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Medicine and Health Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Theses/Dissertations

2018

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) School of Nursing

Articles 1 - 9 of 9

Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

A Mixed Methods Study Evaluating A Pediatric To Adult Care Transition Program For Sickle Cell Disease, Ardie Vanessa Pack-Mabien Jan 2018

A Mixed Methods Study Evaluating A Pediatric To Adult Care Transition Program For Sickle Cell Disease, Ardie Vanessa Pack-Mabien

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A MIXED METHODS STUDY EVALUATING A PEDIATRIC TO ADULT CARE TRANSITION PROGRAM FOR SICKLE CELL DISEASE ARDIE VANESSA PACK-MABIEN SCHOOL OF NURSING ABSTRACT Sickle cell disease is a potentially life-threatening hereditary hematological disorder. Transition from pediatric to adult care is a challenging process for many adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease. These challenges involve the adolescent, young adult, family caregiver, health care provider, and health care system. To address the challenges, a limited number of sickle cell centers have developed transition programs to facilitate the transition process. However, research on transition programs is sparse. To address this gap, …


The Influence Of Perceived Stress And Sleep Disturbance On Fatigue And Blood Pressure As Mediated By Cortisol In Children With Sickle Cell Disease, Heather Carol Soistmann Jan 2018

The Influence Of Perceived Stress And Sleep Disturbance On Fatigue And Blood Pressure As Mediated By Cortisol In Children With Sickle Cell Disease, Heather Carol Soistmann

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ABSTRACT Introduction: Life expectancy is improving for those with sickle cell disease (SCD); however, with this improvement come increasing risks for long-term health complications. Early identification of health concerns could lead to improved long-term health outcomes. Two health concerns in school-age children with SCD are fatigue and blood pressure (BP). Previous research with other populations indicates perceived stress and sleep disturbance may influence outcomes of fatigue and BP. Further, cortisol, a stress hormone, may mediate the proposed relationships. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to determine effect sizes of relationships between fatigue, BP, perceived stress, and sleep disturbance in …


African American Caregivers’ Decision To Use Hospice Services For A Loved One: A Grounded Theory Study, Paula M. Gordon Jan 2018

African American Caregivers’ Decision To Use Hospice Services For A Loved One: A Grounded Theory Study, Paula M. Gordon

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This qualitative grounded theory study explored the process of decision making for African American family caregivers in the southeastern United States, as they make hospice decisions for their loved ones, Although hospice use in the United States has grown over the last decade, a disparity continues to exist between African American and Caucasian populations. African Americans represent a small percentage of hospice users in the United States, despite research that has found that patients who use hospice experience improved symptom control, fewer unmet needs, and better end of life care. Research has identified many reasons for this disparity; however, little …


Gender-Specific Facilitators And Barriers To Health-Related Quality Of Life In Adults With Cystic Fibrosis: A Mixed Methods Study, Leigh Ann Bray Jan 2018

Gender-Specific Facilitators And Barriers To Health-Related Quality Of Life In Adults With Cystic Fibrosis: A Mixed Methods Study, Leigh Ann Bray

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BACKGROUND: With the life expectancy of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) doubling over the last two decades, it is critical that healthcare providers address both quantity and quality of life. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) encompasses physical, social, psychological, and functional aspects of daily living and how CF impacts each one. Women with CF consistently report having an overall poorer quality of life across international studies, but the cause of the gender difference is unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore gender differences in HRQoL and then build upon those results to better understand gender-specific facilitators and barriers …


A Qualitative Descriptive Study Exploring The Adaptation Of Families Of Children With Multiple Sclerosis From The Perspective Of Family Caregivers, Yolanda Carol Harris Jan 2018

A Qualitative Descriptive Study Exploring The Adaptation Of Families Of Children With Multiple Sclerosis From The Perspective Of Family Caregivers, Yolanda Carol Harris

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Two to 5% of the US population of individuals afflicted with multiple sclerosis (N = 400,000) are diagnosed prior to the age of 18 with pediatric onset multiple sclerosis (POMS). Most children and teens with POMS have a relapsing remitting course of the disease with unpredictable relapse onset causing cognitive and physical disability. This can result in school absences, hospital and outpatient visits, poor academic performance and interruption in normal social activities. In turn, these individuals may develop an inability to provide self-care, which could lead to poor quality of life. POMS can affect the individual diagnosed but may also …


Exploring Long-Haul Truck Drivers' Cpap Use When Working Over The Road, Kenya D. Kirkendoll Jan 2018

Exploring Long-Haul Truck Drivers' Cpap Use When Working Over The Road, Kenya D. Kirkendoll

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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic health condition affecting an estimated 13-26% of U.S. adults. The condition is characterized by partial or total airway collapse. It has been associated with increased cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus morbidity. Risk factors include middle-age, obesity, male gender, narrowed airway, and smoking. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the recommended treatment for OSA. Though it is an effective treatment modality, uptake and adherence to CPAP remains low. With concern for public safety, OSA has received a great amount of attention in the trucking industry. When working over the road, long-haul truck drivers …


Parental Self-Efficacy, Feeding Practices, And Weight Gain During Infancy: A Secondary Analysis, Jessica Bahorski Jan 2018

Parental Self-Efficacy, Feeding Practices, And Weight Gain During Infancy: A Secondary Analysis, Jessica Bahorski

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Mechanisms contributing to childhood obesity begin during early life, including infant feeding practices and an excessive rate of infant growth. Parental decisions regarding their infant contribute to these mechanisms. Parental self-efficacy (PSE) is the belief parents have in their ability to accomplish the tasks of parenting and is associated with infant outcomes. A high sense of PSE, breastfeeding self-efficacy, or self-efficacy for feeding has been found to be associated with healthy infant feeding practices. However, this research is limited in scope and has not been conducted in populations at greatest risk for childhood obesity such as low-income or African-American infants. …


Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among Breast Cancer Survivors, Jacqueline B. Vo Jan 2018

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among Breast Cancer Survivors, Jacqueline B. Vo

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Background: There are nearly 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., and approximately 10% are diagnosed prior to age 45 and considered “young.” The overall five-year survival rate for breast cancer survivors is approaching 90%. Living longer, many breast cancer survivors are at risk for developing cardiovascular disease due to cancer treatment, such as anthracyclines and/or trastuzumab. This study’s purpose was to examine cardiovascular disease risk, measured using excess heart age, among young breast cancer survivors. Methods: A retrospective, two-year longitudinal design was used to review electronic medical records of breast cancer survivors diagnosed between 30 and 44 years …


Reaching Consensus On Global Health Nursing Competencies For Baccalaureate Nursing Education In The United States: A Delphi Method Study, Herica Maria Torres-Alzate Jan 2018

Reaching Consensus On Global Health Nursing Competencies For Baccalaureate Nursing Education In The United States: A Delphi Method Study, Herica Maria Torres-Alzate

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The purpose of this study was to reach consensus among experts on global health competencies for baccalaureate nursing students in the United States. A Nursing Global Health Competencies Framework (NGHCF) was created to guide identification of the domains and competencies for BSN nursing education. A three-round modified Delphi study intersected with a mixed methods research approach to reach consensus from experts in global health on essential global health competencies in nursing. The first phase revised the original list of competencies based on: (a) qualitative responses to the surveys conducted by Wilson et al. (2012), Ventura et al. (2014), and Warren …