Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Garden-Based Nutrition Education May Lead To Increased Dietary Knowledge In Low Income Hispanic School Children, Larry Bui

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Childhood obesity is a pressing public health concern in the United States, with rates continuing to increase in recent years. This problem disproportionately affects Latino children as well as those from low socioeconomic status. It is well established that nutrition knowledge deficiencies and resulting poor dietary habits are some of the most common contributing factors to childhood obesity. Garden-based nutrition education programs have been introduced to remedy this knowledge deficit; however, a gap remains regarding whether this model can be viable for low-income, culturally diverse populations.
Aim: This literature review investigates the importance of diet in reducing childhood obesity …

Effects Of Menopause On Coronary Artery Disease, Angelica Gonzales

Nursing | Senior Theses

Menopausal women, 40 to 60 years old, have an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) when they experience hormonal changes. Which then can lead to unwanted cardiac events. Within the literature review of this paper, it was found that there are factors of menopause that may further increase the risk of coronary artery disease in menopausal women. Such factors include whether a woman underwent surgical or natural menopause and the timing when menopause began. Additionally, within the review, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was explored to determine whether the possible intervention can decrease the progression and risk of developing …

Cervical Cancer Education & Prevention For Women In The Philippines, Kate Isabel Juanillo

Nursing | Senior Theses

Although cervical cancer is preventable, it continues to pose a significant health concern in the Philippines as evidenced by high cervical cancer diagnosis rates. The purpose of this quantitative study is to investigate low cervical cancer screening rates and the effectiveness of educational interventions in increasing awareness and screening rates. A literature review will examine topics such as low cervical cancer screening rates, cervical cancer screening methods, and barriers. This research proposal involves a quasi-experimental study that investigates education as an intervention for increasing cervical cancer awareness and cervical cancer screening rates. Fifty Filipino women will be randomly assigned to …

The Education Prescription: Exploring The Potential Of Patient Education To Reduce Mental Health Issues In Hormonal Contraceptive Users, Maria Abraham

Nursing | Senior Theses

The many birth control options available impact a woman’s life, as hormonal contraceptives are commonly used but often misunderstood. These contraceptives, which contain progestin only, or estrogen and progestin combined, can come in various forms such as pills, implants, IUDs, injections, the vaginal ring, and skin patches. They offer benefits such as reduced menstrual cramps and ectopic pregnancy risk. However, they may lead to adverse side effects which can include increased blood pressure, nausea, headaches, breakthrough bleeding, and a higher risk of blood clots, with research indicating a potential link between oral contraceptive use and a decline in the user’s …

Empowering Low-Income Women With Breast Cancer: Promoting Acupuncture At Community Health Fairs, Katrina Ramos

Nursing | Senior Theses

While research has explored the positive effects of acupuncture on cancer and cancer treatment symptoms, a notable gap exists in understanding its impact on lower-income populations. These individuals encounter barriers to accessing acupuncture, such as limited availability, cost, and provider knowledge. This longitudinal study aims to assess the impact of community health fairs, featuring acupuncture information for breast cancer and chemotherapy-induced symptoms, on the acceptance and utilization rates of acupuncture among low-income women with breast cancer. Collaborating with the Women’s Cancer Resource Center and a local non-profit integrative cancer care clinic in Oakland, we will conduct a three-day health fair …

Medically Accurate Evidence-Based Sex Education And Abstinence-Only Sex Education: Impact On Teen Pregnancies In The United States, Nicole Chiu

Nursing | Senior Theses

The U.S. has funded abstinence-only programs to combat pregnancy rates for a long time. With numerous factors contributing to teen pregnancies, there have been a lot of ways that people have decided to try to decrease the number of teen pregnancies. For example, schools have either decided that they intend to fully educate their teenage students using medically accurate evidence-based sex education or come from a more conservative approach and give abstinence-only education. The objective of this investigation is to identify whether evidence-based sex education or abstinence-only sex education is more effective at combating teen pregnancy and abortion rates. This …

Does An Educational Intervention Program On Infection Precautions Decrease Absentee Rates In Schools?, Shelby Florann Keltner, Madelyn Salonga

Nursing | Senior Theses

During our community health clinical rotation in a public school, we observed abundant absences in the kindergarten class, which led us to inquire: What is the possible cause for the multiple absences? Further, we noticed that the students had a hand hygiene knowledge deficit. These observations led us to hypothesize that due to direct contact transmission many absences were related to infection-related illnesses, and without proper technique and understanding of hand washing, infectious diseases will continue to have a high probability of transmission in schools. The objective of our investigation is to identify the prevalence of this issue in communities …

Safe Practices For Preventing Covid-19 Among School-Aged Children, Meleena Reyelle Banda-Garcia

Nursing | Senior Theses

Communicable diseases and infections are common health problems among children. Among the most impactful communicable diseases present today is COVID-19, a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2, which has forced many school closures due to rapid transmission. Despite children not being the main driving factor of the spread of the disease, severe complications underlying COVID-19 incidence have resulted in increased hospitalization among school-age children.The initial global response to the spread of COVID-19 included the closure of school systems; however as the disease continues to be effectively managed, communities are starting to re-open schools partially or entirely nationwide. Although pharmaceutical …

Childhood And Adolescent Obesity: Related Comorbidities And Interventions, Jasmine Wong

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background

The prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity in the United States has steadily risen over the years and has become a public health concern. Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. Obese children and adolescents are at risk for poor health and poor quality of life. Furthermore, there are numerous comorbidities associated with childhood and adolescent obesity. While some of the associated diseases are acute, others can become chronic and result in lifelong conditions.

Objective

The purpose of the present thesis is to explore …

The Emerging Epidemic Of Type 2 Diabetes And Obesity Amongst Young Children, Juliana Morales

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background:

In the past years childhood obesity has increased tremendously and currently ⅓ of children in the United States are obese today. Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes are illnesses that can later on lead to more severe health complications when as a child enters adulthood. Children who are obese have a greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and currently more than 80% of children who already are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are obese. In school and often by health care providers we are told daily physical activity and healthy diet are the best ways to maintain optimal health, …

Rising Costs Of Insulin And Effects Of Self-Management In Type 1 Diabetes, Justine Yadao

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background

Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes is a chronic condition where the pancreas may not be able to produce little to no insulin. This type of diabetes can be attributed to some factors such as age, family history, environmental factors or types of viruses. It is seen more often in children or adolescence but can develop in adults, averaging approximately 5-10% of the population.

Insulin is a type of hormone produced in the pancreas naturally or can be manufactured in the laboratory. People with Type 1 Diabetes need insulin from an exogenous source to …

First Generation Filipino Children And The Risk Of Childhood Obesity: Influence Of Screen Time, Krystal Joy Joy Ragasa

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Obesity is an epidemic in the United States and among all Asian subgroups, Filipinos are particularly at a much higher risk. Obesity raises the risk of acquiring other health complications, especially for those who develop obesity at a younger age. Research has shown that children who engage in higher levels of screen time are more likely to become obese, resulting in screen time restrictions and recommendations. Additionally, rates of obesity are higher in immigrants. There is a gap in the explanation of screen time’s effect on childhood obesity for first generation Filipino children.

Aim: The purpose of the proposed …

Status Anxiety And Overall Life Satisfaction Of Young Adults In The Bay Area, Samuel Casco

Global Public Health | Senior Theses

The published literature suggests social comparisons have significant negative effects on an individual’s psychological well-being. However, there is little to no research to suggest that an individual’s attainment of societal success has a relationship with one’s perceived life satisfaction.

A mixed-methods study involved young adults ages 18-29 in the Bay Area and were selected via a student researcher in the Global Public Health department of Dominican University of California. 115 participants completed surveys regarding self-perceived life satisfaction and status anxiety through the Qualtrics Survey Collection Tool. A Pearson’s Chi-Squared Test was conducted to find an association between life satisfaction and …

Understanding Colorectal Cancer: Increasing Screening Rates Amongst Young- And Middle-Aged Adults By Enhancing Prevention Potential, Sarah Agudelo

Nursing | Senior Theses

As nurses, working towards the best health outcomes for our patients is critical to our care. A large aspect of this care includes being knowledgeable of risk factors and precautions to take to avoid conditions and illnesses. Colorectal cancer remains to be a highly preventable disease, yet it is one of the top five leading causes of cancer deaths in the nation. Preventing colorectal cancer requires the efficient use of screening and education, while also addressing barriers of inconvenience and affordability. This senior thesis delves deeper into colorectal cancer prevention by asking the research question: For young and middle-aged adults, …

The Physiological Benefits Of A Plant-Based Diet On Cardiovascular Health, Jenevieve Petray

Nursing | Senior Theses

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasingly more prevalent in today’s society and is attributed to an alarming percentage of American hospitalizations and deaths. Americans are unhealthier than ever before, and the main contributor is the Western diet. Diet is a double-edged sword that can offer benefits or detriments to one’s health. CVD encompasses numerous diagnoses originating from various underlying physiological alterations. These alterations are downstream effects of increased body weight and BMI, increased cholesterol levels, decreased insulin sensitivity and increased arterial plaque buildup. Research shows that a plant-based diet has the potential to manage and reverse all fundamental physiological alterations that …

Relationship Between Food Insecurities And Chronic Illnesses: How Low Socioeconomic Status Relates To Chronic Illnesses, Kylie Sakurai

Nursing | Senior Theses

In nursing, the job is to care for the patients and get them to be the healthiest version of themselves. This thesis will review articles related to the interrelationship of socioeconomic status, food insecurities and the effect on people’s health. Food insecure people have trouble obtaining food and their nutrition suffers because they do not have the resources or money to maintain a healthy diet. Socioeconomic status plays a big role in the availability and obtainability of the necessary nutrients a person needs. Because of this, chronic diseases can arise and cause further health problems for the patients. The studies …

Effects Of Shift Length On Nursing Staff’S Productivity, Safety, And Well-Being, Victoria Sivesind

Nursing | Senior Theses

In this thesis the relationship between normal shift length for nurses and fatigue, burnout, intention to leave job, and patient outcomes and satisfaction. A review of literature has been done and conclusions have been made about the previous research reviewed in the thesis. A proposal for further research has been included and details how the author plans to provide further clarification to the questions at hand in order to better clinical nursing practice for the future. The proposed study includes sending out a survey to members of the Sigma Theta Tau Honors Nursing Society. It will inquire about shift length, …

Fatal & Non-Fatal Opioid Overdoses In Marin County: Using Ems And County Data To Locate The Presence Of Fentanyl, Naloxone Distribution, Repeated Overdoses, And Demographics, Josette Rojo

Global Public Health | Senior Theses

Background. In recent years, the United States has been greatly affected by prescription drug overdose deaths, 68% of which are caused by opioids. Like many communities nationwide, Marin County in California is deeply affected by the opioid epidemic with accidental overdose being one of the leading causes of injury-related death. This study examines how fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses in Marin County are associated with factors such as suspected fentanyl involvement, naloxone administration (EMS), and repeat overdose events.

Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted by Marin County’s Health and Human Services using data collected from EMS dispatch calls and vital …

Flowers Or Flora?: Understanding The Effects Of Probiotics On Depression, Nicole Collopy

Senior Theses

The human gut is populated with hundreds of types of bacteria and fungi. In North America, both intestinal and mood disorders are prevalent, presenting health problems that challenge health care professionals and patients alike. A scholarly literature review was conducted to explore this important relationship.

The investigation of the literature revealed that there is an association between gut health disorders and mood disorders, mainly anxiety and depression. This is due to bi-directionality between the brain-gut pathways, meaning that gastrointestinal health may have an effect on mental health and vice versa.

This connection between gut and mood can have substantial implications …

Food Pantry Evaluation And Assessment At The Dominican University Of California, Damian Cortez

Senior Theses

Food security continues to be a relevant and prevalent problem in the US that affects millions of people per year (1). In 2016, 12.3% of American households were food insecure. Although the percentage of food insecure households is experiencing a downward trend since the great recession in 2007, the current percentage is still higher than the percent of food insecure households before the recession (1).

Research shows that food insecurity is an indicator for negative health, academic, and social outcomes among elementary children leading to poor mathematical and reading performance, weight gain, and poor social development (2). The negative health …

Safe Injection Facilities, Timothy Kwong

Honors Theses

According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “In 2016, a total of 63,632 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses; the age-adjusted rate was 19.8 deaths per 100,000 persons.” There have been countless programs with the sole purpose of reducing the amount of drug related deaths. Some with positive outcomes and others with negative outcomes. Since there is no feasible method of eradicating the problem as a whole, the next logical thing to do would to be creating effect prevention programs.

Safe Injection Facilities (SIFs) have been around for over three decades. They are widespread …

Fall Risk Reduction Using Lifestyle-Integrated Functional Exercise (Life), Kayla L. Comer, Tiffany Huang, Kelly Schmidt, Matthew W. Tong

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

As the population and longevity of older adults’ increases, the prevalence of falls is becoming an ever-growing issue. Falls in older adults may lead to sedentary behavior, decreased independence, and lower quality of life. Evidence has shown that traditional exercise programs emphasizing strength and balance can decrease the fall risk in older adults, but may be difficult to sustain over time. Emerging evidence suggests that exercises that are integrated into daily life, as seen in the Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) program, may have a more lasting effect in reducing fall risk in older adults. This study explored the effectiveness of …

Facilitating Effective Communication Between First Responders And Older Adults During Fall Incidents: An Educational Intervention, Krystin M. Beeman, Erica L. Berger, Isabel A. Cabezas, Nicole M. Mathews

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

PURPOSE. The purpose of this project was to provide first responders with communication strategies for older adults that may help when responding to fall- related calls. General information was also provided to First Responders on working with older adults with a focus on the aging process, fall risk factors, and communications strategies.

METHODS. A series of educational sessions to first responders at a local fire district were developed and presented by occupational therapy students. Materials were developed by presenters from evidence-based resources and tailored to the target population. Each presentation focused on statistics about older adults, the aging process, fall …