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2025

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Effects Of Selected Language-Related Factors On Reading Performance And Growth In Grades 4-5: An Hypothesis-Generating, Growth Mixture Modeling Study, Robyn Mennella Jan 2025

Effects Of Selected Language-Related Factors On Reading Performance And Growth In Grades 4-5: An Hypothesis-Generating, Growth Mixture Modeling Study, Robyn Mennella

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

As U.S. society becomes increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse, public schools face challenges in developing more effective approaches to reading instruction, especially for students who are learning English as a new language. This dissertation investigated the impact of selected language-related factors on the reading performance and growth trajectories of 370 students in Grades 4 and 5, obtained through six nationally-normed i-Ready reading assessments in a suburban New York State public school district. Controlling for gender, socioeconomic status, and having an individualized education program, this study examined three key factors: English language proficiency, participation in two-way dual language instruction, and primary …


Solution-Focused, Strengths-Based Practice: An Integrated And Future-Orientated Approach To Resistance In Child Protection And Welfare Service Users?, Susan Flynn Dr Jan 2025

Solution-Focused, Strengths-Based Practice: An Integrated And Future-Orientated Approach To Resistance In Child Protection And Welfare Service Users?, Susan Flynn Dr

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

This article presents a theoretical exposition of an integrated solution-focused, strengths-based perspective. It does so through a thematic review of literature. The proposition is that solution-focused, strengths-based techniques can offer practitioners useful modes of working with resistance in child protection and welfare service users. The issue of working well with service users who present as resistant to the work, is complex and challenging in child protection and welfare practice. Practitioners must strive for rigorous, humane and compassionate practice, which never distracts from or compromises child safety. A thematic review of literature on solution-focused, strengths-based practice is presented. Therein, relevant theoretical …


Child Protection And Disability: An Anti-Oppressive Reading, Susan Flynn Dr Jan 2025

Child Protection And Disability: An Anti-Oppressive Reading, Susan Flynn Dr

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

Existing research alludes to complex inequalities within child protection systems for disabled children and disabled parents. An established risk of maltreatment that is higher for disabled children than for majority population peers converges with intersecting inequalities in the child protection arena. These include discrepancies around professional responses and service outcomes. Practice shortcomings, under-resourcing, practical impasses and knowledge deficits are also an enduring concern. Further, inequalities in child protection service outcomes and involvement for intellectually disabled parents are well documented. Thus, child protection and welfare casework with disabled children and disabled parents is fraught with complexities. This is due to the …


Social Care Worker: The Shaping Of An Emerging Title., Martin Power Jan 2025

Social Care Worker: The Shaping Of An Emerging Title., Martin Power

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

The inclusion of the title social care worker in the Health and Social Care Professionals Act (2005) was a crucial development in the journey toward the professionalisation of social care work. With the two year grand-parenting window for entry to the register closed at the end of November 2025, the regulation of social care work has now begun. While this will mean that a definitive number rather than estimates of the number of social care workers in Ireland will be available, ambiguities remain. For example, in spite of the passing of two decades since the inclusion of social care worker …


Ireland’S Best Kept Secret: The Unique Role Of Home Management Advisors In Supporting Families In The Community, Sonya Coffey, Amanda Mccloat, Elaine Mooney Jan 2025

Ireland’S Best Kept Secret: The Unique Role Of Home Management Advisors In Supporting Families In The Community, Sonya Coffey, Amanda Mccloat, Elaine Mooney

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

In Ireland, early intervention family support models are the focus of researchers and policy makers. One such model, the Home Management Advisory (HMA) service, provided in the main by home economists, delivers education, support and advice to families on all aspects of home management. A qualitative examination of the role of home management advisors, underpinned by a strengths-based approach, was conducted through in depth semi-structured interviews with past and present advisors. The study aimed to gain insights into their experiences in delivering community-based family support. The study found service provision is limited to a small geographical area in the West …


Sickle Cell Disease Nursing Education: A Mixed Methods Program Evaluation, Lauren Brooke Clemons Jan 2025

Sickle Cell Disease Nursing Education: A Mixed Methods Program Evaluation, Lauren Brooke Clemons

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common disorder of the hemoglobin and affects more than 100,000 people in the United States and millions worldwide. In response to a drastic lack of available education a group of SCD experts developed the Sickle Cell Boot Camp to Promote Nursing Excellence Train the Trainer. This initiative provided the first opportunity for nurses worldwide to gain knowledge and skills curated by the leading experts in a safe and interactive environment. By adapting the program to a train the trainer modality, education materials are provided to the attendees, and they are encouraged …


Integrative Approaches In Colorectal Cancer: Prognostic Biomarkers And Ai-Driven Hypothesis Generation For Early Diagnosis And Drug Resistance, Heliang Yin Jan 2025

Integrative Approaches In Colorectal Cancer: Prognostic Biomarkers And Ai-Driven Hypothesis Generation For Early Diagnosis And Drug Resistance, Heliang Yin

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with early diagnosis being critical for improving patient outcomes. This study addresses two key aspects of CRC research: understanding its etiology and prognostic biomarkers and exploring the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating hypotheses for early diagnosis. In the first project, we analyzed prognostic biomarkers in CRC, revealing a significant negative correlation between TP53 and CD56 mutations, which have opposing effects on patient survival. TP53, a tumor suppressor gene, is frequently mutated in CRC, while CD56, a glycoprotein involved in cell adhesion, may act as a cancer enhancer. …


Family Narratives Of Immigration And Identity, Miranda Victoria Brunn Jan 2025

Family Narratives Of Immigration And Identity, Miranda Victoria Brunn

All ETDs from UAB

This study investigates themes and lessons present in diverse intergenerational family stories of immigration. Effects of participant perceptions of lesson valence on resilience and relational closeness were observed in an emerging adult sample (N = 42), using the lens of Communicated Narrative Sensemaking Theory (CNSM). Additionally, participant perception of lesson utility was observed in relation to emerging adults’ prior thought and intent to share their family stories. Lastly, with whom emerging adults share their family stories was considered. A mixed methods approach was employed, utilizing an online survey with scales and open-ended text boxes. Findings revealed thirty-three distinct themes and …


Reelin Regulation Of Striatal Physiology And Cocaine Reward, Kasey Lynn Brida Jan 2025

Reelin Regulation Of Striatal Physiology And Cocaine Reward, Kasey Lynn Brida

All ETDs from UAB

Drugs of abuse activate defined neuronal populations in brain reward structures such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc), which are thought to promote the enduring synaptic, circuit, and behavioral consequences of drug exposure. While the molecular and cellular effects arising from experience with drugs like cocaine are increasingly well understood, the mechanisms that sculpt NAc neuron participation are largely unknown. Here, we leveraged unbiased single-nucleus transcriptional profiling to identify expression of the secreted glycoprotein Reelin (encoded by the Reln gene) as a marker of cocaine-activated neurons within the rat NAc. Multiplexed in situ detection confirmed selective expression of the immediate early …


Co-Creating A Social, Emotional, And Mental Health Well-Being Group For College Students With Disabilities And/Or Chronic Health Conditions And Are Registered With Disability Support Services, Consuelo A. Click Copeland Jan 2025

Co-Creating A Social, Emotional, And Mental Health Well-Being Group For College Students With Disabilities And/Or Chronic Health Conditions And Are Registered With Disability Support Services, Consuelo A. Click Copeland

All ETDs from UAB

ABSTRACT Nearly one in four adults in the United States report living with a disability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024). According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (2023), approximately 21 percent of undergraduate students and 11 percent of postbaccalaureate students report having a disability. Students with disabilities in college encounter considerable obstacles that can adversely affect their mental health, academic performance, and general well-being. These obstacles encompass social isolation, stigma, and insufficient personalized support services, resulting in increased levels of anxiety, depression, and dropout rates compared to students without disabilities. Despite the critical need, there is a …


Mandatory Grade Retention: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Principals During The Implementation Of The Alabama Literacy Act, Kiana Billings Coleman Jan 2025

Mandatory Grade Retention: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Principals During The Implementation Of The Alabama Literacy Act, Kiana Billings Coleman

All ETDs from UAB

ABSTRACT For over 40 years, the standards-based reform movement has significantly influenced educational policy in the United States (Shanahan, 2014). Educators across the country are under increasing pressure to improve student achievement as states implement policies that link test scores to accountability measures. Recently, the adoption of mandatory grade retention policies has emerged as a popular intervention for addressing low academic performance. Effective leadership is vital to the success of policy initiatives. However, there is limited research on how school principals experience mandatory retention policies. Understanding how administrators navigate retention policies is essential for identifying effective leadership strategies that facilitate …


Optimizing Recruitment Strategies, Outcome Measures, And Intervention In Clinical Research With Adults With Multiple Sclerosis: Insights From The Tele-Exercise And Multiple Sclerosis (Teams) Study, Tracy Flemming Tracy Jan 2025

Optimizing Recruitment Strategies, Outcome Measures, And Intervention In Clinical Research With Adults With Multiple Sclerosis: Insights From The Tele-Exercise And Multiple Sclerosis (Teams) Study, Tracy Flemming Tracy

All ETDs from UAB

Background: Recruiting people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) into research can be a significant challenge. This is often due to limited awareness of the research objectives, lack of accessibility, and restrictive inclusion criteria. In addition to a general reluctance to participate, assessing multiple sclerosis (MS) and assigning appropriate interventions can be challenging due to the heterogeneity of symptoms. Identifying outcome measures that accurately reflect a participant’s perception and functional performance, while remaining sensitive to change across different levels of disability, poses a challenge. Methods: Data from the Tele-Exercise and Multiple Sclerosis (TEAMS) trial was analyzed to identify effective recruitment strategies (Study …


Platal Expansion Using The Invisalign Palatal Expander "Ipe", Hassan Chihab Jan 2025

Platal Expansion Using The Invisalign Palatal Expander "Ipe", Hassan Chihab

All ETDs from UAB

Palatal expansion has been used in orthodontics to treat a narrow maxilla and to primarily correct posterior dental crossbites. In younger patients, palatal expansion can readily be achieved through opening of the mid-palatal suture, as it is not fused at that age. As the mid-palatal suture matures, expansion will gradually be difficult to achieve, and more dental expansion is obtained rather than skeletal. In addition, there is a tendency to get more dental tipping. Palatal expansion has been recommended not only to correct crossbites but also to improve breathing in patients with sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). …


Effect Of Pre-Treatment Lab-Based Comorbidities On Treatment Related Outcomes Among Patients With Cancer, Jeffrey Alan Franks Jan 2025

Effect Of Pre-Treatment Lab-Based Comorbidities On Treatment Related Outcomes Among Patients With Cancer, Jeffrey Alan Franks

All ETDs from UAB

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the United States. In addition to their cancer, nearly 50% of individuals have a comorbid condition. This adds complexity to the treatment of these patients as it may delay cancer diagnosis or treatment or prevent treatment all together. Lab-values are an important tool to measure comorbidities and end-organ damage as they are routinely captured as part of standard of care and the basis of clinician decision making. However, despite the widespread multimorbidity and how crucial they are to decision making, few studies assess the association of lab abnormalities …


Context-Dependent Functional Connectivity During Attention Orienting And Reorienting: Comparing Individuals With Schizophrenia And Controls, Hyun Freeman Jan 2025

Context-Dependent Functional Connectivity During Attention Orienting And Reorienting: Comparing Individuals With Schizophrenia And Controls, Hyun Freeman

All ETDs from UAB

Attentional deficits are a well-established feature of schizophrenia, impacting various functional domains. Previous research suggested altered connectivity within attention networks may underlie these deficits, but few studies have examined how these net-works dynamically interact during different types of attention processes. In this study, we investigated functional connectivity patterns during attentional orienting and reori-enting to social and nonsocial cues in 25 individuals with schizophrenia and 25 controls. Participants completed a modified Posner spatial cueing task with both social (eyes) and nonsocial (arrows) cues during fMRI scanning. Using generalized psychophysiological interaction analysis with the left lateral occipital cortex (LOC) as a seed …


Electrophysiological Integration Of Engineered Tissue Graft With The Host Swine Myocardium, Bijay Guragain Jan 2025

Electrophysiological Integration Of Engineered Tissue Graft With The Host Swine Myocardium, Bijay Guragain

All ETDs from UAB

The adult mammalian heart lacks regenerative capacity to replenish cardiomyocytes (CMs) lost due to myocardial infarction (MI). Instead, the damaged heart undergoes extensive remodeling that significantly impairs normal cardiac function and may eventually lead to heart failure. Recent therapies that implant engineered tissues fabricated from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) have shown promising results with improved cardiac function and structural integration. However, the extent of electrophysiological coupling between engineered and host tissue remains unclear. This is a critical factor for functional integration of the implant as well as for arrhythmia risk arising from the implant. Our study aims …


Mechanoactivation Of Vegfr-2 Promotes Angiogenesis In The Tumor Microenvironment, Bronte Johnson Jan 2025

Mechanoactivation Of Vegfr-2 Promotes Angiogenesis In The Tumor Microenvironment, Bronte Johnson

All ETDs from UAB

Cancer progression relies on blood vessel growth; without vasculature, tumors would be limited to less than 200µm in diameter. With this reasoning, several cancer therapies have been developed that target the process of angiogenesis, or the growth of vessels off pre-existing vasculature. These treatments target the major promoters of angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2); however, anti-angiogenic therapies are not effective by themselves. This is likely due to mechanoactivation of VEGFR-2 through physical alterations in the tumor microenvironment (TME). One prevalent mechanical change is increased strain on surrounding cells and matrix due to highly contractile …


In Pursuit Of Sovereignty: Transformations Of Colonial Medicine From Wilhelmine To Nazi Germany, Veda Joshi Jan 2025

In Pursuit Of Sovereignty: Transformations Of Colonial Medicine From Wilhelmine To Nazi Germany, Veda Joshi

All ETDs from UAB

After the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, the Great Powers of Europe, including the newly-born German Empire, greatly expanded their influence and colonial possessions in Africa, with colonies in East Asia and the South Pacific quickly following suit. The German Empire, like its contemporaries, engaged with medicine as a necessary part of its colonial endeavors in order to keep both its native laborers and European settlers healthy. Using documents from the German Bundesarchiv (Federal Archive), including official reports made to the German Colonial Office and documenting of formally conducted expeditions, as well as the writings of colonial doctors, this research examines …


Investigating The Role Of Notch1 On Cell Viability In Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Cells In Hypoxia, Alexis Kennedy Jan 2025

Investigating The Role Of Notch1 On Cell Viability In Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Cells In Hypoxia, Alexis Kennedy

All ETDs from UAB

INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF NOTCH1 ON CELL VIABILITY IN PANCREATIC NEUROENDOCRINE TUMOR CELLS IN HYPOXIA ALEXIS KENNEDY MULTIDISCIPLINARY BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE ABSTRACT Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are rare neoplasms originating from neuroendocrine cells in the pancreas. Patients with advanced disease pose a complex challenge due to poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Notch signaling is a juxtracrine cell-cell communication mechanism whereby transmembrane Notch receptors (Notch 1-4) interact with neighboring cells through ligands binding, resulting in a cascade that regulates various developmental processes and cell fate decisions. Dysregulated Notch1 signaling is implicated in PNETs, affecting neuroendocrine tumor biology and potentially interacting with …


Mesenchymal Hippo Signaling In Lung Development And Disease, Kylie Klinkhammer Jan 2025

Mesenchymal Hippo Signaling In Lung Development And Disease, Kylie Klinkhammer

All ETDs from UAB

During both lung development and regeneration, the proper coordination of different cellular populations working in concert are vital to proper development and wound repairs. Myofibroblasts, highly contractile mesenchymal cells, are vital the organization of cells during lung development and to the remodeling of the extra cellular matrix (ECM) during regeneration. As important as myofibroblasts are, their apoptosis or differentiation to a less contractile phenotype is equally important to normal development and regenerative processes. Excessive differentiation of myofibroblasts or the improper localization of myofibroblasts are associated with pulmonary fibrosis, which is characteristic of lung disease, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia or idiopathic …


Synergistic Effects Of Hyaluronic Acid And Mechanical Strain On Ovarian Cancer Cell Behaviors, Maranda Erin Kramer Jan 2025

Synergistic Effects Of Hyaluronic Acid And Mechanical Strain On Ovarian Cancer Cell Behaviors, Maranda Erin Kramer

All ETDs from UAB

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer, but despite this, the effects of the ovarian tumor microenvironment (TME) on disease progression are poorly understood. The TME consist of the extra cellular matrix (ECM), cellular components, and mechanical forces. Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are stromal cells that secrete several ECM components including collagen, fibronectin, and hyaluronic acid (HA). CAFs also have increased motility and contractility, this increased movement creates micro-strains experienced by the tumor cells in the TME. HA interacts with cancer cells as both a serum and stromal component. Increases in stromal HA in the ovarian TME are associated …


Endothelial Cell Cd36 In Alzheimer’S Disease And Breast Cancer Progression, Atul Kumar Jan 2025

Endothelial Cell Cd36 In Alzheimer’S Disease And Breast Cancer Progression, Atul Kumar

All ETDs from UAB

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are increasingly recognized as a distinct class of innate immune cells, with CD36, an innate immunity receptor, playing a pivotal role in regulating immune function and its regulation, angiogenesis, cancer progression, brain related disorder as well as the exchange of nutrients and waste. To investigate this further, we developed EC-specific CD36 knockout mice using the translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP) technique. By isolating ribosome-bound mRNA directly from vascular endothelial cells in vivo in these knockout and control mice, we conducted deep RNA sequencing and transcriptional profiling. Our findings revealed that CD36 deficiency in brain endothelia led …


An Exploratory Study Into The Utility Of Toca Boca's Creative Play Model In Enhancing Social Skills And Creative Play For Autistic And Non-Autistic Children, Braden Laboret Jan 2025

An Exploratory Study Into The Utility Of Toca Boca's Creative Play Model In Enhancing Social Skills And Creative Play For Autistic And Non-Autistic Children, Braden Laboret

All ETDs from UAB

This study examines the potential of Toca Boca World, a creative play app, to enhance social skills and creative play in autistic and non-autistic children aged 4-13. As children's screen time continues to rise, particularly among autistic individuals, it is essential to examine the quality and impact of digital media. The study included 18 children (7 autistic, 11 non-autistic), who participated in eight 5-minute sessions, monitored remotely by caregivers. Social skills were assessed before and after the sessions, while creative play was measured via touch efficiency during the sessions. Enjoyment was also tracked through brief post-session surveys. Results showed significant …


Evaluating Multiparametric Imaging Biomarkers For Guiding Targeted Therapies In Her2+ Breast Cancer, Ameer Mansur Jan 2025

Evaluating Multiparametric Imaging Biomarkers For Guiding Targeted Therapies In Her2+ Breast Cancer, Ameer Mansur

All ETDs from UAB

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+) breast cancer is a biologically diverse disease, in which intratumoral heterogeneity plays a significant role in tumor progression. Advanced medical imaging and image processing techniques offer the potential to noninvasively characterize the underlying intratumoral biology. Capturing these complex changes can allow for assessing therapeutic response and eventually guiding personalized therapeutic strategies. This work evaluates single and multiparametric imaging biomarkers to characterize tumor biology, identify treatment-induced changes, and predict response to targeted therapies. First, the utility of 3’-Deoxy-3’-[18F]Fluorothymidine positron emission tomography ([18F]FLT-PET) was assessed as a biomarker of proliferation for monitoring response to …


Maternal Immune Activation Causes Oligodendrocyte Deficits In The Hypothalamus, Kate Miller Jan 2025

Maternal Immune Activation Causes Oligodendrocyte Deficits In The Hypothalamus, Kate Miller

All ETDs from UAB

Maternal immune activation (MIA) refers to the occurrence of an inflammatory immune response during any stage of pregnancy. This manifests as the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and can be caused by air pollution, obesity, or viral infection. When this occurs during the first trimester in humans, it increases the offspring’s susceptibility to developing neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism (ASD) and schizophrenia (SZ), in males more commonly than females. In addition to behavioral manifestations of neuropsychiatric disorders, metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common comorbidity, defined as the co-occurrence of three or more symptoms including but not limited to hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and …


Reducing Stress: The Role Of The Rcl Operon In Bacterial Stress Response To Hypothiocyanite, Julia Meredith Jan 2025

Reducing Stress: The Role Of The Rcl Operon In Bacterial Stress Response To Hypothiocyanite, Julia Meredith

All ETDs from UAB

The human immune system utilizes a variety of weapons against bacterial communities within the body, which allow it to control the overall microbial population. Understanding how some bacterial species are able to better deal with and survive damage by the immune system while others are not, can help us elucidate the complex relationship between us and our microbiome. One tool that immune cells use for microbial control is the potent oxidant hypothiocyanite/hypothiocyanous acid (-OSCN/HOSCN). The response mounted by Escherichia coli and other bacterial species in order to survive damage caused by HOSCN is the focus of this dissertation. In the …


Understanding Submerged Plant Microbiome And Exploring Plant Microbe Interaction Through Plasma Optimization Studies, Binoop Mohan Jan 2025

Understanding Submerged Plant Microbiome And Exploring Plant Microbe Interaction Through Plasma Optimization Studies, Binoop Mohan

All ETDs from UAB

The master's thesis presents research on enhancing plant resilience and growth through the study of the microbiome of submerged aquatic plants and the application of plasma technology in agriculture. We isolated 177 endophytic microbial strains from submerged plants collected from various locations. Screening revealed 50 strains producing ACC deaminase, an enzyme that mitigates plant stress by reducing ethylene levels. Predominant genera included Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Acinetobacter. Metagenomic analysis characterized the diverse bacterial communities associated with these plants. Different plasma treatments were tested to optimize their effects on plant growth. Atmospheric jet and globe plasma treatments significantly improved root length and …


Therapeutic Implications Of Fractionated Radiotherapy And Marcks’ Regulation Of Tunneling Nanotubes In Glioblastoma, Lauren Catherine Nassour-Caswell Jan 2025

Therapeutic Implications Of Fractionated Radiotherapy And Marcks’ Regulation Of Tunneling Nanotubes In Glioblastoma, Lauren Catherine Nassour-Caswell

All ETDs from UAB

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain malignancy in adults and the gradual development of treatment resistance prevents patients from achieving remission. A primary objective in the field is to devise strategies to overcome this. We predicted this could be achieved by improving existing therapies, creating better models to study GBM, and by identifying a potential therapeutic target. Fractionated radiotherapy (RT) has been used in GBM standard of care for over a century but does not account for GBM heterogeneity. We first hypothesized that in silico mathematical modeling would be a useful tool for cytotoxicity prediction. While this model …


Exploring The Impact Of Returning To Office Work Post-Pandemic On The Mental Health Of Workers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Jasmine M. Nelson Jan 2025

Exploring The Impact Of Returning To Office Work Post-Pandemic On The Mental Health Of Workers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Jasmine M. Nelson

All ETDs from UAB

This study examines the association between work settings and mental health outcomes among Black working-aged women, with a focus on racial disparities and the role of self-care. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 Household Pulse Survey, this cross-sectional analysis includes responses from 196,293 employed women aged 18–65. Mental health outcomes, including anxiety, worry, lack of interest, and depressive symptoms—were assessed through self-reported measures. Work settings were categorized as telework (hybrid/remote) or in-office, and logistic regression models were used to assess associations between work setting and mental health outcomes, adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors. Findings indicate that Black …


Exploring Gaps In Hiv Prevention: Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Awareness, Attitudes, Utilization, Coverage, Hiv Testing And Risk Perception Among Sub-Saharan African College Students In The United States, Ikenna Obasi Odii Jan 2025

Exploring Gaps In Hiv Prevention: Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Awareness, Attitudes, Utilization, Coverage, Hiv Testing And Risk Perception Among Sub-Saharan African College Students In The United States, Ikenna Obasi Odii

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation focuses on increasing HIV awareness and contributing to efforts at reducing new HIV infections among Sub-Saharan African (SSA) college students. It begins with an introductory chapter one and ends in the concluding chapter five. Chapter two presents a systematic review identifying key gaps in HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) knowledge, attitudes, and utilization among Black college students in the United States (U.S). The review synthesizes findings from four studies, revealing that a third of participants demonstrated adequate PrEP knowledge, while PrEP utilization remained under-utilized at three percent. Key barriers to PrEP uptake included fear, low self-perceived HIV risk, infrequent …