Digital Commons Network^™

Physiotherapists' Knowledge Of Ageing And Its Associated Factors, Unyime Jasper, Olayinka Akinrolie, Cornelius Mahdi Ishaku, Nnamdi Mgbemena

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To evaluate knowledge of ageing and its associated factors among Nigerian physiotherapists (PTs).

Methods: We used a three-part questionnaire. Knowledge of ageing was evaluated with Palmore’s Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ). Certain questions in the FAQ were modified to reflect the local setting. We conducted a validity and reliability check on the questionnaire using test-retest with 10 PTs. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and multiple linear regression.

Resullts: Out of 204 PTs invited, 186 agreed to participate. Test-retest of the FAQ revealed a Cronbach alpha of 0.78. The age of participants ranged from …

Impact Of An Education Session On Improving Female Collegiate Athletes’ Comfort With Women’S Health Topics, Pauline Skowron, Ramandeep Kaur, S. Andrew Cage, Carly Wadle, Laurel Trail, Lynzi K. Warner, Brandon J. Warner

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a face-to-face education session on women’s health topics to improve comfort among college female athletes when discussing women’s health topics with coaches, athletic trainers, and primary care physicians. A secondary purpose was to assess the effectiveness of the education session on college female athletes’ perceived knowledge of topics related to women’s health. Methods: A total of 44 female collegiate student athletes competing at an NCAA Division II institution consented to and participated in this study as a convenience sample (age= 20 ± 1 years). Immediately prior to the …

How Did Covid-19 Impact Physiology Research Globally? – Lessons Learned And Future Recommendations, Jeet Patel, Santanu De

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

The Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused massive changes in the medical field across the globe. As the whole world moved from in-person to remote activities, students found themselves in a predicament where they were compelled towards schooling and work online from home. This would mean that all projects, research, tests, and meetings were conducted over Zoom or other online meeting platforms. Laboratories were shut down or only a limited number of people were allowed to enter to conduct the necessary research. This paper discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic affected research process and experiments within various aspects of the …

Using Implementation Mapping To Design An Implementation Strategy For Classroom-Based Physical Activity Approaches In Elementary Schools, Timothy J Walker, Derek W Craig, Christopher D Pfledderer, Kempson Onadeko, Emma E Saving, Hildi M Nicksic, Krista Patlovich, Keisey Fumero, John B Bartholomew, Maria E Fernández

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Physically active breaks and lessons are evidence-based approaches to improving student's physical activity. Yet, schools and teachers face implementation challenges, requiring the need for effective implementation strategies.

Purpose: Use Implementation Mapping to develop an implementation strategy for physically active breaks and lessons in elementary schools.

Methods: With our partner school district, we assembled a planning group with expertise in education, public health, and implementation science. The group completed five Implementation Mapping tasks: (i) conduct needs and assets assessment and identify adopters and implementers, (ii) identify implementation outcomes, performance objectives, and determinants, and create matrices of change objectives, (iii) choose …

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Healing Through Storytelling And Mindful Narrative Therapy, Julie Kemp

Mindfulness Studies Theses

This study presents research about the nature and prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), the mental and physical impacts to individuals exposed to ACEs, and incorporating mindfulness practices into therapeutic approaches to treating them, particularly Mindfulness-Based Narrative Therapy (MBNT). It is important because ACEs have become a global crisis, with the potential for interfering with psychological and physical development, early mortality, and other harmful life outcomes. This thesis provides critical information for mindfulness teachers and practitioners, therapists, educators, regulators, parents, and individuals subjected to ACEs.

The methodology includes extensive literature searches for narrative therapy and mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in peer-reviewed …

Harm Reduction Without Supportive Policing: Experiences Of Drug Users In Nepal, Chandra Jha, Dennis Donovan

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

This study explored the impact of drug criminalization and policing on harm reduction efforts in Nepal. In contexts marked by widespread corruption, drug criminalization often exacerbates the mistreatment by law enforcement of people who use drugs (PWUD), creating substantial barriers to their accessing harm reduction services. Utilizing a constructivist framework and a modified grounded theory approach, we conducted in-depth interviews with 20 PWUD to examine their experiences with drug use, interactions with police, and the consequent effects on harm reduction efforts. Three key themes emerged: the exploitation of PWUD as a significant source of income for corrupt police officers, the …

Associations Between Social Determinants Of Health And Mental Health Disorders Among U.S. Population: A Cross-Sectional Study, S. Tanarsuwongkul

Faculty Publications

Aims

The impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on mental health is increasingly realized. A comprehensive study examining the associations of SDOH with mental health disorders has yet to be accomplished. This study evaluated the associations between five domains of SDOH and the SDOH summary score and mental health disorders in the United States.

Methods

We analyzed data from a diverse group of participants enrolled in the All of Us research programme, a research programme to gather data from one million people living in the United States, in a cross-sectional design. The primary exposure was SDOH based on Healthy …

A Proposed Mhealth Intervention To Address Patient Barriers To Colposcopy Attendance: Qualitative Interview Study Of Clinic Staff And Patient Perspectives, Jennifer Hemler, Rachel Wagner, Brittany Sullivan, Myneka Macenat, Erin Tagai, Jazmarie Vega, Enrique Hernandez, Suzanne Miller, Kuang-Yi Wen, Charletta Ayers, Mark Einstein, Shawna Hudson, Racquel Kohler

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer disparities persist among minoritized women due to infrequent screening and poor follow-up. Structural and psychosocial barriers to following up with colposcopy are problematic for minoritized women. Evidence-based interventions using patient navigation and tailored telephone counseling, including the Tailored Communication for Cervical Cancer Risk (TC3), have modestly improved colposcopy attendance. However, the efficacious TC3 intervention is human resource-intense and could have greater reach if adapted for mobile health, which increases convenience and access to health information.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe feedback from clinic staff members involved in colposcopy processes and patients referred for colposcopy regarding adaptions …

The Functional Fitness Of The Community Dwelling Older Adults In Shan Dong Of Mainland China In Comparison With The Population In Hong Kong, Zongtao Li, Yu Teng, Huigang Wang, Hao Liu, Lei Zhao

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Purpose: To compare the functional fitness (FF) of the community dwelling older adults in Shan Dong (SD) of mainland China with their peers in Hong Kong (HK). Methods: 1887 older adults living in SD were measured with Senior Fitness Test (SFT) One sample T test was used to determine the age grooup difference in each FF component between the population of SD and HK. Results: Compared with their HK peers, SD older adults showed higher performance in the task of 30s arm curl, but lower abilities in 30s chair stand, back scratch, chair sit & reach, and 8 ft …

Students' Perceived Value And Emotions In Turkish Physical Education: Testing Moderation By Gender And Sports Involvement, Mehmet Ceylan, Kelly L. Simonton

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Physical Education (PE) has been recognized as a key element in developing student enjoyment for physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits. Student emotions may dictate learning and motivation, but less is known regarding the perceptions of value and control that shape these emotions. Specifically, within certain K-12 PE national curriculums and cultures, the goals and objectives of PE, along with its emphasis on physical activity and sport, may influence the emotional response of students and their perceived value of PE. If students feel a lack of value, negative emotions, and marginalized by the content then it is unlikely their experiences …

Mental Health Conditions Of Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease And Comorbidities, Amanda M. Hinson-Enslin, Luis E. Espinoza, Jennifer L. Talleff

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Although the association is not well understood, people with COPD are likely to suffer from mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Due to this occurrence, the aim of the present study is to better understand the mental health experience and COPD comorbidities of U.S. adults with a COPD diagnosis. The final sample comprised 1,676 U.S. adults who were surveyed in the 2019 National Health Interview Survey adult public file. Logistic and ordinal regression were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios for comorbid conditions predicting depression, anxiety, and the number of mental health issues, respectively. Depressive symptoms were more …

Medicaid Expansion Increases Treatment For Patients With Colon Cancer, John Morgan Lyons, Denise M. Danos, Lauren S. Maniscalco, Yong Yi, Omeed Moaven, Xiaocheng Wu, Quyen Chu

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction: Medicaid expansion (ME) has positively impacted colon cancer screening. ME’s effect on colon cancer treatment is less clear. This study analyses the effect of ME on patterns of colon cancer treatment. Methods: Patients with primary invasive colon cancer were identified using the Louisiana Tumor Registry. Patients diagnosed with colon cancer prior to ME (2014–2015) were compared to those diagnosed after (2017–2018). Coordinate variables were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. Treatment status was modeled with multivariable logistic regression and the results are reported as adjusted odds ratios. Results: The proportion of uninsured patients decreased following ME (5.5 versus 1.9, p < 0.001), with the greatest reductions among patients between 45 and 54 years old (13.5% to 3.5%, p < 0.0001), African Americans (8.9 to 2.1%, p < 0.0001), and those in high-poverty neighborhoods (7.1 to 2.1%, p < 0.0001). Following ME, all patients with Stage I-III disease were more likely to receive surgery (OR = 1.95; 95%: CI 1.21–3.14)—especially the extremely impoverished (OR = 2.39; 95% CI 1.41–4.02). Young patients with Stage IV colon cancer were more likely to receive chemotherapy (OR-1.6; 95% CI 1.03–2.4). Patients with Stage IV colon cancer were less likely to receive treatment within 30 days of diagnosis (OR = 0.7; 95% CI 0.5–0.9), but, on subset analysis, this was only observed in non-Medicaid patients. Conclusion: ME is associated with increased treatment for patients with colon cancer, and it did not appear to affect time to treatment. However, it seems to affect different subsets of the population differently.

Toward Personalized Digital Experiences To Promote Diabetes Self-Management: Mixed Methods Social Computing Approach, Tavleen Singh, Kirk Roberts, Kayo Fujimoto, Jing Wang, Constance Johnson, Sahiti Myneni

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes affects nearly 34.2 million adults and is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Digital health communities have emerged as avenues to provide social support to individuals engaging in diabetes self-management (DSM). The analysis of digital peer interactions and social connections can improve our understanding of the factors underlying behavior change, which can inform the development of personalized DSM interventions.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective is to apply our methodology using a mixed methods approach to (1) characterize the role of context-specific social influence patterns in DSM and (2) derive interventional targets that enhance individual …

Predictors Of Antidepressant Use In Stroke Survivors And Evaluating The Role Of Time-Varying Depressive Symptoms On The Association Between Antidepressant Use And Stroke, Hely Divyanshu Nanavati

All ETDs from UAB

Depression is a mental health crisis affecting 21 million Americans. Consequently, antidepressants are one of the most prescribed classes of medications in the American population. Depression is also a common adverse outcome after stroke with one in three patients having depressive symptoms within the first year of their stroke recovery phase. Antidepressants are effective in the treatment and prevention of depressive symptoms in stroke patients. However, the overall antidepressant use in the acute post-stroke phase and the patient characteristics influencing the prevalence of receiving antidepressant prescriptions during acute stroke hospitalization are not known. Depression is also associated with higher risk …

Gateways, Barriers, And Facilitators To Opioid Use Treatment For Low-Income Pregnant And Postpartum Women In The State Of Alabama, Lindsey Allison Rice Bender

All ETDs from UAB

Low income, pregnant and postpartum women who misuse opioids in the state of Alabama face potentially life-threatening challenges when seeking substance misuse treatment and recovery support services. Our study used an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach to explore gateways, barriers, and facilitators to opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment for pregnant and postpartum women in the state of Alabama. Surveys from 32 pregnant and postpartum individuals and in-depth interviews with 15 pregnant and postpartum individuals (four pregnant, four 0-6 months postpartum, four 7-12 months postpartum and three 13-18 months postpartum) were used to identify gateways, barriers, and facilitators to OUD treatment. Our …

Parental Monitoring, Peer Connectedness, And Potential Exposure To Stis In Adolescents Using The Youth And Risk Behavior Survey (Yrbs) Of 2021, Allyson L. Pullen

All ETDs from UAB

Background: Adolescents are significantly affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), a public health challenge linked to high-risk sexual behaviors, including early sexual initiation, unprotected intercourse, multiple partners, and substance use. Protective factors such as parental monitoring and peer connectedness have demonstrated the potential to reduce adolescent risky behaviors. This study aims to examine the relationship between parental monitoring, peer connectedness, and potential exposure to STIs in high school students. Methods: This study analyzed data from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), focusing on potential STI exposure, parental monitoring, and peer connectedness among U.S. high school students. Potential STI exposure …

Rethinking The Rise Of Early-Onset Gastrointestinal Cancers: A Call To Action, Benjamin A Weinberg, Caitlin C Murphy, David R Freyer, K Leigh Greathouse, Jan K Blancato, Elena M Stoffel, Julia L Drewes, Anne Blaes, John M Salsman, Y Nancy You, Hannah Arem, Reetu Mukherji, Priyanka Kanth, Xin Hu, Anne Fabrizio, Marion L Hartley, Marios Giannakis, John L Marshall

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Since the early 1990s, there has been a dramatic rise in gastrointestinal cancers diagnosed in patients under age 50 for reasons that remain poorly understood. The most significant change has been the increase in incidence rates of early-onset colorectal cancer, especially rates of left-sided colon and rectal cancers. Increases in gastric, pancreatic, and other gastrointestinal cancer diagnoses have further contributed to this trend. We formed a multidisciplinary Think Tank to develop a strategic, coordinated approach to studying early-onset gastrointestinal cancers. This area of research is challenging given multifactorial etiologies. We focused on epidemiology and the environment, the microbiome, and survivorship …

Beyond The Numbers: A Qualitative Exploration Of Patient Perspectives On Postpartum Care And Maternal Mortality, Kristen A. Waters

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Introduction

Montgomery County faces one of Ohio's highest maternal mortality rates, with notable disparities by race. Despite their importance in reducing maternal deaths, up to 40% of women nationwide do not attend a postpartum care (PPC) visit. While well researched guidelines exist regarding the content and timing of PPC visits, there is a lack of patient perspective on this topic, specifically in the Black-identifying population in an area with a significant burden of maternal mortality.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews and focus group sessions were conducted with 31 participants of maternal health community events in Dayton, OH. Participants were asked their opinions …

Suicide Exposure In The Army National Guard: A Three Manuscript Dissertation, Rebecca Willis-Nichols

Theses and Dissertations--Social Work

Between 2000-2022, the U.S. suicide rate increased 36% with one death now occurring every 11 minutes (CDC, 2024). Despite the Department of Defense making a concerted effort to curb the suicide increases in their ranks, the rates have continued to rise. Active-duty component rates have slowly increased since 2011 while reserve and guard components have held steady (U.S. Department of Defense, 2023). After adjusting for age, the suicide rate in the veteran population was 57% greater than the civilian population in 2020 (CDC, 2024). There is a need for a better understanding of the impact of these deaths and the …

Long Commute Time And Association With Physical And Mental Health Variables, Nate Hopper, Gitty Goldstein, Meytal Guller

Scholarship in Medicine - All Papers

Commuting to work or school is a common choice influenced by financial, social, or personal reasons, and it is important to ascertain whether this choice comes with negative health detriments. Using the county health data from 2016 and 2023 publicly available on the County Health Ranking and Roadmaps website, we conducted a retrospective review to see what health outcomes may be associated with a long commute. We looked at six different states, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. We found a very weak correlation between commute and insufficient sleep, median household income, physical inactivity, mental stress, and diabetes. …

Covid-19 Taking Aim At The Heart Of Public Education, Jeremy James Pyle

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The COVID-19 pandemic, distinguished by both its duration and widespread impact, stands apart from other crises typically faced by schools, such as natural disasters, school violence, or isolated traumatic incidents. Unlike these shorter-term events, the pandemic fundamentally altered the educational landscape, reshaping both school climate and instructional practices. This non-experimental, descriptive study employed a phenomenological research approach to examine the lived experiences of teachers during and after the pandemic. The central aim was to explore how pandemic-related stressors influenced teachers’ decisions to remain in or leave the profession, as well as to identify the supports educators perceived as necessary for …

From Stress To Social Context: Examining The Drivers Of Excessive Drinking, Esha Kulkarni, Rudra Gandhi

Scholarship in Medicine - All Papers

Investigating different variables and the impact they have on excessive drinking can help us enhance our population’s overall quality of life. Our research examined key variables, including social associations, unemployment, education level, rural residency, mental health, physical distress, and access to mental health providers.
In Ohio, excessive drinking rates increased significantly between 2016 and 2023, coinciding with a decline in social association rates. A moderate positive correlation was identified between excessive drinking and educational attainment (r = .480, p < .001), suggesting increased alcohol use in more educated populations. Unexpectedly, a weak negative correlation emerged between unemployment and excessive drinking, challenging conventional assumptions. Additionally, the prevalence of frequent poor mental health in Ohio rose remarkably between 2016 and 2023, underscoring the growing burden of mental health challenges. Interestingly, no significant correlations were found between excessive drinking and rural residency or the availability of mental health providers. Lastly, a significant 37% of the variance in excessive drinking was explained by frequent physical distress, highlighting alcohol's potential role as a coping mechanism.
These results underscore the multifaceted nature of excessive drinking and its ties to societal and individual stressors. Addressing these issues through …

Los Inmigrantes Indocumentados Y Su Pelea Para La Salud Medica En Los Estados Unidos, Alejandro Del Rello

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This essay explores the critical issue of healthcare access for undocumented immigrants in the United States. Despite contributing significantly to the economy through labor and taxes, undocumented immigrants face systemic barriers to medical care, including lack of insurance, fear of deportation, and economic troubles. These barriers result in untreated illnesses, mental health struggles, and increased use of emergency services, which generate higher long-term costs. The paper argues for inclusive healthcare policies, such as Medicaid expansion and protections for patient privacy, to improve public health, reduce disparities, and enhance economic stability. Drawing from U.S. and international examples, the essay demonstrates that …

Burnout In The Emergency Room: Corrective Measures Vs. The Absence Of Solutions, Zane Walters, Zachary Woodall

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Physician burnout has become an increasingly prevalent and critical issue in healthcare systems worldwide, particularly among emergency room physicians who face high-stress, high-demand working conditions. Burnout manifests as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment, leading to negative outcomes for physicians’ mental health, job satisfaction, and overall career longevity. This phenomenon not only threatens the well-being of physicians but also compromises patient care quality and contributes to costly turnover within healthcare organizations.

Purpose of the Study: The aim of this study was to systematically investigate the impact of burnout interventions on emergency room physicians. …

Addressing The Opioid Epidemic Across The United States And In West Virginia, Kailyn Smith, Addison Hughes

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The opioid crisis had a profound impact on public health across the United States and West Virginia, with overdose deaths reaching unprecedented levels by 2021. Traditional abstinence-only rehabilitation programs demonstrated limited success, largely due to high relapse rates and insufficient mental health support. These programs often overlooked the complex relationship between opioid addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, which are common among those with substance use disorders. In contrast, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), when supplemented with behavioral therapies and antidepressant medications, has shown greater success in improving recovery outcomes and reducing relapse rates. This …

A Survey-Based Quantitative Analysis Of Stress Factors And Their Impacts Among Cybersecurity Professionals, Sunil Arora, John D. Hastings

Research & Publications

This study investigates the prevalence and underlying causes of work-related stress and burnout among cybersecurity professionals using a quantitative survey approach guided by the Job Demands-Resources model. Analysis of responses from 50 cybersecurity practitioners reveals an alarming reality: 44% report experiencing severe work-related stress and burnout, while an additional 28% are uncertain about their condition. The demanding nature of cybersecurity roles, unrealistic expectations, and unsupportive organizational cultures emerge as primary factors fueling this crisis. Notably, 66% of respondents perceive cybersecurity jobs as more stressful than other IT positions, with 84% facing additional challenges due to the pandemic and recent high-profile …

Help-Seeking For Problematic Alcohol Use: Stigma, Shame, & Guilt, Olivia G. Chapell

2025 Honors Symposium

Stigmatization is a prevalent barrier to help-seeking behaviors in problematic alcohol users, especially among college-aged students. By using a cross-sectional electronic survey method, the relationship between personal or immediate family experience with substance-related treatment and perceptions of stigmatization was assessed.

The Birth Experience During The First Wave Of Covid-19 Lockdown In New York Hospitals: A Qualitative Study, Emily Morse Small M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

In 2020, alongside the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, 209,338 births occurred in New York State (Osterman et al., 2022). While much of the public adjusted to working or learning in a virtual world, many hospitals in New York remained open to treat those in need of care. Women nearing the end of their pregnancy, many of whom felt that they had no other choice, found themselves headed to the hospital—to the labor and delivery unit. Many studies completed outside of the United States on the birth experience during the pandemic found an increase in the likelihood of negative …

Nsu Outreach, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Digital: Communiversity

No abstract provided.

Nsu Communiversity Outreach, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Digital: Communiversity

No abstract provided.