Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Hospital Adhering To The Ten Steps To Successful Breastfeeding Predicts Exclusive Breastfeeding In Latinx Mothers., Ana Linares, Diana Cartagena, Marialda Moreira Christoffel

Nursing Faculty Publications

Introduction: Assessing how well a hospital adheres to the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding is the key to outlining necessary modifications in mother breastfeeding support. This study aimed to assess Latinx mothers’ perception of how well a hospital adheres to the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and its influence on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates at hospital discharge.

Methods: Secondary analysis of two longitudinal studies. The combined sample (N = 74) of Latinx pregnant women residing in the US. We modified, translated, and evaluated reliability of the Questionnaire for the Breastfeeding Mother (QBFM), which was applied to evaluate mothers’ …

Effectiveness Of Individualized Counseling On The Duration Of Exclusive Breastfeeding: Study Protocol For A Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel, And Open Clinical Trial., Mariana Torreglosa Ruiz, Elisa Da Conceição Rodrigues, Karine Emanuelle Peixoto Oliveira Da Silva, Cynthya Viana De Resende, Michele Curcino Cavalcanti, Luciano Marques Dos Santos, Monika Wernet, Ana Letícia Monteiro Gomes, Marialda Moreira Christoffel, Maria Beatriz Guimarães Raponi, Jéssica Aparecida Da Silva, Jacqueline Faria De Oliveira, Divanice Contim, Ana Linares

Nursing Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Despite the benefits of breastfeeding, early weaning is a reality, so less than 50% of children worldwide and in Brazil are on exclusive breastfeeding in the sixth month of life. A strategy to counteract this scenario is breastfeeding counseling. This study aims to verify the effectiveness of individualized counseling by nurses trained in breastfeeding counseling, on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, compared to standard care.

METHODS: Multicenter, randomized, parallel, and open clinical trial, with primiparous women aged over 18 years, hospitalized in rooming-in wards at participating centers and hemodynamically stable, aware, and oriented, who had a single-fetus pregnancy and …

Advocating For Comprehensive Sex Education In Kentucky, Kylie Higgins

Lewis Honors College Thesis Collection

Legislation surrounding sexual education, comprehensive sexual education in particular, has always been a point of controversy. Recently however, this controversy has been brought to the forefront of political debates and media coverage. With sexual education, and the repercussions of a lack thereof, being such a timely issue, this thesis project will explore the current written literature to create an evidence-based presentation to educate future nurses on the issue and their role in promoting the implementation of comprehensive education in schools and providing it in the clinical setting. Comprehensive sex education is medically accurate, age appropriate, evidence based, and LGBTQIA+ inclusive, …

The Association Of Persistent Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety With Recurrent Acute Coronary Syndrome Events: A Prospective Observational Study, Abdullah S. Alhurani, Ayman M. Hamdan-Mansour, Muayyad M. Ahmad, Gabrielle Mckee, Sharon O’Donnell, Frances O’Brien, Mary Mooney, Zyad T. Saleh, Debra K. Moser

Nursing Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of persistent symptoms of depression and anxiety in a second acute coronary syndrome (ACS) event. Data presented in this study were from an RCT study. A follow-up for 24 months after baseline to detect a second ACS event among 1162 patients from five hospitals. Hierarchal Cox regression analyses were used. The results showed that persistent depression only (HR 2.27; 95% CI: 1.35–3.81; p = 0.002), and comorbid persistent depression and anxiety (HR 2.03; 95% CI: 1.03–3.98; p = 0.040) were the significant predictors of a second ACS event. Secondary education …

Transforming Obesity Prevention For Children (Topchild) Collaboration: Protocol For A Systematic Review With Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis Of Behavioural Interventions For The Prevention Of Early Childhood Obesity, Kylie E. Hunter, Brittany J. Johnson, Lisa Askie, Rebecca K. Golley, Louise A. Baur, Ian C. Marschner, Rachael W. Taylor, Luke Wolfenden, Charles T. Wood, Seema Mihrshahi, Alison J. Hayes, Chris Rissel, Kristy P. Robledo, Denise A. O'Connor, David Espinoza, Lukas P. Staub, Paul Chadwick, Sarah Taki, Angie Barba, Sol Libesman, Ana Maria Linares

Nursing Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Behavioural interventions in early life appear to show some effect in reducing childhood overweight and obesity. However, uncertainty remains regarding their overall effectiveness, and whether effectiveness differs among key subgroups. These evidence gaps have prompted an increase in very early childhood obesity prevention trials worldwide. Combining the individual participant data (IPD) from these trials will enhance statistical power to determine overall effectiveness and enable examination of individual and trial-level subgroups. We present a protocol for a systematic review with IPD meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of obesity prevention interventions commencing antenatally or in the first year after birth, and …

Unpacking The Behavioural Components And Delivery Features Of Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Interventions In The Topchild Collaboration: A Systematic Review And Intervention Coding Protocol, Brittany J. Johnson, Kylie E. Hunter, Rebecca K. Golley, Paul Chadwick, Angie Barba, Mason Aberoumand, Sol Libesman, Lisa Askie, Rachael W. Taylor, Kristy P. Robledo, Seema Mihrshahi, Denise A. O'Connor, Alison J. Hayes, Luke Wolfenden, Charles T. Wood, Louise A. Baur, Chris Rissel, Lukas P. Staub, Sarah Taki, Wendy Smith, Ana Maria Linares

Nursing Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about how early (eg, commencing antenatally or in the first 12 months after birth) obesity prevention interventions seek to change behaviour and which components are or are not effective. This study aims to (1) characterise early obesity prevention interventions in terms of target behaviours, delivery features and behaviour change techniques (BCTs), (2) explore similarities and differences in BCTs used to target behaviours and (3) explore effectiveness of intervention components in preventing childhood obesity.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Annual comprehensive systematic searches will be performed in Epub Ahead of Print/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane (CENTRAL), CINAHL, PsycINFO, as well as …

Acculturation Strategies And Pap Screening Uptake Among Sub-Saharan African Immigrants (Sais), Adebola Adegboyega, Jia-Rong Wu, Gia Mudd-Martin

Nursing Faculty Publications

Although regular cervical cancer screening can prevent cervical cancer, screening utilization remains low among immigrant population including sub-Saharan African immigrants (SAIs). Acculturation is a complex process, which can lead to adoption of positive or negative health behaviors from the dominant culture. Acculturation strategies are the varying ways in which individuals seek to go about their acculturation by either maintaining or rejecting their own cultural values ip or accepting or rejecting the host culture's cultural values. Cervical cancer screening behaviors among SAI women may be influenced by their acculturation strategies. We conducted a secondary analysis of data to examine the relationship …

Exclusive Breastfeeding And Professionals From The Family Health Strategy, Marialda Moreira Christoffel, Ana Leticia Monteiro Gomes, Cássia Leoneuza Augusto Julio, Julia Florentino De Barros, Elisa Da Conceição Rodrigues, Fernanda Garcia Bezerra Góes, Ana Maria Linares

Nursing Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVES: to analyze the perception of health professionals about exclusive breastfeeding in Family Health Strategy units in the city of Macaé.

METHODS: qualitative study carried out in four units of the Family Health Strategy in the city of Macaé, Rio de Janeiro. Thirty health professionals were interviewed from March to May 2019. Textual contents were processed in the IRaMuTeQ^® software by the Descending Hierarchical Classification.

RESULTS: professionals use different strategies for actions to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in prenatal consultations, but social and cultural determinants are important issues that interfere in this process, the involvement of the family …

Overcoming The Covid-19 Pandemic For Dementia Research: Engaging Rural, Older, Racially And Ethnically Diverse Church Attendees In Remote Recruitment, Intervention And Assessment, Lisa Kirk Wiese, Ishan C. Williams, Nancy E. Schoenberg, James E. Galvin, Jennifer Lingler

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Background: Access to cognitive screening in rural underserved communities is limited and was further diminished during the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined whether a telephone-based cognitive screening intervention would be effective in increasing ADRD knowledge, detecting the need for further cognitive evaluation, and making and tracking the results of referrals.

Method: Using a dependent t-test design, older, largely African American and Afro-Caribbean participants completed a brief educational intervention, pre/post AD knowledge measure, and cognitive screening.

Results: Sixty of 85 eligible individuals consented. Seventy-percent of the sample self-reported as African American, Haitian Creole, or Hispanic, and 75% were female, with an average …

Use Of Theory-Driven Report Back To Promote Lung Cancer Risk Reduction, Luz Huntington-Moskos, Mary Kay Rayens, Amanda T. Wiggins, Karen M. Butler, Ellen J. Hahn

Nursing Faculty Publications

Report back is active sharing of research findings with participants to prompt behavior change. Research on theory-driven report back for environmental risk reduction is limited. The study aim is to evaluate the impact of a stage-tailored report back process with participants who had high home radon and/or air nicotine levels. An observational one-group pre-post design was used, with data collection at 3, 9, and 15 months post intervention. Participants from the parent study (N = 515) were randomized to the treatment or control group and this sample included all 87 treatment participants who: (1) had elevated radon and/or air …

The Mediating/Moderating Role Of Cultural Context Factors On Self-Care Practices Among Those Living With Diabetes In Rural Appalachia, Brittany L. Smalls, Adebola Adegboyega, Ellen Combs, Matthew Rutledge, Philip M. Westgate, Md. Tofial Azam, Felipe De La Barra, Lovoria B. Williams, Nancy E. Schoenberg

Family and Community Medicine Faculty Publications

Background

The aim of this study was to examine whether cultural factors, such as religiosity and social support, mediate/moderate the relationship between personal/psychosocial factors and T2DM self-care in a rural Appalachian community.

Methods

Regression models were utilized to assess for mediation and moderation. Multilevel linear mixed effects models and GEE-type logistic regression models were fit for continuous (social support, self-care) and binary (religiosity) outcomes, respectively.

Results

The results indicated that cultural context factors (religiosity and social support) can mediate/moderate the relationship between psychosocial factors and T2DM self-care. Specifically, after adjusting for demographic variables, the findings suggested that social support may …

Association Between Self-Reported Survey Measures And Biomarkers Of Second-Hand Tobacco Smoke Exposure In Non-Smoking Pregnant Women, Meiman Maggie Chen, Su-Er Guo, Chi-Pin Yuan, Chizimuzo T. C. Okoli, Yen-Chi Liao

Nursing Faculty Publications

Second-hand tobacco smoke (SHS) causes adverse health outcomes in adults. Further studies are needed to evaluate psychosocial SHS exposure measures in comparison to SHS exposure biomarkers, particularly in pregnant women. This study aimed to compare self-reported SHS exposure to urinary cotinine levels in pregnant women. A cross-sectional correlation design was conducted using a convenience sample of 70 non-smoking pregnant women. Measures included self-reported questionnaires and laboratory confirmation of cotinine levels in the urinary samples. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the correlation after controlling for potential confounding variables. The average level of urinary cotinine among non-smoking pregnant women was …

Poverty And Paternal Education Associated With Infant Safe Sleep Intentions In A Peri-Urban Community In Ecuador, Hartley Feld, Janeth Ceballos Osorio, Marisol Bahamonde, Thomas Young, Pablo Boada, Mary Kay Rayens

Nursing Faculty Publications

Ecuador’s annual mortality rate from SIDS is 0.4 per 100 000 people, 4 times higher than neighboring countries Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. Modifying the infant sleep environment toward safe practice has been demonstrated to be the most effective risk reduction strategy in reducing mortality from SIDS and little is known about sleep practices in Ecuador. The purpose of this study is to describe baseline infant sleep intentions of pregnant women in a peri-urban, low resource community in Ecuador. We also aim to identify demographic and psychosocial factors associated with suboptimal sleep practices in this context to develop long-term strategies to …

Elevated Lipid Oxidation Is Associated With Exceeding Gestational Weight Gain Recommendations And Increased Neonatal Anthropometrics: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Jill M. Maples, Samantha F. Ehrlich, Nikki B. Zite, Kevin J. Pearson, W. Todd Cade, Courtney J. Riedinger, Maire M. Blankenship, Rachel A. Tinius

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Deviations from gestational weight gain (GWG) recommendations are associated with unfavorable maternal and neonatal outcomes. There is a need to understand how maternal substrate metabolism, independent of weight status, may contribute to GWG and neonatal outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential link between maternal lipid oxidation rate, GWG, and neonatal anthropometric outcomes.

METHODS: Women (N = 32) with a lean pre-pregnancy BMI were recruited during late pregnancy and substrate metabolism was assessed using indirect calorimetry, before and after consumption of a high-fat meal. GWG was categorized as follows: inadequate, adequate, or excess. Shortly …

Blood's Concentration Of Lead And Arsenic Associated With Anemia In Peruvian Children, Ana Maria Linares, Jason M. Unrine, Amanda Thaxton Wigging, Juan C. Tantalean, Vlad C. Radulescu

Nursing Faculty Publications

This exploratory, descriptive cohort study (N = 60) determined lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) blood concentrations in Peruvian children and their association with hematological parameters of iron-deficient anemia (IDA) and anthropometric measurement. The mean age of children was 10.8 months (SD = 4.7) and ranged from 3 to 24 months old. Anemia (Hb levels below 10.5 g/dL) was found in 20% of this cohort. Additionally, microcytosis (MCV < 70 fL) was present in 54%, and hypochromia (MCH < 23 pg) in 42% of the group of children. Chi-square analysis showed that 88% of the children with anemia also had microcytosis and hypochromia (p < 0.001). Pb and As were detected in 100% of the infants’ blood samples, and the concentrations were significantly higher in older infants than in younger ones. Pb and As were not associated with the sex, anthropomorphic parameters, or infant hemogram changes. Infants who received iron supplementation were 87% less likely to have low Hb compared with those who did not (OR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.02–0.88, p = 0.04). Herbal tea intake was significantly associated with microcytosis and hypochromia. Our finding uncovered that hematological parameters for anemia are modified in Peruvian children with high levels of microcytosis …

Covid-19 And The Impact On Rural And Black Church Congregants: Results Of The C-M-C Project, Lovoria B. Williams, Anita F. Fernander, Tofial Azam, Maria L. Gomez, Junghee Kang, Cassidy L. Moody, Hannah Bowman, Nancy E. Schoenberg

Nursing Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating effects on Black and rural populations with a mortality rate among Blacks three times that of Whites and both rural and Black populations experiencing limited access to COVID-19 resources. The primary purpose of this study was to explore the health, financial, and psychological impact of COVID-19 among rural White Appalachian and Black nonrural central Kentucky church congregants. Secondarily we sought to examine the association between sociodemographics and behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs regarding COVID-19 and intent to vaccinate. We used a cross sectional survey design developed with the constructs of the Health Belief and Theory …

The Emerging Global Tobacco Treatment Workforce: Characteristics Of Tobacco Treatment Specialists Trained In Council-Accredited Training Programs From 2017 To 2019, Christine E. Sheffer, Abdulmohsen Al-Zalabani, Andrée Aubrey, Rasha Bader, Claribel Beltrez, Susan Bennett, Ellen Carl, Caroline Cranos, Audrey Darville, Jennifer Greyber, Maher Karam-Hage, Feras Hawari, Tresza Hutcheson, Victoria Hynes, Chris Kotsen, Frank Leone, Jamie Mcconaha, Heather Mccary, Crystal Meade, Cara Messick

Nursing Faculty Publications

Tobacco use is projected to kill 1 billion people in the 21st century. Tobacco Use Disorder (TUD) is one of the most common substance use disorders in the world. Evidence-based treatment of TUD is effective, but treatment accessibility remains very low. A dearth of specially trained clinicians is a significant barrier to treatment accessibility, even within systems of care that implement brief intervention models. The treatment of TUD is becoming more complex and tailoring treatment to address new and traditional tobacco products is needed. The Council for Tobacco Treatment Training Programs (Council) is the accrediting body for Tobacco Treatment Specialist …

Association Of Cardiovascular Health And Epigenetic Age Acceleration, Tess D. Pottinger, Sadiya S. Khan, Yinan Zheng, Wei Zhang, Hilary A. Tindle, Matthew Allison, Gretchen Wells, Aladdin H. Shadyab, Rami Nassir, Lisa Warsinger Martin, Joann E. Manson, Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, Philip Greenland, Andrea A. Baccarelli, Eric A. Whitsel, Lifang Hou

Nursing Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular health (CVH) has been defined by the American Heart Association (AHA) as the presence of the "Life's Simple 7" ideal lifestyle and clinical factors. CVH is known to predict longevity and freedom from cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for women in the United States. DNA methylation markers of aging have been aggregated into a composite epigenetic age score, which is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, it is unknown whether poor CVH is associated with acceleration of aging as measured by DNA methylation markers in epigenetic age.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis …

Visit-To-Visit Blood Pressure Variability And Sleep Architecture, Xiaoyue Liu, Jeongok Logan, Younghoon Kwon, Jennifer M. Lobo, Hyojung Kang, Min-Woong Sohn

Health Management and Policy Faculty Publications

Visit‐to‐visit blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Sleep architecture characterizes the distribution of different stages of sleep and may be important in CVD development. We examined the association between visit‐to‐visit BPV and sleep architecture using in‐lab polysomnographic data from 3,565 patients referred to an academic sleep center. BPV was calculated using the intra‐individual coefficient of variation of BP measures collected 12 months before the sleep study. We conducted multiple linear regression analyses to assess the association of systolic and diastolic BPV with sleep architecture—rapid eye movement (REM) and non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) …

Prospective Evaluation Of Association Between Negative Emotions And Heart Failure Symptom Severity, Kyoung Suk Lee, Terry A. Lennie, Debra K. Moser

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: Prior studies of symptoms in heart failure (HF) were largely cross-sectional and symptoms were measured using retrospective recall. Because negative emotions influence information processing, retrospective symptom reports by patients with depressive symptoms and anxiety may be biased. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are differences in patterns of symptom changes, measured prospectively, over 15 days by levels of depressive symptoms and anxiety.

Methods: HF patients (N=52) rated daily symptom severity for shortness of breath (SOB), fatigue, sleep disturbance, and edema over 15 days on a 10-point visual analogue scale. Patients were grouped into higher vs …

High School Students As Citizen Scientists To Decrease Radon Exposure, Ellen J. Hahn, Craig Wilmhoff, Mary Kay Rayens, Nicholas B. Conley, Emily Morris, Angela Larck, Trista Allen, Susan M. Pinney

Nursing Faculty Publications

Residents in rural Kentucky (KY) and suburban Ohio (OH) expressed concerns about radon exposure and lung cancer. Although 85% of lung cancer cases are caused by tobacco smoke, radon exposure accounts for 10–15% of lung cancer cases. Academic and community members from the University of KY and the University of Cincinnati developed and pilot-tested a family-centered, youth-engaged home radon testing toolkit. The radon toolkit included radon information, and how to test, interpret, and report back findings. We educated youth as citizen scientists and their teachers in human subjects protection and home radon testing using the toolkit in the classroom. Youth …

Behavioral And Enhanced Perinatal Intervention (B-Epic): A Randomized Trial Targeting Tobacco Use Among Opioid Dependent Pregnant Women, Amanda Fallin-Bennett, Michelle R. Lofwall, Teresa M. Waters, Paul Nuzzo, Janine Barnett, Letitia Ducas, Andrea Mccubbin, Niraj R. Chavan, Lisa Blair, Kristin Ashford

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background

Opioid use during pregnancy is a significant public health issue. The standard of care for treating opioid use disorder during pregnancy includes medications for opioid disorder (MOUD). However, tobacco use often goes unaddressed among pregnant women on MOUD. In 2018, our team received a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) funded R34 to conduct a three year-randomized trial to test the feasibility of a novel tobacco intervention for pregnant women receiving MOUD.

Aims

The aims of this study are: (1) to determine the impact of the B-EPIC intervention on maternal tobacco use and stage of change; (2) to determine …

A Geologically Based Indoor-Radon Potential Map Of Kentucky, William C. Haneberg, Amanda T. Wiggins, Douglas C. Curl, Stephen F. Greb, William M. Andrews Jr., Kathy Rademacher, Mary Kay Rayens, Ellen J. Hahn

Faculty, Staff, and Affiliated Publications--KGS

We combined 71,930 short-term (median duration 4 days) home radon test results with 1:24,000-scale bedrock geologic map coverage of Kentucky to produce a statewide geologically based indoor-radon potential map. The test results were positively skewed with a mean of 266 Bq/m³, median of 122 Bq/m³, and 75th percentile of 289 Bq/m³. We identified 106 formations with ≥10 test results. Analysis of results from 20 predominantly monolithologic formations showed indoor-radon concentrations to be positively skewed on a formation-by-formation basis, with a proportional relationship between sample means and standard deviations. Limestone (median 170 Bq/m³) …

From Twisting To Settling Down As A Nurse In China: A Qualitative Study Of The Commitment To Nursing As A Career, Jiao Ye, Aimei Mao, Jialin Wang, Chizimuzo T. C. Okoli, Yuan Zhang, Huiqiong Shuai, Min Lin, Bo Chen, Linli Zhuang

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background

The nurse workforce shortage, partially caused by high work turnover, is an important factor influencing the quality of patient care. Because previous studies concerning Chinese nurse work turnover were predominantly quantitative, they lacked insight into the challenges faced by nurses as they transition from university to their career. A successful transition can result in new nurses’ commitment to the career. As such, this study sought to understand how new nurses commit to the career, and focused on identifying facilitators and barriers to such commitment.

Methods

This was a qualitative study using a grounded theory design. Through purposive sampling, clinical …

Generational Differences In Faculty And Student Comfort With Technology Use, Amanda Culp-Roche, Debra Hampton, Angie Hensley, Jessica L. Wilson, Amanda Thaxton-Wiggins, Jo Ann Otts, Sharon Fruh, Debra K. Moser

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: Navigating through online education courses continues to be a struggle for some nursing students. At the same time, integrating technology into online courses can be difficult for nursing faculty.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess faculty technology integration practices, student attitudes about technology use, and generational differences related to faculty and student technology use.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used to obtain data for this study.

Results: Integration of technology into online courses and student attitudes about technology use were not significantly different by generation. Faculty and students from the Baby Boomer and Generation …

Risk And Protective Factors Of Dementia Among Adults With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review Protocol, Karen A. Lawrence, Theresia M. Pachner, Molly M. Long, Stephanie Henderson, Donna L. Schuman, Brenda L. Plassman

Social Work Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with an increased risk of dementia. Individual epidemiological studies have controlled for several confounders of the relationship between PTSD and increased dementia risk, yet particular risk factors underlying this relationship have not been determined. This systematic review protocol aims to identify risk and protective factors of dementia among adults with PTSD.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct an electronic search of the databases: PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, The Cochrane Library, Scopus and ProQuest Dissertation and Theses Global. After screening the studies, quantitative synthesis will be performed, if possible. Otherwise, a narrative synthesis will be …

Longitudinal Evaluation Of The Effects Of Illness Perceptions And Beliefs About Cardiac Rehabilitation On Quality Of Life Of Patients With Coronary Artery Disease And Their Caregivers, Patricia Thomson, Neil J. Angus, Federico Andreis, Gordon F. Rushworth, Andrea R. Mohan, Misook L. Chung, Stephen J. Leslie

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background

Patients’ negative illness perceptions and beliefs about cardiac rehabilitation (CR) can influence uptake and adherence to CR. Little is known about the interpartner influence of these antecedent variables on quality of life of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and their family caregivers. The aims of the study were: 1) to assess differences in illness perceptions, beliefs about CR and quality of life between patients with CAD and their family caregivers upon entry to a CR programme and at 6 months follow-up; and 2) to examine whether patients’ and caregivers’ perceptions of the patient’s illness and beliefs about CR …

A Quantitative Comparison Of Arm Activity Between Survivors Of Breast Cancer And Healthy Controls: Use Of Accelerometry, Mary Insana Fisher, Claire C. Davies, Timothy L. Uhl

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Purpose

Survivors of breast cancer (BC) on the non-dominant side have more persistent deficits than those with cancer on the dominant limb. What is not known is whether those with BC use their involved upper limbs more, less, or at the same level as women without BC. Accelerometer use offers a quantifiable method to measure activity levels of upper limbs. The purpose of this study was to quantify the activity levels of the non-dominant involved limb among survivors of BC and compare these values to their dominant limb, as well as the non-dominant limb of a control group.

Methods

Participants …

Health Insurance Literacy Among International College Students: A Qualitative Analysis, Adebola Adegboyega, Chigozie Nkwonta, Jean Edward

Nursing Faculty Publications

In this qualitative descriptive study, we examine health insurance literacy among a group of international college students. They were recruited from a public, co-educational Southeastern university in the United States during the fall semester of 2016 to participate in semistructured interviews. Data were gathered through a demographic questionnaire, two focus group discussions, and individual interviews. Interview sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Three themes emerged, including knowledge of health insurance options and benefits information, affordability, and unmet expectations. These findings show the need for higher education institutions to develop a plan to integrate international students …

Expression Of Cytokines And Chemokines As Predictors Of Stroke Outcomes In Acute Ischemic Stroke, Sarah R. Martha, Qiang Cheng, Justin F. Fraser, Liyu Gong, Lisa A. Collier, Stephanie M. Davis, Doug Lukins, Abdulnasser Alhajeri, Stephen Grupke, Keith R. Pennypacker

Institute for Biomedical Informatics Faculty Publications

Introduction: Ischemic stroke remains one of the most debilitating diseases and is the fifth leading cause of death in the US. The ability to predict stroke outcomes within the acute period of stroke would be essential for care planning and rehabilitation. The Blood and Clot Thrombectomy Registry and Collaboration (BACTRAC; clinicaltrials.gov NCT03153683) study collects arterial blood immediately distal and proximal to the intracranial thrombus at the time of mechanical thrombectomy. These blood samples are an innovative resource in evaluating acute gene expression changes at the time of ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study was to identify inflammatory genes and …