Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Comparative Analysis Of Hiv/Aids In France And The United States: Historical Context And Preventative Actions, Rebecca A. Liebsack

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is the result of transmission of a zoonotic disease known as simian immunodeficiency virus. The pandemic has had profound social and economic consequences and continues to be present today. France and the United States’ response to the discovery of HIV will be compared and the impact that HIV/AIDS had on their countries and future responses. They had rather similar responses, however, the United States had a slower initial response compared to France. Both had similar takeaways such as aiming at improving prevention and utilizing tactics developed during the start of the pandemic like frequent testing and vaccines.

The Effect Of Using A Meal Tracking Smartphone Application In Overweight And Obese Adolescents With Prediabetes Or Type 2 Diabetes To Improve Bmi And Hba1c, Lauren Torhorst

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Obesity has become one of the most common chronic pediatric illnesses worldwide and is closely linked to the onset of prediabetes and subsequent Type 2 Diabetes (T2D); therefore, preventing and treating childhood obesity has become a high priority (Hampl et al., 2023). The purpose of this Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) project is to lower Glycosylated Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) and Body Mass Index (BMI) in overweight and obese youth with prediabetes and T2D using a meal tracking smartphone application. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model (JHNEBP) was utilized to pilot this project between two pediatric endocrinology offices located in Southeast Wisconsin. …

Social Influences On Quitting E-Cigarette Use: A Mixed Method Analysis, Olivia Peterson, Page Dobbs

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Social Influences on Quitting E-Cigarette Use: A Mixed Method Analysis

Page Dobbs, Olivia Peterson, Erin Arthur, Jessica Seymore, Jenn Veilleux, Robert Davis, Mance Buttram, Mufazzela Tabassum

Words: 250/250

Introduction. Young adult e-cigarette users report peers as a reason for using these products; however, it is unclear how social influences are associated with attempting to quit e-cigarettes. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine the relationship between social factors and quitting e-cigarettes.

Methods. E-cigarette users from a large southern university were recruited to take part in an explanatory, sequential mixed-methods study. First, participants (n=423) completed a cross-sectional survey about …

Lack Of Access To Healthcare And Neurology Within East Texas, Ashton Arlen

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Within East Texas, there is a critical shortage of physicians and lack of access to healthcare that is taking a major toll on the health of residents. For Texas as a whole, almost 70% of their 254 counties are classified as a rural. Within the United States, Texas has the largest amount of hospital closures and rural areas including East Texas have lost over half of their hospitals since 1960 (Nevins et al. 2021). The area endures some of the highest rates of chronic health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, and mental health conditions.

In knowing about the many …

Impact Of Water Combined Wet Ball Milling Extraction And Functional Evaluation Of Dietary Fiber From Papaya (Carica Papaya L), Guihun Jiang, Kashif Ameer, Karna Ramachandraiah, Xiaoyu Feng

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

This study evaluates the structural, physicochemical, functional and rheological properties of papaya dietary fibers (DFs) extracted by alkaline, water and combination of water/wet ball milling. The particle size of DF subjected to water/wet ball milling (WB-DF) was considerably reduced compared to DF extracted by water (W-DF) or alkaline (AL-DF) methods. WB-DF in comparison AL-DF increased the water holding capacity (WHC) by 4.1 folds, oil holding capacity (OHC) by 1.7 folds and water swelling capacity (WSC) by 2.6 folds. WB-DF also improved the cholesterol adsorption capacity (CAC), glucose adsorption (GAC), nitrite-ion adsorption capacity (NIAC) and antioxidant activity. The FT-IR spectra displayed …

Exploring Binding Pockets In The Conformational States Of The Sars-Cov-2 Spike Trimers For The Screening Of Allosteric Inhibitors Using Molecular Simulations And Ensemble-Based Ligand Docking, Grace Gupta, Gennady M. Verkhivker

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Understanding mechanisms of allosteric regulation remains elusive for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, despite the increasing interest and effort in discovering allosteric inhibitors of the viral activity and interactions with the host receptor ACE2. The challenges of discovering allosteric modulators of the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins are associated with the diversity of cryptic allosteric sites and complex molecular mechanisms that can be employed by allosteric ligands, including the alteration of the conformational equilibrium of spike protein and preferential stabilization of specific functional states. In the current study, we combine conformational dynamics analysis of distinct forms of the full-length spike protein trimers and …

Effect Of Progesterone On Cognition Among College Aged Women, Katelyn Helberg

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Women who have a reoccurring menstrual cycle and do not take hormonal birth control naturally experience changes in the amount of sex hormones that their body produces. These sex hormones help promote sexual development, fertility, and mood regulation, but can be hard to study due to their conflicting effects on each other. One such hormone, progesterone, is produced in different concentrations throughout the menstrual cycle to prepare the uterus for a potential pregnancy. However, it also may have secondhand effects on how well women can complete everyday tasks involving memory, attention, processing speed, and more which is what we measured …

A Multimodal Approach To Decreasing Hesitancy Of The Influenza Vaccine In The Family Care Setting, Carley J. Ellenberger

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The uptake of the influenza vaccine is the most effective and proactive action an individual can take to defend themselves against the influenza outbreak each season; therefore, it is recommended that everyone at least six months of age and older should receive the annual flu vaccine (CDC, 2022; WHO, 2023). Unfortunately, influenza vaccine hesitancy is demonstrated on a global level affecting the uptake compliance annually each influenza season despite the millions of people that experience influenza symptoms annually (CDC, 2022, WHO, n.d.; Healthy People 2030, n.d.). The PICOT question for this project was in adults, over the age of 18, …

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Of Alternative Screening Strategies For The Detection Of Cervical Cancer Among Women In Rural Areas Of Western Kenya, Christopher Lobin, Elkanah Omenge, Edwin Were, Kapten Muthoka, Kavita Singh, Manuela De Allegri, Konrad Obermann, Magnus Doeberitz, Hermann Bussmann

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

While the incidence of cervical cancer has dropped in high-income countries due to organized cytology-based screening programs, it remains the leading cause of cancer death among women in Eastern Africa. Therefore, the World Health Organization(WHO) now urges providers to transition from widely prevalent but low-performance visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) screening to primary human papillomavirus(HPV) DNA testing. Due to high HPV prevalence, effective triage tests are needed to identify those lesions likely to progress and so avoid over-treatment. To identify the optimal cost-effective strategy, we compared the VIA screen-and-treat approach to primary HPV DNA testing with p16/Ki67 dual-stain cytology …

Reframing Addiction As A Coping Response: A Needed Shift In Modern Public Health Paradigms, Anthony King

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

What are the primary risk factors that compel one person towards addiction and not another? After decades of research, there is still no clear consensus. Some experts say addiction is a brain disease; others say it is a willful act, or even an outright crime. Nevertheless, the three research studies contained within this dissertation suggest an alternative, more parsimonious public-health-centered framework for viewing addictive behavioral patterns: as a biopsychosocial coping strategy for past and present stressors. In Study 1, this idea was examined by evaluating how symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were associated with problem gambling severity, different gambling …

Unraveling The Relationship Between Social Vulnerability Index And Covid-19 Prevalence In Southern Nevada, Andrea Lopez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The COVID-19 pandemic was a catastrophic global event that exacerbated public health issues and disparities, especially in socially vulnerable communities. Thus, this study examines areas classified by the CDC's Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) metric, which assesses vulnerable communities experiencing adverse events through sixteen social determinants that impact health. The purpose of this study will be to determine if (1) COVID-19 testing rates and/or COVID-19 vaccination rates mediate SVI and COVID-19 prevalence rates and (2) if COVID-19 testing rate and COVID-19 vaccination rates serially mediate SVI and COVID-19 prevalence rates. In order to achieve this, census tracts within Southern Nevada will …

Behavioral Health, Mental Health, And Overall Well-Being Of Informal Caregivers Before And After The Covid-19 Pandemic, Zahra Mojtahedi

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Informal caregivers, such as relatives or close friends, are vital for maintaining the welfare of the individuals they provide care for. However, caregiving can be difficult and stressful that adversely impacts caregivers’ health. The extra stress brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic can potentially aggravate health problems, particularly mental health. The current research aimed to nationally analyze whether the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly associated with behavioral health (physical activity and smoking), mental health (worrying, nervousness, hopelessness, little interest, and psychological distress score), and the perception of overall well-being among informal caregivers in the United States. Whether behavioral health could mediate …

Examining The Risks And Resilience Of Older Adults Living With Hiv/Aids: Qualitative Community-Based Participatory Research Studies In Southern Nevada, Brandon Ranuschio

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Since the height of the HIV pandemic in the 1980s, medical interventions have significantly increased the life expectancy of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) and made HIV/AIDS a livable, chronic health condition. Because of this, PLWH have been living longer lives and thriving with the help of HIV sector healthcare and service providers. However, with their longer life expectancy, older PLWH have been experiencing other health challenges. One such challenge is the risk of developing HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND), which is a condition that affects up to 50% of PLWH at some point in their lifetime, with middle-aged and older …

Examining The Impacts Of Unlv's Tobacco-Free Policy Pre And Post Implementation, Kacie Washburn

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Despite the known harmful effects of smoking and secondhand smoke, tobacco-related disease, disability, and death continue to plague the United Stated and contribute to more than 480,000 individuals dying prematurely every year. Comprehensive smoke-free and tobacco free policies strive to prohibit the use of both traditional forms of tobacco (cigarettes, cigars) and smokeless forms of tobacco (vapes). The goal of this project was to examine the impact a tobacco control policy has on prevalence rates of use and knowledge regarding said policy among faculty, staff, and students. In the Fall of 2022, UNLV adopted a comprehensive tobaccofree and smoke-free policy …

Effect Of Asynchronous Virtual Interviews On Ethnic Minority Matriculation Into A Doctor Of Physical Therapy Program, Conner Clark, Nanea Lagasca, Gladys Miller, Jasmine Puspos

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Methods: This study examines the impact of the use of asynchronous virtual interviews (AVIs) in the admissions process of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). This research aims to examine racial and ethnic subgroup differences in AVI scores, evaluate the influence of AVIs on applicant scores in the admissions process, and assess the AVI inter-rater reliability among faculty evaluators using data from the 2019-2022 admissions cycles.

Results: Significant differences were found in AVI scores among racial and ethnic groups, with Black applicants scoring highest and Asian applicants scoring lowest. Additionally, inclusion …

The Impact Of Policy And Perception On Women’S Health Since 2010, Eryn Busenbark

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This project tackles the complicated relationship between policy and perception of women’s health in the last decade. This was achieved through research on existing literature and semi-structured interviews with five professionals in various areas of women’s health: mental health, public policy, sexual health education, and research. Literature reviews were conducted using University of Nebraska at Omaha Criss Library’s databases, with dozens of articles analyzed. The goal of this research was to gain an understanding of how public opinion and perceptions can sway policy, which has created challenges and consequences for women and their health.

Community Health Assessment Collaboration: Implementing A Joint Assessment Between A Healthcare System And A Local Health Department, Briar L. Deen

Dissertations: Doctor of Public Health

Non-profit hospitals and local health departments (LHDs) often complete community health assessments (CHAs) to help understand the needs of their community and develop implementation strategies to address the community needs. Hospitals and LHDs in the same community often develop separate CHAs with similar results leading to overlap in work and funds. This project aimed to address this issue in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex by convening one local health department, Denton County Public Health, and one non-profit healthcare system, Texas Health Resources, to leverage resources from each other to build a joint CHA. The Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Undergraduate College Students, Rebecca C. Madson

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic created significant disruption across the world. These two studies provide a mixed methods approach to understanding how undergraduate college students at one university were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The first, a quantitative study, examines changes in mean, median, and standard deviation of GPAs in the semesters leading up to and during the pandemic (Fall 2018 - Spring 2022). The second, a qualitative study, involves interviewing students (n = 13) who began their undergraduate college career in Fall 2019, prior to the pandemic, and graduated in Spring 2023. Findings from these studies suggest that undergraduate students performed …

Reproducibility Of Maine Ongoing Outreach Simulation Education (Moose) Program In Level I Rural Delivery Hospitals, Allison Zanno, Jeffrey Holmes, Micheline Chipman, Anya K. Cutler, Leah M. Seften, Mary Ottolini, Alexa Craig, Leah Mallory, Misty Melendi

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2024

Introduction

• Simulation provides an opportunity to practice neonatal resuscitation program (NRP®) guidelines with high acuity, low occurrence events

• Rural hospitals with low birth volumes have infrequent opportunities to maintain skills needed to adequately perform neonatal resuscitation

• With limited clinical opportunities, it is essential to provide ongoing training and education that allow teams to practice these skills

• Training environment includes a facilitated debrief allowing for feedback on performance and areas of improvement

Effect Of Telemedicine Consults On Time To Initiation Of Therapeutic Hypothermia In A Rural State, Alexa Craig, Leah M. Seften, Anya K. Cutler

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2024

Background

• To receive therapeutic hypothermia (TH), neonates must be transferred within the first 6 hours of life to a center that offers TH treatment

• In rural states, timely identification of neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is challenging due to the large geographic distances

Long Term Effects On Health: Analyzing The Lasting Effects Of Covid-19 On The Human Body, Kaylie Stachelski

University Honors College

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns regarding the long-term effects it can leave on an individual’s health. This abstract provides an overview of the emerging evidence of the long-term effects of COVID-19. Research indicates that COVID-19 can lead to acute or chronic health effects, affecting multiple systems in the body. The symptoms that have been known to effect quality of life in patients that have been suffering from long-haul COVID. While the full spectrum and mechanisms of long-term effects are still under investigation, understanding and addressing the long-term health consequences of COVID-19 remain critical for patient care and public …

Pcos: Comparing Inositol Supplementation To Metformin Treatment, Caitlin Liechti-Hawkins

University Honors College

The purpose of this literature review is to compare the viability of inositol versus metformin for the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The research outlines the criteria for diagnosis and the many symptoms associated with the condition. The aim is to discover if inositol should be recommended for PCOS symptoms as a replacement for metformin. It was found that safety and popularity of the two options were important factors for physicians and patients to consider before choosing a treatment. Within these scopes, adverse effects, costs, regulation, and belief of treatment were compared. Findings indicated that inositol supplementation may possibly …

Uncovering The Dark Side Of Technology: Exploring The Connection Of Conflict Minerals, Child Labor, And The Global Supply Chain In The Electronics Industry, Dylan Maupin

University Honors College

A topic that has recently come to light over the past few years is the conflicts with the electronics supply chain. With the increasing amount of technology, people are wanting more and more electronic devices that satisfy all their needs and make their lives easier. With this increase in demand for these devices, minerals such as tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold are being sourced at a rapid rate. This leads to conflicts within the supply chain as the minerals are being sourced from countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo where minerals are being mined by children and women …

A Systematic Review Of Mental Health Of Women In Fragile And Humanitarian Settings Of The Eastern Mediterranean Region, Fauziah Rabbani, Aysha Zahidie, Amna Siddiqui, Sanam Shah, Zul Merali, Khalid Saeed, Mohamed Afifi

Brain and Mind Institute

Background: The increasing emergencies and humanitarian challenges have worsened the mental health condition of women in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Aim: To assess the prevalence, determinants and interventions to address mental health among women in fragile and humanitarian settings in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Methods: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis guidelines, we reviewed 59 peer-reviewed published studies (PubMed, IMEMR) and grey literature (WHO/IRIS) from January 2001 to February 2023, focusing on women's mental health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. We then conducted a descriptive analysis of the sociodemographic characteristics.

Results: Among …

Perceptions Of Metabolic Syndrome Management Utilization In Relation With Patient Characteristics And Health-Related Quality Of Life, Olajide Adekunle

Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) Dissertations

Challenges in managing MetS include untreated risk factors and ineffective management, resulting in poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A significant factor contributing to these challenges is the underutilization of management services, possibly due to patients' perceptions of disease management resource utilization (PMU). Therefore, understanding patients' PMU is crucial for improving health outcomes. The study investigated PMU, explored PMU predictors, and investigated the impact of PMU and patients’ demographics on HRQoL. Using a cross-sectional design, data on perceptions of healthcare, medication, and pharmacy service utilization, prior experience with pharmacy services, demographics, and HRQoL were collected from adult individuals with obesity …

The Consequences Of Homophobia: Analysis Of Discriminatory Medical And Legislative Policies And Their Influence On Health Disparities, Kaiden J. Fandel

Honors Thesis

Are there specific roots that influence the introduction and incorporation of discriminatory medical policies? What are the sources of such stigma, discrimination, and prejudice, in what forms does such discrimination take place, and what negative impacts does such hatred have on health outcomes, quality of care, and health disparities? Through a review of existing literature on this topic, intertwining the examination of the evolution of discriminatory policies and other explanatory literature in the United States, this thesis aims to answer the questions above, and explain the roots of such homophobic discrimination and its prevalence in the United States. Through the …

Cost Saving And Resource Limited Public Health Interventions In Southeast Asia, Amanda Blackwelder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Public health interventions are any activity with the objective of improving human health such as preventing or curing disease, reducing the severity or duration of a disease, or assisting in regaining function after a disease or injury. These interventions are known to be impactful; however, those living with the highest burden of disease such as individuals in low- and middle-income countries have limited money and resources to successfully implement these interventions. Southeast Asian countries are among some of the middle-income countries effected by the lack of affordable interventions. The aims of this study were to assess cost saving and …

Vol 4 May '24 Cover, Publishing And Table Of Contents, Donna L. Williams

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Adolescent Development Unconsidered - Facts Related To Youth In The Adult Criminl Legal System, Stephen Phillippi

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

After three administrations, including republican and democrat leadership, and over two-decades of bi-partisan justice reform, Louisiana has elected to likely return to a time when we were known as the incarceration capital of the world. There were numerous reasons for the reforms that happened, including federal lawsuits, supreme court rulings, new evidence of what works in juvenile justice, and a renewed focus on community programs to support youth and families (both victims and delinquent youth). These reforms focused on increasing public safety, improving outcomes, being more developmentally responsive, and responsibly lowering reliance on incarceration. The commentary that follows is solely …

Vol 4 May '24 Full Issue, Donna L. Williams

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.