Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Systematic Review Of Smartphone Applications For Parent, Coach, And Referee Sideline Concussion Symptom Identification And Intervention In Youth Soccer, Patrick Hoffman

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

BACKGROUND: It is the collective responsibility of coaches, referees, and parents to identify the signs and symptoms of a concussion, assess a player’s acute medical condition, and report their observations. Increasing concussion awareness and empowerment of these entities is critical to ensure that concussions are properly managed, risk is reduced, and effects are mitigated.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review was to provide youth soccer organizations and relevant parties with the most relevant, factual evidence-based smartphone applications for recognizing the signs and symptoms of concussions in youth sports.

METHODS: An evidence-based standard for concussion symptoms and identification was identified from …

Descriptive Analysis Of U.S. Air Force Occupational Injuries And Illnesses, Kenneth Mackenthun

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Occupational health is a concern in the workplace environment. Cases of occupational illness or injury could lead to lost workdays, a lower quality of life, chronic pain, and sometimes death. Air Force personnel perform unique functions that could have negative effects on their health.

Purpose: Identify the most common occupational illnesses and injuries among active duty United States Air Force (U.S.A.F.) personnel, determine rates of occupational illnesses and injuries in the Air Force by rank, and compare rates across Major Commands (MAJCOMS). Methods: A literature review was conducted on select occupational illnesses and injuries. A descriptive data analysis was …

The Accuracy And Feasibility Of Production Records To Measure Food Selection In School Cafeterias, Erin R. Krafka, Ellen M. Claiborne

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: New meal pattern requirements have recently been introduced and emphasize the serving of vegetable subgroups. These regulations ensure students are offered certain food items, and the selection and consumption of these items are essential to track their progress and effectiveness. This study investigates whether production records are a feasible tool in tracking selection across time by comparing production records with direct observation of food selection in the lunchroom.

Methods: Food selection was measured through direct observation and production records for two consecutive weeks. The frequencies of daily items served were entered into Excel and each food item was coded …

Development Of Population Protective Procedures For A Radiological Event, Daniel A. Baker

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the execution of emergency preparedness procedures of the west central Ohio region during a radiological event. Preparedness plans were generated by the Dayton Metropolitan Medical Response System and Public Health – Dayton and Montgomery County, which would later be disseminated to eight counties in west central Ohio.

Methods: Two live scenarios, a region-wide functional exercise and a Medical Reserve Corps training exercise, were used to test different procedures and protocols for a radiological event relevant to various first response agencies (public health, law enforcement, emergency medical systems, hospitals, etc.). Exercise evaluation …

The Impact Of Emergency Department Based Influenza Vaccination, Paul T. Deflorio

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Objective: To quantify the proportion of the Wright-Patterson (WPAFB) Air Force Base Emergency Department (ED) patients presenting during a four month segment of the 2014-2015 influenza season who were eligible for influenza vaccination and model the impact of vaccinating them.

Methods: A random sample of 200 out of 5,624 ED patients who presented to the WPAFB ED between October 1st, 2014, and January 31st, 2015 was studied. Both ED charts and immunization records were reviewed to determine eligibility for influenza vaccine during the ED visit. Area under the curve (AUC) analysis was used to determine vaccine velocity (VV), which was …

Decompression Illness In United States Air Force: High Risk Occupations, Jaime Rojas

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Introduction: Although the physics of decompression sickness (DCS) is well understood, an individual’s unique response to the bubble formation places the United States Air Force’s (USAF) Airmen and missions at risk. We identified 123 decompression sickness diagnoses in the USAF between the years 2005-2010. From these cases we attempted to identify an association between the disease and the two occupations that are routinely performing high-altitude duties, the U2 pilot and the hypobaric chamber technician. Methods: A Chi-squared analysis was performed to identify if DCS was associated with the high-altitude occupations, tobacco, or alcohol. Results: There association between DCS and U2 …

Emergency Preparedness For A Radiological Disaster: Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant Release, Meghan A. Jackson

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Over the course of human history, man has tried to find an ultimate source of energy. Nuclear energy has been paramount to this sustainability. There have been over 420 nuclear related disasters since 1944 and preparedness has only marginally increased in response. This study examines the potential outfall of a major nuclear accident within the United States at the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant. Using data from the incident that occurred in Fukushima, Japan in 2011, radiation plumes were plotted using HotSpot software over northern Ohio to examine the dispersion and concentration of radioactive particles and their potential health effects on …

Body Composition Of Reserve Officers Training Corps (Rotc) Cadets: A Comparison Across Three Techniques Of Measurement, Namrata J. Dave

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Physical fitness is imperative for the Army Reserves Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets to be commissioned for active duty. This project compared the standard anthropometric assessment of ROTC cadets using tape measurement to body composition measurements using Air Displacement Plethysmography (ADP) from the Bod Pod and the seven- site Pollock Skin Fold Thickness (SFM) measurement. These results were compared to the norms established by the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), recommending to improve ROTC body measurement method.

Method: Thirteen ROTC cadets were recruited from Central State and Cedarville Universities. Cadets were measured using the ADP (BODPOD) and SFM method. …

Association Of Maternal Demographics With Breastfeeding Of Low Birth Weight Infants In Ohio In 2012, Raymond I. Okeke Jr.

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Breastfeeding (BF) is an important feeding practice for newborns, especially the low birth weight (LBW) infant population and during emergencies. Association of maternal demographics with BF in LBW infants in Ohio, especially during emergencies is not fully characterized. This study aims to fill that data gap.

Methods: The data for this study were the 2012 Ohio Vital Statistics Birth Data compiled by the Ohio Department of Health and obtained from Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County. It included all 11,805 LBW, 8.5% of the total births in Ohio in 2012. IBM SPSS version 22 was used for the …

Dietary Supplement Use Associated With Air Force Fitness And Deployment Health, Michael J. Bell

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Objective: This study characterizes supplement use among United States Air Force members as well as attempts to identify an association between supplement use and Air Force Physical Fitness Test (AFPFT) scores or self-reported deployment health.

Methods: The study population (n = 24,020) was comprised of Airmen who completed a Web Based Preventive Health Assessment (WebPHA), Post Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA) and completed an AFPFT within six months of their WebPHA. Binary logistic regression was performed to predict AFPFT scores and deployment health outcomes based on supplement usage. Chi-squared analysis was performed to determine if there is any significant association between …

Assessment Of Knowledge And Attitudes On Latent Tuberculosis Treatment Acceptance In A Southwest Ohio Public Health Clinic, Ann M. Biedenharn

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), like active tuberculosis (TB) disease, disproportionately affects foreign-born persons living in the United States. Without treatment, those diagnosed with LTBI risk going into active disease and potentially becoming infectious. Determining any knowledge, attitudes, or social characteristics associated with a person’s decision to initiate LTBI treatment is significant for TB control. A logic model based on the Theory of Reasoned Action functioned as a guide to understanding the antecedents related to LTBI treatment acceptance. Participants enrolled in the study at the time of LTBI treatment offer in a Southwest Ohio public health TB clinic. An examination of …

Accurate Parental Perception As A Milestone In Managing Childhood Obesity, Florence Walusimbi

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Objective: There were three objectives of this study: to determine the accuracy of parental perception of their child’s weight status; to compare parent and child perception of the child’s weight status; and, to ascertain if comments from the child’s health professional about the child’s weight status was related to the accuracy of the parent’s perception.

Methods: Using NHANES 2011-2012 data, chi square analysis (p

Results: Overall, 24.7% of parents and 29.6% of children underestimated the child’s weight status. For overweight/obese children, 60.1% of parents and 60.4% of children underestimated the child’s weight status. Almost 90% of parents did not recall …

Impact Of The Global Strategy For Infant And Young Child Feeding On Nutrition And Child Survival Indicators As Illustrated By The World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative Tool, Charles Ituka Mosimah

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Non-optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices are associated with malnutrition, infant mortality and under-five mortality, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the risk of under-five mortality is 15 times higher than developed countries.

Objective: To determine implementation effects of the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding before and after WBTi tool assessment using infant/child health data collected between 2000 and 2013 in Cameroon.

Methods: A descriptive analysis of Cameroon’s policies, programmes and practices was conducted using the WBTi tool. Child survival and nutrition indicators before (2003-2008) and after (2009-2013) WBTi assessment were analyzed using data from …

Could Motivational Interviewing Unlock The Potential Of Cellular Texting? An Evidence Review Of Text Messages Influencing Behavior Change, Tracy Bozung

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Cellular text messaging is an emerging technology that influences patients’ decisions on health behaviors. It offers a cost-effective method to reduce healthcare costs by improving management for diseases or conditions associated with high morbidity/mortality. The objectives for this review are: 1) review current evidence on using text messages to influence patients’ health behaviors; 2) evaluate which conditions or diseases are most influenced by text messaging; 3) determine if basing the text messaging in a theoretical framework improves outcomes. Common literature databases were searched for any published review articles since 2005 on this subject. Thirty-six reviews met inclusion criteria. Overall, there …

Relactation In Emergencies, Ashley N. Franz

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Disaster situations in the United States are unique entities that require solutions which are well thought out, appropriate for the population and planned well in advance. Infant and young child feeding in emergencies is no exception. While in peacetime infants may be safely nourished with both breastmilk and infant formula, disaster situations often add a level of complexity to feeding with infant formula, including lack of access to potable water and ability to effectively sterilize feeding items. Such complexities, along with the important and undeniable fact that breastmilk is the ideal form of food for all babies (and especially in …

Dominicanas Redefining Hiv In San Pedro De Macorís, Emily Frances Surico

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

This study explored the social support among women impacted by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) living in the Province of San Pedro de Macorís, República Dominicana. Social support is one way that social networks can influence health status. Social networks impact health behaviors and overall health outcomes which include infectious diseases, morbidity rates, and mortality rates. Social networks can promote health and minimize risky behavior: “cohesive, supportive networks may themselves blunt stressful experiences and enable people to resist risky behavior and maintain healthier choices” (Berkman, Kawachi, & Krishna, 2014, p. 248). Qualitative methods were used to explore how social support systems …

Immigrant Women: Risk And Protective Factors Associated With Depression And Anxiety Disorders, Fartun Yussuf

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to provide an international perspective on the effects of immigration on the mental health of women. Many of the current reviews focus on one ethnic group and the many factors influencing their mental health. This review examined many ethnic groups but attempted to focus on immigration-related factors that may act as risk or protective factors for depression and anxiety in first- and second-generation immigrant women.

Method: A search of electronic databases for peer-reviewed articles resulted in 30 studies, of which 19 were reviewed for this analysis. The search was limited to studies published …