Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Role Of Social Determinants Of Health And The Renin- Angiotensin Aldosterone System In Risk For Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy And Related Adverse Outcomes., Esther Letushila Ndashaala

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) represent a significant public health issue, contributing to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds or marginalized racial and ethnic groups face higher risks of HDP, which have been incompletely described. In addition, risk for HDP may be linked to a reduction in the normal activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). This study investigates the role of socioeconomic factors and RAAS components in the risk for HDP and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of data from 180 pregnant individuals from a high-risk maternal-fetal …

Addressing Healthcare Disparities Faced By Aging Down Syndrome Populations, Rhea Mistry

Pitzer Senior Theses

Down syndrome (DS) is a chromosomal genetic condition that impacts the development of the body and brain. The life expectancy of individuals with DS has drastically improved over the decades, increasing from 9 years in 1929 to 25 years in 1983 and further reaching 60 years by 2002. Individuals with DS face a variety of prominent co-occurring health conditions that are subject to change over time, including cognitive, visual, and hearing impairments, sleep apnea, cardiovascular defects, Down syndrome regression disorder, and dementia. Despite this increase in life span, DS is still most familiar to pediatric care providers, resulting in healthcare …

Voting Restrictions And Increased Odds Of Adverse Birth Outcomes In The Us, Sze Yan Liu, Erin Grinshteyn, Daniel Cook, Roman Pabayo

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: Disparities persist in adverse birth outcomes — preterm birth and small-for-gestational age (SGA) among racialized populations. Previous studies have indicated that voting restrictions are associated with health outcomes, such as access to health insurance and teenage birth rates. This paper examines whether the association between voting restrictions and adverse birth outcomes varies according to birthing individuals’ race/ethnicity. Methods: These analyses merged individual-level 2019–2020 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS, 8th edition) data with state-level exposure information. The exposure, the Cost of Voting Index (COVI), is a 2020 state-level measure of voting restrictions, and the outcomes were preterm birth and …

Assessment Of Interest In A Virtual Avatar-Based Nutrition Education Program Among Youth-Serving Community Partners, Basheerah Enahora, Gina L. Tripicchio, Regis Kopper, Omari L. Dyson, Jeffrey Labban, Lenka H. Shriver, Lauren A. Haldeman, Christopher K. Rhea, Jared T. Mcguirt

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Objective

Examine the appeal of a virtual avatar-led nutrition education program among youth-serving community partners in North Carolina.

Methods

We surveyed community partners using the Diffusion of Innovation Theory constructs of relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity. Logistic regression evaluated the appeal and likelihood of the program's future use.

Results

Community partners (n = 100) agreed that the program was an innovative (87%) and convenient (85%) way for youth and parents to learn about nutrition. Partners who perceived the program as a relative advantage to current programs had significantly higher odds of future use intention (P = 0.005). Those who found …

Evaluating A High School Mrsa Prevention Program: A Case Study, Jamie Henning

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

MRSA poses a significant health risk to athletes nationwide. This case study examines the application of an online training module to address knowledge gaps regarding Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among key decision-makers for high school athletes. It reviews the development and initial evaluation of a web-based training program designed to empower decision-makers with the knowledge to prevent MRSA infection and respond to suspected cases. Program evaluation recommended expanding the training module to wrestling staff with improved evaluation methods while continuing implementation and effectiveness assessment for the football staff. Despite initial data quality limitations, the online training module evaluation offered valuable …

A Case Study In Program Evaluation, Sydney Wilcoxson

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

Evaluation is a critical component of a successful evidence-based health promotion program or intervention. In public health, evaluations ensure that interventions are achieving their intended objectives, provide feedback on program strengths and weaknesses, and serve as a mechanism of accountability and transparency to stakeholders so that they know their invested resources are being utilized in the most efficient manner. Without evaluation, it would be much more difficult to understand how well the intervention is working, and communication between stakeholders would be significantly affected.

A recently confirmed Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreak on a Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) high school …

The Relationship Between Self-Reported Depressive Symptoms At 3 Timepoints And Infant Sleep Practices At 6-Month Follow-Up In A Population Of Mothers In Santo Domingo, Ecuador, Kassidy Lane

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

Abstract

Background

Previous studies have linked maternal depression with poor infant sleep (e.g., waking up at night and infants having trouble settling to sleep). This study examined the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms at three time points and safe infant sleep at 6-month follow-up.

Methods

Data was collected from a randomized clinical trial including 100 women recruited from a health center in Santo Domingo, Ecuador during their third trimester of pregnancy. Log-binomial regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of safe infant sleeping at 6 months among mothers who reported depressive symptoms at 3 …

Assessing The Value And Knowledge Gains From An Online Tick Identification And Tick-Borne Disease Management Course For The Southeastern United States, Catherine A. Lippi, Holly D. Gaff, Alexis L. White, Sadie J. Ryan

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Tick-borne diseases are a growing public health threat in the United States. Despite the prevalence and rising burden of tick-borne diseases, there are major gaps in baseline knowledge and surveillance efforts for tick vectors, even among vector control districts and public health agencies. To address this issue, an online tick training course (OTTC) was developed through the Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (SECOEVBD) to provide a comprehensive knowledge base on ticks, tick-borne diseases, and their management.

Methods

The OTTC consisted of training modules covering topics including tick biology, tick identification, tick-borne diseases, and public health, personal tick …

Early Onset Colorectal Cancer: Research, Trends & Challenges, Sarah E. Smith

Capstone Showcase

Early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) incidence and mortality are rising in a global trend, contrasting with improvements seen in late-onset colorectal cancer (LOCRC). EOCRC appears to differ in presentation, histology, and pathology from LOCRC painting concerns of a more aggressive tumor profile. With incidence steadily climbing, there is still lacking awareness and guidance on screening for EOCRC. This article aims to provide background on EOCRC including epidemiology, risk factors, and traits, as well as to explore methods for adjusting provider screening criteria to combat this concerning trend.

Modifying A Health Education Program By Utilizing Methods From Community-Based Participatory Research Framework, Tashara Grandys

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: This study determined the use of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and guided the modification of the Whole Body Approach (WBA) health education program. The modified program was pilot tested and implemented among neighbors at Northern Illinois Food Bank. The impact of the modification was assessed via pre and post surveys. Background and significance: WBA is a 10-week program developed by faculty at Northern Illinois University and has been taught by graduate students in collaboration with the Northern Illinois Food Bank since 2016. The program is based on the Satter Eating Competence Model and Health at Every Size and …

Student Attitudes Towards Their Program Area Of Study In A College Of Health And Human Services, Melanie Regan

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Poor retention rates can be an indicator of systematic problems within a university’s culture of academic affairs and administration. Improving student retention rates requires an understanding of why students are not returning to campus. This research aimed to develop and implement a survey analyzing students' sensory comfort, relevance, reaction to their area of study, sense of belonging, and self-efficacy within a College of Health and Human Sciences. A descriptive research design was utilized for this study to obtain information on the study population to survey participants' overall attitudes towards their experience in a program of study in a college of …

Exploring Usability In Exercise Interventions: From Conceptualization To Measurement And Application, Anne Inger Mørtvedt

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Exercise interventions hold promise for preventing and treating numerous conditions, diseases, and injuries. However, these interventions will only be effective if they are being used. Unfortunately, uptake and adherence to prescribed exercise and physical activity guidelines are insufficient. Some reasons for this include lack of knowledge, resources, flexibility, and enjoyment. Exercise program developers need to not only consider the effectiveness of the program during the development phase, but also involve end-users and receive feedback on program usability to determine likelihood of uptake and adoption. Usability testing can be used to detect barriers to use and implementation likelihood but has not …

Fertility Preservation: A Critical Review Of Information Available To Testicular Cancer Patients, Markram Groenewald

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Fertility preservation remains a crucial component of Testicular Cancer patients’ health-related quality of life. Significant inconsistency is present in the availability and accessibility of information related to fertility preservation for patients with Testicular Cancer. The purpose of this critical review was to determine the quantity and quality of fertility preservation provided through the websites of top cancer care centers. A total of 15 centers were chosen based on the top cancer centers from US News and World Report and expanded upon using Definitive Healthcare’s top 10 centers treating Testicular Cancer by volume. Webpages were collected and graded for accessibility of …

Healthcare Disparities Among Hypermobile Spectrum Disorder And Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Patients, Brooke A. Martinez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) is the most common subtype of rare connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Hypermobile Spectrum Disorder (HSD) is a connective tissue disorder that presents itself similarly to hEDS. Both disorders primarily affect individuals assigned to females at birth (AFAB), and symptoms range from joint instability, musculoskeletal pain, dizziness, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Due to many factors like lack of education or attitudes among medical professionals (MPs), receiving a diagnosis of either of these conditions can be a challenging and grueling journey for patients. An online survey was conducted and distributed over social media platforms to …

Understanding Guardian Perceptions Of Whole-Foods Plant-Based Diets As Interventions In Pediatric Medicine, Vijay R. Luthra

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The obesity epidemic is widespread in American society, often affecting children who bear its consequences innocently. Due to a lack of nutrition knowledge, children rely on caregivers to meet their nutritional needs and instill healthy habits. This study examines parents' attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors, as well as perceived barriers to adopting a whole-foods plant-based diet (WFPD) for their children. Using a modified survey instrument by Morton et al., this study focused on parents and children regarding dietary choices. Participants were recruited from the waiting area of a pediatric clinic at the Medical College of Georgia between April and May 2023. …

Assessing The Prevalence Of Behavioral Work-Related Exposures Among Nail Technicians, Kayla R. Mecoli

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Nail technicians can be exposed to more chemicals and allergens than the general population due to the unique exposures they experience in their day-to-day operations. This study focused on behaviors nail technicians participated in that may have increased their risk of infection, pain, allergy, or ailment. A cross-sectional study was organized, assessing the prevalence of behavioral exposures among nail technicians and their correlation with other factors like prior education, workplace type, and symptoms experienced. The goal was to create a better understanding of how the modern-day nail technician is protecting themselves while working, by identifying gaps to facilitate the creation …

Grading Of Malnutrition Among Under 5 Children Residing In Urban Slum In Mysuru Using Who Classification And Indian Academy Of Pediatrics (Iap) Classification: A Comparative Study, Ravali Annaram Dr, Amogha Shree Dr, Saurish Hegde Dr, Krishnaveni Y S Dr

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background

Malnutrition in Indian children under five is widespread, driven by insufficient food intake and diseases like diarrhoea and respiratory infections. Factors such as food security, maternal literacy, and healthcare access influence malnutrition rates. Growth monitoring utilizes WHO standards globally and IAP guidelines in India. Implementing these charts improves early identification and management of malnutrition, crucial for addressing childhood health challenges in India. This study compare the prevalence of malnutrition in WHO classification with Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) classification among under 5 children residing in urban slum.

Methodology

A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 6 …

Steps Towards Operationalizing One Health Approaches, Kim M. Pepin, Keith M. Carlisle, Dean Anderson, Michael G. Baker, Richard B. Chipman, Jackie Benschop, Nigel P. French, Suzie Greenhalgh, Scott Mcdougall, Petra Muellner, Emil Murphy, Dion R. J. Neale, Michael J. Plank, David T. S. Hayman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

One Health recognizes the health of humans, agriculture, wildlife, and the environment are interrelated. The concept has been embraced by international health and environmental authorities such as WHO, WOAH, FAO, and UNEP, but One Health approaches have been more practiced by researchers than national or international authorities. To identify priorities for operationalizing One Health beyond research contexts, we conducted 41 semi-structured interviews with professionals across One Health sectors (public health, environment, agriculture, wildlife) and institutional contexts, who focus on national-scale and international applications. We identify important challenges, solutions, and priorities for delivering the One Health agenda through government action. Participants …

Evaluation Of The Navy Shipshape Program At A Large Navy Military Treatment Facility: A Comprehensive Swot Analysis Approach, Nia Nur Maye

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The increasing problem of obesity among Navy service members (SMs) is a public health concern that impacts operational readiness and health risks. To combat obesity, the Navy has an official weight management initiative called ShipShape. This project aimed to conduct a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis of ShipShape at a large Military Treatment Facility (MTF) in Portsmouth, Virginia. This program evaluation aimed to identify the internal and external factors that influenced the program's effectiveness to propose suggestions for improvement. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, the evaluation focused on conducting a paired t-test to analyze changes in Body Mass …

Racial Disparities In Hpv Vaccine Uptake Among Adult Black And White Latinx Cisgender Men In The United States: Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System 2014-2022, Nixon R. Arauz, M.A., Dina T. Garcia, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Ed.

Graduate Research Posters

Background: Latinx men are more likely to get human papillomavirus (HPV) and cancers caused by HPV compared non-Latinx whites. Despite a national vaccination rate of 59%, only 25% of adult Latinx men are vaccinated. Notably, Latinx individuals can belong to any race. Existing research often overlooks nuances like experiences with structural racism in healthcare settings when examining HPV vaccine uptake among Latinx individuals. This study addresses this gap by investigating HPV vaccination factors among Latinx adults, with a focus on racial disparities.

Methods: Using data from the 2014-2022 Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System, this study examined HPV vaccine uptake among …

Students Engaging In Public Health Research: An Opportunity To Enhance Education, M. Courtney Hughes, Sadia Afrin

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

Society is on the heels of one of the largest public health crisis the world has experienced in over a century, the COVID-19 pandemic. Developing the next generation of adept public health researchers is paramount to protecting the world against future health threats and addressing legacy public health challenges. This article explores the transformative influence of research experience on education, presenting three major points: (1) students engaging in public health research is timely, (2) students can develop a variety of critical thinking skills and data-driven decision-making capabilities that prepare them for future careers, and (3) faculty and universities benefit from …

Randomized Pilot Study Examining An Online Diet Intervention To Increase Intake Of Fruits And Vegetables Among Healthy Adults, Diana E Kolb, Sarah E Deemer, Evaclaire Synkowski, Stephanie L Silveira

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Intake of fruits and vegetables (F&V) is related to health outcomes. The purpose of the study was to test an online diet program promoting F&V intake among healthy adults. Twenty-three participants were randomly assigned to complete an 8-week intervention condition (#800gChallenge®) or wait-list control condition. In weeks 1-4, intervention participants were asked to interact with an application reporting (a) whether they met their daily 800g F&V goal, (b) if their 800g of F&V was from a variety of sources, and (c) reading of daily educational material. Weeks 1-4 included weekly Zoom check-in meetings. Weeks 5-8 were autonomous, wherein participants reported …

Comparing The Use And Effectiveness Of In-Person And Remote Physical Education Delivery During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kempson Onadeko, Timothy J Walker, Derek W Craig, Jacob Szeszulski, Andjelka Pavlovic, Laura F Defina, Harold W Kohl

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Physical Education is a key component to improve youth health, but there is limited information on Physical Education delivery in different formats.

PURPOSE: We compared PE formats (in-person versus remote) across evaluation aspects: weekly minutes; perceived effectiveness; and student-to-teacher ratio.

METHODS: We distributed questionnaires (2020-2021 school year) to school contacts who represented NFL Play 60 FitnessGram

RESULTS: Among 165 schools, 10% (n=17) offered in-person instruction, 31% (n=51) offered remote instruction, and 59% offered both (n=97). Results revealed higher in-person PE minutes (77.2±7.3) compared to remote minutes (67.1±14.6), but results were not significantly different (p=0.19). School contacts reported significantly more …

The Impact Of Body Mass Index And Physical Disability On Home-Based Anal Self-Sampling, Jenna Nitkowski, Maria E Fernandez, Tim Ridolfi, Elizabeth Chiao, Anna R Giuliano, Vanessa Schick, Michael D Swartz, Jennifer S Smith, Alan G Nyitray

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: Self-sampling is increasingly being used in screening programs, yet no studies to date have examined the impact of bodily characteristics on self-sampling experiences. Our objective was to assess whether body mass index (BMI) and physical disability were associated with anal self-sampling difficulty.

METHODS: We recruited sexual minority men (SMM) and trans persons in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to participate in an anal cancer screening study. Between January 2020 and August 2022, 240 participants were randomized to a home (n = 120) or clinic (n = 120) screening arm. Home participants received a mailed at-home anal self-sampling kit and were asked to …

Alopecia As An Early Clinical Marker For Azathioprine Induced Myelosuppression: A Case Report, Nilanjana Dutta , Final Year Mbbs, Dr. M Suresh Babu , Professor, Dr. Subramanian Ramaswamy , Professor, Dr. Mahabaleshwar Mamadapur , Assistant Professor

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Azathioprine is a pro-drug and is metabolized by the TPMT enzyme in the body. In South Asians, Azathioprine is known to cause alopecia and bone marrow suppression in patients with TPMT enzyme deficiency. In India, the prevalence of TPMT mutation varies from 1.2- 10%. A new mutation was detected in 2014, NUDT15 whose incidence varies from 8.5-16%. Patients with mutation in both TPMT and NUDT15 develop myelosuppression faster. In our case, alopecia manifested as the first clinical feature of Azathioprine myelosuppression. Physicians need to recognize early clinical clues (alopecia) to avoid the impending development of myelosuppression and to look for …

Scope And Limitations Of Chatgpt In Research And Academic Writing, Shyam Pyare Singh, Imran Ahmed Khan, Shaila Kumari Mitra

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: ChatGPT has proven to be an invaluable tool, enabling human-like interactions, and facilitating knowledge exchange. It possesses the ability to generate coherent and contextually relevant responses based on the input it receives. In essence, ChatGPT responds to anything in a conversational manner and provides an output that looks like human writing. However, with the rapid advancement of medical research, there is an increasing concern that ChatGPT may be abused to create articles devoid of clinical reasoning and critical thinking.

METHODS: A through literature search was conducted on PubMed and Google scholar to find relevant article according to objective.

RESULTS: …

A Real World Study Of Adherence To Insulin In Diabetic Humans-Stadium Study, Dipsanker Chatterjee, Subham Das

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background:

With an ever-increasing prevalence of diabetes, lack of adherence to insulin treatment in even a small percentage of patients is a major issue and can lead to significant burden on the healthcare system. This survey analysis seeks to investigate the insulin adherence patterns to identify the factors associated with medication adherence.

Methodology:

The current cross-sectional survey was conducted among diabetes patients on insulin treatment. A list of questions about insulin adherence was provided to the participants in the study and the responses were recorded. The data was analysed using Graph Pad Prism.

Results:

Around 23.2 and 18.6 % of …

Internet Addiction: A Growing Threat: A Cross-Sectional Among The Undergraduate Medical Students Of Tertiary Care Hospital, Mysuru, Rakesh M, Diksha Goswami, Sunil Kumar D, Shwethashree M

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: The internet has quickly become a part of our lives, impacting every part of our existence. Its use has expanded beyond simply being a communication tool and a source of information. The objective of the study is to assess the prevalence of Internet addiction among the Undergraduate medical students of Mysuru.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 255 medical students of a Tertiary care Hospital, Mysuru for three months from September 1^st to November 30^th,2023. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The semi-structured questionnaire covered details of demographic data and twenty questions of the …

Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorder As First Trimester Pregnancy Termination Complication; Case Series, Sindhu Kumari, Poornima M

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) disorder is rare (2% according to ACOG) condition of pregnancy when the placenta grows deeply into myometrium. This leads to failure of placenta to separate normally from myometrium after delivery and leads to massive hemorrhage. The PAS is classified as PA (Placenta Accreta), PI (Placenta Increta) and PP ( Placenta Percreta), on basis of depth of trophoblastic invasion. Increase in no. of cesarean sections, increasing the incidence of PAS. Cesarean scar on uterus promotes placental tissue to invade deeply in subsequent pregnancy. Antenatal scanning and color imaging can detect PAS, at a very early stage. Here …

Gender Equality– A Sustainable Development Goal In Progress At A Medical College And Hospital In South India, Mr. Manoj S M, Kusuma Kasapura Shivashankar, Suma M. Natraj, Praveen Kulkarni

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: Gender Equality is one of the most important SDG and attaining it will ensure a peaceful, prosperous and a balanced world with equal opportunities for both women and men. The Indian scenario in the field of women education has changed with mindset of most parents undergoing a paradigm shift and many girls are encouraged to attend schools, colleges and women are allowed to work. Considering the above shift, our study intended to find out if the same was true and SDG-5, Gender Equality was attained or in progress at our medical college and hospital and hence the study.

Methods: …