Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Community Nurses And Health Volunteers On Child Mortality: The Navrongo Community Health And Family Planning Project, Brian Wells Pence, Philomena Nyarko, James F. Phillips, Cornelius Debpuur

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This report presents the child mortality impact of a trial of primary health-care service-delivery strategies in rural Ghana. After adjustment for sociodemographic factors, under-five mortality in areas with village-based community-nurse services fell by 16 percent during the five years of program implementation compared with mortality before the intervention. Reductions were observed in infant (6 percent), early child (20 percent), and late child (41 percent) mortality. Community involvement and training of a local health volunteer were associated with an 11 percent increase in mortality, primarily driven by a 124 percent increase in early child mortality. Areas with both nurses and volunteers …

Population And Sustainability, Geoffrey Mcnicoll

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Sustainability refers to the preservation of human-valued natural capital—the resources that provide environmental services—at a level sufficient to assure the well-being of future generations. This Population Council working paper assess the effects on the total and per capita availability of those services. The degradation of environmental services—exemplified by the overuse of aquifers or (at a global level) of the atmospheric carbon sink—is a significant threat to sustainable development, one that is often exacerbated by population growth. The critical management issue in such cases is the design of effective governing institutions to restrain service demand and safeguard supply. Uncertainties arising from …

Maternal Education And Child Nutritional Status In Bolivia: Finding The Links, Michelle Bellessa Frost, Renata Forste, David W. Haas

Faculty Publications

This study models various pathways linking maternal education and child nutritional status in Bolivia, using a national sample of children. Pathways examined include socioeconomic status, health knowledge, modern attitudes towards health care, female autonomy, and reproductive behavior. The data come from the 1998 Bolivia Demographic and Health Survey. Logistic regression results suggest that socioeconomic factors are the most important pathways linking maternal education and child nutritional status, and that modern attitudes about health care also explain the impact of education. Health care knowledge accounts for less of the effect of maternal education on child nutritional status, with autonomy being the …

A Constructionist Analysis Of Same-Sex Marriage, Sandra Kay Nead

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Same-sex marriage has been heavily debated in academics and in the public sphere. During the 2004 Presidential election same-sex marriage became an issue that polarized the candidates. It has become a lightning rod for public debate. Due to the increasing attention to the controversy of legalizing same-sex marriage, it is an important topic for research. This paper seeks to contribute to the research of same-sex marriage by providing insight into claims-making efforts to define same-sex marriage as a social problem. My findings shed light on this topic from a social constructionist perspective by examining the use of rhetorical idioms of …

Recycling Service-Learning Project, Cesar Chavez Foundation

Curriculum

11th grade students identified needs related to excess campus trash and a school budget crisis. They chose to tackle both issues by expanding South Gates recycling program. Students partnered with the LA Conservation Corps recycling programto set-up a large recycling bin, arrange for pick-up and disposal, and generate proceeds for school improvement. The students were responsible for a major education campaign on campus as well as the logistics of the project including the location of the recycling bin. The education campaign included: making and distributing posters and flyers, classroom and PowerPoint presentations on recycling, intercom announcements, and information on the …

Food Quality And Food Choice Project, Cesar Chavez Foundation

Curriculum

Students at Southgate High School identified school improvement as a pressing need. Students chose to focus specifically on the dissatisfaction with food served on campus. Students developed a campus wide survey to report on improvements that can be made in food service as well as healthy food alternatives in cafeteria and vending machines. Students also learned about the value of good nutrition and the lack of quality and fresh food available in low-income communities of color.

The Fear Of Death And The Fear Of Dying: Possible Barriers To Altruistic Behavior, Jennifer Haskin Corwin

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Research in the study of the fear of death and dying and the study of altruism implies that there is a dynamic relationship between the two fields. Rarely, if ever, has a direct connection been made. This study is an effort to further explore the relationship that exists between the fear of death and dying, altruistic behavior, self-esteem, and perceptions of a common humanity. Through the synthesis of these four key social psychological concepts, a theoretical model was developed and tested.

Through the examination and statistical analysis of quantitative data and the systematic evaluation of interview data, several connections between …

The Impact Of Childhood Mortality On Fertility In Six Rural Thanas Of Bangladesh, Mian Bazle Hossain, James F. Phillips, Thomas K. Legrand

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This Population Council working paper examines the causal structure of the relationship between child mortality events and subsequent fertility during a time of rapid decline in fertility in Bangladesh. Results lend support to the hypothesis of an insurance effect, while demonstrating that its demographic significance is likely to be less prominent than that of replacement behavior. Findings indicate that the insurance motive remains intact even after total fertility declined to fewer than three children per woman. The well-documented role of gender bias as a determinant of child health and survival is also a factor in child-replacement decisionmaking. Although the rapid …

How Many Years Of Life Could Be Saved If Malaria Were Eliminated From A Hyperendemic Area Of Northern Ghana?, Ayaga A. Bawah, Fred N. Binka

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

For some time, Chinese government policies have treated rural and urban areas very differently, and a by-product of China’s rapid development seems to be an even greater differentiation between urban and rural social and economic life. Over the next several decades, in part because of rapid fertility declines and in part as a result of mortality declines at older ages, China and other developing countries will experience enormous increases in the proportion of older adults and the proportion of the “oldest-old.” It is reasonable to expect that these age structure changes will alter the provision of health care, making an …

Food Security Status, Nutrient Intake At The Beginning And End Of The Monthly Resource Cycle, And Body Mass Index In Female Food Stamp Recipients, Caroline C. Burke

LSU Master's Theses

Diets are typically poorer and risk of chronic disease (e.g. obesity) is greatest in low-income populations. Food security status, nutrient intake, and Body Mass Index were assessed in 64 female food stamp recipients in Southeast Louisiana. One 24-hour dietary recall was collected at the beginning of the month (Day 1) and one at the end of the month (Day 2). Food security status was: 29 food secure (FS), 26 food insecure (FIS), and nine food insecure with hunger (FISH). Sixty-two % (n=39) of our study participants were obese. Mean % energy from protein (p=0.03); total fat (p=0.029), % saturated fatty …

Transferring Ghana's System Of Evidence-Based Health Program Development: Program For An Initial Exchange With Sierra Leone And Burkina Faso, Frontiers In Reproductive Health

Reproductive Health

Ghana’s Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) experiment demonstrated that mobilizing community volunteerism, in combination with retraining and redeploying nurses to village-based locations reduced childhood mortality rates in that country. Thus, CHPS has become the government’s primary strategy for realizing universal access to health care. This report provides a description of an initial exchange organized by the Ghana Health Service, the Navrongo Health Research Centre, and the Population Council to explore ways of transferring and adapting these evidence-based strategies to other countries in the region. The exchange included representatives from the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation and the …

Use Of Systematic Screening To Increase The Provision Of Reproductive Health Services In Bolivia, James R. Foreit, Ricardo Vernon, Patricia Riveros Hamel

Reproductive Health

The objective of this study was to determine if the use of a checklist to screen for unmet service needs could increase the number of services per visit provided to clients using rural Bolivian health facilities. Measurement included changes in services per visit before and after the introduction of the intervention, and a comparison of services received at screened and non-screened visits. Findings show that, to the degree that provider compliance can be secured, systematic screening of clients appears to be an effective method for reducing unmet health service needs. The findings of this study replicate those of other studies …

Systematic Screening To Integrate Reproductive Health Services In India, N.P. Das, Urvi Shah, Varsha Chitania, Pratibha Patel, M.E. Khan, Anurag Mishra, James R. Foreit

Reproductive Health

This study, conducted in large public clinics and small health posts in the city of Vadodara, India, tested the effectiveness of a systematic screening technique in integrating reproductive health services at the provider level. The objective was to determine if women screened during clinic visits received more services, appointments, and referrals per visit than women who were not screened. Results show that in experimental group clinics the number of services per visit increased while control clinics experienced a slight decrease; the effect of systematic screening was smaller in health posts than in clinics. In experimental posts, services per visit increased …

Feasibility Of Introducing A Comprehensive Package Of Antenatal Care Services In Rural Public Clinics In South Africa, Jane Chege, Ian Askew, Nzwakie Mosery, Mbali Ndube-Nxumalo, Busi Kunene, Mags Beksinska, Janet Dalton, Ester Snyman, Wilem Sturm, Preshny Moodley

Reproductive Health

The Maternal, Child and Women’s Health Unit, in collaboration with the Population Council’s FRONTIERS in Reproductive Health (FRONTIERS) program, the Reproductive Health Research Unit of the University of Witwatersrand, and the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases of the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of Natal, developed and then pilot-tested this revised model in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The project’s objective was to develop and test an improved and integrated antenatal care program for public-sector clinics that would increase the range and quality of services received by pregnant women and improve their reproductive health behavior and status. Various problems, …

Osteoporosis And Osteopenia Management In Women: Survey, Case-Referent Study, And Interventional Exercise Trial, Rania A. Mekary

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Three studies are presented; the first epidemiological study was a survey of Baton Rouge/New Orleans physicians who manage osteoporosis. When the respondents’ answers were compared to selected guidelines, they displayed poor knowledge regarding osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis, and treatment (X2=39.88; P<0.0001). Rheumatologists and endocrinologists scored globally better on osteoporosis management when compared to ObGyn (OR= 6.98) (CI=2.4; 22.8). Physicians with more years of experience were more knowledgeable of osteoporosis care (OR=1.04) (CI=1.014; 1.071). The second epidemiological study was a case referent study looking at osteoporosis treatment and patient adherence of selected women in Baton Rouge. Results showed that osteoporosis management depended partly on patient adherence. Barriers to patient’s adherence varied from physiological to psychological reasons. Physicians need to provide more explanation and motivation to the patients. Spine was the area most affected and showed more improvement with treatment than the femur (P<0.01). Bisphosphonates were the most effective treatment for the spine (P<0.05). In patients with osteoporosis, being on just calcium and exercise is not enough to counteract bone resorption. They also need to be on an anti-resorptive therapy. Low body mass index, genetics, and history of fractures were negatively correlated to bone mineral density (BMD) increase (P<0.05). The third interventional pilot study was a non-randomized controlled study done on osteopenic postmenopausal women to examine the effect of calcium supplements and core/lower back strengthening exercises on lumbar density and muscle strength. Repeated measures analysis showed that both groups increased in isometric lumbar strength with time (P=0.02). When fosamax and exercise were taken as treatments, with baseline BMD as a covariable, the one-tailed P value of the two-way ANOVA showed a numerically positive but not significant increase in the exercise group (yearly change=2.373 ± 2.625; T value=0.9; P=0.21). Also, the exercise group showed increased feelings of well-being as opposed to the control group who showed no change or worsening. One woman in the control group fractured a bone. Ultimately, osteoporosis management relies on physicians’ knowledge, involvement, and patient adherence. Calcium, exercise and anti-resorptive treatments are needed in case of osteoporosis. Calcium supplements and site-specific strengthening exercises may be enough in case of osteopenia.

Barriers To Educational Attainment For Rural Women Exiting Welfare, Lynda W. Carville

LSU Master's Theses

In this paper I look at 12 women who were on welfare and their barriers to becoming self sufficient through education. They are in rural areas in the state of Louisiana and relied on welfare as a support system. I will examine their abilities to eventually obtain education and stable employment. In this paper, I use the qualitative data provided by Dr. Pam Monroe of Louisiana State University to examine the relationships of schooling, skills and recent work experience to the women’s paths to becoming self-sufficient. This study provides information on the extent to which education leads to job stability …

2005- 2008 Unlv Mcnair Journal, Valerie Avery, Shana Bachus, Karmen K. Boehlke, Andrea Flores, Alden Kelly, Erick Lopez, Carol Preussler, Heather Shay, Ava Bookatz, Shaun Elsasser, Veronica Hicks, Shaida A. Jetha, Anthony Quinn, Thurithabhani Seneviratne, Teddy Boado Sim Jr., Liza Ward, Amris Henry-Rodgers, Jacquelynn Kaaa-Logan, Jason Orozco, Juan C. Plata, Bonnie Bartlett, Kathleen Bell, Vacheral M. Carter, Nydia Diaz, Kimberly Hackstock, Julio A. Luna, Charles Mao, Sandra Ramos, Precious Rideout, Benjamin Lee Watrous, Chet R. Whitley

McNair Journal

Journal articles based on research conducted by undergraduate students in the McNair Scholars Program

Table of Contents

Biography of Dr. Ronald E. McNair

Statements:

Dr. Neal J. Smatresk, UNLV President

Dr. Juanita P. Fain, Vice President of Student Affairs

Dr. William W. Sullivan, Associate Vice President for Retention and Outreach

Mr. Keith Rogers, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach

McNair Scholars Institute Staff

Lifelong Learning For Older Persons In Hong Kong, Sze Sze, Stephanie Hui

Lingnan Theses

Lifelong learning (LL) has been widely regarded as one of the activities that can enhance well-being of the society and benefit older persons in terms of psychological, physical, mental, and cognitive well-being. In foreign countries like the Unites States of America, the United Kingdom, Finland, France, Australia, and also China, LL among older persons had been developed successfully. Hong Kong, in contrast, has no systematic planning for the development of LL even though the aged population is increasing rapidly. This research aims at constructing a LL model for older persons in Hong Kong. The theoretical framework of study focused on …

Older Mothers' Expectations Of Intergenerational Relationships : The Intergenerational Ambivalence Perspective, Sze Wing Yan

Lingnan Theses

With the effects of social changes, family values have changed and tensions and contradictions are probably more likely to occur among family members. According to the intergenerational ambivalence perspective, intergenerational relationships are inherently structured so as to generate ambivalence. Ambivalence means the contradictions in the relationships between older parents and adult children that cannot be reconciled. Individuals are expected to use various strategies in their attempts to manage ambivalence at least temporarily.

Older women, who often have different life experiences than older men given the influence of traditional Chinese culture, are the focus of this research. The present study aims …

Assessing Program Effects Or Impact In Enterprise Development Programs, Tristi C. Nichols

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Responding to questions increasingly posed by finders regarding what works best in assisting small businesses and what impacts are caused by program interventions, this paper aims to help program administrators answer these questions. Focusing on business development service provision, specific conceptual measures and quantitative variables are presented with examples in an effort to provide some guidance for collecting and analyzing data. The paper elucidates how program planners may emphasize the impact of their interventions, thereby explaining to finders what works best and how to prove it. It presents two major reflections about measures that yield robust results. The first conceptual …

So What? A Primer On Methods For Identifying, Measuring, And Analyzing Program Impacts And Outcomes, Ronald L. Williams

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

This paper offers insights on the need for increased program accountability and the benefits that arise from the use of better performance measures. Examples of impact and accountability reports are presented to highlight the best practices. Weaker impact reports are analyzed so as to emphasize more effective ways to demonstrate outputs and impact to funders.

The Philadelphia Story: A Guide To Service-Learning System Building, Kenny Holdsman, David Tuchmann

Guides

In June 1998, the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia passed a resolution mandating that all students demonstrate citizenship competencies by completing a service-learning project for promotion to grades 5 and 9 and for high school graduation. This resolution, part of Children Achieving–– Philadelphia’s education reform plan––launched an initiative supporting service-learning practice on an unprecedented scale for one school district.

Four years later, the District had formed partnerships with over 250 community agencies, trained 2,400 teachers in the philosophy and methodology of service-learning, and leveraged approximately $20 million per year in financial and in-kind resources to support …

Perceived Effects Of A Correctional Health Education Service-Learning Program, John Amtmann

Higher Education

The Montana State Prison (MSP) Wellness Program was designed to provide educational and service activities to male inmates for the purpose of improving health status and increasing knowledge on significant health issues relevant to contemporary society. The Applied Health students at Montana Tech of the University of Montana aided in the delivery of the MSP Wellness Program. These services and activities were designed to meet the goals of Healthy People 2010, a national prevention agenda written in a collaborative fashion by governmental agencies and highly regarded health educators.

Representation Of The Elderly In Counselor Education Textbooks, Alicia V. Fahr

Dissertations

The counseling profession requires multicultural competence in meeting the needs of diverse groups. The responsibility for training counseling students to work effectively with the elderly falls upon counselor educators. Textbooks convey cultural values and contribute to what is learned by students. Specifically,textbooks may contribute to how counseling students think about older adults and aging issues. This study was designed to determine how older adults and aging issues are represented in counselor education texts.

The textbooks used most frequently by 11 randomly selected master's degree programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (2001) were identified …

Inside Unlv, Erin O'Donnell, Carol C. Harter, Diane Russell, Jennifer Vaughan

Inside UNLV

No abstract provided.

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 80, No. 19 [No. 20], Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. This issue contains articles:

• Green, Tavia. Available Flu Shots Are Limited
• Wilberding, Beth. Youth Vote Improves, But Less Than Expected
• Maines, Ashley. Torn Apart – Cory Kemble, Divorce
• Clark, Ashlee. American Humanics Minor Proposed
• Richardson, Kelly. Post Office Supervisor Indicted for Stealing – Christopher Hillard
• Put the Community Back In Community Service
• Ingram, Brooks. Editorial Cartoon re: Shantytown
• Williamson, Chuck. For Those Who Voted Yes . . . It’s Never Too Late for An Apology – Same Sex Marriage
• Hitch, John. There’s Nothing Funny About 9/11
• Magill, Wes. There’s …

Aging In Place At Harbor Point: Outreach Follow-Up Of Older Adults Living In Independent Mixed-Income Apartments, Judith M. Conahan, Nina M. Silverstein, Kelly Fitzgerald

Gerontology Institute Publications

Most older people, despite functional impairments, plan to stay in their homes and/or communities as long as possible. According to an AARP survey, 82% of adults 65+ reported that they believe that they are “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to stay in their current homes or apartments for the rest of their lives. With increasing age, housing and community characteristics and services gain importance in meeting the challenges of “aging in place.” Staying in their homes maximizes elder’s independence, sustains their social connections, and reaffirms their identity and value.

Inside Unlv, Cate Weeks, Carol C. Harter, Holly Ivy De Vore, Gian Galassi, Diane Russell

Inside UNLV

No abstract provided.

Ageing In Bermuda: Meeting The Needs Of Seniors, Irene A. Gutheil, Roslyn H. Chernesky

Ravazzin Center Publications

No abstract provided.

Ua61 Newsletter, Wku Health & Human Services

WKU Administration Documents

Newsletter created by and about the College of Health & Human Services.

• Bonaguro, John. Letter from the Dean
• WKU Clinical Education Complex Moves Forward
• College Welcomes New Associate Dean – Sylvia Gaiko
• Visiting Scholar from Bournemouth University, England – Mandy Rumley
• Partners Key to Successful Hispanic Health Fair & Screening Event
• Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) 4-H Program
• Hispanic Initiative Gets $700K in Funding
• American Humanics Program Implemented at WKU
• CHHS Focuses on Gerontology
• Gerontologist Dr. John Krout Visits WKU
• Rural Elderly Advocacy Program with Students (REAPS)
• Kentucky Emergency Medical Services Academy Offers EMS Management Workshops
• A Day to Give …