Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Asthma Prevalence: Focus On Prevention Management In Community Settings, Augustine M. Amenyah

Public Health Theses

Asthma prevalence continues to increase across the United States of America, affecting more than 43.1 million people and projected to affect over 50 million people by 2025. Asthma prevalence differs by demographic characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, education, age and gender. Poor quality of life is common among people who suffer from asthma, in addition to school and work absenteeism. In 2008, children 5-17 years old with at least one reported asthma attack missed 10.5 million school days in the past year (CDC, 2010). Healthcare use for asthma is high and disparities remain in asthma healthcare use and …

Risk Factor Clustering Among Adolescents Infected With Or At-Risk For Chlamydia: A Descriptive Study, Elizabeth R. Wilson

Public Health Theses

STDs are a major public health epidemic in the United States with an estimated 19 million new cases occurring annually. Associated direct medical costs are estimated at $17 billion annually (CDC, 2010). Chlamydia is the most prevalent of all STDs and is also the most reported notifiable disease in the United States. While adolescents only account for an estimated 25% of the sexually active population, they account for nearly half of the 19 million cases. The higher prevalence of STDs among adolescents is most likely a reflection of multiple issues within a national socio-economic context. Additionally, the burden is even …

Steps To Evaluate The Emory Breast Center Cancer Education Class, Jillian B. Ogden

Public Health Theses

Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data estimates that 207,090 women will be diagnosed with and 39,840 women will die of cancer of the breast in 2011. Cancer can be a very intimidating illness and cause a great deal of anxiety. This anxiety can sometimes progress into a very serious medical problem. Interpersonal relationships, such as that between a patient and provider can influence health behavior. Communication functions of patient-provider communication such as, information exchange, uncertainty management, can improve health outcomes both directly and indirectly. For example, cancer education can help ease anxiety by familiarizing the patient with their particular …

Identifying Data Needs To Support The Public Health Program Of First Care, Rachele D. Ulysse

Public Health Theses

Abstract

Identifying Data Needs to Support the Public Health Program of First Care

Background:

First Care (FC) is a Georgia (GA) public health (PH) program funded by Title V Block Grant, whose main purpose is to provide collaborative skilled PH services for infants with LBW and VLBW (low and very low birth weight) as well as those considered at high risk for illness and disabilities.

Purpose:

1. Describe current health outcomes of GA infants less than one years of age.

* Current baselines of IMR (infant mortality rate), preterm, very low birth weight (VLBW) and low birth weight (LBW) births …

Demographic Associations Of Tobacco Use Among Georgia Secondary Students, Michael G. Cowart

Public Health Theses

As in years past, use of tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death in this country. Smoking has been associated with elevated risks of 15 other forms of and has also been identified as a major cause of such chronic conditions as cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, bronchitis and emphysema. In 2008, an estimated 8.6 million Americans suffered from smoking-related chronic conditions (American Cancer Society, 2010).

As 80% of tobacco use begins in adolescence (Villanti, Boulay & Juon, 2010), this age group has long been the focus of intervention efforts. Furthermore, animal studies suggest that the adolescent brain is at …

Maternal Mortality In Cambodia: Efforts To Meet The Millennium Development Goal For Maternal Health, Sarah Elizabeth Connell

Public Health Theses

Recent estimates of global maternal mortality indicate that for the first time since the Safe Motherhood Initiative of 1987, deaths due to pregnancy-related causes are on the decline. Defined as the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, maternal mortality is one of the strongest health statistics showing the disparity between poor and rich countries. Although a global decline is documented, challenges to reducing maternal mortality, and meeting Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for maternal health remain, particularly in many Sub-Saharan African and Southeast Asian countries.

This study presents an assessment of Cambodia’s progress …

Awareness Of Diabetes Risk And Adoption Of Diabetes Risk Reduction Behaviors In The Presence Of Other Risk Factors In U.S Adults: An Examination Of Nhanes Data 2007-2008, Payal S. Shah

Public Health Theses

ABSTRACT

Background: Prediabetes is a precursor condition to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Previous research and clinical trials have shown that the onset of type 2 diabetes could be delayed or prevented through structured life style modifications such as dietary changes, modest weight loss and moderate-intensity exercise. This study examines U.S adults of different ethnicities that include non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black and Mexican Americans and whether their awareness of diabetes risk is associated with their participation in diabetes risk reduction behavior, a combination of physical activity, weight control and fat/calories intake.

Methods: The 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, NHANES, …

Prevalence And Correlates Of Suicidal Ideation Among Students In Sub-Saharan Africa, Jane B. Palmier

Public Health Theses

OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation among youth in sub-Saharan Africa and to evaluate differences in such prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation to identify how risk behaviors vary by gender across country settings.

METHODS: Analyses are based on the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) conducted in Botswana (N=2197; 2005), Kenya (N=3691; 2003), Tanzania (N=2176; 2006), Uganda (N=3215; 2003) and Zambia (N=2257; 2004) of students primarily 13 to 16 years of age. Logistic regression analyses were computed to determine the associations between correlates (i.e., hunger, current alcohol use, problem drinking, bullying victimization, sadness, loneliness, worrying, …

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Frequency Vs. Bmi: National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004, Tol Chan

Public Health Theses

Objective: Over the past several decades, increase in SSB consumption has coincided with increasing rates of obesity. This study evaluated the association between SSB consumption and BMI. Methods: FFQ data from NHANES 2003-2004 was used to examine 100% orange juice, sugar-sweetened fruit drinks, soft drinks, and other beverage consumption frequency vs. mean BMI. ANOVA, relative risk, and linear regression analyses were done. Results: ANOVA found significant differences in mean BMI across consumption frequencies for orange juice (p=.001), sugar-sweetened fruit drinks (p<.001), and soft drinks (p<.001). Increased risk of being obese was associated with increasing consumption frequency for orange juice (RR=1.282), sugar-sweetened fruit drinks (RR=1.417), and soft drinks (RR=1.749). Multiple linear regression found significant positive associations between mean BMI and sugar-sweetened fruit drinks (b=.056, p=.004) and soft drinks (b=.134, p=.001). Conclusion: This study found that mean BMI was positively associated with certain beverage consumption frequency (sugar-sweetened fruit drinks, soft …

An Evaluation Of The Client Navigator Program For Enhanced Breast And Cervical Cancer Screening Among Underserved Women In The State Of Georgia, Danielle M. Pendrick

Public Health Theses

Screening for breast and cervical cancers can reduce morbidity and mortality through early detection, yet many women are not getting regular lifesaving screenings as recommended. ² The National Breast and Cervical Detection Program (NBCCEDP) was established in 1990 in order to provide low-income, uninsured, and underserved women access to breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services. Georgia’s participation in the NBCCEDP led to the development of The Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP), which provides cancer screening to women 40 to 64 years of age who are uninsured and/or underinsured and at or below 200% poverty level.

Deaths from …

Validity Of Waist-To-Height Ratio As A Screening Tool For Type 2 Diabetes Risk In Non-Hispanic Whites, Non-Hispanic Blacks, And Mexican American Adult Women, Lindsey Cochran Ms.

Public Health Theses

Abstract

Validity of waist-to-height ratio as a screening tool for type 2 diabetes risk in non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks, and Mexican American Adult Women, from the ages 20-65 years of age.

Background:

A prominent screening measure for type 2 diabetes is a simple measure of waist circumference. Waist circumference is an aggregate measurement of the actual amount of total and abdominal fat accumulation and is a crucial correlate of the complexities found among obese and overweight patients. However, waist circumference does not take into consideration the frame of an individual. Hence, recent epidemiologic data have suggested the use of height …

A Feasibility Study Of Ipv Among Gay Men In Metro Atlanta Using Social Media, Chung Han Chen

Public Health Theses

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a major public health issue occuring in the United States and globally. While little is known in general about IPV, understanding about the prevalence of physical IPV among gay men is even more obscure. Scientific literature indicates that harmful lifestyle health behaviors (alcohol and drug abuse, smoking, and risky sexual behaviors) are associated with the increased occurenece of IPV. Intimate Partner Violence in same-sex relationships is often unreported due to society's emphasis on "moral closets" or the fear of potential repercussions. As a result, very few empiracal researches have been conducted on the phenomenon of …

Nutrition Environment And Practices In Twenty-Four Child-Care Centers In Georgia, Joyce Maalouf

Public Health Theses

Background: The amount of time children spend in child care (CC) each week has increased in recent years. As a result children consume a large proportion of their daily energy intake at CC facilities. The purpose of this study is to describe the baseline dietary practices and environment in preschool-aged children attending CC centers in Southwest Georgia before the implementation of a one-year policy implementation program.

Methods: The data is the baseline data of a pilot study evaluating nutrition and physical activity wellness policy implementation in twenty four licensed CC in Georgia. Each CC provided a sample one week menu …

Assessing Haitian Women's Vulnerability To Cervical Cancer Because Of Socio-Demographic Predictors Of Care Access, Marie Isabelle Caroline Hilaire

Public Health Theses

This study assesses the vulnerability of Haitian women to cervical cancer by looking at the distribution of socio-demographic factors that might prevent their access to health services. Predictor variables of access to health services and variables known to be directly associated to an increased risk for cervical cancer were derived from the Haitian Demographic Health Survey (2005-2006). Five socio demographic predictors of access to health services were considered: Education, wealth index, distance to health services, type of place of residence and whether or not money was a problem to get medical help. The dependent variable used to categorize women into …

A Comparison Of Indicators Of Female Empowerment And Selected Socioeconomic Indicators In India From The 1998-1999 And The 2005-2006 Demographic And Health Surveys, Katherine E. Kroell Ms.

Public Health Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare indicators of female empowerment gathered in the Demographic Health Survey, conducted in India as the National Family Health Survey. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a country-wide, nationally representative survey that collects important information on household characteristics, health information, and other topics, such as family planning. Two different years, NFHS-2 in 1999 and NFHS-3 in 2006, of the NFHS were compared to examine areas of progress, change, or lack of change in the selected indicators of female empowerment. Specifically, the level of decision-making and autonomy was assessed through the questions located …

Parental, Peer, And Tobacco Marketing Influences On Adolescent Smoking In South Africa, Reynolds A. Morrison

Public Health Theses

Tobacco use is a major preventable cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Most smokers initiate smoking in childhood, become addicted, and continue the habit into adulthood. Various factors have been shown to impact smoking behavior. It is important to determine how these factors impact smoking behavior in developing regions of the world, such as in South Africa. This study examines the association between parental smoking status; peer smoking status; exposure to pro-tobacco marketing; and current smoking status among adolescents in South Africa. It also determines which factor is the most significant predictor of current smoking status among the study population …

Technology Adaptations To The Parent-Infant Interactions Module For Parents With Intellectual Disabilities, Emily H. Gaskin

Public Health Theses

Parents with intellectual disabilities (ID) are disproportionately represented in child maltreatment (CM) statistics due to a confluence of factors. Prevention efforts should address this population by developing curricula that support various modes of learning. Technology offers a potentially effective tool because it is visual, free from extraneous factors, engaging, and self-instructional. SafeCare is an evidence-based parenting program with flexibility to adapt curricula while maintaining fidelity. The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of an adaptation to the SafeCare parent-infant (PII) module for parents with ID by using digital picture frames with pictures of their own PII to effect performance. A …

Teaching Young Mothers To Identify Developmental Milestones, Katelyn M. Guastaferro

Public Health Theses

Inappropriate parental expectations of age-appropriate behaviors and unawareness of developmental milestones can increase instances of child maltreatment. Additionally, experiences of child maltreatment can have a negative impact on the developmental trajectory of a child. The present research describes a parental aide, the tDevelop, delivered to parents at risk for child maltreatment through SafeCare Parent-Child Interaction (PCI) training with the aim of increasing identification of developmental milestones and age-appropriate activities. Two high-risk families with children close to 24-months of age were recruited from a residential program for young mothers working to develop self-sufficiency skills. The families were presented with the tDevelop …

Building An Information Management System For Emergency Preparedness And Response To Promote Assurance: A Case Study Of The Fulton County Department Of Health And Wellness, Judith A. Robinson

Public Health Theses

The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is a program that provides medical countermeasures during a public health emergency. A public health emergency can be a natural or man-made disaster, an act of terrorism, or a pandemic. The Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) was created to help the nation’s largest metropolitan regions develop the ability to provide SNS life-saving medications in the event of a large-scale bioterrorist attack or naturally occurring disease outbreak. To address the risks associated with a public health emergency the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires a comprehensive emergency response plan for distributing SNS/CRI materials quickly and …

Diabetes Guidelines Implementation Toolkit, Gustavo Adolfo Arguello Lacayo

Public Health Theses

Diabetes Guidelines Implementation Toolkit is a capstone project aimed to help the Grady North Fulton Health Center to implement the American Diabetes Association (ADA) “Standards in Medical Care in Diabetes, 2011” guidelines. This toolkit can also be used to implement the diabetes guidelines in any other primary or community healthcare facility to improve diabetes care.

Diabetes can affect many parts of the body and can lead to serious complications such as blindness, kidney damage, and lower-limb amputations. Working together, people with diabetes, their support network, and their health care providers can reduce the occurrence of these and other diabetes complications …

Recalled Fruit And Vegetable Intake While Growing Up And Its Association With Adult Fruit And Vegetable Intake Among U.S. Adults - Analysis Of The Food Attitudes And Behaviors Survey, Mary D. Hill

Public Health Theses

ABSTRACT

MARY D. HILL

Recalled fruit and vegetable intake while growing up and its association with adult fruit and vegetable intake among U.S. adults – analysis of the food attitudes and behaviors survey

(Under the direction of DR. KYMBERLE STERLING)

High dietary intake of fruits and vegetables (FVs) is associated with a lower risk for chronic disease including certain cancers, optimal child growth, and weight management. More than 72 million U.S. adults are obese; therefore, fruit and vegetable intake is important in weight management. Using data from the Food Attitude and Behavior survey, this study will address the following questions: …

The Steps To Atlanta Streets Alive Activity Guide, Dana Greear

Public Health Theses

ABSTRACT

DANA L. GREEAR

The STEPS to Atlanta Streets Alive Activity Guide

(Under the direction of Professor JOHN A. STEWARD, M.P.H.)

Atlanta Streets Alive (ASA) is a continually developing ciclovía recreativa based program occurring in urban Atlanta. Creating multi-sectoral partnerships and providing complementary activities to participants are key to ciclovía program sustainability. The objective of this capstone project was to create the STEPS to Atlanta Streets Alive Activity Guide (STEPS guide) by using a process method of evaluation framework for planning, conducting, and evaluating activities performed within ASA events. A pilot activity was conducted during the Atlanta Streets Alive event …

The Relation Between Perceived And Real Obesity In School Children From Georgia, Kartik Pillai

Public Health Theses

Background: Physical activity and childhood obesity have been studied extensively across the globe, but only few studies have been done in children who are aware of their obesity, overweight status and among children who are taking measures to control their weight. The purpose of this study is to examine agreement between perceived weight and ideal weight differences across gender, grade level, race and levels of weight control.

METHODS: This study is based on the secondary analysis of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) conducted in the state of Georgia in 2009 (n=1882). The 2009 YRBS for each state that …

An Examination Of The Association Between Hiv Related Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors And Hiv Infection Status In Five High Hiv Prevalence States In India., Thein Z. Lwin

Public Health Theses

Although data shows that the incidence of HIV in India is falling, it is still a prevailing disease in India. The lack of knowledge about HIV and risky behaviors greatly influence the role of HIV transmission among the Indian population. These factors also contribute to the numbers of new HIV infections caused by unprotected sex, which account for 90% of the new HIV infections. Knowledge, attitudes and behaviors among the people living with HIV/AIDS also play an important role in HIV transmission. This study was conducted to explore the association between selected demographic variables on HIV related knowledge, attitudes and …

Readiness Assessment Of Area Agencies On Aging In Georgia To Prevent Elder Abuse, Shatabdi S. Dighe

Public Health Theses

Elder abuse has traditionally been a silent social issue in America. However, with an estimated increase in the older population over the next 50 years, and given the preventable nature of violence, it is quickly becoming a major public health priority area. Each year hundreds of thousands of elderly are abused, neglected, or exploited financially worldwide. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 500,000 cases of elder abuse occur annually—with research indicating that substantiated cases are a mere underreport of the true problem. The US federal government has appointed State Units on Aging to address elder abuse. Georgia’s …

Discordance Of Drug Susceptibility Test Data Between The Cdc Mycobacteriology Laboratory And Local Public Health Laboratories Participating In Tuberculosis Clinical Trials, Tbtc, Cdc, Anne Havilah Patala

Public Health Theses

BACKGROUND: Multi drug resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a serious public health concern in many parts of the world. As per the WHO- 2010 global report on

Surveillance and response 3.6% of all incident TB cases globally are multidrug resistant. In this regard, there is an increasing demand for timely, reliable and comprehensive drug susceptibility testing (DST) as MDR-TB surveillance is being geared up. The intent of this analysis is to determine whether there is a need to continue routine confirmatory DST testing at CDC in addition to just sending the isolates for genotyping. Analysis is done by measuring the discordance …

A Descriptive Review Of Balamuthia And Non-Keratitis Acanthamoeba Cases In The United States, 1955-2009, Melanie A. Moser

Public Health Theses

Free-living amebae are ubiquitous in the environment and occasionally invade and parasitize host tissues causing illness in humans. Despite possibly frequent exposure to these organisms, infection is rare and why some people, healthy or not, end up with illness and others do not is still unclear. Human infections are rare; when illness does occur, it is often fatal. Only two papers have examined data from the literature and cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and both were published over twenty years ago. The purpose of this study is to better document the epidemiology of Balamuthia and …

Public Health Implications Of Mass Rape As A Weapon Of War, Missale Ayele

Public Health Theses

Although rape and other forms of sexual violence have historically been present during wartime, it has recently become a strategic weapon of war in many settings. The term mass rape as a weapon of war is defined as a systematic pattern of rape perpetrated by fighters usually against civilian women and children at a rate much higher than the rate of rape prevailing during peacetime. This study will examine issues surrounding mass rape as a weapon of war including: emerging theories, effectiveness of current international law, public health consequences, and relevant indicators of likelihood of occurrence. Grave physical and mental …

Hiv/Aids In Haiti. An Analysis Of Demographics, Lifestyle, Std Awareness, Hiv Knowledge And Perception That Influence Hiv Infection Among Haitians., Yves Marie Dominique Georges

Public Health Theses

Introduction

Haiti has the highest prevalence of HIV infection in Latina America and the Caribbean. The country faces the worst AIDS epidemic outside Africa and bears the greatest burden of HIV in the western hemisphere. Studies in the past recent years show that HIV/AIDS is most likely to be seen in developed countries. People with low education level and appropriate knowledge about STD’s are more susceptible to get HIV. Lifestyle behaviors represent significant factors in HIV transmission. Understandings these lifestyle factors are therefore critical in reversing the increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the …

Bullying In Georgia Schools: Demographic Profiles And Psychosocial Correlates Of Students Who Would Intervene In A Bullying Situation, Lori Goldammer

Public Health Theses

While researchers have assessed the prevalence and health impact of bullying, there are still relatively few successful interventions and strategies implemented to reduce and prevent bullying. A particular promising area is to know more about students who may be willing to intervene in a bullying situation, which is the focus of this thesis. Using the data from the Georgia Student Health Survey II (GSHS 2006) (n=175,311) an empirical analyses of students who state that they are willing to intervene in a bullying situation, their demographic characteristics and psychosocial attributes will be examined. The survey administered to students across Georgia in …