Digital Commons Network^™

Occupational Respiratory Health Surveillance At Minara Resources, Murrin Murrin Mine Site [Journal Article], Martyn Cross, Jacques Oosthuizen

Research outputs 2013

A respiratory health study of fly-in-fly-out workers potentially exposed to airborne contaminants, and a control group, was conducted at the Murrin Murrin mine site in Western Australia. Lung function was measured in terms of validated protocols (American Thoracic Society, 1995; Miller et al, 2005). The effect of length of service, as well as work area/department on lung function was established. Repeat lung function tests were conducted after approximately two years, in order to measure decrements over time. Furthermore, testing was conducted on a cohort of refinery workers prior to commencement and upon completion of their work period on-site (swing), in …

Plain Language Review Of Cardiovascular Health Among Indigenous Australians, Caitlin Gray

Research outputs 2013

This document summarises, in plain language, information about the cardiovascular health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It provides information about :

• the various cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors
• the extent of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including prevalence, hospitalisation and death rates
• types and levels of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander CVD patients
• strategies and programs that aim to improve the cardiovascular health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The publication is a plain language summary of the Review of cardiovascular health among Indigenous Australians (2013) by …

Overview Of The Health Of Indigenous People In Western Australia 2013, Neil Thomson, Andrea Macrae, Anomie, Jane Burns, Belinda D'Costa, Caitlin Gray, Joanne Hoareau, Leah Levitan, Miranda Poynton, Kathy Ride, Avinna Trzesinski

Research outputs 2013

This Overview has been prepared by the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet as a part of our contributions to ‘closing the gap’ in health between Indigenous people and other Australians by making relevant, high quality knowledge and information easily accessible to policy makers, health service providers, program managers, clinicians, researchers, students and the general community.

The main purpose of the Overview is to provide a comprehensive summary of the most recent indicators of the health of Indigenous people.

Research for this Overview involved the collection, collation, and analysis of a wide range of relevant information, including both published and unpublished material. Sources …

Review Of Physical Activity Among Indigenous People, Caitlin A. Gray, Rona Macniven, Neil J. Thomson

Research outputs 2013

Physical activity is important for all Australians, particularly in the prevention, management and treatment of chronic conditions, and for social and emotional wellbeing. Chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular conditions, endocrine conditions (such as diabetes), and certain cancers, account for 70% of the observed difference in the burden of disease between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. Modifiable risk factors, particularly behavioural determinants such as physical activity, can help to reduce the extent and impact of these conditions, and assist in the prevention, management and treatment of disease. The levels and impacts of physical inactivity are greater for Indigenous people than they …

Review Of Kidney Disease Among Indigenous People, Sasha A. Stumpers, Neil J. Thomson

Research outputs 2013

Kidney disease is a significant health problem for all Australians, but severe kidney disease is more common among Indigenous people than among non- Indigenous people. In particular, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the overall levels of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are consistently reported as significantly higher than among other Australians. Information on CKD among Indigenous Australians is available from self-reported survey data, as well as from community-based studies and screening programs [10-20] but the main focus in the literature has been on ESKD. The incidence of ESKD is especially high …

Desert In The Springs: Ethnography Of A Food Desert, Margeaux Alana Chavez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

"Food desert" commonly describes food insecure areas with few fresh food outlets. Though used in a number of sources, the definition of "food desert" remains largely undeveloped and research is often deficit oriented, failing to account for community assets that may exist within food deserts but are underutilized or under-supported. Using an assets-based, ethnographic approach, this study combines GIS and survey methodology with participant observation and qualitative interviews to assess the potential positive effect of urban agriculture on food accessibility in Sulphur Springs, a USDA identified urban food desert in Tampa, Florida.

Ethnographic data suggest that within this neighborhood, residents …

Factors Related To The Professional Management Of Early Breastfeeding Problems: Perspectives Of Lactation Consultants, Erica Hesch Anstey

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Addressing the sub-optimal breastfeeding initiation and duration rates has become a national priority. Inadequate support for addressing early breastfeeding challenges is compounded by a lack of collaboration between providers such as lactation professionals, nurses, pediatricians, and the family. The purpose of this exploratory study was to understand International Board Certified Lactation Consultants' (IBCLCs) perceived barriers to managing early breastfeeding problems. This qualitative study was guided by the symbolic interactionist framework through a grounded theory methodological approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 IBCLCs from across Florida. IBCLCs were from a range of practice settings, including hospitals, WIC clinics, private practice, …

Referral Tracking Pilot And Referral Outcome Rates For The School Health Program In Panama, Jesica Eileen Candanedo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: The School Health Program (SHP) in the Republic of Panama includes preventive healthcare services delivery and referral issuing at elementary schools nationwide. Despite these early prevention efforts, a majority of referrals are apparently not achieving their desired outcome. This idea is supported by the SHP data showing preventable diseases on the rise. Thus, learning the outcome rates of particular referral outcomes may provide a basis for appropriately targeted action.

Methods: Three focus groups were conducted with health workers, medical records staff, and teachers, respectively. Following systems thinking and framework analysis, a pilot plan for referral tracking and referral outcome …

The Relationship Between High School Coaches' Beliefs About Sports Injury And Prevention Practice Readiness, Siwon Jang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Although sports and other forms of physical activities are associated with numerous health benefits, adolescent sports injury has emerged as an important public health problem. As the most immediate caregivers for athletes, coaches are expected to play an important role in preventing and reducing injuries, -considering that sports medical staff, such as athletic trainers are not always available to care for athletes. However, research on coaches' beliefs and practices related to injury prevention has been limited to coaching competency issues, in which injury prevention is considered only one component. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to describe the coaches' …

More Than Feeding: Lived Experiences Of Low-Income Women Receiving Lactation Support, Emily Anne Dunn

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Increasing breastfeeding duration, especially among low-income women, has become a national public health priority. These mothers and their babies have less equitable access to support, resources, and the health benefits of breastfeeding. This thesis examines breastfeeding from a biocultural perspective with a focus on political economy, embodiment, and human rights. This research explores the lived experiences of new mothers who receive services from a community non-profit lactation support program which is aimed at providing in-home postpartum breastfeeding support to low-income/at-risk mothers. Evaluation of program services and analysis of women's narratives will provide insight into improvement of lactation services for all …

An Analysis Of The Association Between Animal Exposures And The Development Of Type 1 Diabetes In The Teddy Cohort, Callyn Hall

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research on exposure to animals and risk of type 1 diabetes (T1D) has had conflicting results with some researchers finding that animal exposure reduces the risk of T1D and others finding no association between animal exposure and T1D. Previously conducted studies on the association between animal exposure and T1D are case-control studies that have been limited by recall bias. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between early life animal exposure and the risk of persistent, confirmed islet autoantibodies (IA) and T1D diagnosis among an eligible cohort of genetically high T1D risk participants enrolled in the international …

The Role Of Agency In Community Health Outcomes: Local Health Departments And Childhood Immunization Coverage Rates, James Anthony Ransom

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Organizational culture is defined as a system of shared meaning held by members of an organization that distinguishes it from other organizations. How organizational culture is experienced in the public sector, particularly local health departments (LHDs), is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to determine whether LHD organizational culture impacts childhood immunization coverage rates. I used a modified organizational culture survey tool, the Organizational Management Survey, to quantify organizational culture and determine whether an LHD's organizational culture helps explain variations in childhood immunization coverage rates. In addition, qualitative data from an earlier study of LHD immunization staff …

Malnutrition In Sickle Cell Anemia: Implications For Infection, Growth And Maturation, Hyacinth I. Hyacinth, Oluwatoyosi A. Adekeye, Christopher S. Yilgwan

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a genetic disease that affects mostly individuals of African and/or Hispanic descent, with the majority of cases in sub-Saharan Africa. Individuals with this disease show slowed growth, delayed sexual maturity, and poor immunologic function. These complications could partly be explained by the state of undernutrition associated with the disease. Proposed mechanism of undernutrition include protein hypermetabolism, decreased dietary intake possibly from interleukin-6-related appetite suppression, increased cardiac energy demand/expenditure, and increased red cell turnover. All the above mechanisms manifest as increased resting energy expenditure. Nutritional intervention utilizing single or multiple nutrient supplementation has led to improved …

Epidemiology Of Hospital Acquired Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus In A Veterans Affairs Medical Center Spinal Cord Injury Unit: Fiscal Years 2008-2011, Rebecca B. Stone

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this retrospective case-control study was to assess risk factors contributing to hospital acquired methicillin Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) and gain a better understanding of the burden of HA-MRSA infection in patients with spinal cord injuries. The study was also conducted to see if new information would be found on HA-MRSA infections and validate or refute current research for patients in a dedicated spinal cord injury unit at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. During the study period, the infection control department identified 95 cases of HA-MRSA. Additional data retrospectively collected were basic demographics, admitting diagnosis, presence of varying comorbidities, …

Precocious Puberty: Pathology, Related Risks, And Support Strategies, Linda B. Synovitz, Joanne Chopak-Foss

Community Health: Faculty Publications

Children are currently starting pubertal development much earlier than 20 to 30 years ago. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) conducted from 1988-1994 revealed that the median age for breast development in white girls was approximately 9.7 years and 8 years in African-American girls versus 10.9 years ago. More recent data, however, indicate that some children are starting pubertal development even earlier (age 7 or 8 in girls or age 9 in boys). Very early pubertal development is identified as precocious puberty, a phenomenon that brings great concern to others besides parents: the child, their …

Mothers Who Formula Feed: Their Practices, Support Needs And Factors Influencing Their Infant Feeding Decision., Roslyn Tarrant, Margaret Sheridan-Pereira, Roberta A. Mccarthy, Katherine M. Younger, John M. Kearney

Articles

The majority of mothers in Ireland provide formula milk to their infants during the initial weeks postpartum; however, data are lacking on their formula feeding practices and support needs. This prospective Dublin-based observational study, which included 450 eligible mother-term infant pairs recruited and followed up to 6 months postpartum, aimed to advance our understanding of maternal formula feeding practices, their reasons for deciding to formula feed, sources of feeding information and perceived support needs; insights into infant formula milk consumption patterns in relation to current feeding guidelines are also provided. In summary, the vast majority of infants at 6 weeks …

Self-Efficacy And Nutrition Knowledge Of Parents In Western Australia, Karen Lombardi

Theses : Honours

Background: Poor dietary choices and increasingly sedentary lifestyles mean childhood obesity is an increasing problem. Parents have the capacity to significantly affect the food choice of children; therefore by improving their self-efficacy, their nutrition knowledge, attitudes and behaviour, and by providing access to sound nutritional information, the health of children may be improved.

Purpose: This research sought to gather preliminary information required to inform the development of nutrition education materials for parents, which will parallel those currently under development for teaching children in schools as part of the Australian curriculum. Research has demonstrated that while educating children about healthy eating …

Cannabis Use And Its Socio-Demographic Correlates Among In-School Adolescents In Zambia, Seter Siziya, Adamson S. Muula, Chola Besa, Olesegun Babaniyi, Peter Songolo, Njinga Kankiza, Emmanuel Rudatsikira

Faculty Publications

Background

Cannabis dependence in adolescents predicts increased risks of using other illicit drugs, poor academic performance and reporting psychotic symptoms. The prevalence of cannabis use was estimated two decades ago in Zambia among secondary school students. There are no recent estimates of the extent of the problem; further, correlates for its use have not been documented in Zambia. The objective of study was to estimate the current prevalence of cannabis use and its socio-demographic correlates among in-school adolescents.

Methods

We conducted secondary analysis of data that was obtained from the 2004 Zambia Global School-Based Health Survey. Logistic regression analysis was …

Alcohol Consumption And Its Correlates Among Residents Of Mining Town, Kitwe, Zambia: 2011 Population Based Survey, Cosmas Zyaambo, Olesegun Babaniyi, Peter Songolo, Adamson S. Muula, Emmanuel Rudatsikira, Seter Siziya

Faculty Publications

Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, liver cirrhosis and cancers. It has also been associated with risky sexual behaviors, hence, attributed as a factor in the increase of HIV incidence and prevalence. A cross sectional study was conducted using a modified World Health Organizations Global Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) Surveillance Initiative NCD-STEPs 1and 2. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the determinants of alcohol consumption. A total of 1627 individuals participated in the survey, of which 42.3% were males. Some 22.3% (36.2% of male and 12.1% of female; p<0.001) participants reported to have consumed alcohol during the 30 days preceding the survey. The factors considered to be associated with alcohol consumption were age, sex and smoking. Compared to respondents age 25-34 years, respondents of age 35-44 years were 38% (AOR = 1.38, 95%CI [1.11, 1.70]) more likely to report having consumed alcohol and those aged 45 years or older were 26% (AOR = 0.74, 95%CI [0.60, 0.93]) less likely to report having consumed alcohol. Female respondents were 47% (AOR = 0.53, 95%CI [0.46, 0.60]) less likely to report consuming alcohol compared to male respondents. Compared to respondents who reported smoking cigarettes, those who did not smoke cigarettes were 51% (AOR = 0.49, 95%CI [0.40, 0.59]) less likely to consume alcohol. The rate of alcohol consumption is high in this mining town. Factors identified in this study as associated with alcohol consumption, i.e., male sex, age, cigarette smoking, should be considered in designing interventions to curtail the level of alcohol consumption.

Self - Inflicted Serious Injuries Among Adolescents In Zambia, Adamson S. Muula, Seter Siziya, Emmanuel Rudatsikira

Faculty Publications

Injuries are a growing cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Data from Southern Africa are limited, possibly because of limited research prioritization of the issue and pre-occupation with communicable diseases. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of, and assess factors associated with, self-inflicted serious injuries among in-school adolescents in Zambia. We used data collected from the 2004 Zambia Global School-Based Health Survey to estimate prevalence of self-inflicted serious injury within the past 12 months. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between selected predictor variables and reported history of having seriously injured oneself. Out …

Plain Language Review Of Physical Activity Among Indigenous Australians, Caitlin Gray

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This review provides information on physical activity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is a valuable overview for people working in the area and aims to assists in the development/refinement of policies, strategies and programs. This review of physical activity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians has been prepared by the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet as a part of our contributions to 'closing the gap' in health between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians by making relevant, high quality knowledge and information easily accessible to policy makers, health service providers, program managers, clinicians, researchers …

A Critical Ethnography Of Globalization In Lesotho, Africa: Syndemic Water Insecurity And The Micro-Politics Of Participation, Cassandra Lin Workman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In spite of decades-long development programs, Lesotho faces an ongoing problem of water insecurity with far- reaching individual and social impacts. The purpose of this research was to understand how women in Lesotho are impacted by the synergistic epidemics, or syndemics, of water insecurity and HIV/AIDS and how they respond to these forces. Little has been done to address how water insecurity, defined in terms of both sufficient amount and quality of water, catalyzes the syndemic impact on the people of Lesotho. Access to safe and reliable sources of water is crucial for all individuals, particularly those who have been …

Exploring Potential Risk Factors Of Fetal Origins Of Diabetes: Maternal Stressors During Pregnancy And Birth Outcomes Among Women In A Hospital In The Municipality Of Caguas, Puerto Rico, Juan Pablo Arroyo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Puerto Rico has the highest prevalence of type 2 diabetes, low birth-weight, and the second highest prevalence of preterm-birth in all the U.S. and its non-incorporated territories. These conditions are related. Birth-weight at both ends of the spectrum and preterm-birth are associated with an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and immune-inflammatory dysregulations. Maternal psychosocial stressors during pregnancy have also been recognized as potential risk factors for type 2 diabetes, and have been consistently associated with preterm-birth and low birth-weight across populations. Current evidence points toward epigenetic fetal metabolic-programming as the mechanism that underlies the increased risk for the …

School Mental Health: Views Of Services Integration And Attitudes Toward Evidence-Based, Donna L. Burton

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Purpose of the study. Through secondary data analysis of results from the School Mental Health Services Integration Survey (SMHSIS), this study describes indicators of school mental health integration preparedness, including role identification, willingness to engage in tasks associated with mental health services integration and implementation facilitators. The study also investigated the utility of a modified version of the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS) for use with school staff.

Study rationale. With as many as 20% of children meeting criteria for mental disorders that cause impairment, the gaps in mental health services delivery to this special needs population are evident …

Patients' Perspectives In Following Hypertensive Guidelines On Sodium Intake And Lifestyle Modifications In Panama, Lissette Raquel Chang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore patients' perception and knowledge regarding hypertension and hypertensive guidelines on sodium intake and lifestyle modifications in a work environment in the Republic of Panama. Hypertension is important not only because of its high prevalence but also because it is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. In Panama the prevalence of hypertension is about 38.7% and uncontrolled hypertension is almost 50%.This number may translate into complications for the general population. For instance 52.8% of the population has had an ischemic disease and death by ischemic disease climbed from third place to …

The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status And Body Mass Index On Vitamin D Levels In African American Women With And Without Diabetes Living In Areas With Abundant Sunshine, Shani Vann Davis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationships between socioeconomic status (SES), body mass index (BMI), and vitamin D levels in African American (AA) women living in areas with abundant sunshine; and to explore if diabetes moderates these relationships.

SIGNIFICANCE: More AA's live in poverty, and experience obesity, diabetes, and chronic disease compared to other groups. Eighty percent of AA women are overweight or obese, and rates of type 2 diabetes is highest in this group. Minority race, obesity, and diabetes increase risks for low vitamin D, and are associated with p

DESIGN AND METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive research design was used to …

Cost Of Treatment Of Asthma Attacks In A Tertiary Level Healthcare Hospital In Panama, Nydia Flores Chiari

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by inflammation of the airway and the presence of recurrent attacks (exacerbations) of breathlessness, wheezing, cough, chest tightness, or some combination of these symptoms. In the US, about 53% of people with asthma had an asthma attack in 2008, and 57% of these, were children. One in ten children (10%) had asthma in 2009, and boys were more likely than girls to have asthma. Internationally, the prevalence of asthma varies widely in different countries, but the disparity is narrowing due to rising prevalence in low and middle income countries. Unfortunately, we do not …

The Water Culture Beliefs Of Embera Communities And Maternal And Child Health In The Republic Of Panama, Ilenia Anneth Forero

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Water has cultural and spiritual values to indigenous people. These beliefs expose them to unsafe water sources and make them vulnerable to waterborne diseases. This background is not taken into account when countries write their water legislations, therefor imposing a management of water not readily accepted by them. The Embera group is one of the indigenous groups from the Republic of Panama, who have strong water beliefs. They live along the shore of rivers in houses built on high stilts away from urban areas. The purpose of this cross-sectional community based study is to describe through a survey the relation …

Evaluation Of Pulmonary Risks Associated With Selected Occupations, Stephen Casey Harbison

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Occupational health surveillance programs are designed to evaluate and reduce injury, illness, and deaths related to workplace hazards. In the state of Florida, there are numerous industries where workers are potentially exposed to airborne hazards from gases, vapors and dusts. Airborne occupational exposures to irritants, vesicants, and fibrogens have the potential to cause pulmonary function impairment if exposures are not properly controlled for high-level acute exposure as well as chronic exposure. For occupations that demand workers be exposed to substances known to be associated with pulmonary function impairment, respirators may be a principal method for exposure

control. OSHA requires pulmonary …

Parent Distress In Life With A Child With Type 1 Diabetes, Lauren Nicole Johnson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to highlight parent distress in diabetes, identify factors associated with distress and to show how public health and clinical professionals can assist parents in coping with their child's diabetes and living positively as a family unit.

Methods:

Parents of youth with diabetes (N = 41 qualitative, N = 332 quantitative) were engaged in focus groups, interviews, and survey research to understand their needs and stressors in life with a child with diabetes. Themes were examined in the qualitative data, and correlations and a regression model were run and analyzed from the quantitative data …