Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluations Of Clinical Signs Currently And Not Currently Used In Syndromic Case Management (Scm) Of Reproductive Tract Infections (Rtis) Among Pregnant Women In Jamaica, Gelen Receno Del Rosario

All ETDs from UAB

Reproductive tract infections include sexually transmitted infections, endogenous infections caused by overgrowth of organisms that can be present in the genital tract of a healthy woman, and iatrogenic infections. In Jamaica, women in the reproductive age group of 15-44 years old accounts for 95% of all RTIs. RTIs among Jamaican women of reproductive age can seriously impact the health of the women and their children. The advent of HIV/AIDS has had a significant impact on increasing awareness of the effect of STIs. Health care organizations have reacted with great commit-ment to STI prevention and treatment as a significant factor in …

A Benefits-Based Study Of Appalachian Trail Users: Validation And Application Of The Benefits Of Hiking Scale, Barbara Freidt, Eddie Hill, Edwin Gomez, Marni Goldenberg

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Lack of exercise has been linked to poor health issues (e.g., obesity) in American society. National (e.g., Appalachian Trail) and local trails are a potential resource for championing physical activity. To challenge sedentary lifestyle choices and promote more active ones, an understanding of the benefits perceived to be associated with physical and outdoor activities is needed. A total of 454 Appalachian Trail user surveys were collected. Validity analyses and reliability analyses showed the Benefits of Hiking Scale to be an accurate and consistent measure of the dimensions of recreation benefits. Within the improved condition dimension of Benefits, significant differences were …

Factors Affecting Enrolment Of Plhiv Into Art Services In India, Avina Sarna, Damodar Bachani, Mary Philip Sebastian, Ruchi Sogarwal, Madhusudana Battala

HIV and AIDS

At the end of 2007, India had an estimated 2.31 million people living with HIV, and an HIV prevalence of 0.34 percent. Despite the low HIV prevalence, these statistics place India among countries with a large number of people living with HIV (PLHIV). To address the care and support needs of PLHIV, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, initiated a national program in 2004 to provide free antiretroviral therapy (ART) for PLHIV. By March 2009, there were 211 functioning Antiretroviral Treatment Centers and 254 Community Care Centers across the country, and to date 217,781 individuals are …

The Healthy Food Slide Rule (Hfsr): A Nutrition Education Tool For Children, Elaine M. Long, Uwe Reischl, Barbara B. Abo

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Healthy Food Slide Rule (HFSR) is a new educational tool designed specifically for use by school children in grades 4-6. The HFSR teaches the importance of including the 5 food groups and the importance of complying with appropriate portion sizes as presented in MyPyramid.^{1, 2} The portion size information included in the HFSR combines the healthy eating and physical activity messages offered by MyPyramid for Kids.^{3, 4} The new tool can be easily incorporated into existing math lessons (weights, measures, and fractions), into language arts lessons, or into science lessons.⁵

Introducing A Multi-Site Program For Early Diagnosis Of Hiv Infection Among Hiv-Exposed Infants In Tanzania, Harriet Nuwagaba-Biribonwoha, Bazghina Werq-Semo, Aziz Abdallah, Amy Cunningham, John G. Gamaliel, Sevestine Mtunga, Victoria Nankabirwa, Isaya Malisa, Luis F. Gonzalez, Charles Massambu, Denis Nash, Jessica Justman, Elaine J. Abrams

Publications and Research

Background: In Tanzania, less than a third of HIV infected children estimated to be in need of antiretroviral therapy (ART) are receiving it. In this setting where other infections and malnutrition mimic signs and symptoms of AIDS, early diagnosis of HIV among HIV-exposed infants without specialized virologic testing can be a complex process. We aimed to introduce an Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) pilot program using HIV DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing with the intent of making EID nationally available based on lessons learned in the first 6 months of implementation.

Methods: In September 2006, a molecular biology laboratory at …

Epigenetics: Blurring The Line Between Nature And Nurture, Elizabeth H. Rose

CMC Senior Theses

This long-standing nature versus nurture debate is cited in behavioral and physical expressions of disease dysfunctions, resiliencies, and recovery. Their purposes are noted both in scientific pursuits as well as literature. This discourse has been particularly intense in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and biology where there is a long history of scientists’ attempts to disprove or discredit others’ intellectual and professional measures. Interestingly, recent advances in the neurosciences and genetic technologies have brought these fields closer together with a new focus – the interactional relationship between nature and nurture – epigenetics.

Health Status Of Children Entering Kindergarten: Results Of The 2009-2010 (Year Two) Nevada Kindergarten Health Survey, Nevada Institute For Children’S Research And Policy, Clark County School District, Nevada School District Superintendents, Nevada Head Start State Collaboration, Early Childhood Comprehensive Services Office, Nevada State Health Division, Denise Tanata Ashby, Kari Wolkwitz, Tara Phebus, Amanda Haboush,, Enrique Lopez, Norman Torres

Nevada Institute for Children's Research and Policy Reports

Academic achievement for children is vital to their success in life. Those that do well in school have greater opportunities for post-secondary education, and later have better prospects for employment. One of the major factors that can affect a child’s academic achievement is his or her health status. Academic outcomes and health conditions are consistently linked in the literature (Taras & Potts-Datema, 2005). Children with poor health status, and especially those with common chronic health conditions, have increased numbers of school absences and more academic deficiencies (Taras & Potts-Datema, 2005). In a study concerning excused versus unexcused absences, children with …

Front Matter

Michigan Journal of Public Health

No abstract provided.

Hookah: Prevalence, Perceived Harmfulness, And Factors Associated With Its Use Among College Students, Dae Shik Kim, Patricia Tattersall, Theresa Green, Margaret Richardson, Amy B. Curtis

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Introduction: Given the increased use and availability of hookah among the US college students, coupled with the health risks related to its use, the current study examined awareness and use of hookah among college students as well as what characteristics are related to the use of hookah. Methods: The study utilized a self administered anonymous survey to gather information about hookah use from the students in an undergraduate general education class (n = 108). Results: The survey results indicated that the large majority of students were aware of hookah, and nearly half of them had used hookah more than once. …

The Use Of Gis Mapping In Targeted Health Surveillance Efforts For Illicit Drug Use In Detroit, Michigan, Gerry Polverento

Michigan Journal of Public Health

No abstract provided.

Establishing An Academic Division Supporting Public Health Medical Direction, Molly Polverento

Michigan Journal of Public Health

No abstract provided.

Monitoring And Evaluation Of The Emergency Plan Progress (Meepp): End-Of-Project Evaluation, Sam Kalibala

HIV and AIDS

This report evaluates the scope of the Monitoring and Evaluation of the Emergency Plan Progress (MEEPP) and the lessons learned from the project in Uganda, which aims to improve availability and quality of PEPFAR data.

A Single Case Study Of A Three Year Coordinated School Health Program At A Rural North Mississippi Elementary School, Sandra Lena Howell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The single case study presents the story of the implementation of a three year Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) at a rural North Mississippi school. The school was recognized by the Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Healthy Schools, as one of ten selected model Mississippi healthy schools. An awarded grant of one hundred thousand dollars funded the implementation of the CSHP over a three year period. The study examined the impact of the CSHP on the students, staff, and personnel. Two types of data were collected and analyzed including archived documents and interviews conducted with five members of the …

Resting Energy Expenditure Changes With Weight Loss: Racial Differences, Xuewen Wang, Tongjian You, Leon Lenchik, Barbara J. Nicklas

Faculty Publications

It is controversial whether weight loss reduces resting energy expenditure (REE) to a different magnitude in black and white women. This study was to determine whether changes in REE with weight loss were different between black and white postmenopausal women, and whether changes in body composition (including regional lean and fat mass) were associated with REE changes within each race. Black (n= 26) and white (n= 65) women (age= 58.2±5.4 years, 25< BMI< 40 kg·m⁻²) completed a 20-week weight loss intervention. Body weight, lean and fat mass (total body, limb and trunk) via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and REE via indirect …

A Descriptive Analysis Of Bookings In Sibley County Jail Between January 1, 2008 And December 31, 2009, Deanna Aufderheide

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Each year approximately 12 million admissions and releases occur in U.S. jails (Solomon, A. L., Osborne, J. W. L, LoBuglio, S. F., Mellow, J., & Mukamal, D. A.). Those that cycle in and out of jail often times are unstable. These instabilities include: substance abuse, lack of housing and employment, mental illness, and health concerns. More than 80 percent of offenders are incarcerated for less than one month; some for a few hours or a few days (Solomon, et. al.). This concern was identified by the Public Health Nurse (PHN) who has seen the same offenders being booked in, time …

Safety Assessment For Tipranavir : A Protease Inhibitor Treatment For Hiv Infected Adults, Jaromir Mikl

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Dose-limiting adverse events associated with anti-retroviral therapy (ART) generally include gastro-intestinal (GI) issues such as vomiting and nausea. However, serious adverse events (SAEs) do occur, the most frequent of which include liver toxicities and renal impairment as well as recent evidence of cardio-vascular disease (CVD) risk.

Respondent Driven Sampling : Feasibility, Validation And Its Potential Use For Estimating Health Indicators For Large General Populations, Robin Lee

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

BACKGROUND: Researchers use many methods to collect population-based health indicator data. Random digit dial (RDD) is one frequently used method; however decreasing sample coverage and non-response bias have researchers searching for alternative methods. We hypothesize that respondent driven sampling (RDS) is a cost effective alternative. In accordance with this hypothesis we propose three objectives: 1) assess the mechanics, feasibility, and representativeness of RDS in producing valid estimates of health indicator data; 2) evaluate the feasibility in using RDS in comparison to RDD to collect health indicator data from a general population; and 3) report on data collected using RDS, specifically …

The Utility Of The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System In Testing Quality Of Life Theory : An Evaluation Using Structural Equation Modeling, Evelyn Marie Kintner

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This study is a secondary data analysis that uses structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess the utility of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)--the Centers for Disease Control's premier surveillance tool for monitoring behavioral risk factors--in predicting health related quality of life (HRQoL). Employing the statistical package SPSS/AMOS (version 7), the study utilizes New York State data extracted from the 2007 BRFSS national dataset to assess how well the observed pattern of variances and covariances of the state level data fit with a well-known HRQoL model developed by Wilson and Cleary (1995). Interaction effects are examined, utilizing a multigroup …

Interventions To Modify Television Viewing Behavior Of Children : A Review, Meta-Analysis, And Key-Informant Interviews, Dayna Maureen Maniccia

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Excessive screen time and childhood obesity are two associated public health concerns. Several interventions to modify children's screen time exist. To date, no systematic review of these interventions has been conducted. This dissertation identified and summarized interventions to modify children's screen time. Suggestions for future work are provided.

Prevention Of Human Papillomavirus (Hpv) Infection And Hpv-Related Diseases : Barriers To Hpv Vaccine Coverage Among University Women In The U.S., And Initial Steps In Integrating Cervical Cytology Testing Into Primary Care In The Republic Of Georgia, Robert Bednarczyk

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Worldwide, cervical cancer is second only to breast cancer in incidence. Screening for pre-cancerous abnormalities can reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality, though this is not uniformly used worldwide. Recently, a vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV), a necessary cause of cervical cancer, was approved for preventive use in the United States.

A Step-By-Step Guide To Strengthening Sexual Violence Services In Public Health Facilities: Lessons And Tools From Sexual Violence Services In Africa, Jill Keesbury, Jill Thompson

Reproductive Health

Sexual violence (SV) is a serious health and human rights problem across Africa that disproportionately affects women and girls. Survivors require comprehensive and sensitive care to mitigate the negative health consequences of SV, minimize psychological trauma, and promote long-term reintegration and recovery. Despite high levels of sexual violence and a growing recognition of the need to improve the management of rape and sexual assault, many public health facilities in Africa do not currently have capacity to provide comprehensive, patient-centered SV care to adult and child survivors. Public facilities face numerous challenges including lack of specialized SV training, general understaffing and …

Office Based Prevention Of Child Abuse And Neglect: Lessons Learned From The Practicing Safety Quiin Project, Diane Abatemarco, Phd, Msw, Ruth Gubernick, Mph, Steve Kairys, Md, Mph, Faap

College of Population Health Lectures, Presentations, Workshops

Parental behavior effects child psychosocial development. Parents who once had the benefits and supports of extended families and communities are now more isolated in their parenting. The isolation of families increases stress. New parents receive little education and support to deal with stress and the added stress of a newborn or their very young children. This poster presentation will describe a quality improvement project based in pediatric practices. The study was designed to test methods to increase anticipatory guidance, screening, and referral for psychosocial development. The project included physician use of chart data to identify outcomes of their enhanced care. …

Fitwits Md: An Intervention To Prevent Childhood Obesity, Diane J. Abatemarco, Phd, Msw, Ann Mcgaffey, Md, Ilene Katz Jewell, Mshyg, Susan K. Fidler, Md, Kristin Hughes, Mfa

College of Population Health Lectures, Presentations, Workshops

Objectives: The purpose of this presentation is to describe a comprehensive evaluation undertaken to study the feasibility of Fitwits MD, an intervention designed to assist primary care physicians to increase health fluency and affect wellness choices of children and their families. Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic but there are few if any successful interventions to alter the course of childhood obesity. The intervention was created through the use of participatory design.

Transition To Marriage And Parenthood Among Youth In India, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This Population Council policy brief documents the magnitude of early marriage and early childbearing in India and sheds light on young people’s marriage-related planning and preparedness for married life, and the nature of married life. While child marriage is particularly evident among young women, it is notable that significant proportions of young men too have married below the legal minimum age at marriage for males. Findings call for multi-pronged efforts to eliminate the practice of early marriage among young men and women, and to support newlywed young women. Ensuring that these programs reach young people and the influential adults in …

Youth Participation In Civil Society And Political Life In India, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This policy brief documents the participation of youth in India in civil society, the extent to which they uphold secular attitudes, and their perceptions about and participation in political processes. Findings from six states call for actions to promote youth participation, particularly the participation of young women, in civil society and political life. Programs are needed at the school, college, and community levels—through national service programs, sports, and other nonformal mechanisms—that encourage civic participation, incorporate value-building components, and reinforce secular attitudes and values that espouse responsible citizenship. Findings that many youth are disillusioned with the commitment of political parties to …

Education And Transition To Work Among Youth In Andhra Pradesh, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Looking at the current educational and employment situation of youth in Andhra Pradesh, this Population Council policy brief argues that significant investments in terms of appropriate policies and programs are required to enable the state to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of universal primary education and elimination of gender disparity in primary and secondary education, harness its demographic dividend, and enable its youth to participate in and benefit from global development. Notwithstanding the state’s existing policy commitments, findings indicate that several challenges remain. The brief recommends a number of policies and programs to overcome these challenges.

Meserete Hiwot ("Base Of Life"): Supporting Married Adolescents With Hiv Prevention And Reproductive Health In Rural Ethiopia, Annabel Erulkar, Aragaw Lamesgin, Eunice N. Muthengi

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

To better understand the lives of adolescents in rural Ethiopia, researchers conducted a survey of adolescents in Amhara Region. The study found that many girls experienced early, unwanted arranged marriages, resulting in early unwanted sexual initiation and pregnancy, as well as social isolation in new marital homes. Based on the findings of this study, the Population Council and the Ethiopian Ministry of Youth and Sports created a program to support girls who are married early, with a view to increasing their social networks, improving their ability to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS, and supporting their reproductive health. This program brief reports …

Ethiopia Young Adult Survey: A Study In Seven Regions, Annabel Erulkar, Abebaw Ferede, Worku Ambelu, Woldemariam Girma, Helen Amdemikael, Behailu Gebremedhin, Berhanu Legesse, Ayehualem Tameru, Messay Teferi

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This report details a survey in Ethiopia that provides a baseline for four new initiatives, including programs devoted to adolescent and youth health and development, gender-based violence, women’s/girls’ empowerment, and female genital cutting/mutilation. The Population Council research contributes to up-to-date and nuanced understandings of HIV behavior, gender issues, and reproductive health among young people in seven regions of Ethiopia. The survey findings underscore the differing experiences of boys and girls as well as the varying conditions in urban and rural areas of Ethiopia; tailored strategies are needed to reach rural boys, rural girls, urban boys, and urban girls. In addition, …

Building Programs To Address Child Marriage: The Berhane Hewan Experience In Ethiopia, Eunice N. Muthengi, Annabel Erulkar

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The development of a context-appropriate program to delay marriage in rural Ethiopia took place over many years and in stages. The program that ultimately became known as “Berhane Hewan” was developed by building an evidence base of understanding on the populations being served and developing partnerships between the Population Council and like-minded agencies with complementary expertise. The Berhane Hewan pilot demonstrated that significant impacts can be made on the social, educational, and health status of adolescent girls in a short period of time, through well designed and implemented support programs. However, high levels of exposure to all project components, make …

Survey Of Young People In Egypt (Sype) 2009—Preliminary Report, Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This document contains the Preliminary Report for SYPE 2009. Responding to a dearth of data on youth in Egypt, the Population Council conducted a comprehensive situation analysis of Egyptian adolescents and young people: the Survey of Young People in Egypt (SYPE) 2009, which covered a nationally representative sample of 15,029 young people aged 10–29. SYPE collected data on the five key life transitions of education, work, family formation; health; and civic and political participation. This preliminary report presents initial findings related to the principal issues covered in the survey. This report provides some of the preliminary findings from SYPE on …