Digital Commons Network^™

Poly(Adp-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibitor Maintenance Therapy In Ovarian Cancer: A Single-Center Retrospective Study., Sydney Pence, Kayla Dyson, Kristen Waters, John O Elliott, Kellie Rath, Stuart Pierce, Amy Harper, Corinne Calo, Aine E Clements

OhioHealth Research Institute Articles

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness and tolerability of PARPi maintenance in a real-world patient population. Specifically, to assess duration of PARPi, the rate of secondary malignancies, rate of side effects, and survival.

METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio was performed. All patients diagnosed since March 2015 were reviewed for eligibility. Data was collected via EMR query and stored in REDCap. Charts were reviewed for multiple data points, including duration of PARPi use, side effects, secondary malignancies, survival, and recurrence. Data were reported descriptively with …

Effect Of The Sava Syndemic On Hiv Viral Suppression Among People Living With Hiv In The United States: A Scoping Review And Meta-Analysis, Jacquelyn Rodriguez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The SAVA syndemic highlights the interconnected and mutually reinforcing nature of substance use, violence victimization, and HIV/AIDS. The synergistic interaction of these conditions creates structural and behavioral barriers that disrupt the HIV care continuum and contribute to significant health inequities. Achieving a suppressed viral load is a critical clinical outcome for people living with HIV, while viral non-suppression can be an indicator of poor health, elevated transmission risk, and disease progression. Still, the association between SAVA factors and viral suppression/non-suppression outcomes within U.S. populations remains inconsistently characterized due to heterogeneous methodologies and variable inclusion of high-risk groups. This mixed-methods study …

Unknowing Sacrifices: Public Health And Radiation Illness In New Mexico And Nevada, 1940s-1960s, Beatriz Avila-Marquez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The detonation of the first atomic bomb in the early morning of July 16, 1945, in New Mexico welcomed the atomic age that forever changed the world. After that day, thousands of lives were lost due to nuclear weapons, and hundreds of thousands more continued to suffer from the effects of atomic testing. The Atomic Energy Commission, fueled by the arms race of the Cold War, chose Nevada to continue the United States’ nuclear weapons testing. Knowledge of the dangers of radiation exposure, the effects of radiation, and techniques to prevent exposure are now available in part due to the …

Level Of Comfort And Barriers To Pediatric Vaccination Among Pharmacy-Based Immunizers In California, Laressa Bethishou, Karl Hess, Richard Beuttler, Jeffery Goad

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Pharmacists are increasingly recognized as accessible immunizers, yet pediatric vaccination rates in community pharmacies remain lower than those for adults, likely due to unique barriers. This study aimed to assess the comfort level of pharmacy-based immunizers in California with administering vaccines to pediatric patients and to identify barriers limiting their participation in pediatric immunization.

Methods

An IRB-approved, cross-sectional survey was distributed electronically to pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians administering vaccines in California community pharmacies between November 2022 and February 2023. The survey measured comfort with vaccinating pediatric age groups, perceived barriers, and collected demographic data. Data analysis included …

Keeping Families Together: Companion Animals As A Public Health Imperative, Lori R. Kogan, Rebecca Niemiec

Journal of One Health Systems

Contemporary US public health frameworks emphasize social, economic, and environmental determinants of health, yet largely overlook the reality that most households include companion animals regarded as family members. This omission has tangible consequences during crises such as housing instability, illness, domestic violence, or disasters, when families are often forced to choose between their own safety and the safety of their animals. We argue that this represents a significant public health failure. Drawing on interdisciplinary evidence, we propose that companion animals function as a social determinant of health, that forced separation constitutes a public health harm, and that Human-Animal Support Services …

Cigarette And E-Cigarette Use In Greater Philadelphia: Proportion Of Use Compared To National Data And Local Predictors Of Smoking Status, Munjireen Sifat, Joshua Banks, Lilianna Phan, Kuang-Yi Wen, Julie A. Barta, Rebecca J. Melillo, Hee-Soon Juon

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

UNLABELLED: Objective tobacco use, cigarette, e-cigarette, cancer-related beliefs, perceived risk, lifestyle attribution, cancer disparities, health equity. We assessed cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use in the Greater Philadelphia region alongside national data. The objectives were to descriptively explore differences in tobacco use by sociodemographic characteristics. We also examined cancer belief associations with smoking and e-cigarette use in the local context.

METHODS: We descriptively compared cross-sectional survey data from 2744 adults in the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC) catchment area (Greater Philadelphia region; May-July 2022) with 6252 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 6) nationally representative respondents (United States; March-November 2022). …

Overweight And Obesity Among Southeastern Nigerian Lecturers And Its Association With Absenteeism And Presenteeism, Ezenwa Victor Ejikem

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Assessment And Mitigation Of Covid-19 Occupational Hazards Among Small Businesses In A High-Risk Community, Sadie H Conway, Denise Vasquez, Soyoung Kwon, Kristina D Mena, Louis D Brown, Janelle Rios

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose –: This project explored COVID-19 workplace hazards and factors influencing the implementation of risk mitigation approaches among small businesses in a high-risk community.

Design/methodology/approach –: Using a novel framework, data were collected from 90 workplaces through site visits and consultations with at least one owner, manager or supervisor ("employer") and at least one non-managerial staff member ("employee"). A risk assessment and mitigation plan were prepared based on site-specific hazards; later, a follow-up visit assessed whether recommendations had been implemented and factors influencing these decisions.

Findings –: A total of 84 businesses (93.3%) implemented at least one recommendation, citing ease …

Predictors Of New Vaccine Introduction In Nigeria, Omotayo Giwa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Redefining Skincare For Sensitive Lives, Ashlyn G. Sierra Ms

Honors College Theses

This study outlines how a skincare company that is both ethically and effectively developed for people suffering from eczema could create accessible, affordable products as well as maintain its commitment to being inclusive. The study uses scientific data regarding eczema in order to examine why certain aspects of skin care are helpful or dangerous when it comes to individuals who suffer from eczema, in addition, it provides an assessment of current skin care product offerings that are designed for people with eczema. Using the Wise Leadership Framework, the study presents a hypothetical business plan for a new, eczema-based skin care …

Leveraging Mobile Health To Prevent Coronary Artery Disease Through Physical Activity Promotion Among Underserved Youth, Alina Yang, Jessh M. Mavoungou, Matthew C. Miller, Zarmina Amin, Zan Gao

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Coronary artery disease (CAD) develops earlier than often recognized, with underserved youth facing disproportionate cardiometabolic risk. Low participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA) is a key driver. This viewpoint explores how mobile health (mHealth) technologies can serve as tools to increase PA engagement among underserved youth, guided by a combined Self-Determination Theory and RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework. It highlights current barriers to mHealth adoption, limited cultural relevance, engagement challenges, and accessibility gaps, and presents key considerations for designing culturally informed, age-tailored, and youth-centered mHealth interventions. Overall, the paper calls for a more inclusive and targeted approach …

The Mediating Effect Of Physical Activity On Mental Health Among Sexual Minority Adolescents During Covid-19, You Fu, Ryan D. Burns, Hayley Almes, Xiangren Yi, Nora Constantino

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Purpose: Adolescents identifying as a sexual minority frequently experience mental health issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical activity (PA) has numerous benefits for mental health and emotional development. The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of PA on the association between sexual minority status and mental health among adolescents during COVID-19. Methods: A sample of adolescents (grades 9-12) completed the online Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES; N = 7677; 49.6% male) in 2021. The independent variable in this study was a recorded binary response item asking about sexual orientation. The dependent variable was a …

Evaluating The Impact Of A Standardized Intimate Partner Violence Screening Tool In A Clinical Setting, Dylan Bogucki

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as any act of violence, including physical, sexual, stalking, or psychological aggression by an intimate partner, former or current. Despite being preventable, IPV remains a leading nonobstetric cause of morbidity and mortality among women, which highlights the need for systematic screening in clinical settings. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to identify women who have previously experienced or are currently experiencing IPV and to connect them with appropriate resources. Twenty-one studies were identified, all demonstrating moderate to high methodological quality and supporting the need for routine IPV screening in women’s health settings. …

Redefining Skincare For Sensitive Lives, Ashlyn G. Sierra Ms

Honors College Theses

This study outlines how a skincare company that is both ethically and effectively developed for people suffering from eczema could create accessible, affordable products as well as maintain its commitment to being inclusive. The study uses scientific data regarding eczema in order to examine why certain aspects of skin care are helpful or dangerous when it comes to individuals who suffer from eczema, in addition, it provides an assessment of current skin care product offerings that are designed for people with eczema. Using the Wise Leadership Framework, the study presents a hypothetical business plan for a new, eczema-based skin care …

How Well Are We Preparing U.S. Youth With Down Syndrome For Health Care Transition? A Mixed-Methods Study Assessing Provider Support And Exploring Caregiver Experiences, Suman Kanti Chowdhury

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Health care transition (HCT) preparation is a structured process that empowers youth to take ownership of their health care as they transition into adulthood. Youth with Down syndrome (DS), a common genetic disorder associated with a high burden of co-occurring conditions, require HCT preparation support at a higher rate than their typically developing peers. Although transition preparation has been examined across various chronic conditions, few studies have focused on youth with DS. Moreover, prior research was limited by methodological constraints, including the lack of a validated HCT index, a small sample size, outdated estimates, and a lack of a …

A Quality Improvement Project To Increase Identification And Treatment Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes In A Rural Clinic, Paige Spence

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Prosthetic Obturators On Quality Of Life In Individuals With Maxillectomy Defects, Minseok Kim

Oral Health

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, there has been a growing focus on understanding the impact of oral cancer on patients' quality of life. Prosthetic rehabilitation techniques, such as maxillary obturators, often in conjunction with reconstructive surgery, have emerged as interventions to address the challenges posed by post-maxillectomy abnormalities.

Objective: This study aims to systematically review and evaluate the effectiveness of maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation using obturators in enhancing the quality of life of patients following maxillectomy.

Methodology: Systematic review of identified literature spanning the timeframe from 2000 to 2020 was used. The comprehensive search encompassed widely recognized databases including PubMed, …

Confederate Women In The Field Of Nursing And Their Impact On Southern Women’S Roles In Society, Laura Leigh L. Prater

Theses

During the Civil War, Confederate women had the opportunity to go to work as nurses. The majority of these women had never been allowed to take on roles beyond the domestic sphere in antebellum society.  Despite most of these women having limited medical training, they developed an expertise in nursing, extraordinary organization skills and gained respect for their achievements.  Their achievements proved that women were able to do far more than many in the South believed prior to the war.  This paper will show how the demands of war opened doors of greater opportunity for women in the South for …

Care Without Barriers: Dei And Cultural Competency In Athletic Training Education Programs, Sydney Hotz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

In the field of athletic training, cultural competency is a topic that is highly under-researched. Athletic trainers (ATs) are healthcare professionals who provide care in a variety of settings, including secondary schools, where their patient population often includes student-athletes experiencing adverse social determinants of health and barriers to healthcare access. Only since 2022 has the governing body of athletic training education mandated that programs include cultural competency and DEI education in their programs, and to this day does not require programs to report adherence and methods of implementation. A quantitative, cross-sectional analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between cultural …

Quantifying Black Carbon Concentrations In Georgia And Analyzing Associated Public Health Risks, Khloe R. Osborne

Honors Theses

Quantifying Black Carbon Concentrations in Georgia and Analyzing Associated Public Health Risks

One of the most daunting challenges of the industrial world is air pollution. Within this broad spectrum, there is an inhalable particle group named PM2.5, which contains black carbon. Black carbon has evidence that supports the generation and worsening of adverse health impacts, which may include birth complications, cognitive deficits in children, pulmonary aggravation, asthma, cardiovascular issues, neurological degenerative patterns, and cancer risk. This is especially seen in vulnerable populations, like children, elderly, and those who already suffer from weakened health, many of which reside in the southern …

Examining The Rural Workforce: Comparing Admissions Strategies And Training Pathways In U.S. Medical And Dental Education, Charolyn A. Harris

Honors Theses

Access to healthcare in rural and underserved communities remains a significant challenge in the United States, particularly in dental care, where workforce shortages are more pronounced. This study examines how medical and dental education programs develop rural healthcare providers, focusing on admissions strategies and training pathways. Using a structured scoping review and secondary data analysis, this research compares how each field incorporates known predictors of rural practice, such as rural background and training experiences, into workforce pipeline development. Findings indicate that while both medical and dental education recognize rural background as a strong predictor of rural practice, medical education more …

Short-Term Bayesian Influenza Forecasting In A Hospital Environment Using A Linear Kalman Filter., Shankar Kaleeswaran Mani, Grzegorz A Rempala, Eben Kenah, Fernanda L Schumacher

Ambulatory and Primary Care Articles

Accurately forecasting the weekly number of influenza (flu) lab tests and positive cases is important for hospitals as they work to plan staffing, manage supplies, and provide timely patient care. In this paper, we describe a practical use of a Bayesian Kalman filter to forecast weekly flu tests and positives in a hospital setting. Using data from a large hospital system in Ohio, we show that this approach, which blends real-time hospital information with historical patterns, offers a dependable way to anticipate flu-related patient volume as far as four weeks ahead.

The Ethical Imperative Of Public Health Institutions To Protect The Reproductive Autonomy Of Vulnerable Populations, Kennethea Wilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation establishes the ethical responsibility of public health institutions to safeguard reproductive autonomy, especially among vulnerable populations. While reproductive decision-making is traditionally framed within individual clinical encounters, this work contends that reproductive autonomy is fundamentally a matter of public health ethics. Socioecological determinants, including social, legal, environmental, and structural factors, often constrain individuals’ ability to make meaningful reproductive choices, leading to preventable harm.

Reproductive autonomy is defined as the capacity to make informed decisions about whether and when to conceive, as well as how to parent. The dissertation critiques the sufficiency of clinical ethics frameworks, such as informed consent …

Health Outcomes In Heat-Intense Areas In Response To Socioeconomic Status, Victoria Zheng, Chandni Patel, Emily Fried, Jayanth Ambat, Lincoln Opara, Rohan Gupta

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: As ambient temperature rises, regions experiencing extreme heat face serious health concerns. This disproportionately affects lower socioeconomic status (SES) individuals in urban areas. This review examines how these “heat islands” affect the health outcomes for those in different socioeconomic statuses.

Methods: The databases used were PubMed, Embase, and Medline, and were searched with keywords such as “heat islands”, “social inequality”, “SES”, and “health outcomes”. After compiling, articles were screened using the inclusion criteria of ages, gender, peer-reviewed and English-written publications, from any location, social determinants as a primary outcome, and directly compared heat with social determinants of health. Articles …

Developing A Comprehensive Resource Guide For Caregivers Within The Area Agency On Aging, Aiden R. Murphy

Public Health Capstone Projects

This project developed a new universal caregiver resource guide for caregivers within the Area Agency on Aging, in order to improve resource navigation and workflow efficiency. Resources were collected, verified, and organized into a new, streamlined guide via the ARIA chatbot, covering multiple needs. Caregiver resources were collected and verified by the capstone student and mentor, Michael Kroeker, and organized into a centralized knowledge base within the ARIA chatbot. A mixed methods evaluation was conducted utilizing a 5-point Likert scale with three quantitative questions and one open-ended qualitative question. The data was given to the SeniorLine staff, who wanted to …

Invisible Shipwrecks And Neurological Endangerment: The Trade-Off In Seeking Asylum - Reframing The Neurobiological Cost Of Forced Migration, Eisha Giran

CISLA Senior Integrative Projects

Forced migration along the Spain–Morocco route represents one of the most visible humanitarian crises of the twenty-first century, yet its neurological dimensions remain insufficiently examined. This paper investigates how prolonged displacement and trauma reshape neural systems involved in stress regulation, memory, and emotional processing. It introduces the concept of neurological endangerment, defined as a condition of prolonged and inescapable threat exposure during forced migration in which stress-response systems remain chronically activated, opportunities for recovery are structurally constrained, and cumulative neurobiological risk persists beyond the period of immediate danger.

To address the gap between biological measurement and lived experience, this paper …

Improving Blood Pressure Through A Multimodal Intervention, Kalynn Solomey

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and remains a significant public health concern in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023a). Despite the availability of effective pharmacological therapies, many patients struggle to achieve adequate blood pressure control, highlighting the need for accessible, evidence-based lifestyle interventions. An extensive literature search of five databases provided 11 articles for utilization. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal intervention that included hypertension education, individualized lifestyle counseling, self-measured blood pressure training, and a progressive walking program in reducing systolic blood pressure …

Impact Of A Caregiver Wellness Workshop On Well-Being And Mental Health, Keertana Jonnalagadda, Morgan Yacoe

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Family caregivers provide care for loved ones by addressing their activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and psychological needs. These demands impact a caregiver’s time and overall well-being. To address burnout and improve education regarding caregiver wellness, a workshop was created to build an effective support system for caregivers and teach them practical self-care strategies. Activities using visual art were designed to reduce caregiver anxiety and stress. Results from validated scales such as Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS), WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5), and a unique caregiver wellness survey (CWS) in a small sample showed …

Defining Success In Collegiate Recovery Programs: A Systematic Review, Brooke Trogdon, John B. Moore

The Corinthian

Background: The transition to higher education is a critical period for emerging adults. Often marked by increased substance use experimentation due to a variety of internal and external factors. This group faces a heightened risk of developing substance-related health issues, necessitating targeted intervention and prevention efforts. Purpose: To systematically review and define key indicators of success for collegiate recovery programs (CRPs) that support students in recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted using GALILEO and Google Scholar databases. Articles were appraised using the JBI critical appraisal tools. Results: CRPs provide a supportive …

Seasonal Variation And Size Distribution Of Particulate Matter In The Mississippi Delta: Implications For Source Attribution, Abigail E. Barnett

Honors Theses

This study examines seasonal patterns of particulate matter in the Mississippi Delta using data from PurpleAir sensors, with a focus on particle size distributions across PM₁.₀, PM₂.₅, and PM₁₀. The purpose of this research is to evaluate whether particulate trends in the region reflect signatures consistent with wildfire smoke or are better explained by local environmental and agricultural factors.

Daily average concentrations were analyzed and grouped by season to compare spring and summer conditions. Results show that all particle size fractions increased from spring to summer. However, PM₁₀ concentrations remained consistently higher than PM₂.₅ in both seasons. The PM₂.₅/PM₁₀ ratio …