Digital Commons Network^™

The Correlation Between Unemployment Rate, Gdp Per Capita, And Adult Obesity Prevalence In Developed Economies. Evidence From Oecd Member Countries., Uche Noel O'Martins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adult obesity continues to be endemic in developed countries; at least 1 in every 5 people in developed economies is obese. In line with the theory of social suffering, socioeconomic factors may be correlated with the increasing prevalence of adult obesity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between socioeconomic factors and adult obesity prevalence rate in developed countries using Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries as a case study. In this study, the correlation between 2 independent variables - unemployment rate and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita - and the dependent variable …

Childhood Blood Lead Levels And Adolescent Crime Rates In The United States, Jude Juiye Soweh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Juvenile violent crime rates in the United States have been on a continuous decline since 1996. Despite this decrease, youth violence as well as racial differences in crime rates continues to be a public health issue in the United States. Researchers have linked externalization behavior in children to factors including genetics, parental upbringing, abuse, school environment, and media exposure but have not fully considered the relationship between early childhood lead contamination and youth violence. This was an ecologic study of the relationship between early childhood blood lead levels (BLLs; ≥ 10µg/dL before 2012 or ≥ 5µg/dL after 2012) and crime …

Increasing Staff Knowledge On Obesity In Pediatric Patients With Asthma, Oluwakemi Taiwo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Asthma is a chronic life-long lung disease that contributes to morbidity and mortality around the world. The increased prevalence of asthma, particularly in children who are obese, inadequate assessment of obesity in pediatric patients, and a gap in staff knowledge regarding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) body mass index (BMI) percentiles resulted in a need for strategies to minimize this health concern. The purpose of this staff education project was to increase staff’s knowledge about identifying asthma patients who are clinically obese using the CDC BMI percentiles. The framework for the project was based on Knowles’s adult …

The Experiences Of Administrators Recruiting Volunteers For Educational Outreach Programs, Kimberly Burgess-Neloms

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Volunteers are needed for community educational outreach programs (EOP). Though the

research site is a local university where EOP programs are offered to the community,

EOP administrators are experiencing difficulties in recruiting volunteers who can deliver

EOP workshops. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand the

experiences of EOP administrators recruiting volunteers in order to maintain the EOP

program. The conceptual framework was the social identity theory by Tajfel regarding

organizational management of volunteers. The research question was about the

recruitment experiences of EOP administrators regarding volunteers who facilitate

educational programs. The sample was 10 purposefully selected …

Culturally Sensitive Parenting Counseling, Corporal Punishment, And Early Childhood Development In Grenada, Lauren Elizabeth Anne Orlando

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many children under 5 years of age in developing countries and regions, including the Caribbean, will not fulfill their developmental potential due to being exposed to risks such as poverty, poor health, violence, and unstimulating home environments. Adverse childhood experiences, which include corporal punishment, may increase children’s risk for poor adult health and disease outcomes. The purpose of this quasi-experimental, quantitative study, grounded in the social ecological model, was to examine the use of corporal punishment and the impact of parental exposure to culturally sensitive parenting counseling (CSPC) provided to families with children aged 0 to 3 years old enrolled …

Self-Efficacy And Health Perceptions, A Survey Of American Indian Obesity, Kristina L. Babbitt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Compared to other ethnicities, American Indians have higher rates of obesity and are disproportionately diagnosed with comorbid diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. While genetic, behavioral, and social risk factors contribute to health disparities and disease, the concept of self-efficacy, an element of Bandura’s social cognitive theory, influences the ability to overcome barriers and reduce risk. When combined with the health belief model, this theory also provides the foundation for understanding perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs about disease. Yet, research in these areas is limited for American Indians. Therefore, the purpose of this cross-sectional survey study was …

Educating Staff On The Benefits Of Vitamin D Therapy For Multiple Sclerosis, Cheniece Harris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Clinical competency is an important factor when delivering care to those with chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis. Vitamin D therapy through diet, supplements, and sunlight may decrease physical complications. The gap in practice this doctoral project addressed is the lack of education provided to healthcare professionals to promote the benefits of vitamin D. The project examined whether registered nurses who are provided education on the benefits of vitamin D therapy can apply the knowledge into the plan of care for patients with MS within 6 months versus those provided no education. Paradigms and models that were used include the …

Nurse Directed Palliative Care Discussions In The Emergency Department, Shannon Lorince Landefeld

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Emergency department (ED) nurses are in a unique position to discuss with patients who have life-limiting illnesses. However, due to lack of training, ED nurses are often reluctant to have these conversations. Although ED patients receive written information about advanced directives, there is a gap in practice with discussing palliative and end-of-life care, resulting in increased potential for patient isolation, inconsistencies in treatment modalities, and delayed opportunities for patient-centered goal setting. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to address what resources are available to guide evidence-based practice for ED nurses in a small inner city hospital to implement nurse-directed …

Experiences In Online Grooming From Initial Contact With Offender To Relationship Ending, Lyniece Lewis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explored the lived experiences of adult women who were sexually groomed online as an adolescent, to understand the experiences in online grooming from initial contact to contact ending. The theory used to guide this study was sociometer theory. Sociometer theory looks at self-esteem as the cause for why individuals want to seek and maintain relationships. This theory also explains why individuals choose certain social relationships. While the victim or the offender may have a fear of acceptance, they will potentially look for relationships that accept or approve of them. The research question for this study examined female adolescent …

Barriers To Physical Activity Among Asian Indian Women In The United States, Anjana Mathews

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Asian Indian women have a higher prevalence of cardio-metabolic diseases compared to women from other ethnicities and Asian Indian men in the United States. This is due to the lower level of physical activity behaviors among this population. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived barriers to physical activity among Asian Indian women living in the United States. The theoretical framework that guided this study was Bandura’s social cognitive theory and the research design used was qualitative ethnographic approach. Participants were recruited from 2 Christian churches in Southern California using purposive and snowballing sampling strategies. Fifteen participants …

Social Cognitive Theory Constructs That Predict Betel Nut Chewing Among Secondary Students, Lepani Waqatakirewa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

After alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine, areca or betel nut is the 4th most common substance of abuse in the world, and its prevalence of use in the Solomon Islands is estimated at 68% in young people. Long-term use of betel nut can result in detrimental health outcomes such as oral cancers and metabolic syndrome. Guided by the social cognitive theory (SCT), the purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to determine whether the constructs of SCT predict betel nut use in Year 12 secondary students in the Solomon Islands. Five SCT constructs of expectations (outcome expectations and outcome expectancies), self-efficacy, …

Mandibular Attachment Device Effects On African American Veterans With Heart Failure, Tracey T. F. Carter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Heart failure is a growing epidemic that affects people nationwide and is disproportionate to African Americans. The purpose of this quantitative repeated measures study was to determine whether mandibular attachment device (MAD) therapy impacts symptoms of heart failure in African American male veterans diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The oxidative stress theory was applied in this study to assess whether MAD therapy received from Veterans Affairs (VA) dental clinics impacted heart failure symptoms, after controlling for patient body mass index (BMI) levels and smoking status. Research questions examined whether MAD had a significant effect on symptoms of heart failure …

Predictors Of The Health Effects Of Marijuana Use On The Hepatic Function, Makafui Kokou Gbogbo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The quantity of marijuana use, the length of time it was used, and the age of initiation of the drug are at the core of the discussions about the potential health effects of marijuana use on the liver. Results of recent studies regarding how the drug affects human health have resulted in a number of conflicting conclusions. Nevertheless, based on these findings, marijuana users are being denied liver transplants. The objective of this study was to identify predictors of the health effects of marijuana on the liver and provide guidance in the care management of marijuana users. To address the …

Early-Career Child Care Teachers' Perceptions Of Their Training Experiences, Teri M. Peasley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In a Midwest state, child care teachers who enter the workforce with only a high school diploma or GED credential are not required to complete child development training before being placed in a classroom. Child care teachers need foundational knowledge to provide quality care and education to young children. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how early-career child care teachers with no advanced education in child development experience training upon entering the workforce. Personal narratives are scarce in existing research, and understanding the perspectives of child care teachers provided an opportunity to consider appropriate training and …

Motivators And Barriers Affecting Physical Activity Participation In Online Graduate Students, Gloria Christine Bales

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Physical inactivity is a major contributor to chronic diseases, especially coronary heart disease. The American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment II showed that only 47.4% of college students are meeting suggested physical activity requirements. As the nontraditional student population increases, research is needed to identify motivators and barriers specifically for online graduate students. The purpose of this case study was to examine the relationships of barriers and motivators for physical activity in online graduate students at Walden University. The study addressed research questions on what physical activity barriers existed in this study sample, (b) what intrinsic motivators and …

Health Literacy And Health Beliefs With Adherence To Antihypertensive Medications In An Urban African American Cohort, Karen Ranae Dukes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African Americans aged 40 to 65 are more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension, and adherence to prescribed antihypertensive medication regimens is important in controlling their blood pressure levels. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between health literacy and sociodemographic and clinical factors with adherence to antihypertensive medications among African American adults. The theoretical framework for this study was the health belief model. A quantitative research design was used with participants recruited from churches with African American congregations in the city of Detroit. A convenience sampling method was used to obtain a sample of 79 …

The Promotion Of Safety And Quality In Fall Prevention, Sheila J. Mercado

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Falls in a hospital setting are considered one of the most frequent, preventable adverse events that need to be addressed through the creation of safer environments. Nurses play a key element in the prevention and management of injuries related to falls. The focus question for this quality improvement initiative (QII) was whether an evidence-based QII program could reduce falls in the inpatient population. The objective of the project was to improve the practices related to fall prevention to reduce the number of inpatients falls. The change model of Kotter and the Preventing Falls in Hospitals: A Toolkit for Improving Quality …

Nutritional Assessment Of Patients In The Intensive Care Unit, Jennifer Maureen Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Impaired nutrition is associated with prolonged hospitalization, poor patient outcomes, high mortality, and increased health costs. Nutritional assessment in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is important in recognition of changes in the patient’s nutritional status from admission to discharge and may promote early nutritional interventions by the health providers to prevent complications of poor nutrition. The purpose of this staff education doctoral project was to assess ICU nurses’ knowledge of nutritional assessment for critically-ill patients and to provide education on an assessment tool for patient nutritional assessment- the malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST). The guidelines from the American Society for …

Improving Glycemic Control For Post-Orthopedic Surgery Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Allison Dale

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes is a growing problem within the United States and a leading cause of mortality. The complications and comorbidities associated with type 2 diabetes cause a great financial and resource burden on the healthcare system, and cause negative mental and physical health outcomes for the individual living with it. The complications of poor glycemic control are especially notable following a surgical procedure that requires an inpatient stay. The practice problem for this project is glycemic control following an orthopedic surgery requiring hospitalization. To further analyze the practice problem and to create a clinical practice guideline a robust literature …

Demographic, Lifestyle, And Psychosocial Predictors Of Obesity Among Nigerian Igbo Immigrants, Ahamefula Arthur Duru

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is known as a risk factor for chronic diseases, and a contributor to health disparities among minorities and vulnerable persons. There is a paucity of data on Nigeria Igbos on obesity risks in the United States; therefore, studying obesity in this population may help policymakers tailor interventions that could reduce the prevalence of obesity. The purpose of the study was to examine the predictors of obesity among Nigerian Igbo immigrants in the United States. This study sought to examine lifestyle, psychosocial, and demographic factors as unique predictors of obesity in Nigeria Igbo immigrants. The social-ecological model and acculturation theory …

Public Health Care Policies And Their Impact On Patient Satisfaction, Bryan John Henderson, Ph.D.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health care is a trillion-dollar industry, but without public policies in place to support a sustainable health care system, life would decline. For instance, health care providers now receive decreased payments from federal agencies if their health facility scores do not meet national benchmarks. The purpose of this retrospective, quantitative, comparative study was to examine the extent to which patient satisfaction was impacted by national public health policies in the United States and Canada. The research questions related to how health care reimbursement policies and patients’ financial responsibility of both the eastern United States and eastern Canada would predict country-specific …

Instructional Strategies Teachers Use To Improve Literacy Performance Of Children In Poverty, Carlene Leonie Miller-Thompson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poverty has an on-going and broadening negative effect on students’ academic performance. At the research school, 78% of the students in poverty performed below proficiency on the national literacy test in 2012. In 2013, the number was 68%, and in 2014, 80% performed below proficiency. The purpose of this research study was to explore the instructional strategies that teachers are using with these students in poverty. Piaget’s cognitive development and Vygotsky’s social development theories established the conceptual framework for this study. The research questions that this study sought to answer at the local school setting were what instructional strategies teachers …

Roles Of Nephrology Social Workers In Health Literacy, Tiffena Gail Pierce

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health literacy is vital for hemodialysis patients because they need to undergo routine treatments 3 days per week and adhere to medication regimens requiring them to understand complicated health information. The questions for this study focused on a social work practice of their roles when assessing and promoting health literacy in dialysis patients. Nephrology social workers are vital in helping dialysis patients understand their medical information so that they can make better-informed decisions about their healthcare. This study also includes an exploration of the strategies nephrology social workers use to increase health literacy in patients with chronic kidney disease. An …

Analysis Of The Impact Of Family Structure And Type 2 Diabetes Among Adolescents, Danny Lee Self

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has increased among the adolescent population in the United States within the past 30 years. While the increase in T2D is linked to obesity and a lack of physical activity, it lacks contextual analysis within the structure of the non-traditional family unit. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine family structure and prevalence of T2D among adolescents. Krieger’s ecosocial theory guided the study. The research questions were designed to investigate whether family structure directly impacts T2D prevalence or indirectly through socioeconomic status. The research design was quantitative with cross-sectional analysis of secondary data. The …

Systematic Review Of Family Nurse Practitioner Utilization Within School Environments, Luz Elena Zapien

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Institute of Medicine recommend school health screening programs to detect problems that might interfere with a student’s education and general well-being, and many U.S. states require compliance with enrollment requirements such as updated immunizations and physical exams prior to attendance. In low-income areas, however, there is often a shortage of physicians available to meet the healthcare needs of the population. Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) can be utilized in school health settings to deliver health care services that support school attendance and the well-being of school students, yet little is known about their impact. …

Nursing Home Caregivers’ Knowledge Of Decubitus Ulcer Prevention Strategies, Shola Akinfiresoye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Decubitus ulcers (DUs) were a constant concern among the residents of the nursing home in this project. Prolonged immobility, sensory impairment, and urinary incontinence are some of the factors found in the literature as the causes of the disease. However, the lack of useful knowledge regarding evidence-based practices (EBPs) to prevent and treat DUs also contributed to the higher incidence rates at the nursing home. The purpose of this DNP- project was to evaluate the caregivers’ knowledge of EBPs to prevent and treat DUs at the facility. The IOWA Model of Evidence-Based Practice, which healthcare practitioners use to guide clinical …

Relationship Between Health Risk Behaviors And Obesity Among American High School Students, Jacques Jean-Paul Cherry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adolescent obesity is a serious health condition that affects more than 55% of students aged 12 to 19 years in the United States. Recent statistical data have noted that the rate of adolescent obesity has more than quadrupled during the past few decades. Genetics and factors such as tobacco use, alcohol use, and marijuana use have contributed to this critical public health issue. Although uniqueness of prevalence has often been linked to gender and race, associations related to these health risk behaviors and increased body mass index remain relatively unexplored among today’s U.S. youth. Adolescence has been described as a …

Exploring Adversities Of Custodial Grandparents Transitioning From The Grandparent To Parent Role, Carmelita Dockery

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are many familial and social disparities, including drug addiction and use, incarceration, abandonment, and sometimes the death of a biological parent, that cause grandparents to acquire custody of their grandchildren. Current public welfare policies in some states, however, may not adequately address the needs of custodial grandparents caring for grandchildren and little academic literature exists that explores the unique experiences of custodial grandparents. Using role theory as a foundation, the purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of custodial grandparents in a large mid-western city as their role transitions from grandparent to parent in order to inform …

Experiences And Challenges Of Social Workers Working With Transitioning And Postmilitary Service Members Who Have Mental Health Issues, Joyce M. Hewitt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Active duty service members, veterans, and their family members are faced with a myriad of problems including mental health issues, substance abuse issues, traumatic brain injury, suicide, family integration issues, and family distress. Understanding the organizational, environmental, and person-centered factors that affect the delivery of mental health care treatment to active duty service members, veterans, and their families is urgent to this unique population for social work practitioners (licensed master, advanced, & clinical). This project explored the experiences and challenges that social work practitioners (licensed master, advanced, & clinical) have in providing effective services for mental health care treatment to …

Predictors Of Condom Use Among High School Students In North Carolina, Danielle Cierra Robinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The spread of sexually transmitted diseases is a major ongoing public health issue in North Carolina. Adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 years have consistently contributed to this trend. Researchers have found that condom use among high school students has decreased. High school students continue to engage in sex with multiple partners, with lack of knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases, even though sex education and prevention programs have been recommended. The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate the predictors of condom use among adolescents. The socioecological model theoretical framework was applied to guide this research involving …