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Associations Between Major Depression, Health-Risk Behaviors, And Medication Adherence Among Hiv-Positive Adults Receiving Medical Care In Georgia, Rachel Culbreth, Shanta R. Dube, David Maggio

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: There are approximately 1.2 million people in the United States living with HIV, and 25.6% of HIV-positive adults suffer from depression. The purpose of this study is to examine the contribution of depression to substance use and medication adherence among HIV-positive adults receiving medical care for HIV in Georgia.

Methods: Secondary data with a probability sample of 775 HIV-positive adults who took part in the 2009-2013 Georgia Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) were analyzed. Descriptive analyses and multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to assess relationships between depression and current cigarette smoking, injection drug use, other non-injection drug use, and medication …

Sexual Risk-Taking Among At-Risk Alcohol And Drug Users Presenting To Emergency Departments, Rebecca Howell, Aaron Johnson

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Alcohol use is linked to increased sexual risk-taking, including unprotected sexual contacts, and illegal drug use is associated with an increased likelihood of sexual risk-taking and at-risk alcohol use. Risky sexual behavior is co-morbid with anxiety, depression, and mood disorders. The purpose this study was to identify factors associated with sexual risk-taking among adult, at-risk alcohol or drug users presenting to emergency departments (EDs).

Methods: Data were derived from self-report surveys conducted with a random sample of ED patients screening positive for at-risk alcohol or drug use. As part of an alcohol and drug assessment completed by a health …

An Assessment Of Data Related To Inspections Of Risk Factors For Public Swimming Pools, Shanita Shack, Maurice Redmond, Christopher Rustin

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is mandated to ensure that public swimming pools are safe for those who use them. This mandate is carried out by the DPH and local environmental health professionals through regulations and inspections. In 2015, legislation was introduced proposing to reduce the authority of the DPH to inspect certain pool types (apartments, subdivision, condominiums) and thus reduce regulatory protections in place for swimmers. To ensure that the DPH had current information on the risks associated with pools, the EH team, with assistance from a graduate student, analyzed inspection data to evaluate risk factors …

Determinants Of Adherence To Nutrition- Related Cancer Prevention Guidelines Among African American Breast Cancer Survivors, Lindsey A. Ramirez, Yunmi Chung, Wonsuk Yoo, Brittney Fontenot, Benjamin E. Ansa, Mary S. Whitehead, Selina A. Smith

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Mortality rate for breast cancer is higher among African American (AA) women than for women of other racial/ethnic groups. Obesity, also higher among AA women, may increase the risk of breast cancer development and recurrence. Lifestyle factors such as healthy nutrition can reduce the rate of obesity and breast cancer. This study examined the determinants of adherence to nutrition-related cancer prevention guidelines among AA breast cancer survivors.

Methods: AA breast cancer survivors (n=240) were recruited from a breast cancer support group to complete a lifestyle assessment tool for this cross-sectional study. Chi-square test and ordinal logistic regression analysis were …

Black College Women Sexual Health Peer Education At Clark Atlanta University, Clarissa Francis, Josephine Bradley, Christopher Bass, Karla Scipio, Ronald Braithwaite

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: This research was based on the premise that various factors, such as social determinants, cultural competency, use of statistics and location, contribute to the efficacy of the transmission of sexual health education. In the United States, African American women account for 60% of the cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) of women. Considerable research has noted the high rates of HIV among African-American women. The present research, however, focused exclusively on Black college women at Clark Atlanta University (CAU).

Methods: A mixed method approach using surveys and participant observation in an exploratory case study was used to evaluate responses …

The Influence Of Georgia’S Quality Rated System On School Readiness In Preschool Children, Radhika B. Patel, Nancy C. Webb

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Initially launched in 2012, the Quality Rated (QR) program in Georgia is a policy tool for assessing, improving, and communicating the quality of early childhood education and care. Star level designations – zero-star, one-star, two-star, and three-star – are assigned based on a portfolio of QR standards and an onsite Environment Rating Scales observation. In the present study, we used QR data to determine if childcare quality measures (QR ratings) are linked with the readiness of children to enter kindergarten.

Methods: QR data were collected from one-star, two-star, and three-star childcare learning centers (n = 16) located within Child …

The Association Of Stress With Anxiety And Depression: Evidence From A Community Health Needs Assessment, Nicole La Tournous, Grace Bagwell-Adams

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Mental illness affects approximately 1 in 5 Americans, making mental health an important area of study for public health. Much research has been conducted on two of the most prevalent mental health disorders, anxiety and depression. However, the association of stress with these disorders, especially specific types of stress (e.g., financial, health, relationship), has been under-studied at the local level. This study aimed to gain insight into the relationship between stress, anxiety, and depression in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia.

Methods: Data collected in the 2015 Athens-Clarke County Community Health Needs Assessment were analyzed using linear regression models to explore the …

Predictors Of Mammogram And Pap Screenings Among Us Women, Sewuese Akuse, Koren Tate, Tiffany Addison, Tierra Drayton, Deborah Kanda, Kelly Sullivan

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The most common cancers among women are breast and cervical cancer. Although early detection of cancer has been shown to increase the likelihood of survival, many women are not screened for these cancers as often as practice guidelines recommend. The objective of this study was to examine the mammography and Papanicolaou (Pap) smear screening practices among women within the United States, and to determine predictors of screening.

Methods: Data from the 2012 and 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used. The association between demographic predictors (age, marital status, education level, employment status, income, health insurance, and medical cost …

Does Actual Overweight Or Perception Of Overweight Elevate Suicide Risk In Bullied Vs. Non-Bullied Students?, Ashley Kalle, Yunmi Chungs, Wonksuk Yoo

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: For individuals in Georgia aged 10-14 and 15-24, suicide is the third leading cause of death. Those who are overweight are often bullied by their peers, and being bullying can lead to higher risks of suicidality. There is, however, mixed evidence about the relationship between high weight and suicide. Weight perception may be a stronger predictor of suicide than actual weight. The aim of the present study was to examine, in a national sample of high school students, the interaction between weight and bullying on suicide outcomes.

Methods: A secondary data analysis was performed with data from the 2015 …

Association Between Intimate Partner Violence And Mentally Unhealthy Days In Women In The U.S., Danielle Broadnax, Reinetta Thompson Waldrop, Mechelle D. Claridy, Elaine Archie Booker, Ernest Alema-Mensah

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: In the United States (U.S.), intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health concern, mainly affecting the health and well-being of women. The objective of this study was to identify the IPV and socio-demographic factors associated with mentally unhealthy days among women in the U.S. of ages ≥18 years.

Methods: Data for this study were obtained from the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Multivariable analyses were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for factors associated with IPV and 14 or more mentally unhealthy days per month. Analyses were conducted using …

The Zika Virus In The United States: A Comprehensive Review, Daniel R. Lindsey, Martin H. Greenberg

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: With a series of outbreaks spanning the globe, the Zika virus has transitioned, in a short time, from an obscure virus to a public health emergency. Locally transmitted Zika has reached the United States, leading to increased concern regarding further transmission and the potential impact on public health.

Methods: The present study was conducted to examine the propagation and effects of Zika in the United States by reviewing published literature regarding Zika in conjunction with updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To gauge the regional response, including prevention and control efforts, interviews were conducted with public …

Engaging Homeless Service Providers In Educational Efforts During A Tuberculosis Outbreak In Atlanta, Preetha Nandi, Mary Claire Worrell, Tom Andrews, Rose-Marie Sales, Jeff Mcmichael, Kristen H. Hamptom, Neela D. Goswami

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: During an outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) in the homeless population of metropolitan Atlanta, education of homeless service providers (HSPs) about the implementation of local infection control measures was imperative to limiting the spread of TB and to preventing future outbreaks.

Methods: By use of educational sessions and teaching posters, two interventions were designed to focus educational efforts from November 2014 to August 2015: 1) a spatially-targeted approach that identified HSPs within an area of Fulton County, GA (which includes downtown Atlanta) with high TB case density (cases per square mile) from 2009 – 2014, and 2) an organizational meeting …

Planning A National-Level Data Collection Protocol To Measure Outcomes For The Colorectal Cancer Control Program, Anamika Satsangi, Amy Degroff

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded 30 grantees to partner with health systems with the goal of increasing screening for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Evaluators applied CDC’s Framework for Program Evaluation to design a national level outcome evaluation for measuring changes in CRC screening rates in partner health systems.

Results: The resulting evaluation design involves the collection and reporting of clinic-level CRC screening rates supplemented by various tools to support the reporting of high quality, reliable data.

Conclusions: The CRCCP evaluation represents a strong design to measure the primary …

Violence Related Injuries Among Individuals Admitted To A Level I Trauma Center In Atlanta, 2011-2013, Fahruk O. Akinleye, Gemechu Gerbi, Omar Danner, Elaine Archie-Booker, Stephanie Miles-Richardson

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Violence related injuries (VRIs) are a major public health problem in the United States (US). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), homicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the US and the third leading cause of death among persons aged 15-24 years old. Among African Americans aged 10-34, homicide is the leading cause of death and is the fifth leading cause of death among those 35-44 years old. One form of homicide that can result in injury resulting in death is firearm violence. The objective of this study is to assess the rates …

Intersecting Motivations For Leaving Abusive Relationships, Substance Abuse, And Transactional Sex Among Hiv High-Risk Women, Naomi S. David, Sophia A. Hussen, Dawn L. Comeau, Ameeta S. Kalokhe

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Women bear a significant burden of the HIV epidemic in the United States. Women classified as ‘HIV high-risk’ often bring co-existing histories of intimate partner violence (IPV), drug use, and transactional sex. To help inform future comprehensive HIV prevention strategies, we aimed to explore common motivating reasons and barriers to leaving and/or terminating engagement in each of these riskpromoting situations.

Methods: Between August and November 2014, in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 HIV high-risk women in Atlanta, Georgia who had experienced IPV in the previous 12 months, and used drugs and/or engaged in transactional sex in the previous five …

Air Pollution, Physical Activity, And Markers Of Acute Airway Oxidative Stress And Inflammation In Adolescents, Emily Pasalic, Matthew J. Hayat, Roby Greenwald

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The airway inflammatory response is likely the mechanism for adverse health effects related to exposure to air pollution. Increased ventilation rates during physical activity in the presence of air pollution increases the inhaled dose of pollutants. However, physical activity may moderate the relationship between air pollution and the inflammatory response. The present study aimed to characterize, among healthy adolescents, the relationship between dose of inhaled air pollution, physical activity, and markers of lung function, oxidative stress, and airway inflammation.

Methods: With a non-probability sample of adolescents, this observational study estimated the association between air pollution dose and outcome measures …

The Eating And Cooking Healthy (Teach) Kitchen: A Research Protocol, Sashia White, Roberto Alva-Ruiz, Lucia Chen, Jason Conger, Christopher Kuang, Cameron Murphy, Najeah Okashah, Eric Ollila, Selina A. Smith, Benjamin E. Ansa

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Diet-related chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia have affected millions of individuals, resulting in disease-related complications and mortality. Strategies that may improve the outcome of chronic disease management include modification of lifestyle risk factors such as unhealthy diets. TEACH Kitchen is an experiential education program related to community nutrition, the goal of which is to teach patients management of chronic disease through dietary change.

Methods: Adults (n=144) ≥18 years old and their children (n=144) 7-17 years old will complete four 2-hour sessions. Components of each session will include brief nutrition education (20 min), an interactive cooking …

The Complexities Of Text Recycling In Professional Scientific Discourse And Implications For Plagiarism Prevention In Higher Education, Cary A. Moskovitz

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Within higher education, guidelines for plagiarism almost always state that whenever a writer uses the exact words from a source, that material must be identified by quotation marks or block indentation, and the source of the reused material must be identified and attributed to the source. Nevertheless, text recycling--the unacknowledged reuse of previously published material—is common practice in STEM fields within the world of professional practice. Further complicating matters, the rise of online plagiarism detection tools by journals in recent years has spurred confusion and debate about the practice of text recycling even in the scientific community—as a quick web …

Drinking Coffee With Undergrads: Non-Traditional Approaches To Outreach, Reference Services, And Engagement In An Academic Library Setting., Alex Boucher, Karlie Johnson, Kayla Johnson, James Gilbreath

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Advertising and promoting key services and resources is crucial to the mission of any academic library. But successfully engaging with the student body of any large university is a challenging and problematic task. What does an academic librarian do? What does an academic library have to offer its students? Do undergraduates (or even graduate students) really know what libraries and librarians have to offer? Librarians at The University of Alabama and The University of North Carolina-Greensboro have attempted to bridge this gap by moving out of the physical confines of the library in order to engage with students on familiar …

Forensic Information Literacy: The Csi Approach To Inquiry And Scholarly Communication, Bernadette Maria Lopez-Fitzsimmons

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Teaching Information Literacy using the CSI Investigation Methodology fulfills two ACRL Frameworks: No. 4, Research as Inquiry, and No. 5, Scholarship as Conversation. This methodology requires structuring lessons so that students use different sources. Students will experience the research process as they uncover new and unexpected information which may or may not confirm their original thesis statement, problem or question. They will realize that researching and critical thinking depend on consistently and continuously asking questions from different perspectives. Like a CSI, students will experience research as inquiry (ACRL No. 4).

Although this type of lesson requires structure, it also demands …

Chhs News, College Of Health And Human Sciences, Georgia Southern University

College of Health Professions: News & Publications (2012-2023)

No abstract provided.

Estimation Of P(X > Y) When X And Y Are Dependent Random Variables Using Different Bivariate Sampling Schemes, Hani M. Samawi, Amal Helu, Haresh Rochani, Jingjing Yin, Daniel Linder

Biostatistics: Faculty Publications

The stress-strength models have been intensively investigated in the literature in regards of estimating the reliability θ = P (X > Y) using parametric and nonparametric approaches under different sampling schemes when X and Y are independent random variables. In this paper, we consider the problem of estimating θ when (X, Y) are dependent random variables with a bivariate underlying distribution. The empirical and kernel estimates of θ = P (X > Y), based on bivariate ranked set sampling (BVRSS) are considered, when (X, Y) are paired dependent continuous random variables. The estimators obtained are compared to their counterpart, bivariate simple random …

School Of Nursing News, Georgia Southern University

Nursing: News & Publications (2013-2023)

• Two Nursing Students Awarded the St. Joseph’s/Candler Georgia Southern University Nightingale Scholarship

Vinnie Ruthlee Anderson

African American Funeral Programs

No abstract provided.

The Inkwell, Armstrong State University

The Inkwell

No abstract provided.

The George-Anne, Georgia Southern University

The George-Anne

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North And South: Photographic Mediation In The Work Of Seamus Heaney And Natasha Trethewey, Amanda Sperry, Jill Goad

Irish Studies South (Archived)

No abstract provided.

Young Ireland And Southern Nationalism, Bryan Mcgovern

Irish Studies South (Archived)

No abstract provided.

Irish Frontier Catholicism In The Antebellum Us South, Joe Regan

Irish Studies South (Archived)

No abstract provided.

Newsroom, Georgia Southern University

Newsroom (2006-2023)

• Two Nursing Students Awarded the St. Joseph's/ Candler Georgia Southern University Nightingale Scholarship