Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Consequences Of Fatigue And Sleep Deficiency In The Workplace: Implications For The Construction Industry, Karen Phegley

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: This study was a review of the (1) consequences that fatigue and sleep deficiency have on the human body, personal safety and safety in the workplace with implications for the construction industry; and (2) factors in the workplace that contribute to worker fatigue.

Methods: A systematic search and review of peer-reviewed articles and gray literature was conducted for sources describing common industry policies, standards and/or recommendations addressing sleep related problems in the workplace.

Results: The contributing factors of fatigue include work-related mental exertion, sleep deficiency and work-related physical exertion. Major work-related effects stem from circadian rhythm disruptions due to …

Evaluation Of Services Provided To Pregnant African Refugees By Catholic Social Services Refugee Resettlement Agency In Dayton Ohio, Jessica M. Brown

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

In 2016 Public Health - Dayton and Montgomery County declared birth outcomes the number one priority in their Community Health Improvement Plan. To improve the infant mortality rate (IMR), racial disparities must be address and considerations should be given to Dayton’s newest and most vulnerable neighbors. Dayton receives between 200 and 250 refugees each year, 70% of whom are from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. African refugees have higher infant mortally and poorer birth outcomes than native populations in the U.S. Early and regular prenatal care is protective against infant mortality, and African refugees consistently report delayed and infrequent …

Mountain Biking As A Means To Encourage Public Health And Wellbeing, Scott C. Dillard

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Mountain biking is a popular form of outdoor exercise. There are 8.3 million riders in the U.S., 2.8% of the population (The Outdoor Foundation, 2016). The National Survey on Recreation and the Environment (https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/trends/nsre-directory/) places the number of participants much higher at 42.7 million riders, but their definition is less restrictive (Cordell, 2012). The National Survey includes anyone who has ridden a mountain or hybrid bicycle in the last twelve months, regardless of riding surface, while Outdoor Recreation Participation Top Line Report (The Outdoor Foundation, 2016) estimates are based on riding surface. Therefore, to avoid confirmation bias, the lower Outdoor …

Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack: Considerations For Practical Emergency Preparedness And Resiliency Exercises, Trent Elliott

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

In today’s geopolitical environment, the emergence of religious extremism is becoming more prevalent. Justified as a holy war, jihadists are becoming more brash and calculated in attacking targets to inflict maximum damage and instill the greatest amount of fear. Coordinated, lethal, terrorist attacks against innocent targets; killing indiscriminately is a preferred tactic of extremists. Multiple attacks, coordinated either in proximity or timing, using firearms, explosive devices, or fire to inflict damage and disrupt life is the basis of a Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack (CCTA).

City and regional emergency response plans should address mitigating efforts to a CCTA. Community strength and …

How Effective Is The Diabetes Prevention Program At Preventing Diabetes? A Survey Of Ymca’S Diabetes Prevention Program Participants Five Years Post-Completion, Rachael A. Mainord

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Objective: In people with prediabetes, a mere 5% weight loss can cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half. In 2011, the YMCA of Greater Dayton launched the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program (YMCA’s DPP) to reduce the prevalence of diabetes in Dayton, Ohio. In 2016, health data for the 2011 YMCA’s DPP prediabetic cohort, including 2016 diabetes status, were evaluated.

Methods: Using de-identified YMCA of Greater Dayton data, analysis was performed on 2011 program (N=90) and 2016 survey results (N=21). The incidence of program 5% weight loss (“success”) was determined and variables associated with success were identified. Survey …

Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines And Health Outcomes In The Elderly: Are Racial Differences Important?, R. Michael Johnson

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Physical activity guidelines for health improvement were recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2008. Today, data on individuals’ adherence to the CDC guidelines are collected as part of its Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BFRSS) survey. While racial disparities in health outcomes are well documented, analyses of the BRFSS data have the potential to shed light on whether there are racial differences in the relationship between physical activity and health outcomes.

The 2015 (BRFSS) dataset contained responses from 441,456 individuals, including 42,516 over the age of 65 who had complete data on the variables that …

Systematic Review Of Scientific Evidence Supporting Yoga As An Alternative Treatment For Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Alexandria Keller

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: This study was a systematic review of scientific evidence investigating yoga as a treatment for GAD. Assessing the scientific validity of alternative health practices is necessary for proposals of inclusion in public health practices.

Methods: A comprehensive search for peer-reviewed biomedical research was conducted for literature describing interventions for GAD using yoga and its practices (e.g. physical postures, meditation, breathing exercises). Systematic research was conducted on academic literature databases available through Wright State University (Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library) using search terms selected based on key words for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition and the Sanskrit variation …

Opportunity And Life-Long Health Outcomes: A Review Of The Effects And Proposed Solutions Of Hypersegregation On Health Disparities, Christen D. Johnson

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Hypersegregation, the overrepresentation of a racial group in a metropolitan area, is defined by evenness, exposure, concentration, centralization, and clustering. Hypersegregated communities are subjected to bias and have few resources and opportunities, which compounds the negative impact on one’s health and socioeconomic outcomes. This study aims to describe the effects of hypersegregation on health risks, chronic disease, violence, and compare the differences between hypersegregated and non-hypersegregated cities. Data were collected for Montgomery County, Ohio (MC) for low birth weight, infant mortality, diabetes, heart disease, and violent crime, and compared with data from Summit County (SC). There is a larger Black …

The Role Of Msm Status, Race, And Marijuana Use In Hiv Risk Among Adult Males In The Columbus, Oh Region, Andrea M. Hager

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, is a life-long illness that affects millions across the globe. Young adult males, especially men who have sex with men (MSM), are at significant risk for the virus. This project examined a hypothesized association between marijuana use and HIV infection, comorbidity of HIV and other STIs, and potentially confounding variables in a sample of men tested for HIV in Columbus, Ohio.

The sample included a total of 898 non-Hispanic/Latino males (294 White, 604 Black/African-American, non-Hispanic/Latino males aged 18 to 74 years. All were tested for HIV between February 2013 and April 2013 by Columbus (Ohio) …

Analysis Of The 2017 Montgomery County Adult Risk Perception Of Prescription Opioid Misuse Survey Data, Lance Nussbaum

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Montgomery County, Ohio, has higher overdose rates than the national or state averages: approximately 50% are related to prescription opioid misuse. A community assessment was conducted to better understand Montgomery County’s adult population’s connection with, and opinions of, prescription opioid medications. Methods: Data for 284 anonymous internet surveys were compiled and subjected to a descriptive analysis of responses and trends. Response patterns were used to recommend appropriate interventions. Results: Respondents were well-educated (91.9%), employed (76.7%), Caucasian (89.8%), females (79.2%) who resided (82%) and worked (66.5%) in Montgomery County (82%). The risk from personal misuse of prescription opioids was perceived by …

Association Of Cadmium Exposure With Bone Mineral Density In U.S. Adults, Joseph P. Taggart

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal and environmental pollutant; general population exposure is through occupation, diet, and smoking. Cadmium is associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD) and higher risk of fractures in women. This association is not fully known in men.

Objective: Given the toxicity and global dispersion of cadmium, we explored its association with BMD in U.S. men and women.

Methods: Data from 914 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2014 was utilized. Multivariable regression analysis was used to determine the independent association between cadmium exposure and BMD controlling for age, body mass index, …

Evaluation Of A Childhood Community-Based Comprehensive Asthma Management Program, Stephanie E. Welsh

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: The Dayton Children’s Hospital Comprehensive Asthma Management Program incorporates Community Health Worker (CHW) interventions to improve child asthma control and reduce urgent health resource utilization.

Methods: Children in grades two to five with parent- or physician-identified asthma received one of three levels of intervention, based on self-selection by caregivers: (1) child asthma education; (2) child and caregiver asthma education; (3) child and caregiver asthma education, plus home assessments. Child Asthma Risk Assessment Tool (CARAT) scores were collected before intervention to assess risk. Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) scores and urgent health visit numbers were collected before and after intervention. …

The Opioid Epidemic In The United States With A Focus On Ohio, Timothy A. Netters Jr.

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

The rate of deaths due to opioid drug overdoses has increased substantially in the 21st-century United States and shows no signs of slowing down. Goleman (1987) stated that opioid drugs are not inherently dangerous when used for their specified purpose of relief of moderate to severe acute pain. However, when they are abused, mixed with other drugs, or their stronger counterparts, used for chronic pain or are used without understanding of their increased strength the effects can be devastating. Ohio is unfortunately no stranger to the problem of opiate abuse and overdose. Counties throughout Ohio have had to add additional …

Data-Driven Birth Outcomes Objectives For A Community Health Improvement Plan, Casey Gayheart

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Purpose: To identify factors associated with poor birth outcomes in four Montgomery County, Ohio zip codes identified as priority areas for public health intervention.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from zip codes 45415 (N=267), 45416 (N=158), 45417 (N=1,104) & 45426 (N=571) in Montgomery County, Ohio from 2013 – 2015. The outcome was birth weight. Predictor variables included maternal demographics and behavioral variables. Multiple linear regression was used to test for associations.

Results: Children of White mothers had greater mean birth weight compared to children of non-White mothers in all four zip codes; it was statistically significant in …

Measurable Predictors Of Birth Outcomes: Community Health Needs Assessment Objectives, Tazeen Ahmed

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify measurable predictors of birth weight in the four zip codes of Montgomery County, Ohio with the poorest health outcomes. Previous literature has shown that birth weight is strongly correlated with risk of infant mortality.

Methods: Multiple linear regression was used to assess the relationship between multiple predictor variables and the outcome of interest, birth weight. Separate models were fit for each zip code (45402, 45405, 45406, and 45414). Maternal and infant characteristics were analyzed to assess which variables served as the best predictors of birth weight in order to better allocate …

Screening Families For Unmet Social Needs In A Pediatric Clinic, Elizabeth Evans Peterson

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Previous research indicates that at least 60% of preventable deaths are caused by modifiable factors. Children, especially those under the age of five, are the most at-risk population for negative social determinants of health. Identifying and mitigating these factors could break the poverty impact cycle and promote wellness into adulthood, improving community health outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe trends in unmet social needs of children attending a well-child visit in Dayton, Ohio. Methods: Families attending a hospital-affiliated clinic during a well-child visit were asked to complete a simple, 10-item questionnaire. This cross-sectional study utilized …

A Risk Factor Tool For United States Teenage Pregnancy: Adapting A Tool From The United Kingdom, Kanchen Loganathan

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

With a population of 42 million, one out of every eight people living in the United States is an adolescent. Current data show that half of American adolescents today are engaging in sexual activity, and one in eight adolescent females will become pregnant before the age of 20. The number of teenage pregnancies have declined over the past decade due to increased contraception, and more efforts to educate adolescents on safe sex. Newer research also reports that pregnancy during an adolescent’s teenage years may not be as detrimental to their lives as once thought. However, teenage pregnancy has been linked …

The American Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic: Considerations For Targeted Diabetes Prevention Programs, Dolores Dodson

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Childhood obesity is an identified risk factor for several long-term health issues such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death within the United States. The CDC has implemented an evidence-based program, The National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), to prevent the development of T2DM among individuals with prediabetes. Prediabetes is defined as having elevated glucose levels glycated hemoglobin [A1C] levels between 5.7%-6.5%) that are not elevated enough to meet diabetes diagnosis criteria (A1C levels > 6.5%). The DPP is a lifestyle change program that has …