Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Identifying And Predicting Intention To Quit Using Juul Among Emerging Adults, Jakob W. Hester

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Objectives: (1) Describe intention to quit, (2) identify relationships between sociodemographic factors or social influences and intention to quit, (3) explore if Theory of Planned Behavior-informed constructs can predict intention to quit as well as identify which construct best predicts, and (4) discover if descriptive norms strengthen a predictive model of intention to quit among emerging adults currently using Juul. Participants: Full-time, first-year students currently using Juul, an e-cigarette product, at a large university in the southeastern United States (N = 182). Methods: A November 2018 online survey assessed sociodemographic characteristics, social influences, patterns of use, quit intention, and attitudes, …

Health Priorities, Current Lifestyle Behaviors, And Barriers To A Healthy Lifestyle Among Emergency Department Nurses, Shannon C. White

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Background: Emergency nurses are tasked with managing the hectic, unpredictable, and constantly changing environment of an ED. In addition, emergency nurses have been shown to have high levels of stress, irregular meal schedules, rotating shift work, long hours, and a lack of physical activity. Furthermore, research has suggested that nurses are at an increased risk for non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease (Phiri, et al., 2014), in addition to a high prevalence of obesity (Kyle, et al., 2016).

Methodology: In this study, 23 emergency nurses completed a 43-item survey regarding current behaviors and constructs of …

Creating A Community-Based Protocol To Prevent Unintended Pregnancy In Homeless Women In Monongalia County, West Virginia, Jessica Eva Wukasch

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Background: At any given time, 10% of homeless women are pregnant, about twice the rate of all U.S. women of reproductive age (5%) (Healthcare for the Homeless, 2001). According to Healthcare for the Homeless Council ([HHC], 2012), approximately “73% of pregnancies among homeless women were unintended at the time of conception.” In addition, “about 12% of homeless children are placed in foster care compared to 1% of other children” (HHC, 2012). There is an evident need to address unintended pregnancy among homeless women.

Objective: The overall objective was to create an accessible and useful community-based protocol to reduce the rate …

Perceptions, Attitudes, Self-Efficacy, And Behaviors Of Mouthguard Use Among Collegiate Athletes, Heather Prosser

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

With the high risk of dental trauma in contact sports, it is important that all athletes have a strong foundation of how to prevent such injuries. Properly fitted mouthguards are the best available protective equipment to prevent orofacial trauma; however, previous research has found them underutilized, with the need for evidence-based interventions to promote mouthguard use among athletes. This study used a descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational research design, focusing on studying collegiate athletes at one large, Midwestern university, to determine their current attitudes, perceptions, self-efficacy, and behaviors of mouthguard use during participation in a contact sport. A convenience sampling technique was …

Human Papillomavirus (Hpv) Infection And Vaccine Knowledge And Attitudes Among University Students, Mckenzie Schmitz

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

HPV is the “most common sexually transmitted infection,” with approximately four out of five sexually active individuals getting infected at some point in their lives (Planned Parenthood, n.d.b, para.1). Cancers of the throat, mouth, cervix, anus, penis, and vagina have all been linked to HPV infections. In addition to being tested for HPV, the utilization of barrier methods and reduction of risky sexual risk behaviors, are the best ways to prevent and treat sexually transmitted infections. This study contributes to existing literature on university students’ knowledge and attitudes about HPV infections and the vaccination. This study was conducted using descriptive, …

The Difference In Barriers To Colorectal Cancer Screening Between Men And Women In The 45-55-Year Age Group, Maren Christina Davis

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Statement of the Problem: Adults, 50 years or older, should have a screening colonoscopy every ten years and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year. However, close to 22 million adults between the ages of 50-75 in the U.S. have never been screened for colorectal cancer, which delays treatment and can be fatal if the cancer is not found in time.

Procedure: This study used a descriptive, cross-sectional, survey-based design and a convenience sample of men and women between 45 and 55 years old to assess colorectal screening practices, barriers to screening, and knowledge levels about colorectal cancer screening.

Findings: A …

Access To Healthcare For American Indians Residing In The Northeast United States, Kristine D. Thomas-Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Urban American Indians/Alaskan Natives (AIs/ANs) have limited access to health care in comparison to non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), which furthers health disparities for indigenous communities. The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental study, which was guided by the socioecological model, was to examine the relationship between access to health care and healthcare utilization among urban AIs/ANs and urban NHWs in the Northeast United States. The research questions addressed the difference in access to healthcare based on health insurance, difference in healthcare utilization, and whether there is an association between health care access and health care utilization for AIs in the Northeast United …

Swipe Right For Condoms And Testing: Differences In High-Risk Sexual Behavior And Sexual Health Beliefs Among Dating App Users Compared To Non-App Users, Shelby A. Smout

Theses and Dissertations

Millions of Americans are currently using smartphone dating applications (apps) to socialize and meet with others. In some cases, app-based conversations lead to sexual interactions. Previous research examining the relationship between the use of dating apps and sexual behaviors has found that individuals who use dating apps and meet with partners from the app are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors such as having multiple partners and inconsistent condom use. Individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 are the group most likely to be using dating apps compared to other age groups and are a high-risk group …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Worksite Wellness Programs, Marilyn S. Campbell

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Introduction: Worksite wellness programs are popular employer offerings as of the last few decades. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major shifts in behavior since these programs have been implemented. The purpose of this study was to see how the pandemic has affected various offerings within a university worksite wellness program.

Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of a university worksite wellness program, and it compares participation in the various offerings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by evaluating 2019 participation (pre-pandemic) to 2020 participation (including onset of the pandemic and after). This worksite wellness program, which is available to …

Understanding The Occupational Therapy Perspective Of Working With The Homeless Population: Self-Care Interventions, Marisa Leigh Sparbanie

Online Theses and Dissertations

Successful interventions, focused on self-care, have been implemented by occupational therapists in homeless populations. Yet, no study has attempted to explore experiences of occupational therapists implementing self-care interventions. This qualitative, descriptive study sought to understand the experience of occupational therapy practitioners implementing self-care interventions for individuals experiencing homelessness. The interventions took place in various healthcare practice settings. Four participants, recruited through purposive sampling, engaged in semi-structured interviews pertaining to their experiences. The interviews were transcribed and coded using an emergent approach. Three major themes emerged from the data, including experiences in different settings, client-centered care, and institutional barriers and supports.

Doctor-Patient Communication: The Experiences Of Black Caribbean Women Patients With Diabetes, Rosanne Paul-Bruno

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to examine the verbal and non-verbal communication experiences of Black Caribbean diabetic women patients with their doctors, in order to provide a better understanding of the essential aspects of doctor- patient communication and their experiences as they managed their condition. Black Caribbean women have been disproportionately impacted by medical conditions such as diabetes. It has been a documented fact that minorities experience disparities in the health care system at different levels and doctor-patient communication is no exception. Poor doctor-patient communication has been known to hinder patients’ health outcomes, and therefore warrants such studies to increase …

Assessing Public Health Workforce Informatics Competencies: A Study Of Three Health Departments In Metro Atlanta, Olatanwa Adewale

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: There is a need for the public health workforce to be current and versatile in technology usage. Public health leveraging technology usage in service delivery has the potential to improve efficiency and bring it to the forefront in the provision of healthcare services. The purpose of this study was to assess public health workforce informatics competencies in select Atlanta health districts and determine the correlates of public health informatics proficiency.

Methods: A 10-item instrument adapted from the recommendations of a Working Group document by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the 2015 Informatics Capacity and …

The Relationship Between Intensity Of Fitness Tracker Usage And Motivation, Rachel Cannata, Abigail C. Daugherty, Madison O. Dirocco, Julianne Green, Pial Dasgupta

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Many college students engage in unhealthy behaviors which may contribute to diseases. Additionally, some students may lack motivation to rectify these behaviors to improve their long-term health. This study assessed the relationship between intensity of fitness tracker usage and motivation among health professions students at a large, public Midwestern university. This non-experimental, correlational study used convenience sampling and a theoretical framework based on Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory. Online recruitment announcements were emailed and included links to the consent form and survey. Motivation was measured with Deci and Ryan’s modified self-determination tool. Intensity of tracker usage was measured using a scale …

The Relationship Between Social Media Engagement And Psychological Well-Being In College Students At The University Of New Hampshire, Emily G. D'Antonio

Honors Theses and Capstones

Social media use has increased substantially in recent years, and for the college-aged population, social media is often the leading method of communication. Research indicates this reliance on digital connection could have a negative impact on the health of young adults (Bagroy et al., 2017). The college years are a time of personal growth and defining actions, yet can also be burdened by mental health issues related to stress, anxiety, and depression (Hunt & Eisenberg, 2010). Acknowledging these trends, the current study explores how college students’ specific frequency and intentionality while interacting on social media relates to their psychological well-being. …