Digital Commons Network^™

Working It Out At Haddington Townhouses, Rachael Oyewole, Aliya Shaikh

Bridging the Gaps Posters 2014

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Carbonated Soft Drinks On Bone Mineral Density In College Age Women, Tina Irene Bankston

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Osteoporosis is a fast growing, worldwide public health problem. Also called, 'the silent disease' or 'fragile bone disease', osteoporosis results from low bone mass (Gammage & Klentrou, 2011; NOF, 2013; Swann, 2012). Currently, 44 million Americans have osteoporosis; 80% of which are women (NOF, 2011). Few studies, most implemented in other countries, have been conducted examining the consumption of carbonated soft drinks (CSD) as a risk factor for low bone mineral density (BMD) (Ogur et al., 2007; Hostmark et al., 2011; McGartland et al., 2003). The global consumption of CSDs increased by four percent during 2009 to 2010. Within the …

Development Of A Physical Activity Intervention Targeted At Middle-Aged Males: A Mixed Methods Research Study, Sheryl L. Chatfield

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Comparative Effectiveness Of Group Prenatal Care On Women's Psychosocial Health, Emily Heberlein

Theses and Dissertations

Background: High rates of adverse birth outcomes persist in the United States despite increased access to individual prenatal care (IPNC). Psychosocial factors influence birth outcomes and affect infant and child development and maternal functioning. Group prenatal care (GPNC) combines individual physical assessments and facilitated group education and support. Studies of GPNC show promising results, including lowered preterm birth rates, but the GPNC psychosocial mechanisms influencing birth outcomes are unclear.

Methods: Surveys at study enrollment (N=248), late pregnancy, and six weeks postpartum assessed psychosocial effects of each PNC model. Multiple regression models and planned moderator analyses tested whether GPNC participants had …

Hepatitis B, C Virus And Hiv Co-Infection Among Reported Female Cases In South Carolina, 2004 - 2011: An Epidemiological Analysis Of Pregnancy Outcomes, Afiba Manza-Azele Agovi

Theses and Dissertations

HIV, hepatitis B and C virus (HBV, HCV) are three of the most common blood-borne infections and they continue to be a major public health problem in the United States (US) and globally. It is not well understood if maternal infection with either HBV or HCV has an adverse impact on pregnancy outcomes as findings from previous studies have provided some mixed results. The overall goal of this study was to assess the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA) and admission into neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for babies born to HBV- and …

Food Insecurity And Physical Activity Among U.S. Populations, Quyen G. To

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: Examine the association between food insecurity (FI) and physical activity (PA) in the U.S. population.

Methods: Accelerometry (PAM) and self-report PA (PAQ) data from NHANES 2003-2006 were used. Those aged less than six years or were older than 65 years, pregnant, with physical limitations, or with family income above 350% of the poverty line were excluded. FI was measured by the USDA Household Food Security Survey Module. Crude and adjusted odd ratios were calculated from logistic regression to identify the association between FI and adherence to the PA recommendation. Crude and adjusted coefficients were calculated from linear regression to …

Antibiotic Usage In Relation To Resistant Bacterial Infections And Liver And Kidney Cancer Outcomes In South Carolina, Prea Thathiah

Theses and Dissertations

Antibiotics are one of the most beneficial discoveries in medicine and public health. However, the use, overuse, and misuse of these drugs have led to increases in antibiotic resistant bacterial infections (ARI). Furthermore, previous epidemiological studies have linked antibiotic use to breast cancer, but these studies have not included effects on metabolic organs, such as the liver and kidneys. This dissertation investigates the role of antibiotic use in infections and liver and kidney cancers in the state of South Carolina. Using ecological study methods and Poisson regression to determine relative risk ratios, it was found that antibiotic use is a …

A Community-Driven Approach To The Development Of A Digital Decision Aid To Facilitate Informed Decision Making For Prostate Cancer Screening Among African-American Men In Communities Of Faith, Otis Lashaun Owens

Theses and Dissertations

Background: African American (AA) men are significantly more likely to die of prostate cancer (PrCA) than other racial groups. Therefore, it is critical to identify effective strategies for providing information about the risks, benefits, and uncertainties of PrCA screening and the importance of informed decision making (IDM). To assess whether a computer-based IDM decision aid (DA) for PrCA screening would be appropriate for middle-age and older AA men, this formative evaluation study examined participants (1) PrCA risk and screening knowledge, 2) decision-making processes for PrCA screening, and 3) usage of, attitudes toward, and access to interactive communication technologies (ICTs). The …

Quality Of Life, Health Status, And Academic Success In Undergraduates, Amanda Kuhlman

Honors Projects

Background: Undergraduates are making their first autonomous health decisions. This is an opportune stage for examining the precursors to the chronic diseases of adulthood. The purpose of this study was to examine correlations between health status, quality of life, and academic success in college students.

Methods: A quality of life survey (Goodman, 1997) was utilized to determine the behavioral difficulties of 86 first and second year college students. Each of these behavioral categories were then examined for possible correlations with blood pressure, weight, body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption, body fat percentage, and any changes in these categories from the …

Exercise Behavior Patterns In Emerging Adulthood: An Exploration Of Predictor Variables From Self-Determination Theory And Transtheoretical Model, Chad R. Johnson

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

During the transition from childhood to adulthood, young people establish patterns of behavior and make lifestyle choices that affect both their current and future health (NCHS, 2010). Emerging adulthood – a new conception of development for the period from the late teens through the twenties – focuses on individuals ages 18-25 who did not have a child, own a home, or have sufficient income to be fully independent (Arnett, 2000). Very little is known about social influence, motivational mediators, and motivation on exercise behavior within this developmental period. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the influence of …

Desk Jockey: A Device To Increase Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (Neat) In Adults, Jiangqi Tang

Wayne State University Theses

Increased sedentary behavior, just like reduced physical activity, has been shown to increase the risk of obesity and chronic diseases. This is mostly due to increased time spent sitting at the office desk. There is limited research studying how to decrease such risk in office workers (OW). This study was to investigate a portable device "Desk Jockey" (DJ) on increasing NEAT and reducing sedentary behavior in a simulated office environment. Participants whose daily work requiring long sitting hours were recruited (mean sitting hours/day: 8.6 ± 3 hr, mean age: 25 ± 7 yr, 54% male, 15% obese). Metabolic rates (METs), …

Internet Usage Among Older African American Adults In Seeking Health Care Information, Sharon D. Smith

Applied Research Projects

As the U.S. elderly population grows, advances and improvements in: healthcare, technology, nutrition and lifestyle has increased the life span of this population. In general, older adults have an increased need for health information. The Internet is a tool providing timely access to this information. This study explored use of the Internet by older African American adults in seeking health care information. Ninety-three African American adults participated in this study. Eleven survey questions gathered data on demographics, use of computers, access to the Internet and use of the Internet in seeking health care information. Twenty-nine percent (25 out of 86) …

Complexity Of Breastfeeding Health Policy In Tanzania, Africa, Theresa Thompson

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate Tanzanian health policy regarding the protection and promotion of breastfeeding.

Country Profile: Tanzania is a United Republic composed of the mainland and also the islands of Zanzibar. Tanzania is located in east Africa with a population of approximately 46 million. About 1.6 million babies are born each year in Tanzania, however only approximately 140,000 are registered annually. Tanzania’s infant mortality rate is 68 infant deaths per 1000 live births. Tanzania makes up for approximately 0.5% of the world population but 2% of the global infant death.

Approaches: In this study, the …

Diabetes And The Uninsured In Montgomery County, Ohio: Effects Of A County-Funded Health Services Program On Hemoglobin A1c Values, Mark Feighery

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Montgomery County Care (MCC) was a county-funded, limited benefit health services program launched in 2010 as a bridge to expanded Medicaid and the health insurance marketplaces for the uninsured of Montgomery County, Ohio. A principal goal was to help manage chronic disease, particularly diabetes. Approximately 20% of the MCC members assigned to a community health center were diagnosed with diabetes. Paired sample t-tests of Hemoglobin A1c values were compared for diabetic members enrolled in the program for a minimum of one year. Among 188 members for whom initial and subsequent values were recorded, HA1c values declined (showed an improvement) from …

Association Of Demographic Characteristics With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus And Gestational Hypertension In Ohio During 2012, Jared D. Klein

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and Gestational Hypertension (GHTN) are serious conditions that can arise during pregnancy. Both of these disorders can cause detrimental health effects to both mother and newborn. Methods: Ohio vital statistics birth data was obtained from Public Health- Dayton and Montgomery County. The data set included 137,268 women who gave birth during 2012 in Ohio and had a known GDM and/or GHTN status. IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Mac Version 20 (SPSS, IBM, 2011) was used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics, odds ratios, chi-square analyses, and multivariate logistic forward stepwise regressions were calculated …

Nutrition Knowledge Of High School Senior Students In Northwest Arkansas, Grace Heymsfield, Cynthia Moore

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Though there are many complex factors influencing diet, nutrition knowledge correlates with healthier food choices in older adolescents and can play a pivotal role in health. Nutrition curriculum was addressed in the state of Arkansas through Arkansas Act 1220 of 2003. Numerous changes have been seen in the school environment regarding nutrition, but there is no means of testing nutrition curriculum effectiveness in terms of nutrition knowledge of students. It is the purpose of this descriptive study to improve understanding of the nutrition knowledge of high school seniors. High school senior students (n = 25; males = 12, females = …

Factors Affecting School Health Scores: Wellsat Scores, School Policy, And The School Environment, Alicia Baker

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

A recent trend in school health intervention has been through policy creation and development. Studies have shown that changes in school health policy can improve student health behaviors, particularly in physical activity and nutrition. This study looked at how potential factors could affect the scores of a school policy assessment tool called the Wellness School Assessment Tool (WellSAT). Using a combination of t-tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression, schools’ strength and comprehensiveness nutrition scores from the WellSAT were analyzed when compared to Free and Reduced Lunch Rates, type of school, and whether schools had separate policies from their school district. …

Evaluating Oral Health Trends In Kentucky, 2006-2012, Briana Michelle Forsythe

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

According to the former US Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop, “You’re not healthy without good oral health.” Poor oral health, comprising of the presence of caries and/or periodontal disease, can lead to edentulism, which in turn can yield poor physical health, inability to communicate properly, poor mental health, and a lesser quality of life. In Kentucky, over one quarter of the adult population has lost six or more teeth due to decay or gum disease, a figure 10% higher than the national average. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine: a) Kentucky’s Statewide Oral Health Strategic Plan, implemented …

Factors Influencing Differential Oral Health Care Use Between Hispanics And Non-Hispanic Whites In The U.S., Nathalie Astudillo

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

Oral health is often considered merely the absence of disease. However, oral health involves much more. Good oral health facilitates very basic functions like eating and speaking; a healthy smile is also associated with good self-esteem and productivity.1 Most oral health diseases are largely preventable. Despite this, a large portion of the population in the United States still suffer from untreated dental decay.2 Poor oral health has a direct effect on systemic health, quality of nutrition, digestion, phonetics, selfimage and self-esteem.5 Whether considered individually or combined, each of these factors has a direct impact on the quality of life of …

Sampled University Students' Perceived Risk Of Diabetes & Self-Reported Diabetes Risk Factors, Ajibike R. Shodunke

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research was to measure university students' perceived risk of diabetes and self-reported diabetes risk factors. Informed consent forms and survey questionnaires were distributed to students in randomly sampled courses (n=357), with students aged 18 to 24. Out of the 357 surveys completed, 325 surveys were used for analysis of this study. Forty-eight percent of participants between ages 18 to 24 perceived themselves at minimal risk for developing type II diabetes. Sampled participants reported a mean of 2.25 (type II) diabetes risk factors out of 18 diabetes risk factors. Additionally, there were significant differences ( …

Disability And Women's Health, Stephanie Stockburger, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Children, adolescents, and women with disabilities experience the same sexual development, pubertal changes, concerns, and desire to reproduce as their typically developing counterparts. However, society has tended to stigmatize women with disabilities as "asexual" and ignore this aspect of their health care. These women are less likely to receive gynecological exams, contraception, and evaluation of sexual dysfunction. Unfortunately, having a disability places women at risk for sexual exploitation and abuse as well as sexually transmitted infections. Therefore, reproductive health care for these women is imperative. A number of barriers to receiving reproductive care exist. However, with proper education and knowledge …

Comparison Of Body Composition Measures In Older Adult Males, Cody Smith

Honors Projects

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure created to assess population wide staistics of obesity and stratify health risk. However, there are large differences in health risk when comparing BMI with measures of body composition. BMI is not a measure of body composition. Body composition measures are used to distinguish between fat mass, fat-free mass. This percent body fat is more significantly correlated with health risk.

This study analyzed various body composition methodologies including waist circumference at the umbilicus and at the narrowest point of the abdomen, sagittal abdominal diameter, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and air displacement plethysmography. The study’s purpose …

The Relationship Between Perceived High Levels Of Stress And Non-Condom Usage Among College Students At The University Of Kentucky, Samantha Bearman

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

Introduction: Due to the paucity of research that specifically examines the non-use of condoms, during sexual encounters, as a maladaptive coping strategy for stress among college students; the purpose of my study, is to determine if there is an association between perceived high levels of stress and the decreased likelihood of condom use during sex among students at the University of Kentucky. Method: The cross-sectional descriptive study investigated health behaviors and attitudes towards health behaviors in a sample of 7,000 University of Kentucky students enrolled in courses for fall 2013. Participants were randomly selected to partake in an anonymous online …

Impact Of Routine Immunization Coverage In Controlling Measles And Progressing Toward The Introduction Of Rubella Containing Vaccine: A Comparison Study Between Rwanda And Uganda, Carmen Kupangi Dibaya

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

Despite the existence of safe and effective vaccines, measles and rubella present a major public health problem in many developing countries, disproportionally affecting low-income populations.1-3 Indeed, measles and rubella remain two of the leading causes of death and congenital defects in children worldwide.4-6 In 2008, an estimated 10 million new cases and 164,000 deaths were reported from measles alone.3 During the same time period, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported an estimated 110,000 cases of Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) in developing countries, with the continent of Africa shouldering 38% of the disease burden.7 Measles is a highly …

An Exploration Of Empowerment, Sexual Violence, And Hiv Among Indian Women, Brigid Kyung-Hwa Cecil

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

Empowerment plays a major role in sexual violence and HIV among women worldwide. Findings on empowerment in relation to domestic violence or HIV are scarce and are conflicting. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between empowerment and HIV status by means of sexual violence, and to compare this relationship between previously married women (N = 2,658) and currently married women (N = 37,539) living in India. The Baron and Kenny mediated regression model was used, involving simple logistic and multiple logistic regression, drawing from the National Family Health Survey 2005-2006 (NFHS-3). Sexual violence was not found …

Farmers’ Market Shopping Behaviors And The Association Of Fruit And Vegetable Intake, Sarah G. Perkins

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Fruit and vegetable (FV) intake continues to decline among sub-population in the United States. Current policies and interventions have aimed to improve intake by improving access to fruits and vegetables. One Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested strategy is to improve access to farmers’ markets in rural areas. The aims of this study were to determine if the frequency of shopping at Farmers’ Markets is associated with fruit and vegetable intake, adjusted for age, income and education and to compare rural and non-rural areas frequency of Farmers’ Market attendance based on Kentucky farmers’ market interview participants (n = 102). …

Factors In Breastfeeding Initiation Among Central Kentucky Wic And Non-Wic Participants, Lila Nicole Farnsworth

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Vital statistics data were statistically analyzed to determine who is breastfeeding in central Kentucky and if factors differ between those in a WIC and non-WIC population. The sample consisted of 479 postpartum women aged 18-44 in central Kentucky. Participants in the study were analyzed as a whole, then divided by their participation in the WIC program (n=304) or non-participation in the WIC program (n=175). Variables recorded in the vital statistics form were analyzed. These variables included age, education level, marital status, and ethnicity of the mother, household income status, and gender, gestational age, and birth weight of the infant. In …

Oral Health Literacy Of Parents And Dental Service Use For Children Enrolled In Medicaid, Angel Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many people in the United States have untreated dental disease due to a lack of dental insurance, a lack of oral health knowledge, and a lack of priority placed on dental health. Despite an increase in dental service use by Medicaid recipients as a result of local programs, children enrolled in Medicaid often have low rates of use of dental services. Using the health literacy framework of the Paasche-Orlow and Wolf (POW) model, the purpose of this study was to explore to the relationship between oral health literacy of parents and dental service use for children enrolled in Medicaid and …

Perception Of Childhood Obesity And Support For Prevention Policies Among Latinos And Whites, Douglas M. Puricelli Purin, Leah Frerichs, Sergio Costa, Amelie G. Ramirez, Terry T.-K. Huang

Publications and Research

A cross-sectional survey was administered to Latino and White residents of Omaha, NE, to assess perception of the childhood obesity problem, attribution of responsibility, and support for obesity-related policies. The sample included 40.8% () Latinos and 59.2% () Whites. Among Latinos, 25% did not see childhood obesity as a problem, compared to 6% of Whites (). This difference persisted after adjusting for age, gender, and education level (odds ratio (OR) 2.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–4.14). Latinos were more likely to agree that government was responsible for addressing childhood obesity compared to Whites (OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.82–4.35). Higher support …

Governing For Health As The World Grows Older: Healthy Lifespans In Aging Societies, Lawrence O. Gostin, Anna Garsia

Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works

So much of global health governance focuses intensely on a brief moment in the human lifespan—from a safe birth to infant and child survival. Yet, with all the attention to this early window of life (infancy to age five), the opposite end of the life spectrum is comparatively neglected. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) do not mention a healthy lifespan or a healthy old age. This inadequate attention to the older years of the life appears to be a glaring omission given the universal challenges posed by aging societies. Aging is a demographic fact in almost all countries, but it …