Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Usefulness Of Pre-Visit Materials For Children With Autism At A Public Museum, Jennifer K. Fortuna, Elaine Chamberlain, Libby Filice, Madeline Kurt, Taylor Porter, Shannon Twichell, Stephanie Ogren

Translational Science in Occupation

Abstract

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) participate in community-based settings at lower rates than typically developing children. Museums provide a structured, predictable, and supportive place for children with ASD to learn. Visiting a museum may create unique challenges for children with ASD and their families. Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a common barrier to participation that makes it difficult to process information coming in through the senses. For children who are easily overstimulated, crowds, noise, and long lines can be a source of anxiety and stress. Providing pre-visit materials such as social stories, accessibility maps, and communication books can …

Routines And Attitudes Of Smartphone And Tablet Use For Social Connection Among Rural Older Adults, Amanda U. Davis, Chelsea Conrad, Maya Dupree, Deja Myers, Monica Le

Translational Science in Occupation

Background: Loneliness is associated with negative health outcomes for older adults. Social connection may occur using information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as smartphones and tablets and interventions to increase ICT use have shown positive results. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the routines and attitudes of smartphone and tablet use for social connection and secondarily, determine if there is an association between the routines and attitudes and connection. Methods: Participants completed a survey with questions that included demographics, 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale, Brief Sense of Community Scale, and open-ended questions. Results: Participants (N=21, median age of 76-80) report …

The Role Of An Occupational Therapy Practitioner In Professional Advocacy: A Scoping Review, Sarah Mckinnon, Natalie Petrone, Amanda Tarbet

Translational Science in Occupation

Background: Participation in professional advocacy amongst occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) is necessary for strengthening the profession. Although advocacy remains essential for practice, specific activities of OTPs in professional advocacy remain inconsistent and unclear.

Purpose: To examine the activities occupational therapy practitioners are engaging in related to professional advocacy. To identify key strategies and future opportunities to strengthen OT practitioner participation in professional advocacy.

Methods: We systematically searched 4 databases and 1 search engine for relevant articles- MEDLINE via PubMed, The Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Complete via Ebscohost, ERIC via Ebscohost, APA PsycInfo …

Availability, Use, And Impact Of Workplace Mental Health Supports During The Covid-19 Pandemic In A Canadian Cohort Of Healthcare Workers, Shannon Ruzycki, Anil Adisesh, Igor Burstyn, Quentin Durand-Moreau, France Labreche, Tanis Zadunayski, Nicola Cherry

Études primaires

We investigated the availability and use of workplace mental health (MH) supports during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Canadian cohort of healthcare workers (HCW) and measured anxiety and depression by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) completed at four contacts 2020–2022. Reports were available for 4400 HCW working with patients. Half the HCWs had a clinically significant HADS score at one or more contacts Access to MH supports increased during the pandemic, with 94% reporting access to some workplace support by 2022: 47% had made use of at least one support. 25% of those with high HADS scores used …

Analyse Longitudinale Et Comparative Des Absences Et Des Départs Hâtifs Dans Un Milieu D’Éducation Au Québec : Une Étude Exploratoire, Alessia Negrini, Jacques Perron, Samantha Vila Masse, Charles-Édouard Giguère, Andrea Gragnano, Marc Corbière

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Problématique de santé et de sécurité du travail et objectifs. Le secteur de l’éducation au Québec n’est pas épargné par les coûts importants qui découlent des absences pour invalidité physique et psychologique (Purenne et Busque, 2022), des départs hâtifs, comme la retraite avec des pénalités financières du personnel en fin de carrière et par le décrochage des enseignants au cours des cinq premières années de carrière. Les Centres de services scolaires (CSS) du Québec prennent en charge l’assurance des absences du travail pour invalidité (ATI) de leur personnel (en autoassurance) et colligent des données d’absence certifiées par des professionnels …

Pharmaceutical Messianism And The Politics Of Covid-19 In The United States, Gideon Lasco, Vincen Gregory Yu, Nishtha Bharti

Development Studies Faculty Publications

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, public officials in the United States–from the President to governors, mayors, lawmakers, and even school district commissioners–touted unproven treatments for COVID-19 alongside, and sometimes as opposed to, mask and vaccine mandates. Utilising the framework of ‘pharmaceutical messianism’, our article focuses on three such cures–hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, and monoclonal antibodies–to explore how pharmaceuticals were mobilised within politicised pandemic discourses. Using the states of Utah, Texas, and Florida as illustrative examples, we make the case for paying attention to pharmaceutical messianism at the subnational and local levels, which can very well determine pandemic responses and outcomes in contexts such …

Gains And Challenges Of The Barangay Health Worker (Bhw) Program During Covid-19 In Selected Cities In The Philippines, Mikhaela Y.T. Baliola, Margaret R. Golpe, Leslie V. Advincula-Lopez

Development Studies Faculty Publications

Background: The Philippine Barangay Health Worker (BHW) program extends the accessibility of health care services at the community level. BHWs are trained volunteers who perform various health-promoting and health-educating tasks and provide primary health care (PHC) services within their communities. However, the weak implementation of policies meant to protect their welfare, like the BHW Benefits and Incentives Act (Republic Act No. 7883), translates to challenges that impact the sustainability of the BHW program. This qualitative study aimed to explore the BHWs' experiences with RA 7883 and how its implementation shaped their overall role as frontline health workers during the pandemic. …

A Scoping Review Of Perceptions And Fears Experienced By Families With Children With Developmental Disabilities In Sub-Saharan Africa., Isaac Twum Boamah

Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of perception and fear surrounding families with children with developmental disabilities in Sub-Saharan Africa reveal a complex interplay of cultural, social, economic, and healthcare factors. This interplay of factors results in stigma, which often leads to societal misconceptions and discrimination, exacerbating the challenges faced by affected families. This study seeks to identify the individual and family perception of developmental disabilities, document the stigma experienced by the individual and their families, and document the resources available to help alleviate the plight faced by the individuals and their families. It further seeks to find gaps in the literature on developmental …

Comparative Evaluation Of Different Spinal Stability Metrics, Amir Hossein Eskandari, Farshid Ghezelbash, Aboulfazl Shirazi-Adl, Christian Larivière

Études primaires

Direct in vivo measurements of spinal stability are not possible, leaving computational estimations (such as dynamic time series and structural analyses) as the feasible option. However, differences between different stability assessment approaches and metrics remain unclear. To explore this, we asked 32 participants to perform 35 cycles of repetitive lifts with and without load (4/2.6 kg for males/females). EMG signals and 3D kinematics were collected via 12 surface electrodes and 17 inertial sensors, and three dynamical stability measures were computed: short and long temporal and conventional maximum Lyapunov exponents (LyE) and maximum Floquet multipliers (FM). A dynamic subject-specific EMG-assisted musculoskeletal …

Investigating The Correlation Between Social Determinants Of Health And Drug Selling Among People Who Use Drugs In Rural Appalachia, Kentucky, Grace A. Debo

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Abstract

Aims: To identify demographic, socioeconomic, health and access to resources, and drug use correlates associated with drug selling among adult, people who use drugs (PWUD) in rural Appalachia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed survey data from the ongoing KyOSK and SNAP projects. The surveys included information on participant characteristics (demographic, socioeconomic), and health and drug use behaviors. Our analysis was restricted to only those who answered the question regarding drug selling (n=738). Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were employed to identify correlates of drug selling.

Results: Among 738 participants, 20.6% reported selling or attempting to sell drugs …

Pharmacy Involvement In Increased Access To Opioid Treatment Programs, Catherine O'Rourke

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

The opioid epidemic still affects many Americans today. Despite approved medication treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD), a majority of the population with OUD have not received treatment. Since pharmacists are the most accessible health care professional and had an important role providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a push to expand pharmacists’ scope of practice. The primary purpose of this investigation was to identify the benefits and barriers to community pharmacist-led treatment of OUD. The secondary purpose was to determine whether pharmacist participation in opioid treatment programs (OTPs) or office based opioid treatment (OBOT) would be …

The Effects Of Stigma Within The Prep Care Cascade Among People Who Inject Drugs In Rural Kentucky, Abby Burton

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Background: Injection drug use has increased HIV burden in low-prevalence communities, specifically within rural Kentucky. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been successful in terms of HIV prevention, yet uptake remains low among people who inject drugs (PWID). PWID living in rural areas face unique challenges to receiving PrEP care, including significant barriers of substance use- and HIV-related stigma. Recent studies have only started to explore the overlapping effects of these two stigmas. Considering the barriers each stigma independently poses to PrEP care, it is important to investigate their role in tandem for any compounding effects. This paper is a secondary analysis …

A Case Study In Program Evaluation, Lydia Williams

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

The three core functions of public health are assessment, policy development, and assurance, and program evaluation falls under the latter category. A program is incomplete without an in-depth understanding of how well it works and what steps can be taken to make sure there is continuous progress and improvement.

In this case study, I developed an evaluation plan for the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department’s (LFCHD) infectious disease outbreak education program. The need for such a program was realized after a MRSA outbreak among a Kentucky high school football team. This case study employed the Center for Disease Control and Prevention …

Trust In Local Health Departments: A Cross-Sector Analysis Of Urban And Rural Communities, Kelsie Kwok

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Cross-sector collaboration is being looked to as best-practice for addressing complex issues. Given that trust is an important aspect of a well-functioning network, partners may have varying perceptions of trust regarding their counterparts. The primary objective is to examine partnerships and trust scores among six Kentucky communities (three urban, three rural) and their efforts to address unmet social needs. The secondary objective is to discuss differences among urban and rural communities regarding local health departments and the role of trust. A social network analysis (SNA) was conducted using the Program to Analyze, Record, and Track Networks to Enhance Relationships (PARTNER) …

Patterns Into Pathways For Improving Safety Culture: Refined Latent Class Analysis Informs Tailored Decision Support For South Carolina Dss Safety Culture Improvements, Michaela Voit

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

The rising prevalence of exposures to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) demands a coordinated public health response, as a significant body of research details the cumulative impact of ACEs on chronic morbidities contributing to reduced life expectancy. Child welfare workers (CWW) are embedded in this public health effort, tasked with preventing and mitigating the impacts of ACEs through family and prevention services. The National Partnership for Child Safety (NPCS) may improve the wellbeing of CWWs and the effectiveness of Child Welfare (CW) services by improving the quality of safety culture within CW organizations. To inform NPCS quality improvement efforts, our project …

Early Onset Colorectal Cancer: Research, Trends & Challenges, Sarah E. Smith

Capstone Showcase

Early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) incidence and mortality are rising in a global trend, contrasting with improvements seen in late-onset colorectal cancer (LOCRC). EOCRC appears to differ in presentation, histology, and pathology from LOCRC painting concerns of a more aggressive tumor profile. With incidence steadily climbing, there is still lacking awareness and guidance on screening for EOCRC. This article aims to provide background on EOCRC including epidemiology, risk factors, and traits, as well as to explore methods for adjusting provider screening criteria to combat this concerning trend.

Introducing Comprehensive Sexuality Education And Hiv Prevention And Treatment Methods Through Pop-Up Clinics To Secondary School Girls In Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, Eliza I. Tobin, Joaquin Carlos Pinga, Caitlyn Stanya

Capstone Showcase

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system leading to people living with HIV (PLHIV) immunodeficient and more susceptible to other infections or diseases (UNAIDS, 2023b). This can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) within 8-10 years of infection (UNAIDS, 2023b). HIV does not always present symptoms, making it hard for people to identify their HIV status without proper screening. The lack of awareness around a person’s status has led HIV to spread worldwide. In addition to the worldwide spread of HIV, there is no cure for the disease, however, antiretroviral therapy (ART) is mainly used …

Reducing The Prevalence Of Overweight And Obesity In Children Ages 10-13 In Charleston, West Virginia Through A School-Based Nutrition Education And Physical Activity Program, Isabella Tullio, Emma Heffley, Natalie Scardino

Capstone Showcase

Childhood overweight and obesity, the excessive or abnormal accumulation of fat causing a health risk, is primarily caused by lifestyle issues including inadequate physical activity and too many calories from food and drinks (WHO, 2020; Mayo Clinic, n,d). Key determinants of health for childhood obesity include physical environment, socioeconomic status or occupation, education level, and school environments. Children with parents who have low socioeconomic status, live in a food desert, (a neighborhood with limited access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains), or a food swamp, (a neighborhood with a saturation of fast-food outlets, convenience stores, and corner stores), or …

New York City’S Health Governance And Activism From The 1950s To The 1970s, Andres Valcarcel

Theses and Dissertations

New York City's expansive network of hospitals and preventative health services has an intense history outside of the popular narratives of biomedical and technological advancement. This thesis will discuss the period between the 1950s and 1970s and the various movements and parties that shaped the city's health and hospital system. During this period, New York City's healthcare delivery system became increasingly privatized and commercialized; processes that improved the quality of healthcare yet simultaneously barred the poorest from accessing it. Communities, healthcare workers, and civil rights organizations worked to address perceived faults and extend their agency in health and hospital policy; …

Health Vulnerability Mapping For Drought: A Case Study In A Predominantly Rural, Agricultural State, Babak Jalalzadeh-Fard, Jagadeesh Puvvula, Kelly Smith, Michael Hayes, Rachel Lookadoo, Rezaul Mahmood, Sharon J. Medcalf, Clinton Rowe, Martha Durr, Jesse E. Bell

Journal Articles: Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health

No abstract provided.

Cultural Predictors Of Self-Esteem Among Black Women With Criminal Justice Involvement And Herpes Simplex Virus, Natalie Malone, Jardin N. Dogan-Dixon, Shemeka Thorpe, Shawndaya S. Thrasher, Paris Wheeler, Danelle Stevens-Watkins, Carrie B. Oser

Sociology Faculty Publications

Black women have disproportionately alarming HSV-2 infection rates yet receive little attention in sexual health literature. Using a strengths-based resilience framework, this study sought to determine culturally relevant protective predictors of self-esteem for Black women who are justice-involved and have HSV-2. The authors conducted secondary data analysis on data from the “Black Women in the Study of Epidemics (B-WISE) Project,” a longitudinal prospective study investigating health disparities and health services utilization among Black women with justice involvement. At baseline, N = 151 Black women with HSV-2 who were incarcerated or on probation completed survey measures assessing selfesteem, ethnic identity affirmation …

Comparison Between Acute Leukaemia Screening Tube And Lineage Specific Panels For The Diagnosis Of Acute Leukaemia At The Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Douglas Irimu Munga

Master of Medicine in Clinical Pathology

Introduction; Acute leukaemia is a heterogeneous group of haematological malignancies. It is categorized depending on the immature cells that proliferate and replace the normal tissue in the bone marrow. The broad categories are acute myeloid leukaemia if the immature cells are myeloblasts and acute lymphoid leukaemia if lymphoblasts. Other rare categories are blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) and acute leukaemias of ambiguous lineage which include acute undifferentiated leukaemia and mixed phenotype acute leukaemias (MPALs). The classification is important as the treatment and management differ hence a timely and accurate diagnosis is paramount. Multiparameter comparison of the immunophenotype is possible …

Autochthonous Plasmodium Vivax Infections, Florida, Usa, 2023, Swamy Rakesh Adapa, Kami Kim, Liwang Cui

College of Medicine & TGH Faculty Publications

During May–July 2023, a cluster of 7 patients at local hospitals in Florida, USA, received a diagnosis of Plasmodium vivax malaria. Whole-genome sequencing of the organism from 4 patients and phylogenetic analysis with worldwide representative P. vivax genomes indicated probable single parasite introduction from Central/South America.

Addressing Healthcare Disparities Faced By Aging Down Syndrome Populations, Rhea Mistry

Pitzer Senior Theses

Down syndrome (DS) is a chromosomal genetic condition that impacts the development of the body and brain. The life expectancy of individuals with DS has drastically improved over the decades, increasing from 9 years in 1929 to 25 years in 1983 and further reaching 60 years by 2002. Individuals with DS face a variety of prominent co-occurring health conditions that are subject to change over time, including cognitive, visual, and hearing impairments, sleep apnea, cardiovascular defects, Down syndrome regression disorder, and dementia. Despite this increase in life span, DS is still most familiar to pediatric care providers, resulting in healthcare …

Demographic And Clinical Characteristics Of Venous Thromboembolism In Children, Deogracia Sindoiya Owende

Master of Medicine in Paediatrics and Child Health

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism in children is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality worldwide with an increasing annual incidence. The present study aimed to increase awareness as well as attempt to inform the management of paediatric venous thromboembolism in this setting.

Objective: To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of venous thromboembolism in children aged one month to 18 years at two tertiary hospitals in Kenya.

Methods: A descriptive retrospective chart review of patients aged one month to 18 years diagnosed with venous thromboembolism between January 2014 and December 2022 in two tertiary hospitals in Kenya was …

Next Top Model: An Overview Of Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Models, Pooja Agrawal, Carolyn Audet, Laura Ernst, Katie Lang, Sonya Reid, Katie Davis, Rebecca Selove, Maureen Sanderson, Lucy Spalluto

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Symposium 2024

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Breast Cancer Screening In Kims Clinic: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Daniel J. Avila Castillo, Crystal Ike, Mina Choudhry

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Symposium 2024

No abstract provided.

Persistent Poverty And Incidence-Based Melanoma Mortality, Tiffaney Tran, Karla Madrigal, Lillian Morris, Kehe Zhang, Emelie Nelson, Marcita Galindez, Zhigang Duan, Adewole S. Adamson, Hui Zhao, Hung Q. Doan, Madison M. Taylor, Cici Bauer, Kelly C. Nelson

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Symposium 2024

No abstract provided.

Identification Of Culturable Bacteria, Delphine Lanoie, Thi Thanh Tam Nguyen, Audrey Bernèche-D'Amours

Microbiologiques

Cette méthode est utilisée pour identifier des bactéries cultivées à partir d’échantillons d’air, de surface ou provenant de procédés solides ou liquides. Après avoir isolé une souche bactérienne en culture pure, les caractères macroscopiques et microscopiques des colonies bactériennes sont observés et des tests biochimiques simples sont réalisés. L’identification finale pourra être réalisée en utilisant une ou plusieurs de ces techniques : par spectrométrie de masse utilisant la technologie MALDI-ToF, par séquençage de type Sanger du gène codant pour l’ARNr 16S ou en fonction des caractéristiques phénotypiques de la souche par le système Biolog (tests biochimiques).

Abstract

This method is …

Efficacy Of Praziquantel In Treating Schistosoma Haematobium Infection Among Ethiopian Children, Louis Fok, David Brett-Major, Berhanu Erko, John Linville, Hongying Dai, Yohannes Negash, Abebe Animut, Abraham Degarege

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Background/Objectives: Praziquantel is a cornerstone of schistosomiasis control and elimination efforts. Continued surveillance of praziquantel efficacy is needed to monitor for the development of resistance, as well as to help public health officials gauge the effect of mass praziquantel administration on schistosomiasis control in communities, since it is the only drug used in schistosomiasis control programs. The objective of this study was to assess the praziquantel cure rate and egg reduction rate against urogenital schistosomiasis.

Methods: This study enrolled 977 children from 12 villages in Afar and Gambella, Ethiopia, who provided urine samples that were checked for Schistosoma haematobium …