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Department Of Community Health Sciences Medical College (Report 2009 - 2016), Department Of Community Health Sciences, Medical College

Department of Community Health Sciences Archives

This report comprehensively documents the academic, research, and service accomplishments of the Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS) at the Aga Khan University from 2009 to 2016. It highlights the department’s mission to strengthen public health education and systems through innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and impactful research. Topics covered include CHS faculty profiles, educational programs, strategic initiatives, community outreach, grant-funded projects, and the vision for establishing a School of Public Health.

Dietary Patterns, Insulin Resistance, And Cognitive Outcomes In A Cohort Of Black And White Americans, Keith Pearson

All ETDs from UAB

As life expectancy continues to increase and the number of elderly Americans rises, public health initiatives are seeking to identify modifiable risk factors to preserve cognitive function and increase quality of life in advanced ages. The primary objective of this dissertation was to investigate dietary patterns, carbohydrate consumption, and insulin resistance as modifiable risk factors that may contribute to the development of cognitive impairment and cognitive decline. Three separate studies were performed in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke study, a prospective cohort containing 30,239 black and white participants. Cognitive impairment was defined using the Six-Item Screener. …

The Eff-1a Cytoplasmic Domain Influences Hypodermal Cell Fusions In C. Elegans But Is Not Dependent On 14-3-3 Proteins., Jessica H Shinn-Thomas, Jacob J Del Campo, Jianjun Wang, William A Mohler

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Regulatory and biophysical mechanisms of cell-cell fusion are largely unknown despite the fundamental requirement for fused cells in eukaryotic development. Only two cellular fusogens that are not of clear recent viral origin have been identified to date, both in nematodes. One of these, EFF-1, is necessary for most cell fusions in Caenorhabditis elegans. Unregulated EFF-1 expression causes lethality due to ectopic fusion between cells not developmentally programmed to fuse, highlighting the necessity of tight fusogen regulation for proper development. Identifying factors that regulate EFF-1 and its paralog AFF-1 could lead to discovery of molecular mechanisms that control cell fusion …

Blood Feeding Pattern Of Malaria Vector Reveals Malaria Transmission Dynamics In Three Islands Of Lake Victoria In Kenya, Edwin Ochieng Ogola

All Master’s Theses

The Lake Victoria region of western Kenya is malaria endemic with a suitable environment throughout the year for the transmission of Plasmodium parasites by its primary mosquito vector, Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.), as well as other secondary vectors. Malaria control largely depends on vector control using long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) that protect humans from infectious bites while sleeping. However, the success of this strategy is greatly threatened by resistance to insecticides and changes in mosquito feeding pattern that alter disease transmission dynamics. Therefore, adequate knowledge of mosquito feeding patterns and population structure can inform the efficacy of and allow …

Influence Of Overweight, Obesity, Social Support, And Self-Efficacy On Breastfeeding Outcomes Among African-American Women, Elizabeth Hoo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Breastfeeding reduces morbidity and mortality among mothers and children, yet African-American women breastfeed at lower rates than women of other racial and ethnic groups do. Higher rates of overweight, obesity, and low socioeconomic status may be contributing factors in this population; however, limited research exists regarding the roles of maternal overweight and obesity on breastfeeding outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine whether social support and self-efficacy positively influence breastfeeding outcomes among overweight and obese African American women. Self-efficacy and social support theories provided the theoretical framework for the study. Research questions examined whether (a) maternal overweight and …

Perceptions Of Stroke Risks Among West African Male Immigrants In San Diego, Lawrence Agi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The incidence and knowledge of the risk factors of stroke across ethnic groups in the United States have been examined in multiple studies. However, it is not well known if the foreign-born African immigrants who constitute about 4% of the U.S. immigrant population are at a higher risk of the incidence of stroke than are other nonimmigrant population in the U. S. This ethnographic study explored the perceptions of Anglophone African male immigrants residing in San Diego on the risk factors of stroke. The theoretical framework for this study included the health belief model and the health promotion model. Data …

Incidence And Factors Associated With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Among Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ani K. John

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common hepatic diseases worldwide, making the diagnosis and management of NAFLD an emerging public health issue. Theories associated with NAFLD surmise that inflammation may be the root cause, along with the complex interplay of other chronic conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is unknown if other inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), along with the use of methotrexate (MTX), might confer increased risk for NAFLD. Longitudinal data collected from a retrospective cohort of 17,481 adult RA patients in the United States …

Obesity Among Women In Rural Kenya: Knowledge, Beliefs, And Perceptions., Ann Mugo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity or being overweight is a prevalent health concern around the world. Despite the growing problem in developing countries such as Kenya, there is scant literature available on obesity or being overweight among women in rural Kenya. This research study provides information necessary for bridging the gap in understanding the perceptions, beliefs, and knowledge of obesity among women in rural Kenya. This study used the social cognitive theory (SCT) framework to assist in understanding the impact of obesity or being overweight among women living in rural Kenya. Participants were women aged 20 to 45 recruited from a local church in …

Insecticide Treated Nets As An Effective Malaria Control Strategy In Liberia, Taiyee Nelson Quenneh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Malaria is a vector-borne disease that presents the most persistent and serious public health burden in Liberia. Numerous studies have examined the relationship between ITN use and malaria prevalence. However, little research has explored the effectiveness of ITNs in controlling malaria among children in postwar Liberia. The aim of this study was to examine the association between ITN ownership, parental economic status, ITN installation support, and malaria prevalence among children. This was a quantitative cross-sectional study guided by the health belief model. The study used secondary data from the 2011 Liberia Malaria Indicator Survey. Chi-square for association and Logistic regression …

Chiropractic Student Infection Control Practices And Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Skin Infections, Jonathon Todd Egan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Chiropractic training involves many hours of skin contact, and chiropractors have manual contact with millions of patients annually, but chiropractic has only had professional clinical hygiene guidance since 2010. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most common cause of cultured skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) in the United States. Using the epidemiologic triad of person, place, and time as a framework, this quantitative, cross-sectional study obtained the first assessment of MRSA SSTI incidence among chiropractic students and its association with infection control behaviors (hand and table hygiene, sharing gowns, and sharing lotion) and initiation of patient care. The study …

Associations Between Healthcare Facility Types And Healthcare-Associated Infections, Aretha D. Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) continue to be an epidemiological issue burdening patients and public health systems worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine if specific healthcare facility types (Acute Care Hospitals, Long Term Acute Care Hospitals, and Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities) were associated with particular categories of HAIs: Ventilator-Associated Pneumonias (VAPs), Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs), and Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs). The theoretical framework for this study was the environmental determinants of infectious disease framework. A single research question focused on whether an association existed among the specified health care facility types and HAIs. Three independent categorical variables were …

Evaluation Of Active And Passive Neonatal Tetanus Surveillance Systems In Katsina State, Nigeria, Shafique Sani Nass

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The incidence and mortality rates of neonatal tetanus (NNT) remain underreported in Nigeria. This cross-sectional study was guided by the Mosley and Chen's model for the elements of child survival in developing countries. The goals of the study were twofold: (a) to compare the NNT prevalence and the mortality rates from the existing surveillance system and active surveillance of health facility records in 7 selected health facilities from 2010 to 2014 in Katsina state, Nigeria and (b) to assess the associations between selected NNT risk factors, number of maternal tetanus toxoid injections, frequency of antenatal visits, place of delivery, and …

The Effect Of Personal Beliefs And Perceptions On Influenza Vaccination Uptake Among Older Adults, Rani Sujatha Athota

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite a 90% fatality rate and high risk of complications from influenza infection, vaccination coverage remains lower among African American (AA) and Hispanic American (HA) older adults. Health care professionals, families, and older adults are concerned with improving vaccination uptake. The purpose of this study was to examine differences among older adult AA and HA compared to European Americans (EA) on how their personal beliefs and perceptions affect vaccination uptake. The health belief model guided this study. The study research design was a quantitative cross-sectional analysis of the 2009 National H1N1 Flu Survey. Weighed prevalence of vaccine uptake indicated all …

Predictors Of Influenza Vaccination Compliance Among Union And Nonunion Workers In A Pennsylvania Health Care System, Ericka Lynne Kalp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

To improve U.S. residents' health, advocates are focusing their efforts on workplace health. Researchers have found that unionization is a positive influence on workers' participation in health promotion programs relating to smoking and obesity prevention. However, the effect of union membership on other health promotion initiatives, such as influenza vaccination compliance among health care workers, has not been examined. The purpose of this quantitative study was to address this knowledge gap between a union and a nonunion health care facility in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The health belief model was used to determine if different domains of influenza vaccination …

Experience With Social Support Systems Among Women Exposed To Intimate Partner Violence In Cameroon, Ahone Esther-Alice Ngujede

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The southwest and northwest regions of Cameroon have experienced high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV). Limited information is available about IPV victims' experiences with social support systems. This phenomenological study was aimed at investigating IPV victims' lived experiences with social support systems in Cameroon. Some of these systems are the judicial system, police officers, hospitals and clinics, and domestic violence agencies. The Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Transtheoretical Model of Change (TTM) were used to understand how 8 self-identified victims of IPV were able to discuss their lived experiences with social support systems. The research questions addressed women's …

Identification Of Leishmania Spp. And Trypanosoma Cruzi In Sylvatic Animals In El Paso County, Texas, Mariel Christina Matamoros

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background Leishmaniasis and Chagas's Disease are two of the seventeen diseases considered as Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTF) by the CDC. Ten million people worldwide are at risk of being infected by Leishmaniasis and Chagas' disease affects six million people in the world; however, these are mostly cases in Latin America. The vector for Chagas' disease, triatomine, has been identified near El Paso, Texas region to be positive for Trypanosoma cruzi. Recent studies have also shown positive results for Chagas' disease and Leishmaniasis in sylvatic animals in El Paso.

Objective To determine the prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi and/or Leishmania spp. infection …

A Requirement For Y841 In Jak3 Enzymatic Activity And Hematopoietic Cancers, George Steven Martinez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

A medical need exists for successfully treating people afflicted with leukemia, especially those who develop drug resistant forms. Relapse leukemia cases are particularly high within Hispanic populations where this disease is among the most frequently occurring cancer. Fourteen somatic mutations have been reported in Janus tyrosine kinase 3 (Jak3), including M511I and A573V, from patients with various forms of leukemia. To monitor drug sensitivity, a model system was developed. Indeed, many of these mutations have been shown to possess transforming ability in cell lines such as the IL-3 dependent pro-B cell line Ba/F3. As such, Ba/F3 cells were transformed to …

Determining The Role Of Poly [Adp-Ribose] Polymerase 1 (Parp-1) In Retroviral Infection, Luis Valdes Rodriguez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Possible links between PARP-1 and HIV-1 have been previously reported but the role of this protein during viral infection has remained elusive. Based on the high evolutionary conservation of PARP-1, from Drosophila to humans, we have been able to counteract the difficulties related with the functional redundancy manifested in the PARP family by studying the influence of PARP-1 on the expression of an endogenous retrovirus using the chicken B lymphoblastoid cell line DT40, this cell line exhibits low PARP-1 functional redundancy and is viable after PARP-1 knockout. We have determined that the transcription level of the endogenous retrovirus RAV-1 is …

Exploring Factors Of Initimate Partner Violence Among Men Of Mexican Origin, Bibiana Marie Mancera

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects many females, particularly women of color, in the United States. Victims of IPV experience both short and long term physical and mental consequences (World Health Organization, 2014), which negatively impact the healthcare and judicial system (Lloyd & Taluc, 1999). Few qualitative studies have been conducted among men of Mexican origin (MMO), exploring unique risk factors that contribute to the higher incidence of IPV perpetration among this population. The purpose of this study was to explore IPV perpetration risk factors among MMO. The research question that guided this study were: 1) what are the issues confronting …

A Core Curriculum For Sociology In Uk Undergraduate Medical Education, T Collett, L Brooks, S Forrest, J Harden, M Kelly, K Kendall, Stewart S Macbride, M Sbaiti, F Stevenson

Peninsula Medical School

No abstract provided.

Smartphone Microendoscopy For High Resolution Fluorescence Imaging, Xiangqian Hong, Vivek K. Nagarajan, Dale H. Mugler, Bing Yu

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

High resolution optical endoscopes arc increasingly used in diagnosis of various medical conditions of internal organs, such as the cervix and gastrointestinal (GI) tracts, but they are too expensive for use in resource-poor settings. On the other hand, smartphones with high resolution cameras and Internet access have become more affordable, enabling them to diffuse into most rural areas and developing countries in the past decade. In this paper, we describe a smartphone microendoscope that can take fluorescence images with a spatial resolution of 3.1 μm. Images collected from ex vivo, in vitro and in vivo samples using the device …

Growing South Dakota (Winter 2016), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

This issue includes the 2015 South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Annual Report.

[Page] 2 Director's Message
[Page] 3 Concentrating On Cattle: Researcher Studying Mechanics To Improve Reproduction Efficiency In Beef Cattle
[Page] 5 At The Forefront: SDSU Diagnostic Lab Scientists Sequence Avian Influenza Genome
[Page] 6 Seeking Superior Wheat: Breeder Using Extensive Genome Testing To Improve Winter Wheat Cultivars
[Page] 8 Profiles In Leadership: Plant And Fungi Interactions May Offer New Plant Production Possibilities
[Page] 9 Targeting Emerging Diseases: Plant Pathologists Working To Better Manage Soybean & Sunflower Diseases
[Page] 10 Compelling New Crop: Carinata Offers Potential For Crop Diversity, …

Rabies-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Of Dog Owners From Three Barangays In Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, Samuel Brando H. Piamonte, Christian Paul P. De La Cruz

Journal of Public Affairs and Development

Rabies continues to be a health concern in the Philippines. In 2015, only 10 municipalities and one province were added to the list of rabies-free zones in the country, making a total of 35 rabies-free areas since 2008. This study was carried out to build a community-based study on rabies in three selected barangays (villages) in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. Specifically, it aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices on rabies among dog owners. Through snowball sampling, 418 dog owners from the three barangays were identified and interviewed. Descriptive measures were carried out to attain the objectives of the …

A Multinational Cross-Sectional Survey Of The Management Of Patient Medication Adherence By European Healthcare Professionals, W Clyne, C Mshelia, S Mclachlan, P Jones, Et Al

Peninsula Medical School

Objectives To examine which interventions healthcare professionals use to support patients with taking medicines and their perceptions about the effectiveness of those actions. Design Cross-sectional multinational study. Setting Online survey in Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Hungary, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Switzerland. Participants A total of 3196 healthcare professionals comprising doctors (855), nurses (1047) and pharmacists (1294) currently registered and practising in primary care and community settings. Main outcome measures Primary outcome: Responses to the question ‘I ask patients if they have missed any doses of their medication’ for each profession and in each country. Secondary outcome: Responses to …

A Phenomenological Study Of East African Refugee Mothers' Experiences Of Trauma And How It Affects Parenting, Binh Hoa Pham

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

There is a growing population of refugees around the world. Refugees experience a multitude of stressors—war trauma, chaotic and unsettling displacement(s), and resettlement stressors. African and Middle Eastern refugees are the fastest growing refugee population. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (2014) report estimates that by the end of 2014, there will be 59.5 million displaced people around the world. Refugee women and children are disproportionately victims of war and civil conflict. Research on the experience of refugee women and children is minimal in refugee studies, specifically how refugee mothers’ experiences of war affect parenting. The …

Phylogeography Of The Natal Puddle Frog Phrynobatrachus Natalensis (Anura: Phrynobatrachidae) In Sub-Saharan Africa, Joshua Adan Lara

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The Family Phrynobatrachidae (Laurent, 1941) has one genus (Phrynobatrachus, Günther, 1862) containing 89 species. Commonly known as puddle frogs, they comprise one of the most species rich sub-Saharan amphibian groups. The objective of this study was to investigate P. natalensis from the Albertine Rift (AR) with systematic and phylogeographic methods. One mitochondrial DNA gene (16S = 555 base pairs [bp]) and one nuclear gene (RAG1 = 774 bp) were analyzed for 61 representatives of P. natalensis. Nine cryptic lineages were identified from Angola, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda. Several …

Synthesis Of Neoglycoproteins/Neoglycopeptides And Their Immunological Evaluation In The Context Of Chagas Disease, Nathaniel Scott Schocker

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease (ChD), has a cell surface covered by immunogenic glycoconjugates. A synthetic glycoarray containing non-reducing α-galactopyranosyl moieties related to mucin O-glycans of the parasite T. cruzi was evaluated by a chemiluminescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CL-ELISA) with sera from patients with chronic ChD, revealing the disaccharide Galα(1,3)Galβ as the immunodominant glycotope (Chapter 2). This disaccharide comprises the two terminal sugars of the known immunodominant glycotope Galα(1,3)Galβ(1,4)GlcNAcα, which is expressed on glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored mucins of the infective trypomastigote stage of T. cruzi and triggers high levels of protective anti-α-Gal antibodies (Abs) in infected …

Prevalence Of Dental Caries In Mexican-American Children And Adolescents Attending Rawlings Pediatric Dental Clinic In El Paso, Texas, Andrea Aguila

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Abstract

Background and significance: Dental caries is the most common infectious disease in childhood, causing negative long and short term effects in a child’s life. Children living in poverty are twice as likely to be affected by dental caries compared to those living above the poverty level. Of this poverty group, Mexican-American children are the most affected. In the US-Mexico border communities 83% of the population is Hispanic with the majority of them being of Mexican descent, and 30% of those live in poverty. The United States Mexico border is also characterized by a rapid population growth, high unemployment rates, …

Elucidating The Molecular Mechanism Of Action By Which Rs1-208b Induces Apoptosis In Hematological Cancers, Ruben Israel Calderon

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The 26S proteasome has been successfully targeted to treat multiple myeloma. However, the effect can sometimes be reversed as cells acquire resistance to chemotherapy. Recently, combining proteasome inhibitors with indirect proteasome inhibitors has been proposed in order to delay and even reverse resistance. Small molecules derived from 4-piperidinone that maintain an unsaturated β-carbonyl group are thought to interact with the thiol group of catalytically active cysteine residues in deubiquitinases that associate with the 26S proteasome, effectively inhibiting the proteasome.

RS1-208b was selected following a high-throughput screening of a small library of 4-piperidinone derived curcumin structural analogs due to its selectivity …

Gender Differences In Risk Behaviors And Health Outcomes Due To Methamphetamine Use In A Mexico-U.S. Border City, Priscilla Guevara

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Methamphetamine (meth) is a stimulant known to affect the central nervous system (CNS). When individuals are under the influence of meth, their judgment is impaired which can lead them to make irrational decisions and engage in high-risk behaviors, such as having unprotected sex and needle sharing. Thus the behaviors of meth users can place them at high risk of contracting infectious diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Few studies highlight gender differences in meth use, fewer studies address high-risk behaviors and health outcomes attributed to meth use by gender. El Paso, TX …