Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluation Of Flooding Disaster Risk Initiatives In Vulnerable Homeless Communities, Nicholas W. O'Clair

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homeless individuals, who have limited resources and lack stable lodging, are particularly vulnerable during disasters, further jeopardizing their already precarious health conditions. By examining the effectiveness of existing preparedness and response strategies on the readiness of homeless individuals during flood events, insights can be gained to enhance emergency operations. The purpose of the study was to investigate the experiences and vulnerabilities of homeless populations in a northeastern U.S. city with the goal of promoting inclusivity and resilience. Research questions involved understanding knowledge of dangers of flooding disasters; disaster preparedness, response, and recovery; and how current public promotion practices of disaster …

Evaluation Of Flooding Disaster Risk Initiatives In Vulnerable Homeless Communities, Nicholas W. O'Clair

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homeless individuals, who have limited resources and lack stable lodging, are particularly vulnerable during disasters, further jeopardizing their already precarious health conditions. By examining the effectiveness of existing preparedness and response strategies on the readiness of homeless individuals during flood events, insights can be gained to enhance emergency operations. The purpose of the study was to investigate the experiences and vulnerabilities of homeless populations in a northeastern U.S. city with the goal of promoting inclusivity and resilience. Research questions involved understanding knowledge of dangers of flooding disasters; disaster preparedness, response, and recovery; and how current public promotion practices of disaster …

Burnout And Health Scores Among Residency Programs As An Indicator Of Wellness, Hannah Manzi, Jon Halling, Nayda Parisio Poldiak, Suzanne Perkins

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

With long hours, significant responsibilities, and a heavy workload, residency can be an incredibly stressful experience. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of residency on mental health and wellness. A secondary aim was to determine if the post-graduate year (PGY) of the different residents impacted their mental health or ability to cope with the stressors of residency.

Methods

Residents in anesthesiology, family medicine, internal medicine, and surgery were invited to complete a survey. The first portion of the survey had residents rank their mental health on a scale from 1 to 5. There was also …

The Feasibility And Impact Of An Asynchronous Interprofessional Well-Being Course On Burnout In Health Care Professionals, Mari Ricker, Audrey J. Brooks, Mei-Kuang Chen, Joy Weydert, Amy Locke, E Kyle Meehan, Paula Cook, Patricia Lebensohn, Victoria Maizes

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Well-being initiatives are essential components in fostering an engaged workforce and creating an effective health care ecosystem. Health care professional (HCP) burnout is widespread and has worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2014, with Health Resources and Services Administration funding support, the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine created an online course for HCP well-being. It was subsequently studied in medical residents and revised in 2020. In this study, we explore the impact of the course across larger systems, as well as the long-term impact on HCPs.

Methods

The Health Care Professional Well-Being course is 4.5 hours of interactive …

Learning From Health Care Counselors’ Perspectives On Health Care Worker Distress: A Qualitative Analysis, Nancy Downs, Judy Davidson, Angela Haddad, Sidney Zisook

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Health care provider stress and emotional distress were well documented long before the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is growing data suggesting these have increased in response to the pandemic. The goal of this study was to take advantage of the unique experiences of licensed mental health (MH) clinicians working with health care trainees and clinicians before and during the pandemic to identify how this crisis affected both ongoing as well as new sources of stress. The Healer Education, Assessment and Referral Program (HEAR) provides MH screening, support, and MH referrals to ~19 000 health care students, trainees, staff, and …

Lifestyle Medicine For The Health Care Worker, Workplace, And Community Well-Being: A Butterfly Effect, Karina Doucet, Nicholas D'Angelo

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Burnout is a prevalent and expensive problem in the US, and the National Plan For Health Workforce Well-Being included a goal to institutionalize well-being as a long-term value. Lifestyle Medicine (LM), an evidence-based practice using behavioral interventions to treat, prevent, and reverse certain chronic conditions, can achieve this goal. Implementing small changes in the workplace that support lifestyle medicine has a butterfly effect on both workplace and community well-being. Furthermore, the health of health care workers (HCWs) and patients improves, and health care costs decrease. This can be done with LM wellness programs or LM training for HCWs. LM wellness …

A Comprehensive Analysis Of How Pet Ownership Impacts The Experiences And Well-Being Of Homeless Individuals, Alexandra G. Watson, Nancy A. Dreschel

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

This paper conducts a thorough examination of the relationship between pet ownership and homelessness. In a context where homelessness in the United States is a growing concern, we delve into an aspect that has received little attention: how homeless individuals and their pets interact. Through an extensive review of existing research, this paper aims to uncover the demographic characteristics of homeless pet owners and understand the significant effects of this bond. Our findings reveal that homeless individuals with pets come from diverse backgrounds, including various ages, genders, and racial backgrounds. Their pets provide not only companionship but also emotional support, …

The Influence Of Childhood Trauma On Dna Methylation Patterns And Sex-Specific Cortisol Stress Reactivity: A Secondary Analysis, Isabella F. Correia

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Childhood trauma has been shown to significantly impact physical and mental health outcomes, leading to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, and difficulties in decision-making and maintaining relationships. Exposure to such trauma has the potential to dysregulate an individual’s stress response system, resulting in abnormal cortisol levels. Many studies suggest a lasting impact of early-life stress on DNA methylation patterns and, separately, cortisol stress reactivity. In addition, there are known sex differences in exposure to childhood trauma and cortisol reactivity; yet studies to date have not investigated whether there is an association to DNA methylation. This study utilized a …

Frontline Nursing Staff’S Perceptions Of Intravenous Medication Administration: The First Step Toward Safer Infusion Processes-A Qualitative Study, Masashi Uramatsu, Naoko Kimura, Takako Kojima, Yoshikazu Fujisawa, Tomoko Oto, Paul Barach

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: Intravenous medication errors continue to significantly impact patient safety and outcomes. This study sought to clarify the complexity and risks of the intravenous administration process.

DESIGN: A qualitative focus group interview study.

SETTING: Focused interviews were conducted using process mapping with frontline nurses responsible for medication administration in September 2020.

PARTICIPANTS: Front line experiened nurses from a Japanese tertiary teaching hospital.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was to identify the mental models frontline nurses used during intravenous medication administration, which influence their interactions with patients, and secondarily, to examine the medication process gaps between the …

A Comparison Of Menstrual Health And Well-Being Among Adolescent Girls In Urban And Rural Areas Of The Belegavi District: A Crossectional Study, Arati Mahishale, Nagma Khan

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Due to their relationship with several health hazards, menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and awareness are major public health concerns in both urban and rural settings. This study examined the awareness of MHM among adolescent girls in Belagavi and assessed their knowledge and understanding of menstruation and related taboos.

Methods: In the Belagavi District of Karnataka, India, a cross-sectional, community-based observational study was carried out. About 380 (as 8 were excluded) menstruating adolescent girls between the ages of 12 and 18 who attended different convent and government schools were included in the study. IBM SPSS version 20 was used to …

Foster Parents Assisting Transitioning Foster Care Youth In Maintaining Stable Housing, Cecilann Morrison

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Foster Parents Assisting Transitioning Foster Care Youth in Maintaining Stable Housing by Cecilann Morrison MA, National University, 2013 BS, Fresno Pacific University, 2011 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human and Social Service Walden University June 2024

Foster Parents Assisting Transitioning Foster Care Youth In Maintaining Stable Housing, Cecilann Morrison

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Childhood Adversity On Life Course Alcohol Use Patterns And Health Status Among People Living With Hiv, Rayna E. Gasik, Aubrey Spriggs Madkour, Simone J. Skeen, Gretchen Clum, Tishawn Francis, Erica Felker-Kantor, Tekeda Ferguson, David A. Welsh, Patricia E. Molina, Katherine P. Theall

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and financial hardship are associated with increased likelihood of heavier alcohol use and health challenges in adulthood among persons living with HIV (PWH). We examined whether retrospectively captured lifetime drinking trajectories are a pathway through which childhood hardships affect current health in a sample of 365 adult PWH. Childhood economic hardship and ACEs were used as main predictors. Measures of alcohol use included age at first drink and lifetime drinking trajectories. Health indicators included health-related quality of life, frailty, number of comorbidities, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Structural equation modeling (SEM) …

Understanding Organ Donation Messaging: A Qualitative Inquiry, Rebecca K. Britt, Amy A. Ritchart

The Qualitative Report

Promoting health communication about organ donation remains a crucial objective within Native American communities. The goals of the current study were to communicate with young adult Native Americans about the Organ Donation Willingness Model (ODWM; Horton & Horton, 1991) to gain their responses to materials from campaigns about donation strategies tailored to Native American communities. Six focus groups were conducted with a total of 31 participants. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2019, 2022) and following Smith’s guidelines (2008), which include showing deep respect for the group participants, conducting the study in a face-to-face setting, and being …

Investigating Risk Factors For Racial Disparity In E-Cigarette Use With Path Study, Amy Liu, Kennedy Dorsey, Almetra Granger, Ty Runet Bryant, Tung Sung Tseng, Michael Celestin, Qingzhao Yu

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background: Previous research has identified differences in e-cigarette use and socioeconomic factors between different racial groups However, there is little research examining specific risk factors contributing to the racial differences. Objective: This study sought to identify racial disparities in e-cigarette use and to determine risk factors that help explain these differences. Methods: We used Wave 5 (2018–2019) of the Adult Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. First, we conducted descriptive statistics of e-smoking across our risk factor variables. Next, we used multiple logistic regression to check the risk effects by adjusting all covariates. Finally, we conducted a mediation …

Adolescent Obesogenic Behaviors: The Influence Of Race/Ethnicity, Generation Status, Acculturation, And Tme Lived Outside The United States, Tien D. Vo, Alisha H. Redelfs, Mackay Graper, Lori A. Spruance

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Children living with obesity are at higher risk for chronic disease. Dietary behaviors, sedentary time, and physical activity contribute to the risk of developing obesity. The purpose of this research was to identify associations between acculturation and race/ethnicity influences on obesogenic behaviors in middle school students. A national convenience sample of diverse U.S. children (11–14) was recruited to participate in an online survey (N = 615). Dietary behaviors, including fruit and vegetable consumption (F/V) and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (SSB), as well as screen time and physical activity, were quantified. Multivariable regression models (linear and logistic) were built. We analyzed …

Examining The Cues To Action Of Christian Parents And/Or Guardians Who Are Hesitant To Vaccinate Pediatric Populations, Marcia S. Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As a result of skepticism related to vaccine administration, many newborns and children are without their standardized and recommended vaccinations due to parent and/or guardian beliefs. It is the parent and/or guardian who holds the power to vaccinate their children. Vaccine administration is one of the most successful achievements of public health intervention in the 20th century. The purpose of this study is to use a descriptive case study analysis approach to assess parents' and/or guardians' concerns, attitudes, beliefs, and intentions towards immunizations for their children (from birth to 18 years of age). Understanding the "why" and "how" concerns raised …

Indo-Caribbean Youth And Suicidal Behavior: A Systematic Review, Raul Ruiz Camacho, Shiryn D. Sukhram

Publications and Research

The suicide rates in Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago are among the highest in the Americas, containing significant Indo-Caribbean populations that are suggested to be most vulnerable to suicide. This systematic review analyzes the existing literature and identifies knowledge gaps in risk and protective factors against suicide in these countries. The literature search conducted followed PRISMA guidelines using the PubMed and APA PsycInfo databases. The PRISMA flow diagram illustrated that eight scholarly papers were eligible for inclusion. Included literature examined stratified data focused on the aforementioned countries, as well as their Indo-Caribbean adolescent populations. Excluded literature did not mention …

What Do Extension And Public Health Educators Need To Address Substance Misuse?, Lisa Washburn, Karen Franck

Journal of Extension

Limited organizational capacity has hindered Extension’s ability to address substance misuse in communities. To inform capacity-building efforts, we obtained Extension educator and health educator feedback on opportunities, challenges and resource needs using the Delphi technique. Opportunities included collaboration and partnerships with local entities. Stigma, inadequate resources, and limited knowledge and skills of educators were challenges. Top resource needs were updated youth curricula, funding, and clear guidance on what educators can do and what should be referred externally. Findings provide insights to educator perceptions and suggest additional training and resources needed to implement evidence-based approaches to address substance misuse.

Antidepressant Effect Of Enzymatic Porcine Placenta Hydrolysate In Repeated Immobilization Stress-Induced Ovariectomized Female Mice, Minsook Ye, Sharon Nguyen, Min Ju Kim, Jee Sun Hwang, Gun Won Bae, Keun-Hang Susan Yang, Insop Shim

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

When postmenopausal women are under stress conditions, this exacerbates mood disorders and issues with neuroimmune systems. The porcine placenta is known to relieve menopausal depression in clinical trials, but its underlying mechanisms for depression and anti-inflammatory functions remain poorly defined. The present study was designed to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of enzymatic porcine placenta hydrolysate (EPPH) on LPS-induced levels of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), corticosterone (CORT), and pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. In addition, the neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells was evaluated to examine the effects of EPPH on neurite growth. To mimic …

The Health Risks Of Deportation: Impacts Of Family Separation On Relationships And Wellbeing In Latinx Communities, Shantay Rhea Rocha

University Honors Theses

Anti-immigration policy and deportation practices create multifaceted implications for Latinx communities in the United States. A comprehensive literature review drawing from public health and immigration studies was used to examine the direct and indirect implications of separation of families due to deportation. This thesis synthesizes existing research to illuminate the health threats pertaining to Latinx wellbeing in the context of being undocumented and fearing being separated from their family. Addressing the dimensions of deportation-related health risks, policy makers, health care professionals, and community organizations can work towards promoting Latinx health and well-being in the U.S. to mitigate the health consequences …

Biofeedback Gaming For Substance Use Disorder, Rebecca L. Chevrel

University Honors Theses

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and stress are often predictive of one another, bidirectionally causal, and mutually intensifying. This thesis describes the bi-directional connection between physiological stress-modulating systems and Substance Use Disorder, and explores some emerging biofeedback stress-reduction gaming technology as a potential adjunct to recovery treatments. Improving autonomic balance, often described by Heart Rate Variability, has been shown to be beneficial for physical and psychological recovery, as well as improving self-control. For this reason, regular biofeedback for stress relief could be helpful in augmenting SUD treatment and preventing relapse. This exploration found that presenting it through a gaming lens may …

Cannabis Exposure During Pregnancy And Neural Mechanisms Of Parenting: Assessing Neural Responses To Infant Cues And Parenting Outcomes, Shannon Powers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As legalization of cannabis and cannabinoids spreads in the United States, access and use of cannabis during the prenatal period has increased. There is limited knowledge on the effects of prenatal cannabis use on the parental brain. One way to identify potential effects of cannabis on parenting is through studying parenting brain functions and behavior. Cannabis use disorder (CUD) has been shown to be associated with lower positive parenting and lower sensitivity to infants, but it is unclear by what mechanisms. The following two studies address this gap in knowledge by examining the association between cannabis use during the prenatal …

Exploring The Experiences Of Hiv Positive Pregnant Women On Prevention Of Vertical Transmission Of Hiv/Aids In Rural Malawi, Gertrude Finyiza

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be the primary conduct that HIV is transmitted to children worldwide. The problem of HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is having a great impact on the world's children. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Malawi continues to be a serious public health issue, especially for expectant mothers. The health outcomes of mothers and children remain significantly threatened by vertical HIV transmission, even with improvements in preventive and treatment efforts. The purpose of this thesis was to explore the experiences of HIV-positive pregnant women in Malawi. I conducted semi structured interviews with thirteen …

Short- And Medium-Term Impacts Of Small-Scale Vegetable Support On Food Security: Evidence From Syria, Ghassan Baliki, Melodie Al Daccache, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Tilman Brück

Faculty Publications

Small-scale agricultural and horticultural interventions play a critical role in improving nutrition and food security of vulnerable households in peaceful settings. However, scant rigorous evidence exists on the impacts and sustainability of such interventions in conflict settings. In this paper, we address this knowledge gap by analyzing the short- and medium-term impacts of a small-scale vegetable input support program involving asset transfers on food security and diets in war-time Syria. We use longitudinal panel household survey data from a quasi-experimental study collected at three rounds: before, one year, and two years after the horticultural intervention ended. We use propensity score …

Prenatal Maternal Depression In Canada: Are Current Protocols Adequate?, Britney A. Glasgow-Osment, Farah Wahib, Madeleine Zanin, Shama Kassam

Master's in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences Graduate Program

Throughout pregnancy, maternal and fetal health are influenced by a multitude of factors. Prenatal maternal depression is one such factor. It is well documented that prenatal maternal depression causes negative pregnancy outcomes for both the mother and baby, including irregular placental function, psychological distress, and pre-term birth, among others. In Ontario, the incidence of prenatal maternal depression is alarmingly high, at 10.3%.As such, the current tools for managing prenatal maternal depression must be effective, efficient, and comprehensive. We hypothesized that the current protocols for screening and treating prenatal maternal depression in Canada are inadequate. To investigate this, a literature review …

Supporting Ontario Public Health Units To Address Adverse Childhood Experiences In Pandemic Recovery Planning: A Priority-Setting Exercise, Kimberly B Harding, Erica Di Ruggiero, Erick Gonzalez, Amanda Hicks, Daniel W Harrington, Sarah Carsley

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic exposures experienced during childhood, for example, neglect. There is growing evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and related socioeconomic conditions contributed to an increased risk of ACEs. As public health programs/services are re-evaluated and restored following the state of emergency, it is important to plan using an ACEs-informed lens. The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize initiatives or activities that Public Health Ontario (PHO) could undertake to support Ontario public health units' work towards ACEs-informed pandemic recovery plans.

METHODS: The Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative method …

Factors Associated With Digestive System Cancer Screening In Texas., Stella Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Walden University College of Health Sciences and Public Policy This is to certify that the doctoral study by Stella Green has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Shanna Barnett, Committee Chairperson, Public Health Faculty Dr. Simone Salandy, Committee Member, Public Health Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2024 The specific research problem in this study was that despite the high prevalence of digestive system cancer, screening for digestive system cancer has not been optimized, …

Factors Associated With Digestive System Cancer Screening In Texas., Stella Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The specific research problem in this study was that despite the high prevalence of digestive system cancer, screening for digestive system cancer has not been optimized, thus compromising early diagnosis and treatment. Early detection and treatment of digestive system cancer can generate better patient outcomes and enhance quality of life. The purpose of this quantitative correlation study guided by the social ecological model was to examine whether demographic factors (age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status), socioeconomic status (education level, employment status, income level), and health behaviors (physical activity, tobacco use, healthcare coverage) are associated with receiving digestive cancer screening in Texas. …

The Inflammatory Exposome Of Major Depressive Disorder In An Egyptian Sample, Reem Deif

Theses and Dissertations

Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been recognized as a global public health concern affect-ing the lives of 264 million people with increasing prevalence worldwide. Inspired by the expo-somic research, this study aims to investigate the dynamic and complex interplay between dif-ferent demographic, lifestyle, environmental factors and bimolecular factors that are potentially involved in the pathology of MDD in a sample of Egyptian adults living in Cairo. This is in an attempt to acknowledge the biological underpinnings of MDD without underestimating the role of environmental influences. The context of Egypt provides richness to the current study given the national transition from …