Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Are We Listening? Approaches To Community-Centered Needs Assessment, Mikayla Gallo, Amanda Tyler

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has encouraged Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) state agencies to lead needs assessment activities to guide funding and program decision-making for the SNAP Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program (SNAP-Ed). The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS),decided to center the voices of SNAP-Ed participants in Georgia through a series of listening sessions occurring January to October 2023. The goal of the community listening session (CLS) was to discuss community needs based on local health data, identify existing community assets, identify barriers to accessing healthy food and active living, ideate solutions that …

Let's Talk About Sex & Prep: District 2 Does!, Chrissa M. Shaffer

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Defining what a PrEP Service Program entails and how it could benefit your district or county health center. Discussing methods that have been used to set up PrEP Services within a district – including training, resources, and promotion. Identifying the challenges and working through them. Reviewing the results of the PrEP Services over the past year, and the ongoing goals to encourage and increase our PrEP Services.

Gender-Based Differences In Stress And Coping Among Farmers: A Cross-Sectional Study With Propensity Score Matching, Anne Montgomery, James B. Dunaway, Stephanie M. Basey, Chris T. Scoggins, Lily R. Baucom

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

This cross-sectional study compares the mental health experiences of male and female farmers, with a particular focus on stress levels, stressors, and coping mechanisms. The research aims to shed light on gender-based differences in stress experiences and coping strategies among agricultural workers. The study involved 1,394 farmers (67.7% male, 32.3% female) from Georgia, USA, who completed an online survey on aspects of mental well-being.

Findings indicate that female farmers were more likely to hold farm manager roles and less likely to be farm owners. Notably, a higher proportion of female farmers were first-generation farmers, indicating potential unique challenges for this …

The Future Of Public Health: Developing The Workforce Through Public Health Americorps, Kristi James

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

The American Public Health Association (APHA) and its Alliance for Disease Prevention and Response worked closely with the Public Health AmeriCorps program (PHACP), CDC and AmeriCorps on a set of activities which strengthen workforce capacity. Within APHA and its Alliance for Disease Prevention and Response team, the assigned project consists of providing opportunities for Public Health AmeriCorps members and grantees to make new connections and increase engagement with those in the field. The overall goal of the project is to address the critical need for public health professionals by supporting the recruitment, training, and development of the next generation of …

Trends In Substance Use And Mental Health Among Adolescents In Georgia, 2002-2022, Saumya S. Palipudi, Bangaru Talli Palipudi, Murty Komanduri

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: While substance use and absence of mental health disorders among youth in the United States (US) have declined over the past two decades, post COVID-19 pandemic, these conditions have increased significantly with notable disparities, and witnessed a crisis in public health. In 2022, 24.7% or 6.1 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the US had either Major Depressive Episodes (MDE) or Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and 3.7 percent had both in the prior year². Increased stress, lack of peer connections, parental abuse, and poor mental health conditions were attributed to this increase in substance use^{3-7 …}

Please Romaine Calm! A Multi-Disciplinary Investigation Of A Cyclospora Outbreak Among Hospital Employees, Jocelyn Love Mph, Amber Erickson Drph, Mph, Hope Dishman Mph, Carla Coley Bs, Rehs

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background

On July 8, 2022, North Central Health District (NCHD) was notified by a local hospital of a possible Cyclospora outbreak among hospital employees. The hospital noted the employees had eaten at the hospital’s cafeteria, particularly the salad bar. An investigation was conducted to test this hypothesis and determine which salad bar ingredients were the cause of illness.

Methods

An electronic survey was shared with all hospital employees through their email distribution system. Employees were asked to complete the survey regardless of illness or exposure history. Lab- confirmed cases were interviewed using the Cyclosporiasis National Hypothesis Generating Questionnaire. Environmental health …

Radical Youth Work: A Community Based Approach To Working With Youth, Young Adults And Families, Weston J. Robins

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

Eternal Strength Center for Radical Youth Work is a blended community center with customizable mental health therapeutic support for youth, young adults and families. Providing humanistic and person centered psychotherapy and counseling, alongside experiential therapies and community engagement we support families and youth struggling with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, self harm, suicidality and other challenges on their developmental growth journey.

Engaging Youth In The Development, Implementation, An Evaluation Of Sexual And Reproductive Health Programs, Pam Drake, Kristin Kennedy

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

This session will introduce the use of a group concept mapping process to create a conceptual model for engaging youth in sexual and reproductive health programming – particularly BIPOC LGBTQ+ youth and young men of color. We will walk through the gcm process, present the model, and explore ways to apply the model in various situations.

Hospitalizations And Mortality ​With Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias Diagnosis In Georgia, 2020, Chloe Hale

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

More than 6 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with an Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia diagnosis (ADRD) in 2022. Data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System report that in Georgia, 1 in 9 people aged 45 and older experienced confusion or memory problems that have been getting worse over the past year.

Georgia Department of Public Health Injury Prevention Program creates a healthy Georgia through conversations and collaborations for change using data driven program building. The programs utilize Georgia’s established infrastructure, clear priorities, and the dynamic network of partnerships guided by a robust network of …

Fighting For The Public’S Health: Challenges And Opportunities To Reinvigorate Public Health Advocacy, Madeleine S. Frey

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background

Covid-19 shed a painful light on racial health disparities. As health officials asserted their public health authority to stop the pandemic and promote health equity, elected officials moved to limit their ability to do so. Without strong advocacy infrastructure, public health has struggled to defend its legal public health authority, support the workforce, and ensure equitable health outcomes for everyone.

Methods

Fighting for Public Health, a 2022 Feasibility Study from the Network for Public Health Law, assessed what’s happening in public health advocacy, and what’s needed to strengthen it on state and national levels. With funding from Healthcare …

Using Telemedicine And Telehealth To Extend Services In Hiv Care, Jeffery Dockery Mr., Heather G. Peebles Ms.

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic posed many barriers to healthcare but especially for HIV Public Health clients who struggle to meet basic socioeconomic needs. Southeast Health District (SEHD) Ryan White clients are immunocompromised increasing isolation and fear. In addition to client barriers, the pandemic resulted in a staffing shortage. The shortages were due to COVID diagnosis and subsequent isolation, staffing turnover, and unfillable vacancies.

Method

A dedicated schedule is utilized for Telehealth/Telemedicine. A patient is scheduled at a remote site and connected with a practitioner at another location. The SEHD Ryan White Program currently has 4 clinics located in Bulloch, Coffee, …

Knowledge Of Pregnancy And Postpartum Complications Up To One Year Postpartum Compared By Rurality, Evelyn Frances Fagan, Alisha Riggins, Ariel A. Alston, Mario Keko, Ana M. Palacios, Helen Bland, Joanne Chopak-Foss

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Introduction: Georgia has one of the highest maternal mortality rate in the U.S. at 46.2 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, disproportionately affecting Black and rural populations. This study sought to 1) assess knowledge of Georgian adults about complications and urgent warning signs both during pregnancy and up to 1-year postpartum, and 2) characterize knowledge within rural and urban population.

Methods: As part of a larger study, an online survey with previously validated questions was distributed to Georgia residents through social media and email. Data was grouped into 2 different categories: 1) pregnancy warning signs and 2) post-partum warning signs. …

South-Eastern Provider Knowledge Gaps In Rabies Education, Management, And Treatment, Joseph A. Addison, Jeffrey Alexander

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Abstract:

Background. In the United States, when an individual is bitten by an animal there are many levels of care they may seek, including seeing their primary care provider, an urgent care provider, or by going to an emergency room. In any of these settings, it is not unlikely that they may be treated by an advanced practice practitioner (APP). Due to rabies being nearly 100% fatal once symptoms have manifested, it is important to understand the knowledge that APPs have concerning rabies.

Methods. A survey was conducted from April 2022 to August 2022 which evaluated APPs knowledge of rabies …

Colorectal Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Smoking And Non-Smoking Public Housing Residents In Georgia, Shakirah Clarke

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: Tobacco use doubles the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Early detection screening for CRC should begin at 50y of age and be repeated at least every 10y. African Americans have a higher incidence of colorectal cancer when compared to Georgia and national rates.

Methods: Anonymous surveys were given to public housing residents (majority AA, low-income, n=155) at five sites from the Augusta Housing Authority, with questions about smoking status and when their last colonoscopy was performed. Results from residents 50 years and older (n=91) were selected. Descriptive analysis and a chi-square test of independence was performed to examine …

Evolving Roles And Responsibilities Of Public Health, Allison Foster

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Since 2008, over 10,000 public health professionals have become Certified in Public Health (CPH). Periodically, the NBPHE conducts a Job Task Analysis survey to gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the public health workforce. With that information, the main areas of focus on the CPH exam are updated.

In the summer of 2022, the National Board of Public Health Examiners launched a newJob Task Analysis process. The comprehensive set of responses will demonstrate the scope of public health responsibilities on a region-by-region basis.

Current domains of the CPH exam are: Communications, Leadership, Law and Ethics, Public Health …

Identifying Dekalb County’S Disparities In 2022 Mpox Cases Versus Vaccination Rates To Achieve Vaccine Equity, Lucas O'Reilly, Rosa Fowler

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background:

Black/African-American communities are disproportionately affected by detrimental social determinants of health, which increases adverse health outcomes among these groups. In DeKalb County, the mpox outbreak predominantly affected Black/African-American residents, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community.

Methods:

DeKalb County case data for 6/12/22 to 12/7/22 were obtained from the State Electronic Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. JYNNEOS vaccination data for 7/11/22 to 12/2/22 were obtained from the Board of Health’s electronic medical records. RStudio was used to analyze data by gender identity, HIV status, and race.

Results:

Overall, 414 mpox cases were reported, of which 97.1% identified as male, 47.8% were …

Expanding Reach Of Public Health: Lessons From A Pilot Project To Develop Remote Dementia Diagnostic Processes., Chloe Hale, Jennifer Harrison

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Georgia Department of Public Health Injury Prevention Program works to create a healthy Georgia by leveraging resources, addressing systems change, and fortifying a robust person-centered public health response to dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. The response utilizes Georgia’s established infrastructure, clear priorities, and the dynamic network of partnerships guided by a regularly updated state plan to increase capacity and access to quality care. Systemic change through collaboration and communication can empower people living with dementia, their care partners, professionals, and communities.

The pilot remote dementia diagnostic process and procedure engages long-term plans for increasing annual wellness visits, dementia risk reduction, early …

The Learning Agenda 2.0: An Approach To Facilitate Systems Change, Laura M. Lloyd, Melissa Alperin

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: The public health (PH) workforce is currently facing many complex challenges that stand at the root of community health issues (e.g., racism, poverty, mental health). Existing PH workforce development models focus largely on improving individual competency, but individual competency alone cannot address these complex challenges at the individual, organizational, community, and systems levels. Developing the necessary cross-cutting skills (e.g., systems thinking, persuasive communication, problem solving) requires a new approach to training and learning.

Method: The Public Health Learning Agenda for Systems Change (PHLASC) helps public health organizations and their partners use transformative, collective learning as a driver for systems …

The Lifecourse Perspective Theory As A Strategy For Improving Maternal Mortality In Georgia, Joanne Chopak-Foss, Alisha Riggins

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: Maternal mortality and morbidity outcomes in Georgia are among the highest in the United States, with women of color experiencing higher rates of morbidity and mortality compared to their White counterparts. Public health policies such as Medicaid expansion have been suggested as one method for improving maternal mortality. In addition, the Life Course Perspective or Theory approach to maternal and child health suggests a complex interplay of biological, behavioral, psychological and social protective factors contributes to health outcomes across the span of a person’s life.

Methods: Using the Lifecourse Theory Perspective/Theory along with current maternal health policies the presenters …

The Microbial Load On Used Disposable Face Masks: Exploring Sustainable Disinfection Methods, Clara Ray

GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium

Face masks have become common-place in public settings since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, with many people choosing to wear masks in order to mitigate the risk of becoming infected with viral or bacterial infections. Two of the most widely-available types of masks are cloth masks, which may be reused if cleaned properly, and disposable surgical masks. Despite the fact that surgical masks are intended for one-time use, many people chose to store and re-wear them. The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in biological contamination on surgical face masks after daily wear and overnight …

Association Between Smoking And Child Mortality Rate In Georgia Counties., Kingsley A. Kalu, Ho-Jui Tung Dr

GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium

Association between Smoking and Child Mortality Rate in Georgia Counties.

Background:

Despite the major advances in health care, child mortality is still a major concern in the United States and Georgia included. Studies have shown that smoking (especially secondhand smoke) can cause multiple health problems in children, including mortality.

Objective:

The study objective is to examine the association between smoking and child mortality rate in Georgia counties.

Methods:

This study used data from the 2021 County Health Rankings for Georgia State. The total number of counties analyzed in Georgia was 159. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses were conducted to …

Social Media Engagement Among Individuals With Depression Or Anxiety Disorder, Elizabeth Ayangunna, Gulzar Shah

GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium

Background

With the increasing use of the Internet and its constant shaping of our perception of realities, knowing the consumer’s social media behavior can lead to the development of health interventions based on their preferred engagement pattern. This is particularly important for people with mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety disorder who may have challenges getting support from familiar people due to the stigma associated with these conditions.

Objective

The objective of this study is to examine the patterns of social media use and its correlates, including depression or anxiety disorder.

Methods

This study combined data from 4 …

Public Health Interventions For Children Of Incarcerated Parents, Daniel Bullman

GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium

The impact of social and structural determinants of health have lifelong consequences on an individual’s quality of life. Literature focusing on child health and wellbeing of incarcerated parents indicate significant negative health outcomes and adopted detrimental health behaviors. Using a systematic realist review, recent publications were reviewed for their potential discussion or recommendation for interventions in changing health outcomes. This review found that additional research is needed in identifying and testing potential interventions or determining if parallel public health initiatives have had positive impacts in promoting the health behavior change process for children and adolescents of incarcerated parents.

Eta Sigma Gamma - Georgia Southern University Chapter: Breast Cancer Awareness Health Communication Plan, Jill Johns, Omolola Okunromade

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning

The health communication plan was used to evaluate public health communication and advocacy promotion by efficiently increasing awareness about breast health and preventive services such as mammography screening among college students and women eligible for breast cancer screening. The communication plan was targeted towards empowering the Georgia Southern University chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma (ESG) members and other college students to act as health advocates by virtually disseminating information through the Facebook platform to their peer groups and social networks including friends and families in their community.

The purposes of the program evaluation and implementation measurement were to: 1) monitor …

Implementation Of Community-Based Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Program For Youth With Complex Trauma, Vira Salzburn, Kierstin Graham

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

This presentation will discuss the implementation and scale-up of an evidence-based Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY) program as a part of a larger community-wide safety and resilience-building effort. It will explain the effectiveness of TSY interventions for both clinical and non-clinical populations and highlight the physical, mental, emotional, and social benefits of a modified yoga practice for youth and young adults with complex trauma.

“Squash The Spread Of Covid-19 In Bulloch County” Program, Osaremhen Ikhile, Karabi Barai

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning

The purpose of this service-learning project was to assist the organization “Squash the Spread Bulloch County” with bolstering communication of health information regarding COVID-19. Evidence-based theory, diffusion of innovations was used to dispel fear regarding COVID-19, reassure residents of their rights, answer their questions, build trust in the health care system and ultimately ensure the adoption of health behaviors that would reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Bulloch county. These hinged upon earlier group research to understand public attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs that hinder the adoption of the desired health behaviors to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Adherence to recommendations …

Mental Health Services For Underserved Communities In Bulloch County: A Service-Learning Project With The Hearts And Hands Clinic., Aurela Nikaj, Kadiatou Diallo

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning

The increasing demand for mental health services during the COVID-19 global pandemic was the driving force behind our collaboration with the Hearts and Hands Clinic in a service-learning project. The project aimed to prepare a grant application at Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation. Our objective was to secure funding for the clinic, enabling it to expand its staff and offer free mental health services for underserved communities in Bulloch County. This project helped us apply the knowledge gained from the Public Health Funding and Grants course to real-life challenges amid COVID-19, enhanced our critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and, most …

Communication Plan To Raise Awareness For Dementia And Promote Caring Closet, Aishwarya Potluri, Prachi Joshi

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning

This poster was designed to communicate the products developed for Rockin'Out Alzheimer’s, an organization to help caregivers in providing everyday essentials for at-home dementia patients, in Statesboro, GA.

The authors collaborated with the organization and helped to develop communication materials for their program -"Caring Closet" which was aimed at providing diapers, bed-pads, barrier creams and other necessary items to qualified individuals suffering with dementia. The authors helped to set up a webpage, a Facebook page and design an infographic for "Caring Closet" and helped communicate about the program in the community. The end results were then compiled and presented in …

Provision Of Free Oral Health Services In Bulloch County For Uninsured, Low-Income Individuals., Blerta Shehaj, Paige Perry

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning

Improving the oral healthcare needs of rural populations involves practical, tailored, and flexible approaches to expand oral health services and increase the oral health workforce. The Hearts and Hands Clinic provides free primary health care services for Bulloch County residents aged 18 and older, uninsured, and those who live below 200% of the federal poverty guideline. This service-learning summer project aimed to identify potential organizations that would provide funding for oral health activities of the clinic and develop a grant application to the selected organization. By the end of this service-learning project, the students were able to identify the multiple …

Grant Application For The Hearts And Hands Clinic, Christine Cooper, Ariellah Ward

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning

During our service-learning course on public health funding and grant writing, we had the opportunity to work at the Hearts and Hands Clinic. During the pandemic, many families lost their income and healthcare insurance. Thus, facing uncertainties about where to obtain medical care. The clinic wanted to expand its existing chronic care program to an underserved community in Evans County. Our task was to prepare a grant application for the clinic to secure the funding needed to help vulnerable adults better manage their chronic disease and prevent further complications. Engaging in this applied experience allowed us to improve our implementation …