Digital Commons Network^™

Health Awareness Of Hypertension In The African American Community, Rosemond Nunge Nguiffo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The practice problem this doctoral project addressed is the lack of clinical staff knowledge on self-care management of hypertension (HTN). Addressing this health crisis with current evidence-based patient education guidance that clinical staff can use to teach patient has the potential to increase nursing knowledge and confidence in providing patient education on self-care management of HTN. The purpose of this project was to explore the known nursing practice gap and answer the practiced-focused question to determine if an evidence-based, standardized health literacy teaching guide for nurses would improve nursing knowledge and confidence in applying health literacy and teach-back methodology in …

Diabetes Distress Among Adults Living In Texas, Jenny Chinedu Ogadi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

About 34.2 million Americans (approximately 10.5% of the total U.S. population) live with diabetes. African Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and more likely to be less compliant with treatment medication regimens and suffer from related complications, compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Such disparities brought attention to the need to investigate and understand better the diabetes distress of diverse groups of diabetics. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationships between demographic factors (race, age, gender, and educational level), diabetes education, diabetes management, and diabetes distress of adult diabetics in Texas. The theory of …

Variables On The Proportion Of Children With Sickle Cell Hemoglobin, Oyekola Oluyimika Oloyede

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe case fatality rate among children living with sickle cell disease was approximately 50% to 90% in Sub-Saharan Africa. Though researchers have contributed social determinants of health more broadly, they have not provided adequate screening information on children living with sickle cell disease aged 6 months to 59 months. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between sickle cell disease status, infection prevention, pain and anemia management, demography, socioeconomic status, and healthcare use. This study included approximately 11,536 genotype results of children under 5-years-old in Nigeria. Bronfenbrenner’s systems theory and Krieger’s ecological theory formed the theoretical …

Health Responsibility In Community College Students, Christine Phillips

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Community college students are less healthy than 4-year college students, and they tend to have a higher allostatic load than their 4-year counterparts. Although research demonstrated that community college students are at greater risk for physical and mental illness, a better understanding of how community college students perceive their health responsibility was needed. A basic qualitative approach was employed to study how community college students experience health responsibility. Self-determination theory and the health belief model were used to guide the development of a semistructured interview and analysis plan. Thirteen adult credit-seeking students were interviewed. Data were analyzed using a top-down …

Employment Barriers For Tanf Recipients In Kentucky, Omar Khalid Said

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Though Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) beneficiaries receive appropriate training and education within a 5-year time limit, many encounter challenges finding and maintaining employment. In this qualitative case study, constraints hindering the employability of TANF benefits recipients were explored to understand how some TANF program benefit recipients find and keep a job after completing 5-year term limits. The central research question examined the types of constraints that recipients of TANF benefits in the state of Kentucky experienced in finding and maintaining employment after completing a five-year term limit, and how some TANF recipients overcome such constraints. The conceptual framework …

Impact Evaluation Of The Brfss In New York On Obesity Prevention For Weight Loss Among Women, Nikisha Skeete

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Obesity has increased among the adult population, specifically women, in the United States within the past few decades. While the increase in obesity has been linked to a lack of physical activity and poor dietary intake, obesity lacks contextual analysis within adult women as a group. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the impact of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) on obesity prevention for weight loss in women. Health behavior change theory, the transtheoretical theory model, and the health behavior model guided this study. The research questions were designed to examine whether modifiable lifestyle …

The Lived Experience Of Older, Independent Residents During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Karen Graeb Stanley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The growing older population confronting the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic have a story to tell of their experiences that may influence the way society confronts future pandemics. Little research has been done on older adults in independent living communities and their experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to fill that gap using the biopsychosocial model as a framework to guide the exploration of the research question addressing the lived experiences of older, independent residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a basic qualitative analysis design, a purposive sample of 10 participants from a continuing care retirement community were …

Impact Of Poverty On Antibiotic Prescribing Rates In The United States Through Mediation Effects Of Underlying Health Conditions, Nato Tarkhashvili

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Resistance to antibiotics among bacteria develops largely due to frequent use of antibiotics in human and animal medicine. Little is known about how patients’ socioeconomic factors, in conjunction with chronic health conditions, impact antibiotic prescribing rates in the United States. The research questions aimed to explore the relationship between poverty and antibiotic prescribing rates while also adjusting for confounders such as population aged ≥ 65, physician density, prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The relationships were evaluated using a quantitative, ecological study design using the ecosocial theory and mediation analysis of 2020 survey results provided by …

Vitamin K Deficiency And Ischemic Stroke In Atrial Fibrillation Patients On Warfarin, Kimberly Therese Thompson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Individuals with poor nutritional vitamin K status can suffer from atrial fibrillation (AF) due to misinterpretation of warfarin instructions by healthcare providers. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine if there was an association between inadequate dietary vitamin K intake in AF patients and stroke outcomes to address the lack of research surrounding stroke outcomes in patients with true vitamin K deficiency. Grounded in the health belief model, this study assessed if individual beliefs from health education influenced the nutritional quality of their diet and health outcomes. The study is a secondary data analysis of the Framingham Heart …

Physical Activity Assessment And Staff Education For Oncology Nurses, Laurie Jean Tyer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Physical activity and mobility are key indicators of treatment and disease tolerance in cancer patients. Patients are living longer during and after cancer treatment, and staying active prevents many side effects of the disease and the treatment. Staying mobile also prevents some conditions from occurring including bone and muscle loss. A nursing educational platform was identified as a need in the facility site’s cancer center on the importance of patients staying physically active throughout cancer treatment. Nurses did not feel confident to coach patients on their activity levels which was an identified gap in their nursing practice. A nursing educational …

Staff Education To Improve Workplace Wellness Program Resource Use, Joann Coley Ward

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Workplace wellness programs, as a determinant of health, have the potential to improve the health of people, but are often underutilized due to a lack of knowledge of the programs. This project was conducted to examine whether a panel of experts would validate a staff education module designed to improve knowledge deficits amongst Army civilian employees and their supervisors about the Army’s civilian fitness program (CFP). The purpose of this project was to create a staff education module with a pretest and a posttest that could be validated by a panel of experts. The education module addressed the public health …

Telecommuting Adaptation Of A Nonprofit Organization Due To The Covid-19 Pandemic, Walter Lynn Washington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted lives around the globe, organizations have transitioned to telecommuting. Further research is required to address gaps in the literature regarding the perspectives of employees and organization leaders of these telecommuting policies. This study examined how leaders and employees of a nonprofit organization in southeast Florida perceived implementation of and adaptation to telecommuting policies in response to COVID-19. The study specifically assessed behavioral and utilitarian variables associated with social exchange theory, such as individual engagement and social settings and effects in the workplace, which related to social distancing and telecommuting policies. The …

Reading Teacher Perspectives On Classroom Behavior And Criteria Referral For Adhd Testing, Sharmaine Wilder

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other researchers, the prevalence of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnoses among school-aged children has gained the attention of researchers. Due to the large amount of time children spend in the school context, researchers have found that teachers play a vital role as valuable resources to early identification of children needs of services. The purpose of this qualitative study was to expand knowledge about the in-depth experiences of third grade reading teachers when referring for behavioral health services. Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) bioecological model the was theoretical framework for this …

Weight Management Clinical Practice Guidelines For The Obese, Pre-Diabetic, And Diabetic Population, Dawn Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractDiabetes is among chronic or lifestyle-related illnesses posing health care challenges at epidemic proportions, pressuring health care systems infrastructure for positive outcome-driven practices and sustainable costs, as continued research suggests that obese people are up to 80 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. In June 2021, a weight-loss and wellness center serving this high-risk population established recommended guidelines for Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) screening and education. During the initial 3 months of implementation, data findings captured 37% in a total of 220 with elevated HbA1C levels. The gap in practice is that the Wellness Center did not have a …

Perceived Diabetes Susceptibility Among African American Female College Students, Khaliah India Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of death among African American women ages 20-44 years, and African American female college students are at high risk. Research shows that college students tend to underestimate their susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes, despite their existing risk factors. There is a gap in knowledge concerning African American female college students and their perception of diabetes susceptibility, despite their increased risk. The purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental, correlational study was to identify the factors associated with perceived personal susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes-related health behavior among African American female college …

Self-Monitoring In Military Consumer Research, Alan Oliver Wright

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Underutilized military products exist among soldiers and can reduce safety, performance, and morale. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which self-monitoring constructs (Self-Monitoring, Acting, Extraversion, and Other-Directedness), gender, leadership, length of service, deployments, and combat experience predict military consumer attitudes. Self-monitoring theory describes differences in expressive control and self-presentation to predict consumer attitudes and behavior. High self-monitors alter their consumer behavior to gain social favor and low self-monitors base their consumer decisions on product quality, functionality, and internally held views of self. An archival dataset was used with 220 active-duty soldiers who provided liking ratings …

Treatment-Seeking Behaviors And Malaria Prevalence Among Under-5 Children In Niger, Aissa Yaye Habi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Malaria is a deadly vector-borne disease that mainly affects children in Africa, especially in Niger. Although public health efforts in malaria prevention have been successful in many parts of the world, malaria remains a significant public burden in sub-Saharan Africa, especially among children. Despite the numerous studies conducted on individual factors influencing the prevalence of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa and Niger, there is little knowledge about the collective influence of treatment-seeking behaviors and malaria prevalence among under-5 children in Niger. This study was a quantitative study with a cross-sectional design guided by the social-ecological model (SEM) that used secondary data …

Relationships Between Stress Self-Management, Social Support, And Health In Hispanic Informal Caregiver Burnout Prevention, Nicole Alexandra Mas Román

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Burnout syndrome is a psychological disorder characterized by physical, emotional, and mental distress and exhaustion resulting in feelings of depression, anxiety, irritability, and negative attitudes. If left unattended, burnout syndrome can lead to new or worsening health outcomes. The purpose of this nonexperimental quantitative study was to examine the relationship between stress self-management, perceived social support, health status, and burden among Puerto Rican informal caregivers. The theoretical foundations for this research were the informal caregiving integrative model and the individual and family self-management theory. Survey data were collected from 415 participants. Multiple regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship …

Wellness Programs: Strategies For Increasing Employees’ Productivity And Reducing Health Care Costs, Lymari Rentas González

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Business executives risk higher healthcare costs and absenteeism rates without implementing cost-effective strategies to support wellness within the organization. To offset rising healthcare costs and absenteeism, executives should implement wellness programs as a component of the benefits package provided to their employees and families. Grounded in the theory of planned behavior, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the cost-effective strategies that executives in the private and not-for-profit sectors implemented to encourage employees to adopt healthy habits for increasing productivity and decreasing organizations’ healthcare costs. Six executives from the healthcare sector within the southern region of …

Experiences With Addiction Transfer Among Weight Loss Surgery Recipients, Latoya Smalls

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity remains a significant problem linked to psychological, behavioral, metabolic, and environmental factors. Some individuals who struggle with obesity turn to weight loss surgery. Studies exploring the long-term effects of weight loss surgery and its connection with transfer addiction have reached conflicting findings. This phenomenological study was conducted according to procedures developed by Husserl and Giorgi. Data were collected for this qualitative study through semistructured interviews with 10 bariatric weight loss surgery recipients. Data were analyzed using the five stages of Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological method process of data analysis. Analysis of the data led to five themes and eight subthemes. …

Gestational Weight Gain, Level Of Education, And Infant Mortality Among African American Women, George Lee Amanambu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

African American (AA) women in Mississippi have a higher burden of infant mortality, especially those with low income and educational levels, as compared to other regions of the country. However, it is unknown if abnormal gestation weight gain (GWG) is contributing to this increased burden. This quantitative cross-sectional study examined the association between GWG (25-35lbs), level of education, income, and infant mortality among AA women with normal prepregnancy body weight who were between 30 to 47 years old in the state of Mississippi from 2016 to 2018. Biopsychosocial and ecosocial models were used as the theoretical foundation to design …

Parents’ Perceptions Of Kinesthetic Learning And Academic Performance Among Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Beverly Mount

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) struggle academically more than students without ADHD. Although kinesthetic learning, a motor and tactile style of experiential learning, has been found to benefit students generally, parents’ perceptions of it as an educational intervention for students with ADHD has not been examined. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore parents’ perceptions of kinesthetic learning and academic performance among students with ADHD. The experiential learning theory, which posits that learning occurs through experience, was the theoretical framework for the study. Eleven parents participated in an open-ended question interview ranging from 7 to 22 …

Depression, Drug Use, And Hsv-2 Among Women Who Have Sex With Women, Viani Picchetti

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), the main cause of genital herpes, is an incurable sexually transmitted infection responsible in 2018 for 18.6 million infections in the United States. HSV-2 is twice as frequent in women than in men. Women who have sex with women (WSW) have a higher prevalence of depression and drug use than women who have sex exclusively with men (WSM), which are each related to HSV-2 as they increase the likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive relationship between depression status, nonprescription drug use status, and …

Perspectives Of Parents Of Black Head Start Graduates Regarding The Black-White Achievement Gap, Telisa Pitts

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem of this study was the achievement gap that exists between Black and White children prior to kindergarten entrance. As children continue in school this gap grows substantially; therefore, it was important to understand perspectives of stakeholders regarding this gap. The purpose of this study was to explore perspectives of parents of Black Head Start graduates regarding the Black-White achievement gap, and how those perspectives shaped parents’ actions in promoting their children’s kindergarten readiness. The conceptual framework for this study was based on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory. The research questions focused on parents’ perspectives and how they believed those perspectives …

The Lived Experiences And Perceptions Of Young Adults Who Have Transitioned Out Of State Or Other Care, Linda Rose Ross

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractOver 20,000 young adults are released from state care annually and 100,000 young adults are released from justice centers. Past studies have revealed that young adults 18-24 years of age transitioning out of care are not prepared for independent living and may face many adversities. The problem is that young adults have difficulties finding permanent housing once emancipated from state care, their biological homes, or juvenile justice centers. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of young adults 18-24 years of age and how their experiences and life skills helped on their journey to acquire …

Low Income African American Parents Experiences Managing Obese Young Children Weight Loss, Angela Berry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

February 2022 Abstract In the United States, 17% of children between the ages of two to 19 years are diagnosed with obesity more than any other chronic health condition. African American children living in the United States have an obesity rate of 22% compared to White children who have an obesity rate of 14.1%. These high obesity rates created situations in which these children are likely to experience significant lifelong health problems. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of African American parents of low-income managing weight-loss in their young children with obesity between …

Perceived Barriers To Health Care Access And Delivery Among Arkansas Medicaid Beneficiaries, Kimbra D. Butler

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Arkansas has historically been one of the lowest ranking states in the United States in education, economy, opportunity, crime and corrections, and health care. Though more than 3 million Arkansans live in the state, nearly 1 million receive Medicaid-funded health insurance. This phenomenological study employed a constructivist paradigm and focused on the perceptions of underserved Arkansans regarding their health and their access to health care; additionally, within this study, the Health Belief Model shifted the study’s focus to individuals’ perspectives, perceptions, experiences, and opinions through interview responses. The research was intended to identify factors that may relate to the higher …

Professional Identity Within An Evolving Profession: Clinical Social Work In Puerto Rico, Lorna Betzaida Colon Gonzalez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

More than three decades of data document the challenges of clinical social workers in establishing their professional identity within the social work profession in Puerto Rico. Less is known specifically about how they identify within interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary teams in the various clinical settings on the island. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of clinical social workers in Puerto Rico regarding their professional identity as compared to generalist social workers. The generic qualitative study was based on the ecological system theory framework. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of 10 clinical and …

Case Managers’ Perspectives Of Hospital Postdischarge Services For Patients Diagnosed With Coronary Artery Disease, Brian Alexander Grant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The United States lacks postdischarge services, which can negatively impact hospital readmissions within 30 days. It is important for case managers to effectively leverage outpatient services to enhance patient care and reduce readmission rates. Grounded in the practice change model framework, this qualitative single case study explores the perspectives of case managers involved with postdischarge services for patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD). Participants included 13 case managers from two metropolitan hospitals in Atlanta, Georgia. To address the research problem and study purpose, data collection techniques included semi-structured interviews, case management discharge summaries, and reflective journal notes. The thematic …

Diabetes, Obesity, Geographic Location Of The Patient And Clostridium Difficile Infection In The United States, Mary (Maribeth) Greenway

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractClostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a major nosocomial threat to be reckoned with in the current health care setting in the United States. Advancing age, underlying chronic disease associated with inflammation (including Diabetes Mellitus Type I ([DMI]), Diabetes Type II ([DMII]), and obesity), trauma, immunodeficiency and other factors that diminish the overall health of an individual, and increase an individual’s susceptibility to CDI. The ecological framework was used to determine the relationship between geographic, chronic diseases and the occurrence of infectious diseases. To continue enhancing knowledge related to CDI susceptibility this quantitative study used the 2010 National Hospital Discharge Survey …