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Medical Marijuana In Mississippi: A Journalistic View Of Physician Opinions And Patient Education, Michael Pitts May 2023

Medical Marijuana In Mississippi: A Journalistic View Of Physician Opinions And Patient Education, Michael Pitts

Honors Theses

Medical Marijuana in Mississippi: A Journalistic View of Physician Opinions and Patient Education is an in-depth investigative journalism project examining aspects of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program. Specific areas of interest were Mississippi physician opinions on the use medical marijuana and their views on the application of the state’s program as well as an examination into how patients are receiving education on medical marijuana. This project involved interviews of healthcare providers, dispensary staff, and patients, in addition to background research that was used to formulate interview questions, determine areas of interest and add necessary context. This project occurred during the …


Implications Of Covid-19 Mitigation Policies On Recreational Trail Users: Exploring Antecedents To Physical Distancing On Trails Across The Rural-Urban Continuum, Christopher J. Wynveen, Ingrid Schneider, Deonne Vanderwoude, Taylor Stein, Heather Gibson, Kim Shinew, William Hendricks, Megha Budruk Jun 2022

Implications Of Covid-19 Mitigation Policies On Recreational Trail Users: Exploring Antecedents To Physical Distancing On Trails Across The Rural-Urban Continuum, Christopher J. Wynveen, Ingrid Schneider, Deonne Vanderwoude, Taylor Stein, Heather Gibson, Kim Shinew, William Hendricks, Megha Budruk

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions led to a worldwide increase in greenspace use. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encouraged policies including physical distancing and COVID-related signage. However, the extent to which these policies influenced behavior is unknown. To fill this gap, we report on a 2020 observational study at 14 trails across six U.S. states framed within a social-ecological model. Behavioral observations of 8,093 groups assessed compliance rates with infection-mitigation behaviors. Additionally, we noted the presence of COVID-related signs, the days between the observation and stay-at-home order start date, the setting (i.e., urban, suburban, and …


Rates And Perceptions Of Covid-19 Vaccination From University Of Mississippi Students, Josie Parham May 2022

Rates And Perceptions Of Covid-19 Vaccination From University Of Mississippi Students, Josie Parham

Honors Theses

The trials, tribulations and triumphs of the global COVID-19 pandemic are impacted by and are a product of behaviors that occur at the level of nations, states, cities and, ultimately, communities. In the wake of the development of safe and effective vaccines against SARS-CoV2, the virus responsible for the pandemic, the significance of the vaccine is closely linked to the number of individuals that receive the vaccine. To date, surveys have measured sizable variations in vaccination rates between nations, states, cities, and communities. Focusing on events that have transpired in one such local community, the present study (i) measured the …


Trends In Prenatal Care Accessibility In Rural Mississippi And How These Trends Affect Unfavorable Birth Outcomes, Maura Isabella Webb May 2022

Trends In Prenatal Care Accessibility In Rural Mississippi And How These Trends Affect Unfavorable Birth Outcomes, Maura Isabella Webb

Honors Theses

This thesis investigated the level of accessibility to prenatal care in rural Mississippi areas and how this affects or has affected Mississippi’s high rates of unfavorable birth outcomes. The research questions included specifically looked at how lack of prenatal care in rural areas of Mississippi plays a role, if any, in extremely high rates of unfavorable birth outcomes as well as what policy can be implemented to expand education regarding unfavorable birth outcomes. To understand the effects of accessibility and eligibility of rural women’s health care, seven women were interviewed. Interviews were conducted with these women who met the criteria …


The Effects Of Short-Term Indoor And Personal Exposure To Fine Particulate Matter (Pm2.5) On Cardiovascular Health: A Review, Whitley Cagle May 2022

The Effects Of Short-Term Indoor And Personal Exposure To Fine Particulate Matter (Pm2.5) On Cardiovascular Health: A Review, Whitley Cagle

Honors Theses

Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5), a component of air pollution, has known effects on human health. However, there is limited research surrounding the specific cardiovascular impacts associated with these small particles entering into the bloodstream. This literature review aims to make associations between indoor and personal exposures to PM2.5 and cardiovascular health. An online search was conducted to obtain scholarly articles using various key terms, and the articles were filtered through based on specific selection criteria. In the final review, we focused on 37 research articles which discussed PM2.5 and its effects on the human cardiovascular system. Positive associations between PM2.5 …


Ageism, Eldercare, And Healthcare: An Examination Of Growing Old In Costa Rica, Akshaya Vijayasankar May 2022

Ageism, Eldercare, And Healthcare: An Examination Of Growing Old In Costa Rica, Akshaya Vijayasankar

Honors Theses

The world’s aging population and the Covid-19 pandemic have revealed the high level of ageism against older adults around the globe, which has resulted in an overall decreased quality of life for elders. Societies are now faced with the challenge of creating a suitable and equitable model of care to support their aging population. Despite the recent publication of the World Health Organization's Global Report on Ageism, there is still a large gap in the literature regarding ageism. This paper addresses the issues of institutional ageism in the eldercare and healthcare sector. I argue that Costa Rica serves as a …


Sources Of Patient Information For Type 2 Diabetes Self-Care In Northern Mississippi, Minh-Sang La May 2022

Sources Of Patient Information For Type 2 Diabetes Self-Care In Northern Mississippi, Minh-Sang La

Honors Theses

Given the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the United States and the continuous rise of cases, especially within Mississippi, there is an increasing need to identify if, and how, patients with Type 2 Diabetes receive information about self-care. While there is data available on the topic of where patients receive their information and the influence it has on their health in other countries of the world, the research on the source of Type 2 Diabetes education in the United States is scarce. Therefore, this study aims to bridge the gap of understanding where patients with Type 2 Diabetes …


The Long-Term Health And Developmental Impacts Of Children Born At Low Birth Weight, Kathryn Grace Kelly May 2022

The Long-Term Health And Developmental Impacts Of Children Born At Low Birth Weight, Kathryn Grace Kelly

Honors Theses

The state of Mississippi currently has the highest incidence of low birth weight (LBW) births in the United States. LBW is a negative birth outcome which can lead to suboptimal pediatric health and development. The primary goals of this thesis are to identify the long-term outcomes associated with LBW and to present potential interventions to address LBW. A combination of literature review and quantitative data analysis were used to inform the objective of this thesis. A variety of physical health, behavioral health, and other long-term issues were found associated with LBW. The consequences of LBW place LBW children at a …


Evaluating The Impact Of Governmental Partners On School Nutrition And Physical Activity Policies: A Survey Of Florida School Principals, Michael J. Swain, Glenn D. Israel Mar 2021

Evaluating The Impact Of Governmental Partners On School Nutrition And Physical Activity Policies: A Survey Of Florida School Principals, Michael J. Swain, Glenn D. Israel

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

For decades, U.S. schools have implemented policies aimed at improving student nutrition and physical activity. Governmental agencies have led these efforts with funding and regulation, and implementation supported by health and agriculture agencies and university extension services at state and local levels. To understand the roles of these agencies in school health, and other factors leading to the implementation of school health policies, we surveyed school principals in Florida in 2018 on topics related to school nutrition and physical activity policies. Depending on the wellness policy, prevalence varied from 6 percent (Safe Routes to School) to 66 percent (wellness coordinator). …


Examining The Institution Of Public Health: The Case Of The James C. Kennedy Wellness Center, Hannah Hoang May 2020

Examining The Institution Of Public Health: The Case Of The James C. Kennedy Wellness Center, Hannah Hoang

Honors Theses

This thesis aims to function as an analysis of the James C. Kennedy Center and the impact capacity the Center has on community health and wellness in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. Poor health is a global problem that is especially prominent in Tallahatchie County which ranked 81st out of 82 Mississippi counties in 2012. This thesis used institutional theory to explain the relationship between the Center and public health. Through interviews and data analysis, a broad evaluation was performed on the Center’s programs and community impact. Results showed that the Kennedy Center has made a large impact in improving the health …


Baseline Health Assessment Of A Rural Delta Community, Sydney Mitchell May 2020

Baseline Health Assessment Of A Rural Delta Community, Sydney Mitchell

Honors Theses

The Lower Mississippi Delta is characterized by poverty, chronic health issues, health disparities, and food insecurity. The rural Delta communities are primarily African American, experiencing disproportionately higher rates of poverty, job loss, and chronic health problems. Historically, chronic health issues have persisted in these areas over time, including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, which have only seemed to increase in this region. The food environment in this rural region tends to assist in the creation of the largely obesogenic population which, in turn, contributes to the increased prevalence of diabetes and hypertension and a lower quality of life. Many residents in …


An Evaluation Of Community Based Food Intervention: Cooking Matters In Charleston, Ms, Lindsay Fournier May 2020

An Evaluation Of Community Based Food Intervention: Cooking Matters In Charleston, Ms, Lindsay Fournier

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Cooking Matters classes in producing improvement in individuals’ cooking skills and confidence, as well as their eating behaviors, shopping skills, and perceptions of cooking in rural Charleston, MS. These classes have reported great success in more urban areas such as Atlanta, GA; Philadelphia, PA; and Washington, DC; however, different challenges may be faced in rural Mississippi. To study the effectiveness of the interventions in a new context, pre- and post-intervention self-report surveys were performed and evaluated using Wilcoxon statistical analysis as well as paired sample t tests, and bootstrap …


How Misinformation And Mistrust Compound The Threat Of Epidemics, William Boyd May 2020

How Misinformation And Mistrust Compound The Threat Of Epidemics, William Boyd

Honors Theses

This thesis was conducted to study the effects of misinformation and medical mistrust on the public health field. I use the events of the Chapare Virus outbreak in Bolivia in the summer of 2019 and the public dialogue during that time period to discuss these themes. I used data from market survey's in La Paz, newspaper articles from Página Siete, and Tweets from the time period of the outbreak. My findings suggest that misinformation and medical mistrust affected public health measures, which has major implications for the way the public health field should address future public health events.


Experimentally Investigating The Joint Effects Of Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior On Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Jeremiah Blough Jan 2018

Experimentally Investigating The Joint Effects Of Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior On Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Jeremiah Blough

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To experimentally examine whether increasing sedentary behavior, among a young adult active population, for one week is still associated with increased depression symptomology even when allowing for a moderate engagement in physical activity (PA). Methods: Participants were confirmed as active via self-report and accelerometry during baseline and randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups. The Sedentary Intervention Group (n=19) reduced steps to less than 5000/day and were not alloto exercise for one-week; the Reduced MVPA (moderate-to-vigorous PA) Group (n=18) reduced steps to less than 5000/day but exercised for 50% of their previously reported vigorous PA for one-week; and …


The Relationship Between Caring For Individuals Diagnosed With Prader-Willi Syndrome And Caregiver Stress, Michael Andrew Vice Jan 2017

The Relationship Between Caring For Individuals Diagnosed With Prader-Willi Syndrome And Caregiver Stress, Michael Andrew Vice

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background/Purpose: Chronic stress is related to numerous health risks such as causing an individual to age more rapidly than an individual with less stress (Oliveira, et al., 2010; Bauer, 2009; McEwen, 2002). Other aging problems related to chronic stress are Alzheimer’s disease (Peterson et al., 2007) and premature death (Canizzo et al., 2011). Stress can lead to mental health issues such as depression (Wiegner, 2015; Hammen, 2005) and anxiety (Wiegner et al., 2015). Stress has also been linked to cardiovascular disease (Seldenrijk, 2015), asthma (Rod et al., 2012; Chen & Miller, 2007), obesity (McInnis et al., 2014), diabetes (Salpea, 2010), …


Promoting Access To Condoms For Youth In Mississippi Through Community Interventions, Harvard Law School Mississippi Delta Project Apr 2016

Promoting Access To Condoms For Youth In Mississippi Through Community Interventions, Harvard Law School Mississippi Delta Project

Delta Directions: Publications

This report is written in collaboration with Mississippi First to assist them in their efforts to increase access to condoms for adolescents and young adults in Mississippi, with a particular focus on the Delta Region. Spurred by high rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections in the state, Mississippi First has long been working to empower Mississippi youth by giving them the knowledge and means to make informed decisions. In 2014, Mississippi First created the Mississippi Youth Council (“MYCouncil”) to “ensure that young people in Mississippi have a voice in the debate around their sexual and reproductive health, education, …


Bone Mineral Density, Preventative Behaviors And Risk Factors In African American And Caucasian Mother-Daughter Pairs, Mary Haskins Haskins Jan 2016

Bone Mineral Density, Preventative Behaviors And Risk Factors In African American And Caucasian Mother-Daughter Pairs, Mary Haskins Haskins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

It is expected that by 2030, elderly minorities will comprise 20.2 million of the total 72.8 million population of Americans over 65 years (pollard, 2013). For African American women over the age of 50, 5% have osteoporosis and an estimated 35% have low bone mass (nof, n.d.). It is estimated that while over 40% of African American women over 80 years meet criteria for treatment, yet less than 12% are actually treated (Cauley, 2011). Striking disparities exist between African American and Caucasian women's likelihood for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (dxa) referral, the measurement tool that is used to diagnosis osteoporosis. (Hamrick, …


The Role Of Self-Regulation, Self-Efficacy, And Outcome Expectancy Value On Physical Activity Of Former Division I Student Athletes, Takilya T. Davis Jan 2015

The Role Of Self-Regulation, Self-Efficacy, And Outcome Expectancy Value On Physical Activity Of Former Division I Student Athletes, Takilya T. Davis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In an effort to acknowledge the needs of student athletes after college, the NCAA designed the Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success (CHAMPS) Life Skills program to assist student athletes with this transition. In this program personal development outside of occupational skills is often ignored. Though physical activity appears to be of little focus of the CHAMPS Life Skill program, recent research revealed that student athletes' physical activity patterns surpass those of their peers while in college but this difference is not maintained among alumni student athletes and their peers (Sorenson, 2012). Self-regulation interventions have successfully mediated and predicted physical …


Cardiovascular Disease Knowledge, Awareness, Perceived Risk, And Hormonal Contraceptive Use Among Female College Students, Amanda Kathryn Hutcheson Jan 2014

Cardiovascular Disease Knowledge, Awareness, Perceived Risk, And Hormonal Contraceptive Use Among Female College Students, Amanda Kathryn Hutcheson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for men and women of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). Over the past 20 years, women have experienced greater levels of CVD mortality compared to men, and specific risk factors for CVD have been identified that are unique to women, including the use of hormonal contraceptives (Corrao et al., 1990; roger et al., 2011). However, previous research has not addressed knowledge of CVD among college-aged hormonal contraceptive users. Therefore, this cross-sectional study assessed knowledge, awareness, and perceived risk of CVD …


Pilot Study Of Safe Sisters: A Sexual Assault Prevention Program For Sorority Women, Alicia Pugh Cambron Jan 2014

Pilot Study Of Safe Sisters: A Sexual Assault Prevention Program For Sorority Women, Alicia Pugh Cambron

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sexual violence is a serious problem that can have lasting, harmful effects on victims and their family, friends, and communities (CDC, 2014). Approximately one in five women will become a victim of sexual violence at some point in their lifetime (RAINN, 2009). College women are at a greater risk for rape and other forms of sexual assault than women in the general population (Fisher, Cullen & Turner, 2000). During an academic school year, approximately three percent of college women became a victim of sexual violence (Tijaden & Thoennes, 1998). Sorority women are four times more likely to experience sexual violence …


The Effects Of Carbonated Soft Drinks On Bone Mineral Density In College Age Women, Tina Irene Bankston Jan 2014

The Effects Of Carbonated Soft Drinks On Bone Mineral Density In College Age Women, Tina Irene Bankston

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Osteoporosis is a fast growing, worldwide public health problem. Also called, 'the silent disease' or 'fragile bone disease', osteoporosis results from low bone mass (Gammage & Klentrou, 2011; NOF, 2013; Swann, 2012). Currently, 44 million Americans have osteoporosis; 80% of which are women (NOF, 2011). Few studies, most implemented in other countries, have been conducted examining the consumption of carbonated soft drinks (CSD) as a risk factor for low bone mineral density (BMD) (Ogur et al., 2007; Hostmark et al., 2011; McGartland et al., 2003). The global consumption of CSDs increased by four percent during 2009 to 2010. Within the …


Actual And Perceived Sexual Behaviors In College Students, Tabitha Denise Flowers Jan 2013

Actual And Perceived Sexual Behaviors In College Students, Tabitha Denise Flowers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare college students' actual sexual behaviors and their perceptions of sexual behaviors among their peers. The analyses consisted of 65,036 participant's ages 18 to 24, with a mean age of 20.20 years (sdâ±1.55) who completed the American college health association's national college health assessment in 2008. The dependent variables were the normative gap of: number of partners, sexual activity, and condom usage. Three one-way anovas with bonferroni post hoc analyses were used to determine differences between the dependent variables and the following independent variables: age, sexual orientation, and living arrangement. Anovas were used …


Using A Community-Based Participatory Research Approach To Address Individual And Community Health In Charleston, Ms. The Initial Step: A Formative Needs Assessment, Catherine Dane Woodyard Jan 2013

Using A Community-Based Participatory Research Approach To Address Individual And Community Health In Charleston, Ms. The Initial Step: A Formative Needs Assessment, Catherine Dane Woodyard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this formative study was to use a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach to conduct a comprehensive health needs assessment (CHNA) in Charleston, Mississippi (MS) to determine perceived needs of the community and identify priority health issues. A second purpose was to provide methodological and scholarly contributions to the existing literature regarding CBPR and CHNAs. The target population was residents living in Charleston, MS (N=2,193). Eighty-five residents participated in the study. This was a five-part study including: (1) Key informant interviews (n=11), (2) Focus groups (n=8), (3) Assessment of the built environment, (4) Assessment of the nutrition environment, …


A Process Evaluation Of The Brief Alcohol Screening Intervention For College Students Program At The University Of Mississippi, Tiffany Bouldin Lawson Jan 2013

A Process Evaluation Of The Brief Alcohol Screening Intervention For College Students Program At The University Of Mississippi, Tiffany Bouldin Lawson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alcohol misuse by students is a prevalent public health problem on college campuses across the nation. Underage drinking and binge drinking are two distinct forms of alcohol misuse that are comamong college students and often result in negative consequences for the students, the universities, and the surrounding communities. As a result, there is an increasing need for universities to provide targeted intervention programs for students who misuse alcohol. Furthermore, it is important that the selected interventions are capable of successful implementation on campus. The University of Mississippi currently utilizes the brief alcohol screening intervention for college students (basics) program for …


Professional Preparation Of Secondary Health Education Teachers In Mississippi, Ensley Howell Jan 2011

Professional Preparation Of Secondary Health Education Teachers In Mississippi, Ensley Howell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the professional preparation of secondary health education teachers in Mississippi. All four-year institutions of higher learning were contacted to determine the requirements for an approved program in order to obtain a supplemental endorsement in health, to compare the similarities and differences, and to determine the extent to which the approved programs reflect the ten content areas of the Mississippi Comprehensive Health Framework. This study also examined the status of secondary school health education programs in Mississippi by utilizing selected data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease …


A Single Case Study Of A Three Year Coordinated School Health Program At A Rural North Mississippi Elementary School, Sandra Lena Howell Jan 2010

A Single Case Study Of A Three Year Coordinated School Health Program At A Rural North Mississippi Elementary School, Sandra Lena Howell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The single case study presents the story of the implementation of a three year Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) at a rural North Mississippi school. The school was recognized by the Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Healthy Schools, as one of ten selected model Mississippi healthy schools. An awarded grant of one hundred thousand dollars funded the implementation of the CSHP over a three year period. The study examined the impact of the CSHP on the students, staff, and personnel. Two types of data were collected and analyzed including archived documents and interviews conducted with five members of the …