Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Using An Importance-Performance Analysis Of Summer Students In The Evaluation Of Student Health Services., Candice Cline Duvernois

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hitherto, students have not evaluated the importance and performance of services provided by the student health service (SHS) at East Tennessee State University. An evaluation could provide valuable feedback to providers and administration.

In 2001, there were 944 student visits in the summer sessions. Approximately 256 students were offered a survey containing an Importance-Performance scale of which 151 (59.0%) responded. The I-P scale rates the importance students place on healthcare services and the performance of the SHS in delivering services (i.e., patient satisfaction).

Based on mean scores, students reported high importance, high performance on urgent care, pharmacy and patient education. …

The Distribution Of Airborne Coal Dust In Soil Profiles Of Norfolk, Va And Its Implication For Arsenic Loading To These Soils, William Joseph Bounds

OES Theses and Dissertations

Norfolk, Virginia is home to the Northern Hemisphere's largest coal terminal the Lamberts Point Docks. The coal loading process of this terminal creates large amounts of coal dust, which subsequently is distributed throughout the local region by atmospheric transport and deposition. While the coal dust itself poses only minor health hazards, certain trace elements within the coal, particularly arsenic, may pose environmental as well as significant health hazards. Within coal, arsenic occurs primarily in the mineral pyrite. As pyrite in the coal dust is subsequently oxidized via exposure to the atmosphere and/or meteoric water, arsenic may be released to the …

Intermittent Noise Sampling And Control Strategies In The Hospital Environment, Rosarito M. Guerrero

Theses

Noise in the hospital environment can have negative effects on both patients and hospital staff. Unwanted noise can be disturbing and often annoying thus, interfering with patients' sleep and obstructing work performance of the hospital staff. A research study was conducted in the hospital unit to identify and develop methods of intervention for intermittent noise and their source. Routine staff work activity generated noise levels above EPA hospital noise recommendations. A sound level meter and video camera was used to capture noise between the work-shifts. The video camera captured digital readings generated by the sound level meter which, helped identify …

A Model For Hiv/Aids Risk Behaviors Of Students In Armenia, Talin Babikian

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Without a cure in now its third decade, AIDS is a concern for both the medical and social science disciplines. Most at risk for a nationwide AIDS epidemic are developing countries, which often lack the necessary resources and knowledge to minimize the spread of the disease. There are an estimated 1500 HIV cases in Armenia, 81.5% of which occur in the 20-39 age group. Armenia’s current economic and political instability, increase in sexually transmitted infections (STI), prostitution, and injecting drug use, and the alarming incidence rates in neighboring countries amplify its risk for a national epidemic.

The goals of this …

Barrier To Utilization Of Primary Healthcare Resources In Children Two Years Of Age And Under, Ruth A. Waibel

Health Services Research Dissertations

This is a retrospective longitudinal study of health service utilization using the Immunization Practice Data Set obtained from the Center for Pediatric Research, Norfolk, Virginia. Cluster sampling was used to identify a cohort of children (n = 271), aged 0 to 24 months, from the city of Norfolk, Virginia. A two-year abstraction of medical records was used to determine utilization practice patterns for three categories of health: well-baby, acute and chronic care. The purpose of this study was to identify socio-demographic, need, and health system factors associated with under-utilization of primary care services using Aday's model. The proportion of children …

A Longitudinal Study Examining The Stability Of Occupational Stressors Identified By Nursing Home Administrators, Gay Lynne Andrucci-Armstrong

Health Services Research Dissertations

As a result of the ever changing and expanding role of the nursing home administrator in conjunction with the stricter legislation governing nursing facilities over the past decade and the graying of America, a study specific to this population was warranted. The purpose of this study is to determine the relative change in the self-reported occupational stressors of nursing home administrators over a five year period (December 1994 to June 1999) secondary to the increased regulatory climate of the nursing home industry.

This study was carried out in three phases and included all practicing nursing home administrators in Virginia. Phase …

The Effects Of Occupational Ultrasonic Noise Exposure On Hearing In Dental Hygienists: A Pilot Study, Jennifer S. Dunning

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this case-control study was to determine whether long-term ultrasonic noise exposure via the dental office environment is related to dental hygienists' hearing status. Registered dental hygienists (N = 698) who live in the Hampton Roads area were mailed a Dental Hygiene Work History Questionnaireto determine those meeting the inclusion criteria and willing to participate in the study. Consenting subjects were categorized into one of two groups according to ultrasonic scaler usage rate and matched on age. Persons with known hearing loss due to infection, disease, or congenital defect were excluded from the study. The final sample …

Effects Of Hormonal Changes Throughout The Menstrual Cycle On Joint Laxity In Females, John C. Roberts

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The objective of this study was to examine the levels of estrogens, progesterone, LH, FSH, estradiol and testosterone and their relation to ACL laxity throughout the menstrual cycle. Subjects were tested at the onset of menses, the first day of ovulation (days 8–17) and day 23 at the mid-luteal phase. A Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient revealed that there were no statistically significant relationships between laxity measurements, of the KT-2000 or radiographic comparisons, and elevated concentrations of any of the hormones. LH was observed in the follicular phase, at the onset of menses, to have a negative correlation with only …

A Preliminary Risk Analysis Of Environmental Tobacco Smoke And Lung Cancer Using A Cohort Of Mormons In New Haven County, Albert Abdul-Barr Wang

Public Health Theses

Environmental tobacco smoke exposure has been recognized as an important source of lung cancer morbidity and mortality. Measuring environmental tobacco smoke exposure for risk analysis depends much on the methodologies for determining ETS levels of nicotine and RSP.

The author decided to measure the linear multistage dose-response curve relating the level of ETS exposure to the lung cancer incidence. The research was conducted using human time-activity patterns and microenvironmental ETS measurements through a self-designed questionnaire. A cohort of New Haven Mormons was selected for a low-dose group and the subjects from the NHAPS study were utilized for the high-dose group. …

Hand Intensive Leisure Activities And Repetitive Motion Injuries Of The Distal Upper Extremities, Marilyn Colvin Wright

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background. The work-relatedness of repetitive motion injuries to the distal upper extremities (RMI-DUEs) has been well documented; however, human occupation extends beyond the job to include self-care and leisure activities. The effects of hand intensive leisure activities (HILAs) such as home computer use and needlework on RMI-DUEs have not been explored. These HILAs require hand usage similar to known work-related risk factors. Additionally, sedentary leisure contributes to obesity thereby increasing the disease burden of women. Health beliefs regarding leisure and fitness among women employed in hand intensive sedentary jobs have not been explored.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was …

How Peruvian Mothers Appraise Pneumonia And The Predictors Of Their Intention To Seek Medical Care When Their Children Have Signs Of Pneumonia, César Augusto Gálvez

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Pneumonia ranks first in health problems demanding attention, and second in the cause of mortality for children under five years old in Peru (Toledo, & Minaya, 1999). Studies about behavioral determinants that influence mothers to seek medical help for their child with signs of pneumonia do not focus on the contribution of the behavioral determinants to intention of seeking medical help.

Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and a cross-sectional design, the objectives of this study were to know first, Peruvian mothers' perceptions about knowledge and recognition of pneumonia, and about the government pneumonia campaign (GPC). Second, mothers' attitudes, …

A Study Of The Factors That Impact Female Military Beneficiaries Obtaining Preventive Health Services, Cynthia Andrea Chargois

Health Services Research Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine what factors predict whether female military retirees or the female beneficiary of a military retiree, ages 40 to 64, will obtain preventive health services, specifically, Pap smears, mammograms, and clinical breast examinations. Based on the findings of the study, it is suggested that it may be important for the Department of Defense to broaden their scope of interest to include those areas that are most prominent in affecting female military retirees or the female beneficiary of a military retiree, particularly those 40 to 64, in obtaining preventive health services.

The study comprised …

A Health System Analysis Approach To Health Outcomes In Medicare Clients With Chronic Illnesses, Christine A. Elnitsky

Health Services Research Dissertations

Since 1863, outcomes measurement efforts have provided information to health care consumers, administrators, and policymakers in assessing concerns about access, quality and costs. With a growing population of older adults with chronic illnesses, cost-cutting strategies in health delivery systems, and federal endorsement of managed care systems, researchers have begun to evaluate the impact of different delivery system organizations on health. The current study combines two areas of health services research to provide the first published hierarchical analysis of the influence of delivery system factors, and a profile of population and community characteristics and utilization factors, on perceived health outcomes of …

Promoting Healthy Behavior Change In Skin Cancer Risk Reduction Using The Transtheoretical Stages Of Change Model, Sherry L. Pagoto

Dissertations

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States with 20% of people developing some form of skin cancer in their lifetime (American Cancer Society, 1999). In spite of the high incidence of skin cancer, it is highly preventable. Approximately 90% of the cases are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun (Skin Cancer Foundation, 1992). The effect of an intervention aimed at reducing skin cancer risk was compared to a survey only control group in 99 Chicago beach-goers. The intervention was based on the Transtheoretical Stages of Change Model (TTM) and included sun sensitivity …

Effects Of Cold Stress On Worker Performance In A Refrigerated Warehouse, Margarita Chernyshov

Theses

The effects of cold stress were evaluated on worker performance in a low temperature environment. Level of clothing protection was compared to the functional ability of working on various tasks. Physical as well as mental effects were discussed to develop a basis for the physiological adaptations due to cold stress. The study focused on workers that performed various simple and complex tasks in a refrigerated warehouse with a temperature range 32° - 40°F. Surveys were distributed to employees who presently and previously worked in this refrigerated area. The "Picker" and "Feeder" tasks were analyzed as they pertain to this low …

The Relationship Between Conceptual Level And Moral Development Of Substance Abuse Prevention Professionals Working In Higher Education And Their Comprehensiveness Of Programming, Mary Katherine Crozier

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs are prevalent on American college and university campuses. The higher education literature is replete with research on prevalence rates (Presley, Meilman, and Cashin, 1998; Wechsler, Lee, Kuo, and Lee, 2000), substance abuse prevention theories (Gonzales, 1994), history of substance abuse prevention (O'Bryan and Daughtery, 1992), and descriptions of prevention programming (anderson and Milgram, 1996; Mills-Novoa, 1994). There is, however, little research on the substance abuse prevention professionals who are charged with developing and offering prevention programming in higher education.;This study is one of the first to examine the substance abuse prevention professional in higher education. …

Impact Of Life Events, Trauma, Interpersonal Conflict And Substance Abuse On Pregnancy Outcomes Of Inner City Women, Barabara A. Caldwell

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Predictors Of Young Men's Attitudes Toward Sexual Health Practices, Felicity C. Wright

Theses : Honours

The present study examined whether cognitive (beliefs), affective (emotions) and behavioural processes predicted young men's attitudes toward sexual health practices. For pragmatic reasons, most sexual health interventions are based on the provision of factual information, meaning most evaluations of these interventions have focused on the cognitive sources which may lead to behavioural change. However, the importance of emotional and behavioural influences has also been indicated, though rarely considered. The present study hoped to clarify this issue using Zanna and Rempel's (1988) model of attitude formation. The study also provided some methodological extensions to the attitude literature. It examined the use …

History, Culture And Alcohol: Drinking Patterns In Poland And Australia, Barbara Wolska

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

It is a widely held view in Poland that for centuries those in power have promoted heavy drinking among their subjects in order to achieve their various goals and that this contributed to the development of Polish drinking patterns. There is some empirical evidence that the political economy of alcohol in Poland promoted heavy drinking among the Polish population. Drinking alcohol in Poland was an important aspect of social situations. The most popular beverage was vodka(s). Social pressure to drink in the extreme was attributed to the tradition of hospitality. Cultural norms encouraged very heavy drinking among men and imposed …

A Pilot Study Of An Employee Developed Observational Tool As A Valid And Reliable Measure Of Organisational Safety, Matthew Wallace

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Given the increasing high social and economic costs of occupational injury and illness to the Australian community, identification of initiatives to reduce the burden is urgently required. Paramount to reversing this trend is the need to identify and address the causes of the injury and illness. Employee involvement in occupational health and safety has for some time been espoused as an essential element in any occupational health and safety program, but its relationship with safety performance still remains unexplored. Although various theories suggest that the involvement of employees will increase their sense of ownership, there is little research to suggest …

Depressed Men Angry Women: Non-Stereotypical Gender Responses To Anti-Smoking Messages In Older Smokers, Debora Brown

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This qualitative study into the effective use of fear arousal in social marketing advertising, focused on exploring gender differences in smokers' attitudes towards threats in anti-smoking messages in the 40 to 50 year old age group. This age group of smokers has received relatively little attention in the fear arousal literature to date, presumably because their 'hard core' attitudes are perceived as difficult to change by social marketing and medical practitioners. The key purpose of this study was to explore the attitudinal responses of male and female smokers in the 40 to 50 year old age group to anti-smoking messages …

The Relationship Between Personality Factors And Drug-Of-Choice Among Adolescent Drug Abusers, Phillip Yucht

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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The Effect Of A Jail-Based Substance-Abuse Program On Anxiety, Depression, And Locus Of Control, Peggy Leigh Frick

Dissertations

Problem. More and more alcohol and drug users are coming into contact with the criminal justice system. Some of these individuals may have comorbid mental health issues. This present study sought to determine whether the New Avenues Substance Abuse Treatment Program, housed at the Correctional Work Center, Davidson County, Tennessee, did, in the course of treatment, have an impact on the anxiety, depression, and locus of control of those individuals completing the program.

Method. The Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Rotter Internal versus External Control of Reinforcement Scale were utilized to measure depression, anxiety, and locus …