Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Analysis Of Major Issues For Culturally-Minded Professionals In Women's Health Care, Victoria Clark

Victoria Clark

Influence Of Sense Of Coherence, Spirituality, Social Support And Health Perception On Breast Cancer Screening Motivation And Behaviors In African American Women, Regina Conway-Phillips, Linda W. Janusek

Regina Conway-Phillips

Despite formidable barriers, some African American women (AAW) engage in breast cancer screening (BCS) behaviors. Understanding individual characteristics that allow AAW to overcome barriers to BCS is critical to reduce breast cancer mortality among AAW. A salutogenic model of health was used to evaluate the influence of sense of coherence, social support, spirituality and health perception on BCS motivation and behaviors in AAW, and to determine differences in these factors in AAW who participate in free BCS programs compared to AAW who do not. Findings revealed that greater levels of spirituality were significantly associated with greater motivation to practice BCS. …

Relationship Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids On C-Reactive Protein And Homocysteine In Haitian And African Americans With And Without Type 2 Diabetes, Fatma G. Huffman, Joan A. Vaccaro, Joel C. Exebio, Sahar Ajabshir, Gustavo G. Zarini, Lemia H. Shaban

Joan A. Vaccaro

Background: Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3) may be protective of cardiovascular risk factors for vulnerable populations. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between n-3 with, C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (HCY) in Black minorities with and without type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 406 participants: Haitian Americans (HA): n=238. African Americans (AA): n=172. Participants were recruited from a randomly generated mailing lists, local diabetes educators, community health practitioners and advertisements from 2008-2010. Sociodemographics and anthropometrics were collected and used to adjust analyses. All dietary variables were collected using the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire …

The Association Of Depression And Perceived Stress With Beta Cell Function Between African And Haitian Americans With And Without Type 2 Diabetes, Fatma G. Huffman, Maria Vallasciani, Joan Vaccaro, Joel C. Exebio, Gustavo G. Zarini, Ali Nayer, Sahar Ajabshir

Joan A. Vaccaro

Background: Diabetes and diabetes-related complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Depressive symptoms and perceived stress have been identified as possible risk factors for beta cell dysfunction and diabetes. The purpose of this study was to assess associations between depression symptoms and perceived stress with beta cell function between African and Haitian Americans with and without type 2 diabetes. Participants and Methods: Informed consent and data were available for 462 participants (231 African Americans and 231 Haitian Americans) for this cross-sectional study. A demographic questionnaire developed by the Primary Investigator was used to collect information …

Perceptions Of Healthcare, Health Status, And Discrimination Among African-American Veterans, Nathaniel M. Rickles, Silvia Domínguez (1961-), Hortensia Amaro (1950-)

Silvia Domínguez

The Institute of Medicine identified access to healthcare and race-based discrimination as important barriers to quality healthcare that contributes to health disparities. This study (1) describes African-American veterans' perceptions of healthcare services and perceived discrimination in healthcare and (2) investigates the relationship between perceived discrimination and patient perceptions of care, satisfaction with healthcare, and health status. A convenience sample of 141 African-American veterans in Boston completed surveys from May to June 2006. Respondents reported an average of 16 lifetime experiences of discrimination and over half recalled a situation when they experienced discrimination in healthcare. Modest ratings of perceived quality of …

Perceptions Of Healthcare, Health Status, And Discrimination Among African-American Veterans, Nathaniel M. Rickles, Silvia Domínguez (1961-), Hortensia Amaro (1950-)

Nathaniel Rickles

The Institute of Medicine identified access to healthcare and race-based discrimination as important barriers to quality healthcare that contributes to health disparities. This study (1) describes African-American veterans' perceptions of healthcare services and perceived discrimination in healthcare and (2) investigates the relationship between perceived discrimination and patient perceptions of care, satisfaction with healthcare, and health status. A convenience sample of 141 African-American veterans in Boston completed surveys from May to June 2006. Respondents reported an average of 16 lifetime experiences of discrimination and over half recalled a situation when they experienced discrimination in healthcare. Modest ratings of perceived quality of …

Perceptions Of Healthcare, Health Status, And Discrimination Among African-American Veterans, Nathaniel M. Rickles, Silvia Domínguez (1961-), Hortensia Amaro (1950-)

Hortensia Amaro

The Institute of Medicine identified access to healthcare and race-based discrimination as important barriers to quality healthcare that contributes to health disparities. This study (1) describes African-American veterans' perceptions of healthcare services and perceived discrimination in healthcare and (2) investigates the relationship between perceived discrimination and patient perceptions of care, satisfaction with healthcare, and health status. A convenience sample of 141 African-American veterans in Boston completed surveys from May to June 2006. Respondents reported an average of 16 lifetime experiences of discrimination and over half recalled a situation when they experienced discrimination in healthcare. Modest ratings of perceived quality of …