Digital Commons Network^™

Taking Control Of Reproductive Health Information: Behind The Scenes With A Cataloging Librarian, Tanesa G. King

Library Scholarship

With the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, the author saw a need for an assessment of her institutional library’s collection of resources about reproductive and sexual health, especially on topics related to abortion and birth control. The author worked as a cataloging librarian in Texas at the time and anticipated that patrons would turn to the library for information about reproductive matters and thought a project concerning the reproductive and sexual health collection was vital for her library. Ensuring that the library catalog provided adequate subject access to the reproductive health resources that library users need, as …

“Not Today”: Overcoming Prep Hesitancy, Stigma, And Adherence Barriers With Lenacapavir, Margaret Conrad, Meredith Clement

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Prevalence Of Screening Patients For Alcohol Use In West Virginia: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study, Bayan Abuhalimeh, Christopher Waters, R. Constance Wiener

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Consequences of alcohol consumption are well-established and compounded by physiological changes of aging (increased sensitivity; medication interactions; etc.). Alcohol screening for all ages is recommended, especially as most Americans believe moderate drinking is acceptable. Screening is important in high alcohol use regions, such as rural areas where isolation is more likely, especially for older adults. The Appalachian Region has a significant rural population of older adults. West Virginia (WV) is representative of Appalachia. It is a rural state, has many older adults, and all counties are Appalachian.

Purpose: The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to determine the likelihood …

Finding Community: A Thematic Analysis Of Resilience During The Pandemic, Myles Kwitny, Quinn Richards, Grace Digirolamo, Shannon Freedman, Sophie Wenzel

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic impacted those within rural Appalachian communities, particularly people with marginalized identities.

Purpose: Through interviewing 44 participants from New River Valley, an Appalachian community in Virginia, this study sought to understand how resilience impacted individuals' experiences during the pandemic.

Methods: Participants belonged to one of the following groups: African American, Hispanic, older adults, or people who use drugs. Participants were required to reside in the New River Valley and be older than 18. Each participant was interviewed either in person, by phone, or over video call. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, then thematically analyzed for themes of resilience. …

Essays On Economic Behaviour, Yiting Guo

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

My PhD thesis comprises three studies. The first study examines prosocial behavior; the second analyzes vaccination behavior; and the third investigates communicative behavior in the context of trade. Specifically, the first study investigates the impact of donation visibility on individual prosocial behavior. It develops a sequential-move model based on the prosocial behavior framework proposed by Benabou and Tirole (2006). In Stage 1, individuals decide whether to attend a charity event, and if so, in Stage 2, decide on the amount to donate. In this model, an individual’s decision to engage in prosocial behavior is influenced by three main factors: intrinsic …

Crossing Borders: Analyzing The Factors Contributing To Healthcare And Reproductive Preferences Among Residents Of The Texas-Mexico Border, Yamaris Michelle Cordero

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Crossing Borders: Analyzing the Factors Contributing to Healthcare and Reproductive Preferences Among Residents of the Texas-Mexico Border explores the complexities of healthcare access and utilization among border residents, particularly in the context of reproductive health. Through qualitative analysis of focus group discussions with promotoras - community health workers - this study identifies key factors influencing cross-border healthcare decisions, including economic barriers, cultural influences, and perceptions of quality. The findings reveal that high costs and limited insurance coverage in the U.S. drive many individuals to seek affordable healthcare and medications in Mexico, where pharmacies provide immediate, low-cost services without the need …

Institutional Betrayal And Military Vaccine Mandates: An Inquiry Into Loss Of Health Autonomy Concerning Unlimited Liability Contractual Employment In The Covid-19 Era, Aaron G. Dehaven

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The balance between government control and personal liberty is a growing concern in the modern world. Nowhere is this more evident than in discussions surrounding government policy in public health and individual health autonomy. The Covid-19 pandemic forced many institutions to change their standard operating procedures by adapting to rapidly changing health guidance instituted to protect public health. These changes highlighted the role of health autonomy and individuals’ rights to refuse medical treatments. The Department of Defense changed many aspects of how it operated during the pandemic, including the mandate of the Covid-19 vaccine for all service members. For various …

Factors Influencing Information And Accessibility Of Tuberculosis Prevention Services Among Nomadic Fulani And Host Communities, Nigeria, Abolaji Azeez, Kabiru Salami

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Despite efforts to curtail tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria, the country has not yet attained the global target. This study explored the dynamics of access to information about TB control and prevention among nomadic Fulani and their host communities. We used a mixed-methods approach and multistage sampling technique to recruit 812 respondents for the survey, and we conducted 18 in-depth interviews across six local government areas. The results indicated generally low access to TB information and services, with only 2% of nomadic Fulani engaging in TB prevention activities compared to 6.7% of host community members. Yoruba respondents had significantly higher odds …

A Cancer Education Needs Assessment: Informing Middle-Aged Female Patients About The Relationships Between Obesity And Women’S Health Concerns In The Reproductive System, Breast, And Endometrial Health, Batul Mirza

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Obesity significantly impacts women’s health, particularly among middle-aged women, by increasing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, endometrial, and reproductive system cancers. This study examines the educational needs of this demographic group regarding obesity-related cancer risks and explores effective intervention strategies. Obesity-induced mechanisms – hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance – drive cancer susceptibility, emphasizing the need for targeted health education. The study employs a qualitative design, which includes interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) and surveys of middle-aged women. The goal is to assess awareness, perceived barriers, and preferred learning methods. Findings suggest that with many …

Qualitative Insights Into Drug Use Safety Strategies And Social Support Among Sexual Minority Women Who Inject Drugs In Baltimore, Maryland, Jennifer L. Glick, Leanne Zhang, Aimee Huang, Megan Nguyen, Danielle German

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background: Sexual minority women (SMW) experience higher rates of substance use relative to heterosexual women in the U.S. but remain an under-studied population. SMW who inject drugs (SMWWID) navigate an unpredictable drug market and may experience complex relationships within their social spheres. We explore cisgender SMWWID’s strategies to maintain safety while injecting drugs, and the influence of their social support systems on those strategies. Methods: We conducted N = 16 phone-based, semi-structured, in-depth interviews with SMWWID in Baltimore, Maryland between June-October 2021. The interviews explored participants’ sexual orientation and gender identities, social networks and support systems, drug use behaviors and …

Stockpiling, Forecasting And Protecting Skills: Skilling As Technique Of Preparedness In Times Of Crises, Rebecca Ye, Yasmin Y. Ortiga

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

In this comparative and situational analysis, we examine how nation-states use skilling as a technique of preparedness during crisis moments. By analysing two strategically selected country cases, Singapore and Sweden, during a critical phase of a global pandemic, we identify three techniques: stockpiling, forecasting, and protecting skills, and how these were enacted as a means to perform preparedness. Stockpiling skills was observed to take place as a rapid response; forecasting skills was a technique enacted with a view on the longer-term horizon and protecting skills was mobilised as a short-term future technique, where boundaries were assembled around skilling. While there …

Babaeng Frontliner At Covid-19 Sa Pilipinas: Batayan Para Sa Isang Epektibong Tugon Sa Pandemya Na Nakatuon Sa Gender, Arianne Nicole N. Fernando

Social Sciences and Development Review

While the mortality rates for men are higher, the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic hit women differently. This qualitative study examines the experiences of eight Filipina frontliners who continued to work during the General Community Quarantine in Metro Manila. Respondents were selected through purposive sampling. The primary data collection method was in depth interview. Phenomenological study was utilized for data analysis. The research resulted in three major themes which emerged out of the experiences shared by the female frontliners (1) there exists a problem in safety and transportation among female frontliners; (2) stress develops from a high-risk work task; …

Strategic Narratives To Counter Global Threats, Jerry E. Landrum, Chase Metcalf, Michael M. Posey

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

This article argues that the current National Security Strategy lacks the necessary coherence and fidelity to mobilize collective action against the emerging Russia-China axis. It merges multiple theoretical concepts to assert that the “rules-based order” theme is insufficient for mobilizing public support. Using textual analysis of the strategy compared with publicly available polling to determine levels of popular resonance, the authors find that the “rules-based order emphasis” does not resonate. This study’s conclusions will assist practitioners as they develop an updated National Security Strategy in the new presidential administration.

Political Ecologies Of The Livestock Industry, Jecca Bowen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the United States today, livestock production is dominated by an intensified, industrialized production paradigm whose growth in recent decades has utterly transformed the logistical realities and community impacts of animal agriculture. This dissertation investigates the effects of this production paradigm on livestock producers—whose decision-making is shaped by multi-scalar and often contradictory forces—as well as residents living near these large operations. To do so, I draw upon mixed-methods fieldwork, including in-depth interviews, spatial analysis, and field odor measurements in Weld and Morgan Counties in northern Colorado. I also use political ecologies of emotion, embodiment, and health to examine the complex …

The Rhetoric Of Responsibilization: A Rhetorical Analysis Of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Campaigns For Hiv Prevention, Catherine M. Pabalate

Kentucky Undergraduate Journal for the Health Humanities

Responsibilization refers to the process by which patients are made accountable for their health and wellbeing, which is determined by their habits and behaviors. Though responsibilization affords greater agency to patients, it can also result in anxiety and guilt when the patient appears "deviant" or "noncompliant." Because sexual behavior is attributed to the causality of HIV/AIDS, patients’ sexual patterns and choices are included within their medical decision-making. This rhetorical analysis focuses on pharmaceutical campaigns and commercials for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which were released between 2012 and 2024 and are targeted towards patients at-risk for HIV/AIDS. Findings suggest that specific rhetorical …

#Clandestini: How Italy's Center-Right Parliamentary Coalition Frames The Migrant Crisis On Social Media, Jenna Lynn Depasquale

Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation examines the intersection of Italian neo-fascism, the Mediterranean migrant crisis, and digital media. Through a qualitative content analysis of the Twitter and Instagram posts made by Italy's center-right parliamentary coalition from 2014-2018, this research outlines frameworks that facilitate both the physical and social deaths of migrants. Twitter is a platform on which bite-sized xenophobic messages characterize migrants as criminals, spoiled youth, spreaders of infectious disease, and future terrorists--sometimes in a contradictory fashion. Instagram is a medium for conveying Italian identity and history, which disregards the longstanding contributions of people of color, including Muslims, in Southern Italy. Comment sections …

Down Syndrome In Africa: Challenges, Opportunities, And Future Directions, Eimear Mcglinchey, Salina Tewolde, Amanda He, Juan Fortea, Lingani Mbakile-Mahlanza, Ayda Tefera, Emmanuel Epenge, Jason Hassenstab, Rachel Maina, Zul Merali

Brain and Mind Institute

INTRODUCTION: As life expectancy improves for people with Down syndrome (DS) in Africa, the risk of developing DS-associated Alzheimer’s disease (DSAD) will rise. There is a pressing need to plan for this emerging challenge, particularly in the context of existing health and social disparities.

METHODS: This work emerged from a pan-African collaboration, including discussions at the Brain Ageing and Dementia in Low- and Middle-Income Countries conference held in Nairobi in 2024, where stakeholders identified regional priorities for DS and dementia care.

RESULTS: Limited epidemiological, cognitive, biomarker data, delayed diagnoses, and gaps in specialized services may impact access …

Tobacco, Alcohol, And Poverty In Lao Pdr Based On National Survey Analysis, Robert M. Semakula

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Tobacco and alcohol use are among the most prevalent and harmful addictive behaviors globally, including in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). In Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific, substance use patterns are shaped by cultural, social, economic, policyrelated, and environmental factors. This study aimed to: (1) explore associations between different patterns of alcohol and tobacco use among men and women in Lao PDR, and (2) investigate the effect of poverty on the relationship between alcohol and tobacco use. We conducted a secondary analysis of the 2013 Lao National Adult Tobacco Survey (N = 9,706), a nationally representative sample …

Europe–Africa Collaboration: Working Together To Strengthen Health Research, Implementation, And Equitable Systems, Lara Pandya, Irene Norstedt, Martin Seychell, Emer Cooke, Isabel De La Mata Barranco, Niklas Blomberg, Marleen Temmerman, Michael Makanga

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

In September 2024, key representatives from European Union (EU) directorates and agencies convened to enhance collaboration with Africa in strengthening health research, innovation, and implementation. The meeting focused on bolstering joint efforts to improve health outcomes and support wellbeing across all ages in Africa. Despite progress in addressing infectious diseases, the continent faces a dual burden with the rise of non-communicable diseases and emerging threats such as antimicrobial resistance, climate change, falsified medicines, and pandemic risks. These challenges are exacerbated by fragile health systems, rapid population growth, urbanisation, and limited access to affordable medical interventions.

To address these issues, the …

Ecological Responsibility In The City: The Surfaces And Volumes Of Urban Mosquito Management, Orlando Woods, Sayd Randle

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

This paper explores how ecological responsibility becomes distributed across the surfaces and volumes of the city. Our focus is urban mosquito management – specifically, the management of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the vector by which dengue and several other diseases are transmitted to humans – and the governance strategies deployed in Singapore to manage breeding sites and mosquito outbreaks. Whilst the governance of nature in Singapore is usually undertaken by the state, the effective management of mosquitoes requires responsibility for ecological management to become distributed throughout the city. Residents are expected to assume responsibility for surficial cleanliness and the removal …

The Impact Of Nicu Death On Bereaved Mothers, Jennie Terranova

University Honors Theses

Infant loss in the United States occurs 5.6 per 1,000 live births. This paper examines risk factors that contribute to neonatal death. Prematurity is a risk factor for NICU admission. A portion of premature babies receiving care in the NICU will die. The stressful nature of the NICU has been studied widely in journals. The impact of NICU death on hospital staff and bereaved parents has been studied less. Mortality studies suggest that bereaved mothers are at a high risk of dying within the first 5 years after their child has died. Despite the frequency of maternal death post-child loss, …

Planetary Health And Indigenous Sovereignty: Exploring The Theory Of Change Of The Healthy Environments And Lives (Heal) Network In Western Australia, Lucie O'Sullivan, Theoni Whyman, Mara West, Noel Nannup, Jaime Yallup Farrant, Naomi Joy Godden, Emma Leigh Synnott, Raewyn Mutch, Anita J. Campbell, Kylie Wrigley, Brad Farrant

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper outlines the theory of change which underpins the Western Australian (WA) hub of the Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) network. HEAL is an Australian national research initiative that aims to address the health impacts of climate and environmental change. The WA hub's theory of change is focused on improving the health and well-being of the planet and people, including children, through centring Indigenous sovereignty, voices and ways of knowing and being in research, policy development and service provision. The WA hub also recognises it is essential for place-based, community-led solutions, which strengthens responses to climate and environmental change, …

Leading Through Crisis: San Diego County Schools' Response To The Social Emotional Needs Of All Students, Johana Bielma

Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented school closures, forcing administrators to take decisive action to radically change the educational system. The imperative to switch to remote learning transformed the dynamics of teaching and learning, leading to both immediate and long-term academic and social emotional consequences for all stakeholders. When schools reopened, administrators faced the challenge of reintegrating students into in-person learning while addressing the pandemic’s lasting effects on academics, mental health, and school safety. While academic regression was evident, the extent of students’ emotional struggles was less anticipated. Many students exhibited increased irritability and mental health issues such as depression …

Negotiating Migration In The Mediterranean: A Comparative Study Of Morocco And Italy’S Border Policies And Their Humanitarian Impact On Irregular Migrants, Shennel Ep Henries

Master's Theses

Serving as both a barrier and a bridge that connects Africa and Europe, the Mediterranean is today the focal point of global controversies around migration, where humanitarian interests balance against border policing and meet securitization policies. This thesis examines the questions: How do irregular migrants adapt, interpret, and maneuver around securitized Moroccan and Italian migration policies, and what do their strategies tell us about the relationship between humanitarianism and securitization in Mediterranean bordering processes? Drawing on qualitative evidence, including expert interviews with organization employees and volunteers in Morocco and Italy (Fondazione Solidarietà Caritas, Nosotras Onlus, and Caritas Maroc), field observation, …

Framing The Future: A Community Health Analysis Of The Pee Dee Region, Stephen Borders, Jean Anton, Rian Fontaine, Donielle Phillips, Treyton Ringer, Jessica Robinson, Caitlin Thompkins

Public Health

This report presents a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of community health across South Carolina’s Pee Dee region, encompassing Florence, Darlington, Chesterfield, Marlboro, Marion, and Dillon Counties. Using tract-level data from CDC PLACES, the U.S. Census, and the National Provider Identifier registry, it assesses chronic health conditions, health behaviors, and social determinants of health. The analysis incorporates the South Carolina Healthy Communities Index (SCHCI) and a Suitability Analysis to identify the region’s most disadvantaged communities. The findings highlight persistent disparities, particularly in rural counties, where high rates of poverty, chronic disease, and unmet basic needs intersect with limited access to care. Despite …

Frontier Healthscapes: Competing Narratives Of Disease, Environment, And Wellbeing In Early Minnesota, Aidan Reynolds

Geography Honors Projects

Across settler societies, health narratives were shaped by evolving tensions between lay and expert knowledge, frameworks of disease causation, and perceptions of the environment as both a source of health and a threat. In the decades following Euro-American settlement (1860-1900), Minnesota became a focal point for these debates, with its landscape fostering complex and competing narratives on health, wellbeing, and disease. This paper explores how public health discourse developed in Minnesota through the perspectives of institutions, the public, and economic interests. Combining environmental history with critical discourse analysis of archival materials, this study examines shifts within the Minnesota State Board …

A Theoretical Model Of Participatory Team Science Training, Angela E. Jordan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

BACKGROUND: Teams have long been used to address major scientific and societal problems, and interdisciplinary teams are understood to be the best approach to complex systems-based problems like climate change. Engaged research collaborations incorporating community members as equal partners in research projects are recognized as both a means of advancing equity and justice in research, and also of improving the success of research translation by developing solutions with community use-value. The science of team science (TS) and community-engaged research (CEnR) have emerged as scholarly disciplines, with attempts to define competencies, skills, functioning, and success. A growing body of literature in …

Sex Differences In Adult Frailty At The Late-Terminal Classic (C. 750-1000 Ce) Maya Site Of Lower Dover, Rose Rioux

Honors Thesis

While it has been suggested that the compounded effects of population growth and climatic pressures over the Classic period (c. 300-1000 CE) led to a health crisis among the Maya, there is no current knowledge of whether there were significant sex differences in risks of mortality and frailty associated with metabolic stressors. This research assesses sex differences in frailty and mortality of adults (n=52) from the medium-sized Maya polity of Lower Dover in the upper Belize River Valley from the Late Preclassic (c. 300 BCE-150 CE) to Terminal Classic (c. 750-1000 CE). Osteological methods of estimating age and sex were …

The Emotions Of Uncertainty: Science, Politics, And The Social Dynamics Of Decision Making, Alisa N. Rogers

Sociology ETDs

This dissertation examines how social and emotional factors influence attitudes toward science and decision making regarding science-based policy recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic. I examine boundary work practices among the public as they evaluate experts during the pandemic and the social sources of information people used to construct knowledge. Then I examine the social and emotional factors that participants indicated influenced their own attitude formation and decisions to act regarding public health recommendations during the pandemic. I find that emotions influence each element of the decision process: information gathering, information evaluation, attitude formation, and decisions to act. Affective commitment and …

Emergency Operations Plan To Sufficiently Support Prison Disaster Preparedness, Nyhrie Love Chapman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Emergency management in correctional facilities is a critical aspect of institutional safety and security. Natural disasters and public health crises have exposed significant gaps in preparedness, leaving incarcerated individuals and staff vulnerable during emergencies. This qualitative study was conducted to examine prison staff members’ perspectives on the effectiveness of emergency operations plans (EOPs) in responding to natural and human-made disasters. Guided by social vulnerability theory and policy implementation and effectiveness theory, this study employed a phenomenological approach to explore staff experiences. Through 12 in-depth interviews, participants described challenges related to resource limitations, training deficiencies, and breakdowns in communication between agencies. …