Digital Commons Network^™

Perceptions Of Chiropractors In Mississippi Regarding Obesity, Phelesia Nakita Foster

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity continues to be a growing problem across the United States. Chiropractors have made claims of providing health promotion services within their treatment protocol; however, there is a lack of empirical research regarding a need for the chiropractic profession to train chiropractors to address Healthy People 2020 public health initiatives. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions of Mississippi Delta Region chiropractors regarding their role in obesity management as nonmedical practitioners that implement public health objectives in their practice. The research questions aimed at addressing possible barriers and limitations that influenced chiropractors' perceptions regarding their role …

Assessment And Treatment Of Postpartum Depression Among Mothers In Imo-State, Nigeria, Allison Chinyere Nnaka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Postpartum depression affects many postpartum mothers. When postpartum depression is not timely assessed, identified, and treated, it can lead to problems with mother child bonding and cause family problems, negligence, and infant death. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand Imo State women's lived experiences and perception on sufficiency of the assessment and treatment received for their postpartum depression. The conceptual theory for this study was the empowerment theory. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted to examine 10 Imo State postpartum mothers' lived experiences of assessment processes and to understand if their psychological desires were addressed. The interviews were …

A Qualitative Study Of Factors Related To Weight Regain Following Roux-En-Y Surgery., Samone Renee Marion

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

During the past decade, obesity has become a worldwide epidemic, and bariatric surgery has been used to treat obesity. Previous researchers have addressed the success of the Roux-en-Y bariatric (RYGB) surgery within 12 months or later of the surgical procedure; however, a lack of research exists regarding participant success in maintaining their post-surgery weight loss long term. The current qualitative, phenomenological study was based on the conceptual framework of social learning and examined the beliefs, experiences and perceptions of women who underwent RYGB weight loss surgery but did not maintain their ideal weight during the 1st year and later following …

Health Disparities Among Hispanic Americans With Type 2 Diabetes, Nelson Sitton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The ongoing increase in Type 2 diabetes among Hispanic Americans challenges the American public health system, particularly with health issues arising from not following appropriate health directives for the disease. This quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational study used primary data to assess the relationship between diabetes knowledge (as measured by the Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire), health literacy level (as measured by the Short Assessment of Health Literacy-Spanish and English), education level, self-efficacy (as measured by the Diabetes Self-efficacy questionnaire), and self-reported diabetes self-care behaviors (as measured by the Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities) among a sample of Hispanic Americans with Type 2 diabetes. …

Effective Strategies For Venture Capital Evaluations Of Organizations' Drug Development Capabilities, Roslyn Chand

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Undercapitalization is a major impediment for the growth and survival of Canadian life sciences firms. Proficient management teams are the 'sine qua non' criteria in the venture capital decision-making processes. The purpose of this multicase study was to explore strategies successful venture capitalists use to improve their evaluation processes of life sciences management teams' drug development capabilities. The conceptual framework for this study was based on business process management. The purposeful sample consisted of 10 venture capitalists located in the United States and Canada who had expertise evaluating life sciences management teams. The data were triangulated from semistructured interviews, annual …

Community Public-Private Partnership Leadership Synergy In Tanzania, Hawa Yatera Mshana

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although the public-private partnership (PPP) concept in health and social health has been politically accepted as the best pathway to improving health outcomes in many developing nations, implementation lacks leadership synergy. Lack of awareness and engagement of community leaders about PPP interventions and their benefits affect accountability and ownership of health and social care interventions. The purpose of this study was to better understand factors that could promote partnership leadership synergy to enhance ownership and accountability for community health and social welfare initiatives in Tanzania. A qualitative empirical case study design was used; diffusion of innovation and the public-private integrated …

Association Between Genetic Ancestry And Body Mass Index Among A Cohort Of Hispanic American Children, Sahel Hazrati

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity is disproportionately higher among children from Hispanic backgrounds. Ethnicity is a social and cultural construct and does not capture true ancestral heterogeneity. Hispanic Americans have a wide variety of genetic admixture proportions of European (EUR), Native American (AMR), and African (AFR) ancestry. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the contribution of ancestral genetic composition to body mass index (BMI), and to evaluate the relationship of obesity risk factors to BMI among 154 2-year-old Hispanic American children. The theory of Evolutionary Developmental Biology was utilized to investigate the relationship between children's growth process and ancestral background. …

Kono Members' Perceptions Of Burial Practices And The Spread Of Ebola Virus Disease, Comfort Kenyeh Panda

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sierra Leone was heavily affected by the West African Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic from 2013 to 2016. Ongoing EVD transmission during the epidemic was connected to several factors including unsafe traditional burial practices. This phenomenological qualitative study addressed Kono members' perceived knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding how burial practices influenced EVD transmission. Rosenstock's health belief model provided the framework for the study. The participants purposefully selected from various religions and professions were interviewed individually and in focus group settings. Similar phrases and comments were identified from the interview responses resulted which resulted in the following 5 main themes: (a) …

The Influence Of Parental Perceptions On Early Childhood Educational Choices In Nigeria, Magdalene Uwadiogbu Okobah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The influx of women of childbearing age into the labor force, family dynamics of dual working parents as a result of economic factors, and weakening of extended family supports have increased demand for early childhood care and education programs in Nigeria. Consequently, a problem emerged in increased enrollment in ECCE programs that are deficient in terms of structural and process factors of child-caregiver ratio, group size, staff qualifications, health and safety practices, curriculum implementation, and parental engagement. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that influenced parents' in their decision process for ECCE placement for their children …

Type 2 Diabetes Management For Geriatric Veterans, Fachecia L. Fort

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Managing diabetes in the geriatric long-term care population can be challenging, yet important because diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease. The purpose of this project was to identify clinical practice guidelines for managing Type 2 diabetes in geriatric veterans and to develop a class to educate providers on diabetes management in the geriatric long-term care population at a community living and rehabilitation center. The practice focused question asked if providing education to providers about the clinical practice guidelines for managing Type 2 diabetes in geriatric long-term care veterans would improve knowledge as measured by a pre- and posttest. The project …

Impact Of Free Maternal And Child Health Services On Health Care Utilization In Jigawa State, Nigeria, Nura Ibrahim Kazaure

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In spite of a decrease globally, the maternal mortality rate (MMR) in Nigeria and its

Jigawa State has remained persistently high. Few efforts to address the MMR in Nigeria have been undertaken. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Jigawa State's Free Maternal and Child Health Program (JSFMCHP), education, employment, and parity of pregnant women on health care utilization (the outcome variable), as measured by antenatal care (ANC) visits. Anderson's behavioral model served as the study's theoretical framework. The sample size included 400 antenatal records of pregnant women who were randomly selected from the state's Health …

Parental Influence On Hiv Vertical Transmission In Kenya, Hussein Abdi Nunow

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mother-to-infant vertical transmission of HIV usually occurs during pregnancy, labor, delivery or breastfeeding. It is the third leading cause of transmission of HIV after sexual intercourse and blood transfusions. In 2008, 12 million women aged 15 years and above were anticipated to be living with HIV in countries within Sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, the association between parental HIV knowledge, attitudes and risk reduction practices, and HIV vertical transmission in Kenya were explored. The health belief model was used to help understand and interpret the findings. For this quantitative study, data were collected via surveys from 212 participants in 3 …

Determinants Of Low Birth Weight In A Population-Based Sample Of Zimbabwe, Paul Nesara

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low birth weight (LBW) is a major public health concern globally. Despite its negative social and economic impact on the family and community at large, it has remained relatively unexplored at population level in Zimbabwe. The purpose of the study was to establish determinants of LBW using data from the 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey. The socioecological model was the conceptual framework for the study. A secondary analysis was conducted on 4,227 mother-infant dyads. Independent variables were duration of pregnancy, number of births within the past 5-year period, exposure to mass media, type of fuel used for cooking in …

Women's Perceptions Of Malaria In The Western Rural Areas Of Sierra Leone, Marcella Davies

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Malaria is one of the leading causes of death for children and women in Sierra Leone. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and understand the lived experiences of women from the rural areas of Sierra Leone regarding malaria. A purposive sample of Krio women from the western rural area, aged 21-55 years, spoke English, and had taken care of someone with malaria described their perceptions and lived experiences with the disease in face-to-face interviews. The research questions were based on the health belief model and focused on knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions about malaria prevention and treatment. Interpretative …

Using Social Cognitive Theory To Predict Obesity Behaviors In Hispanic American Children, Augustina Anyikwa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity is a growing challenge in the U.S. Hispanic American population. There is a need for evidence-based approaches to combat this problem. Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) is one such approach. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which selected constructs of SCT (expectations, self-efficacy, self-efficacy in overcoming barriers and self-control) could predict five childhood obesity prevention behaviors, namely time spent on television watching, time spent on physical activities, water consumption, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and meal portion size among Hispanic American children. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed for this study. Data were …

Assessing Condom Use Among Navajo Men In The Southwest, Terra E. Yabeny

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Navajo tribe reports extraordinarily high number of cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexual populations. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the cultural value of adil' idli (self-respect) and how this cultural practice might influence health behaviors in sexual activity, condoms use, and acquiring of STDs among Navajo men. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was the theoretical foundation for providing a deeper understanding of the social, environmental, and cultural factors of condom use among Navajo men. Research questions …

Kenya's Constituency Development Fund, Free Secondary Education Policy, And Access To Secondary Education, Charles Kyalo Nzuki

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The effects of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the Free Secondary Education Policy (FSEP) on access to secondary school education in Kenya's Yatta sub-county have not been adequately explored in available public policy literature. Hence, this qualitative multiple-case study was designed to understand the effects of the 2 policies on both enrollment and dropout among secondary school age children in Yatta. The study was conducted in 1 mixed-boarding secondary school and 1 secondary day school in Yatta. The study was built on an adapted Huisman and Smits' theoretical model on dropout among students in developing countries. The data were …

Students' Perception Of A Required Community Service Program In Kenya, Rispa Achieng' Odongo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The use of community service to promote learning and civic responsibility in higher education has blossomed since the 1980s. The problem addressed in this study was that although the X University initiated the required community service program in 2004, it had not assessed the effectiveness of the program from students' perspectives. Using Kolb and Kolb's conceptual framework on experiential learning, a qualitative case study was used to evaluate the perceptions of 13 4th-year students who had participated in the required community service program during their 1st-year of study. The research questions were focused on students' perceptions on how community service …

Incarceration Of Nonviolent Offenders At The High Court In Oyo State, Nigeria, Olugbenga Rotimi Akanji

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The nonuse of community correction in the Nigeria criminal justice system has led to increased recidivism, contributed to prison congestion, introduced the risk of prison victimization, and lacked the provision of a rehabilitative structure for nonviolent offenders. The purpose of this phenomenological research study was to explore Nigerian judges' use of alternatives to incarcerations for nonviolent offenders. Dolinko retributive punishment theory provided the theoretical framework for this study. Ten participant judges comprised the study sample from a purposeful and criterion random sampling method. Data were collected from participants through structured interviews and were coded manually, sorted, and analyzed using the …

Self-Care Management Of African American Men With Type 2 Diabetes, Kevin Konstantinos

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American men are disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes and have a 3 times higher rate of 3 serious complications of diabetes, including blindness, amputations, and end-stage renal disease, compared to other groups. The purpose of this project was to address the gap-in-practice disparity that exists in care of African American men with diabetes by providing one-on-one self-care management education in an outpatient clinic setting. The behavior change theories that supported the project intervention were Orem's self-care theory and Bandura's self-efficacy theory. Employing a quasi-experimental design, 33 participants between the ages of 40 and 65 were divided into an …

Nonpharmacological Behavioral Interventions For Patients With Dementia: An Integrative Literature Review, Michelle Monique Spears

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The use of antipsychotic medications in older adults with dementia increases risk of

mortality; therefore, it is critical that nurses use nonpharmacological interventions in dementia care. The nurses' role is integral to implementation of treatment strategies to dementia patients and efforts to improve care in patients with dementia using a nonpharmacological approach are necessary. Therefore, guidelines outlining nonpharmacologic dementia care management will enable nurses to provide a wider spectrum of care to dementia patients. The purpose of this project was to make recommendations for the development and implementation of interdisciplinary practice guidelines to standardize care in the organizational setting. An …

Assessing The Effects Of Career Exploration Among African-American Urban Adolescents, Mia Flowers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Deficits in career decision making self-efficacy, career decidedness, and academic motivation have contributed to prolonged cycles of poverty, an increase in the number of years it takes to complete an undergraduate degree, and an upsurge in the amount of financial debt incurred. Recurrently, students are saddled with large amounts of debt for a degree that was never attained. One group heavily affected by this phenomenon is African American urban adolescents (AAUA). This quantitative study used a social cognitive career theory framework and a repeated-measures research design to examine whether a significant change in scores occurred from Time 1 to Time …

Understanding Parenting Styles Of Second-Generation Parents Of Residential School Survivors Within Treaty 8 Reserves, Judy Kim-Meneen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Approximately 150,000 First Nation, Metis, and Inuit children attended Canadian residential schools from the 1840s to 1996. Most residential school children had negative experiences of physical, verbal, and sexual abuse that led to parenting repercussions once these children became parents. These repercussions of residential schools led to a rate of neglect for First Nation children 12 times higher than non-First Nation children. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological descriptive study was to explore the lived experiences of second generation parents, who were schooled in residential schools as children and their current parenting styles. The conceptual frameworks of trauma theory and …

Association Between Type Of Diabetes Education And Health Status, Limitations, And Healthcare, Starr Michelle Seip

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Diabetes is an epidemic that has started to capture political attention in the United States because of the devastating health care costs associated with the disease. Researchers in other studies have concluded that additional education face-to-face (FTF) and FTF with alternative forms of diabetes communication (FTF plus) have been beneficial. However, there is very little information on the comparison of the two groups as mentioned above when comparing chronic limitations, self-perception, health status, and healthcare satisfaction as circumscribed by specific demographic population. This study was an investigation of the above variables and explored how specific demographic characteristics (age, gender, educational …

Assessing Racial Differences In U.S. Prenatal Care, Gestational Weight Gain, And Low Birthweight, Tiffany James

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The benefits of prenatal care (PNC) are extensively documented; however, controversy surrounds the extent to which benefits are experienced among different racial groups. Determining whether PNC influences positive birth outcomes and if advantages differ by race is pertinent to attaining positive health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between gestational weight gain (GWG), low birthweight (LBW), and PNC while weighing racial differences. The theoretical foundation was the motivation-facilitation theory of PNC access. Research questions were designed to (a) determine if there was a significant association between GWG and LBW, (b) determine if PNC had a …

Improving Chronic Constipation Health Literacy Proficiency: Animation Versus Traditional Written Pamphlets, Jason Baker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The U.S. health care system is evolving from medical centric to patient centered, augmenting the importance for patients to comprehend and process medical information. The Department of Education indicated that 77 million Americans have a basic or below basic health literacy proficiency and 12% register as health literacy proficient. Animation is a time-tested device for improving health by enhancing comprehension. Chronic constipation (CC) complexity entails physiological, anatomical, and environmental mechanisms. Using the cognitive theory of multimedia learning and dual-channel auditory and visual processing, the primary research question addressed whether an animated educational video improved health literacy for CC more than …

A Nutrition Education Program For Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Caring For Obese Patients, Kathy Lynn Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is a major U.S. public health epidemic. A review of the current literature identified a lack of obesity counseling with individuals. The gap in practice was a lack of understanding of nutrition, nutrition labeling, and how foods affect health. The objective of this project was to identify the community assessment need related to obesity and then educate APRNs on ways to better communicate with obese patients. This project focused on an education program for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) on using the 5 A's framework for obesity counseling to improve their knowledge and skill in counseling their overweight and …

Locus Of Control, Poverty And Health Promoting Lifestyles, Cara Stephenson-Hunter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite increased access to care and interventions aimed to change health behavior, socioeconomic health disparities have remained unchanged, even for preventable illness and disease. Health behavior theories and interventions heavily rely on perceptions of control over one's fate and thus ignore populations with low perceptions of personal control. Poverty is associated with an external locus of control (LOC), while both poverty and external LOC are associated with less health protective behavior. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the role of LOC as an adaptive response to poverty and to discover the risks and benefits to physical and …

Stroke Risk Factor Knowledge, Attitude, Prevention Practices, And Stroke, Adaku Ngozika Madubuko

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Regardless of the advances that have been made in stroke research and treatment and the overall decrease in stroke mortality, the stroke mortality rate for African Americans is still high at 45.2/100,000 and is still the leading cause of adult disability. Knowledge of the risk factors of stroke is paramount to reducing the morbidity and mortality of stroke, but knowledge of stroke risk factors has been found to be suboptimal in the African American population. The purpose of this study was to examine if there is a relationship between the knowledge, perception, and sources of stroke information of risk factors …

Social Support And Psychotherapy For Asian And Pacific Islanders With Hiv/Aids, Venus Vacharakitja

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

HIV/AIDS rates among Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) have increased steadily in recent years. The Health Resources and Services Administration reported in 2011 that people living with HIV/AIDS experience psychiatric disorders at a rate 4 to 8 times higher than the general population, with as many as 60% experiencing depression. Studies show that short-term psychotherapy reduces depression and anxiety in people with HIV/AIDS, and studies have indicated that patients have better health outcomes when they receive psychotherapy in conjunction with medical treatment. It is not known how social support relates to psychotherapy attendance or health outcomes as measured by CD4 …