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Factors Impacting Body Mass Index Of Hispanic Youth In A Weight Loss Program, Elizabeth Maria Hartman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Youth obesity prevalence rates in the United States are trending down; however, for Hispanic youth, rates are increasing despite efforts toward a reduction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a culturally focused intervention program on weight reduction of Hispanic youth age 2 to 19 through examination of body mass index (BMI) percentile outcomes comparing age, gender, distance to program, time in program, and season of enrollment. Review of literature supports ecological and cultural approaches requiring behavior modification tailored to family and community as successful in decreasing youth obesity. However, researchers have yet to establish how …

Maternal Depression, Infant Feeding Practices, And Weight Gain Among African American And Hispanic Women, Alphonsus Maduwuba Agbaere

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood overweight and obesity are public health concerns that have negative health consequences and affect many children. Efforts are needed to identify children who are at a higher risk of developing overweight and obesity so that early detection and treatment may be offered. The intent of this study was to investigate the differences in the effects of postpartum depression on infant feeding practices and infant weight gain between Hispanic and African American women. Data were obtained from Infant Feeding Practices Study 11, a longitudinal study involving mothers in their third trimester through infants first year of life. The overall test …

Spheres Of Influence: Understanding African American Males' Perceptions And Attitudes Toward Infant Feeding Practices, Makeva M. Rhoden

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although U.S. breastfeeding rates have steadily increased since 2000, there continues to be a disparity in breastfeeding rates for African American (AA) women compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts. A male partner's perception, specifically his positive attitude toward breastfeeding, may influence breastfeeding initiation and duration rates. This study was an exploration of AA male perceptions and attitudes toward breastfeeding and what effect masculinity ideology (gender norms) has on such attitudes. The socio-ecological model (SEM) was used as the theoretical framework to examine the various environmental levels that intersect with one another to influence these attitudes. A mixed methods study design, …

Differentiating Demographic Factors In Latino Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Carol Lynne Manning

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) data suggest that Latinos share a greater burden of disease than do non-Latino Whites with type 2 diabetes. As a result of poor glycemic control, Latinos also suffer consequences such as blindness, kidney disease, and limb amputation more often than do other ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to compare demographic factors of Latinos with well-controlled type 2 diabetes, as measured by a HgbA1c of 7 or less (n = 118) to Latinos not well controlled (n = 105). This cross sectional study used a secondary data set with a sample selected from …

Albumin Levels In Hispanic Dialysis Patients With And Without Type Ii Diabetes, Hector Hernandez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Albumin provides the vital scaffolding for growth and tissue repair and supports oncotic blood pressure and hemodynamics. In hemodialysis patients, albumin aids with fluid removal by drawing excess fluid from edematous tissues back into the blood where it can then be removed by a dialyzer. The hyperglycemia seen in dialysis patients with Type II diabetes progressively damages kidney glomeruli, which permits albumin seepage into the urine, thus lowering serum albumin. The conceptual framework underpinning this research is the van't Hoff theory of osmotic pressure. Under this framework, the solute-solvent relationship largely contributes to the osmotic movement of fluid. The purpose …

Significance Of Herb-Drug Interactions In Clinical Practice: A Narrative Review, K J. Malagi Dr, Kamath Madhusudhana Dr

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Background: There has been a drastic increase in herb-drug interactions day-by-day as a result of an increase in the population using herb and its supplements along with the contemporary medicines. Objectives: To discuss the safety of usage of herbal medicines along with contemporary medicines in the management of lifestyle disorders. Method: This is a systemic review with narrative analysis. A study was carried out to understand the mode of herb-drug interaction in lifestyle disorders. Literature search was conducted with various titles and reports on medical indexed journals, focusing on herb-drug interaction on selected lifestyle disorders. Conclusion: The issue like herb-drug …

Multiple Fungal Brain Abscesses In A Neonate: Successful Treatment With Liposomal Amphotericin B, Leslie Lewis Dr, Jayashree P Dr, Y Ramesh Bhat Dr

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Invasive fungal infections are common among infants hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Central Nervous System (CNS) involvement occurs in two third of the disseminated fungal sepsis. Fungal cerebral abscess is one of the severe complications of disseminated fungal sepsis. We report a case of multiple fungal brain abscesses in a term neonate, which was successfully treated with Liposomal Amphotericin B.

Race/Ethnicity, Diet, And Physical Activity Behavior Among College Students, Ronda Herbert

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Scarce knowledge exists about the lifestyle of college students from heterogeneous racial/ethnic backgrounds and how race/ethnicity may influence their diet and physical activity behaviors. College students, especially those who are members of minority groups, are at risk for unhealthy lifestyles resulting in negative health outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the role of racial diversity on dietary and physical activity habits. The study was guided by social cognitive theory, and the research questions examined the relationship between race/ethnicity on diet and physical activity in a multiracial ethnic population. The study research design was a quantitative cross-sectional …

Effect Of A Lifetime Health And Fitness Class On College Students, Tiffany Tara Young Klockziem

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Physical inactivity and obesity, both of which are modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, increase substantially during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. CVD is the 5th leading cause of death in people ages 18 to 29. This disease has enormous social and financial repercussions; however, many college age students do not see chronic disease as a personal threat. Few researchers have examined chronic disease risk in young adults or used a consistent, objective measurement of physical activity. A pre-post, quasi-experimental study was conducted to evaluate the association between a health and fitness class, physical education 215 (PHED 215) …

Social Determinants Of Health Inequality And Life Expectancy Among Women Of Edo State, Nigeria, Daniel Aromeh Odekina

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health inequality conflates a huge number of economic, social, and political issues. These issues, together described as social determinants, determine a population's health through influencing health status and life expectancy. The research purpose of this study was to examine how social determinants affected the life expectancy of the women of Edo State, based on secondary data from Nigeria's 2008 demographic and health survey (NDHS). The theories that guided the study were self-efficacy beliefs of the social cognitive theory and physical self-concept of the health belief model. This quantitative cross-sectional study examined the associations between socioeconomic status, nutritional status, literacy/educational attainment, …

Three Studies On Cardiovascular Health: Modifiable Risk Factors And Health Expenditures In Medicare, Kristal Jo Aaron

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation comprises a series of studies conducted on modifiable risk factors as they contribute to cardiovascular health and disease and their associated health service expenditures and utilization. Specific topics in this compilation include (1) exploring the role of dietary sodium and potassium intake in cardiovascular health and disease; (2) examination of direct health expenditures in the Medicare-linked REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort as associated with Life’s Simple 7 (LS7), a composite measure of cardiovascular health defined by the American Heart Association (AHA) that is based on seven modifiable risk factors (blood pressure, blood cholesterol, …

The Influence Of Personal, Interpersonal, And Community Factors On The Parenting Self-Efficacy Of First-Time Mothers, Tamika L. Smith

All ETDs from UAB

The Social Ecological Model (SEM) allows for examining human behavior and the factors that influence behavior change in totality. In addition, the model offers guidance in identifying the factors that may lead to a change in or explanation of behavior. This study utilizes SEM to identify factors at the personal, interpersonal, and community level in order to determine the relationship between specific ecological factors and parenting self-efficacy. Furthermore, the study examines the predictive quality of the ecological factors on parenting self-efficacy. Data collected from the Parenting for the First-time Project (PFT) was used. PFT is a multi-site longitudinal study of …

Exploring Body Image And The Association Between Body Image Dissatisfaction And Waist Circumference Among Overweight And Obese Rural African American Women Participating In A Weight Loss Program, Erica Rayshelle Johnson

All ETDs from UAB

African American (AA) women are disproportionately burdened by obesity, an epidemic with implications that reach beyond physiological consequences. Given that perceptions of body image may impact health-promoting behaviors and weight management efforts, we sought to evaluate the presence and magnitude of body image dissatisfaction (BID) and explore its relationship with waist circumference (WC), independent of weight among overweight and obese treatment-seeking rural AA women. Participants referred to images from the Pulvers Figure Rating Scale that included nine body silhouettes to answer: “How I think I look now” (i.e., current body image) and “How I would like to look” (i.e., desired …

Prevalence And Determinants Of High Risk Human Papillomavirus (Hpv) Among Wives Of Migrant Workers - A Study In Far - West Nepal, Derek Johnson

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation research focuses on the risk factors associated with high-risk HPV infection (HR-HPV) and abnormal cervical cytology in Nepali women residing in Nepal’s Far-West district of Achham. The first part of this dissertation assesses the HR-HPV test concordance of self-collected vs. clinician-collected cervico-vaginal specimens. Of 261 women with both clinician- and self-collected cervical samples, 25 tested positive for HR-HPV, resulting in an overall HR-HPV prevalence of 9.6% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 6.3 – 13.8). The overall Kappa value for clinician- and self-collected tests was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.48 – 0.84), indicating a “good” level of agreement. The second part …

Spatial Analysis Of Hypertension Prevalence Using A Large Us Cohort, Matthew Loop

All ETDs from UAB

Stroke mortality rates are highest in the Southeast US, and the cause for this "Stroke Belt" is not well understood. We investigate the spatial distribution of hypertension, an important risk factor for stroke. This investigation explores statistical issues in performing spatial analysis in a large cohort (over 30,000 participants), relating to type 1 error rate control and geocoding error. Recommendations for handling these statistical issues are made. In an applied analysis, we find that hypertension prevalence varies across the continental US, and is highest in northeast Louisiana, southeast Arkansas, west Mississippi, and east Michigan. These areas are not concordant with …

The Impact Of Meal Timing On Cardiometabolic Syndrome Indicators In Shift Workers, Hylton Elisabeth Molzof

All ETDs from UAB

Shift workers exhibit a greater risk for several cardiovascular and metabolic diseases including heart disease, obesity, hypertension, and type II diabetes (Boivin, Tremblay, & James, 2007; Chen, Lin, & Hsiao, 2010; Knutsson, Jonsson, Akerstedt, & Orth-Gomer, 1986; Kroenke et al., 2007). Shift workers have been reported to consume more pro-inflammatory diets than day workers (Wirth, Burch, Shivappa, Steck, et al., 2014) and to redistribute their food intake to the night during work (Lennernas, Hambraeus, & Akerstedt, 1995; Pasqua & Moreno, 2004). Numerous studies in animal models and humans have shown that eating during the sleep or inactive period is associated …

The Investigation Of Quality Of Life, Perceived Disease Severity, And Adherence In Patients With The G551d Mutation Receiving Ivacaftor Therapy, Heather Young Hathorne

All ETDs from UAB

Cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder, is a chronic life threatening illness that affects 30,000 adults and children in the United States and 70,000 worldwide. Treatment for CF is complex and consuming, consisting of multiple time intensive regimens. The therapy regimen has been descried as extraordinary when compared even to therapy regimens for other chronic illnesses. Oral and nebulized medication therapy, airway clearance therapy, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy and vitamin /nutritional supplements are all required for the multiorgan treatment regimen for CF. Daily prescribed therapy can include as many as 40-50 pills, breathing treatments lasting up to tow hours a …

Obesity And Mortality In Us-Residing Hispanic Adults, Carrie Howell

All ETDs from UAB

Previous epidemiological studies observed the lack of an association between increased body mass index (BMI: kg/m2) and all-cause mortality in US-residing Hispanic adults. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the validity of three hypothesized explanations for the absence of significant associations. Using data on Hispanic participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) [1988-1994 and 1999-2004] and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), this dissertation examined whether: (1) BMI was associated with cause-specific mortality; (2) measures of body composition was associated with all-cause mortality; and (3) the BMI-all-cause mortality association differed as a function of Hispanic …

Third-Degree Family Health History And Perception Of Disease Risk, Liana Carrasco Romero

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Chronic diseases are a significant cause of illness and mortality in the United States. Hereditary predisposition to chronic diseases is a useful indicator for identifying people at risk for disease development. An ideal tool for determining this predisposition is the CDC, NIH, and AAFP recommended third-degree family health history (FHH). The aim of this quantitative, cross-sectional study, based on the theoretical frameworks of social constructivism and the health belief model, was to assess the possible influence between the completed third-degree FHH and the participant's perception of disease risk. Two-hundred seventy-three participants were recruited from health care facilities and from the …

The Sweet Taste Of Health: A Positive Deviance Inquiry Into Communicative Acts That Lead To Effective Management Of Diabetes Among Hispanics, Claudia Martinez Boyd

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Diabetes is among the fastest growing diseases in the world. In the U.S., Hispanics are the third most affected population. Nonetheless, there are Hispanics diagnosed with diabetes who have, against all odds, found solutions to manage their disease. This study focused on the intrapersonal and interpersonal acts and behaviors of "positive deviant" Hispanics living on the U.S. - Mexico border that effectively managed their diabetes. They are referred to as "positive deviants" because they accrue "positive" outcomes and "deviants" because they are not the norm.

A PD inquiry was conducted and twelve PD respondents between the ages of 20 …

Low Level Lead Exposure And Inflammatory Markers In The Brains Of C57bl/6j Mice, Miguel A. Cervantes

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background and Significance: Prior studies have indicated that early chronic low-level lead exposure may be associated with adverse effects on motor and cognitive functions. The mechanisms by which low-level lead affects brain function are unknown. Objectives: The current study aimed to (1) determine whether early chronic low-level lead exposure altered the expression of pro- or ant-inflammatory cytokines and markers of oxidative stress in mouse brain studied at two ages, pre-adolescence (PND 28) and early adulthood (PND 40); and (2) in the same pre-adolescent and early adulthood mice, compare and contrast the levels of pro- or ant-inflammatory markers in three brain …

Detecting Enzootic Leishmaniasis And American Trypanosomiasis In Stray Dogs In El Paso County, Texas And The Potential For Autochthonous Transmission To Humans, Evan James Kipp

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Cutaneous leishmaniasis and Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) are two vector-borne, protozoal zoonoses whose emergence into the southern United States is a public health problem of increasing significance. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by several species of intracellular protozoa in the genus Leishmania and is most often characterized by the formation of large, ulcerative skin lesions that can result in considerable scarring and permanent disfigurement. Infection with Leishmania is prevalent throughout the world in tropical and sub-tropical regions and in areas where people are regularly exposed to the hematophagous sand fly vectors that transmit the disease. Chronic infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, the …

A Qualitative Analysis Of Migrant Women Farmworkers' A Qualitative Analysis Of Migrant Women Farmworkers’ Perceptions Of Maternal Care Management, Stacey A. Pilling

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine migrant women farmworkers' views of perinatal care management while working in the fields. Like men, women migrant farmworkers are exposed to many physical, chemical, and biological hazards that pose human health risks. However, women of childbearing age are at an increased risk of having reproductive health difficulties and adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the infant mortality rate among migrant farmworkers is estimated to be twice the national average. Perinatal care is a critical factor in reducing adverse outcomes for perinatal and newborn mortality. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 15 migrant women farmworkers …

The Association Between Dietary Patterns And Diabetes Status Among U.S. Adults, Latonia Richardson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes mellitus, or T2DM, is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Multiple studies have found that certain dietary patterns can significantly influence the risk of T2DM. The purpose of this study was to understand the dietary patterns associated with diabetes by comparing the relative adherence to these dietary patterns by individuals in 5 stages of diabetes: no diabetes, undiagnosed prediabetes, diagnosed prediabetes, undiagnosed diabetes, and diagnosed diabetes. Using the health belief model as the theoretical foundation, the primary research question examined whether adherence to specific dietary patterns significantly differed between individuals in different stages …

Environmental Exposures And Childhood Pulmonary Function, Pallavi Prakash Balte

Theses and Dissertations

Fetal origins of adult disease hypothesis states that adverse influences early in developmental period and particularly during intrauterine life can result in permanent changes in physiology which may lead to increased disease risk of chronic diseases in adulthood. Both fetal and adolescent period are critical time periods for development of lungs. Any adverse environmental exposures during these critical periods of lung growth is a form of programming which can have long term effects on pulmonary function. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the association between different environmental exposures and pulmonary function in children and late adolescents. The first …

Statewide Scale-Up Of Group Prenatal Care In South Carolina, Kristin M. Van De Griend

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Poor birth outcomes and racial disparities in birth outcomes in South Carolina are widely recognized problems. To improve maternal and child health outcomes, especially among vulnerable groups, universal access to timely, appropriate, and effective care should remain a priority through increased availability and accessibility. An interagency collaborative in South Carolina expanded CenteringPregnancy (CP) from two to five medical practices throughout the state. CenteringPregnancy is associated with improved birth outcomes and reduced rates of racial disparities in preterm birth throughout the United States. Important questions in the literature remain about strategies and determinants of scaling up sexual and reproductive …

An Exploration Of Factors Influencing Attrition From A Pediatric Weight Management Intervention, Melissa Ann Kwitowski

Theses and Dissertations

Childhood obesity is a serious health problem in the United States. Numerous weight management programs attempt to address this issue. However, attrition poses significant treatment efficacy challenges. Understanding attendance and attrition from childhood obesity programs is crucial for effective and appropriate resource utilization. NOURISH+ is a community-based treatment program for parents of overweight and obese children (age 5–11 years, BMI ≥ 85th percentile). The current study investigated attrition from NOURISH+ to enhance understanding of pediatric obesity treatment retention factors. NOURISH+ participants (n=70) completed a questionnaire assessing barriers to adherence and general program feedback. Data were analyzed using frequencies, …

A Needs Assessment: Barriers To Wildland Firefighter Fitness Training, Aria E. Mangan

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Abstract:

Mangan, Aria, M.S, Spring 2015 Health and Human Performance

A Needs Assessment: Barriers to Wildland Firefighters Fitness Training

Chairperson: Dr. Annie Sondag

Introduction: Working on a wildland fire can be physically and mentally taxing. Given the physical demands of the job, fitness is a key component in keeping wildland firefighters (WLFFs) healthy and safe from injury. Unfortunately little is known about physical training (PT) programs of WLFFs.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine motivators and barriers to PT in WLFFs. Personal, interpersonal, organizational and environmental factors that influence PT were identified. Strategies for overcoming barriers were …

Dementia And Primary-Care Health Measures:Hearing, Gait, And Markers Of Inflammation, Elsa Lindgren

Honors Theses and Capstones

Dementia is a syndrome associated with declining cognitive function that has a variety of types and causes, and is encountered frequently in general medical practice. Researchers are actively exploring possible risk factors for dementia. The St. Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) exam is a dementia-screening exam used in primary care visits to detect cognitive impairment that may be a sign of dementia. This study compared scores on the SLUMS exam to other measures recorded in a typical primary care visit in 86 patients of age 65 and older to look for correlations between indicators of health, such as physical examination …

Electronic Cigarette Use Among Irish Youth: A Cross Sectional Study Of Prevalence And Associated Factors, Kate Babineau, Keisha Taylor, Luke Clancy

Articles

No abstract provided.