and TB/HIV co-infected patients at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) and the Clinical …

Nutrition And Education In An Urbanizing Nation, Molly Pritz

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Child malnutrition is a growing public health issue in Nepal, particularly in urban areas. Not eating enough, or not eating enough of healthy foods, can have life-long implications on development and cognitive ability. Because of its relevance to development within the country, many donor organizations and non-governmental organizations are working to promote child nutrition education programs. The purpose of this research is to investigate the implementation and structure of urban child nutrition educational programs involving treatment and prevention in Kathmandu, Nepal. Through qualitative interviews and field observations with three primary organizations, this research analyzes the patterns and disconnects between various …

Relationship Between Emissions Of Human Activities And Ozone Layer Depletion, Umer Murtaza

Environmental Management & Risk Assessment (PH 560)

Ozone depletion always holds an importance being a protective shield to humans and environment as well. Human activities and man-made substances are playing major role to this depletion which is increasing day by day. In this paper influence of man-made substances on ozone depletion and consequences of this depletion have been discussed. Role of chlorofluorocarbons as depleting agents is more comparatively other substances. Due to ozone depletion life on earth is affecting which are resulting different consequences like skin cancer, eye diseases and destruction of crops and aquatic life. EPA has worked a lot to save the ozone and many …

Maternal Health In Villages Of Northern Uttar Pradesh Assessing Options, Practices And Outcomes In Bahraich District, Elizabeth Curtis

India: Public Health, Policy Advocacy, and Community

Maternal mortality distinctly highlights a health burden women face, particularly in developing countries. For that reason, poor maternal outcomes in rural India are a field in which Public Health workers and researchers continue to question and study. This project aims to understand the reasons behind poor maternal health outcomes for village women in Bahraich District of Uttar Pradesh. The focus of this topic is the accessibility of available health services and the attitudes of various players who distribute or consume services of the health system. Through fieldwork with doctors, medical institutions, auxiliary health workers, traditional health workers, and village women, …

Community Health Workers: Health System Integration, Financing Opportunities, And The Evolving Role Of The Community Health Worker In A Post-Health Reform Landsacape, Mary-Beth Malcarney, Patricia Pittman, Leo Quigley, Naomi Seiler, Katie B. Horton

Health Workforce Research Center Publications

Community Health Workers (CHWs) have been gaining attention from policymakers because of their unique role in addressing health disparities and socioeconomic drivers of disease, and because of their potential integration into the health care delivery system. To date, there has been limited research specifically describing the variation in CHWs’ roles and relationships, and how that variation relates to management, to financing, to health system integration, and to the competencies CHWs should have in different contexts.

The purpose of this report is to better understand the varied landscape; to offer categories of analysis that may help inform policy, management, and research; …

Treatment Accessibility For Co-Infected Idus In China: A Likelihood For Hiv, An Improbability For Hepatitis C, Jessica Collins

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In a country which provides free medicine and care for patients living with HIV/AIDS, China has not included a crucial piece of the problem in its health care scheme. In Yunnan Province alone, 77.7 % of intravenous drug users are co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C. While these patients can obtain treatment for HIV with ease, they cannot do so to treat their hepatitis C infection, a viral disease that leads to liver failure. Recent trends indicate that more co-infected patients are dying of HCV rather than HIV due to treatment inaccessibility. This study investigates theseverity of HCV in China, …

European Policies On Cardiovascular Disease Prevention And Health Promotion: A Comparative Study, Alison Council

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As the number one cause of death, cardiovascular disease represents a threat to both the economic and social well being of European countries. As a result of a variety of coordinated efforts between the European Union (EU), national governments, nonprofits, private industry, and local communities, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been decreasing in most countries in recent years. Measures such as bans on trans fats in Denmark, social mobilization and prevention policy in Finland, and nutrition labeling in the United Kingdom have had major impacts on heart disease. For instance, Finland’s prevention programs have resulted in a 63% reduction in deaths …

Dissemination Of An Electronic Manual To Build Capacity For Implementing Farmers’ Markets With Community Health Centers, M Aaron Guest, Darcy Freedman, Kassandra A. Alia, Heather M. Brandt, Daniela B. Friedman

Faculty Publications

Community-university partnerships can lend themselves to the development of tools that encourage and promote future community health development. The electronic manual, "Building Farmacies," describes an approach for developing capacity and sustaining a community health center-based farmers' market that emerged through a community-university partnership. Manual development was guided by the Knowledge to Action Framework and experiences developing a multivendor, produce-only farmers' market at a community health center in rural South Carolina. The manual was created to illustrate an innovative solution for community health development. The manual was disseminated electronically through 25 listservs and interested individuals voluntarily completed a Web-based survey to …

The Role Of Place In Explaining Racial Heterogeneity In Cognitive Outcomes Among Older Adults, Sze Yan Liu, M Maria Glymou, Laura B. Zahodne, Christopher Weiss, Jennifer J. Manly

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Racially patterned disadvantage in Southern states, especially during the formative years of primary school, may contribute to enduring disparities in adult cognitive outcomes. Drawing on a lifecourse perspective, we examine whether state of school attendance affects cognitive outcomes in older adults and partially contributes to persistent racial disparities. Using data from older African American and white participants in the national Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the New York based Washington Heights Inwood Cognitive Aging Project (WHICAP), we estimated age-and gender-adjusted multilevel models with random effects for states predicting years of education and cognitive outcomes (e.g., memory and vocabulary). We …

Use Of Geographical Information Systems To Identify Counties In Georgia With High Risk For Childhood Lead Poisoning, R. Christopher Rustin, Christy Kuriatnyk, Byron Lobsinger, Simone Charles

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: For children in Georgia, lead poisoning is a substantial public health problem. Primary risk factors include low socioeconomic status and poor-quality housing built prior to 1978. The Environmental Health Team of the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) utilized geographical information system (GIS) technology and census housing data to identify counties in which children have high risk for lead poisoning. The purpose of this research was to update and refine previous maps developed with older technology and on a different geographic scale so that targeted public health interventions can be developed.

Methods: Data related to stratified and median housing …