Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Pharmacists’ Knowledge Of Social Determinants Of Health In Post-Graduate Pharmacy Residency Programs, Rachel N. Chandra

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Clinical pharmacists and their training programs can play a key role in helping to address social determinants of health (SDoH) by transforming healthcare beyond the traditional clinical approaches. Pharmacists’ knowledge of SDoH in post-graduate residency programs are key skills necessary for creating an impact in healthcare outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to assess U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) post-graduate residency program directors’ and residents’ knowledge about SDoH. Methods: An IRB exempt questionnaire was created via Survey Monkey (™) and administered to postgraduate pharmacy residents (N = 618) and residency program directors (RPDs) (N = 235) …

Wellbeing Begins With Employees: Exploring Associations Of Physical Health In A Head Start Organization, Kristin Snyder, Madelyn Hill

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

The purpose of this research was to describe self-reported physical health status, behaviors, and wellbeing interests of teachers and other staff within a Head Start agency. Information on overall health, behaviors, demographics, and interests in wellbeing programs was collected through a 58-item questionnaire (N = 312). A majority of participants were white (66.8%), female (93.7%), and half were teachers (49.4%). Bivariate analyses and an ordinal logistic regression were performed to test the association of physical health with independent variables, health behaviors, and demographics. Associations with “very good/excellent” physical health displayed by the regression model include mental health, chronic conditions, vegetable …

The Effect Of Social Vulnerability During The 2014 Ebola Outbreak In Monrovia, Liberia, Mussa Y. Zatreh

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a dangerous, often fatal disease that spreads through infected bodily fluids. In 2014, an Ebola outbreak swept through West Africa, including Liberia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how social vulnerability affected different aspects of life during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Monrovia, Liberia. The association between vulnerability and hardship that people experience during the outbreak was examined. This was measured by indicator variables for hardship such as availability of food, cash, or medical care. Vulnerability was also compared with EVD knowledge and vigilance.
Method: An additive index for social vulnerability …

Distribution And Community Reception Of Medication Disposal Pouches Compared With Distribution Of Unintentional Overdose-Related Deaths In Montgomery County, Ohio, Parvaneh K. Nouri

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Introduction: Substance misuse is a significant problem nationally, where Ohio ranks within the top five states contributing to this burden. Montgomery County experiences the most deaths in the state. While illicit fentanyl and analogs are increasingly responsible for overdose-related deaths, prescription misuse is a significant risk factor for progression to illicit substance use. Methods: Survey data from a pilot medication safety campaign utilizing medication disposal pouches were evaluated by descriptive analysis and qualitative analysis. Survey findings were compared to data of all unintentional overdose-related deaths in Montgomery County from January to October, 2017. Secondary analysis of death data was performed …

Demographic Trends In Prescription Pain Reliever Misuse And Treatment-Seeking For Addiction, Megan C. Smith

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Opioid addiction in the United Sates has reached epidemic proportions in recent years, demanding targeted efforts in both clinical medicine and public health. This analysis outlined a demographic profile of recent prescription pain reliever (PPR) misusers and compared those characteristics to the population of individuals currently enrolled in addiction treatment. To explain the difference in numbers between these two populations, reported reasons for non-treatment seeking are analyzed by demographic characteristic. This discussion reviews existing literature profiling PPR misusers and treatment-seekers, as well as research exploring barriers to addiction treatment. A secondary analysis was performed using data from the National Survey …

The Association Of Perfluoroalkyl Substances Exposure And Metabolic Syndrome In U.S. Adults, David B. Leary

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent synthetic compounds that have been environmental contaminants since the 1950s. Exposure in the general population can be through food and water ingestion, use of non-stick cookware, and dust from stain-resistant carpet. Studies have suggested PFASs act as endocrine disrupters and to affect liver and immune function, as well as cause increases in serum lipid levels.

Objective: To explore the association between six common detectable PFASs and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in United States (U.S.) adults. Methods: Data from 739 participants aged 20 years and older from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey …

Conduct Disorder In Times Of Crisis In The Eastern Mediterranean Region, Ruaa A. Al-Juboori

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), comprising of 22 countries, has a high burden of conduct disorder (CD) and has the largest burden of displaced populations. Violence and displacement increase the need for mental health services.

Methods: Using descriptive study design, 2015 global CD burden (disability-adjusted life years DALYs per 100,000 populations) was compared to the EMR burden. Across 25 years (1990-2015) trend of CD in 22 EMR countries was graphed and compared with the global CD burden. Association of CD with a) Corruption Perception Index; b) Global Peace Index; c) Human Development Index was assessed using correlation analysis. CD …

Poor Sleep Health In American Adults: Implications For Screening In Civil Aviation, Melissa E. Gear

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Poor sleep health is increasingly prevalent in the United States (US) adult population and contributes to fatigue. Fatigue is a significant safety hazard within civilian aviation, yet data regarding the prevalence of inadequate sleep in this population is sparse. Are there demographic characteristics which put individual at risk of not obtaining adequate sleep which should trigger screening during the medical certification process?

Methods: This cross-sectional study used National Health Interview Survey 2014-2016 data from US adults aged 18 to 65 to observe the relationship of demographic, socioeconomic, health, and behavioral characteristics with reported inadequate sleep duration and quality (trouble …

Determining The Barriers To Prenatal Care Entry Within The First Trimester By Evaluation Of Prenatal Care Surveys And Questionnaires, Joycelyn Akamune

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Prenatal care (PNC) within the first trimester is associated with improved fetal and maternal health outcomes. Improved PNC is necessary to prevent negative birth outcomes such as low birth weight and infant mortality, which have significant impact on birth outcome rates. Improving access to PNC in the first trimester involves removing barriers to care. A brief survey distributed to expectant mothers is a simple way to define these barriers. Many small community health centers do not use surveys to gather patient information. By reaching this population, barriers to PNC can be better understood and mitigated using community resources decreasing …

Hope Center For Families: Addressing Health Needs Through A Two Generation Model, Brianna Burlock

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

This project’s objective is to explore how the Two Generation Model of the Hope Center for Families can address the health needs of the zip code 45406 community in order to combat negative health outcomes for impoverished families. The investigator researched studies regarding the Two Generation Model and previous organizational applications of the model. Interviews were held with the partners of Hope Center for Families and with an organization that uses the Two Generation Model. The interviews were analyzed for recurring themes after listening to each of them several times and then transcribed. A logic model for the Hope Center …

Impact Of Perioperative Surgical Home On First Cases Delayed On Day Of Surgery In Colorectal Patients, Maria Sparaco

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Perioperative Surgical Homes (PSH) are evolving patient-centered medical home models that coordinate stream-lined care among all providers in the care process. The PSH model can serve as a solution to improve quality assurance, patient satisfaction, and reduce errors that lead to poor outcomes, many of which are preventable and can lead to higher costs. This model has many benefits, but it can be a challenge to execute in a hospital system. TriHealth chose to adopt a PSH model, the TriHealth Surgical Optimization Center (TSOC) in March 2017. It implemented a pilot program for its colorectal patients. Metrics of primary interest …

Oral Health 2020: Recommendations To Help Ohio Meet Healthy People 2020 Goals Based On States’ Oral Health Plans, Mackenzie Hunter

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Dental caries remains one of the largest untreated diseases in children and is one of the leading causes of poor oral health in the United States. Many states have joined forces with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Medicaid to formulate a state oral health action plan that targets the Healthy People 2020 Goals for Oral Health to improve the overall oral health of children in the state. Through this plan, in connection with state oral health plans many states are comprehensively addressing these Healthy People 2020 goals. Ohio, on the other hand, has not met a number …

Marijuana Use Among Pregnant Women In A High-Risk Population, Shanice A. Akoto

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit substance in pregnancy, often used concurrently with tobacco, increasing the risk for prematurity and low birth weight. Programs such as Healthy Start and CenteringPregnancy® provide resources and prenatal care to women in underserved communities in hopes of improving birth outcomes.

Objective: Evaluate marijuana use in pregnant women living in Montgomery County, Ohio in the highest risk zip codes (45402, 45403, 45405, 45414, 45416, 45417, 45426) and determine if use at delivery is lower in women enrolled in CenteringPregnancy® compared to women who were not. Methods: A secondary analysis of previously collected de-identified …

The Effect Of Urinary Triclosan On Serumthyroxine In Us Population: 2011-2012 Nhanes Data, Katie M. Clark

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Triclosan is an antibacterial agent that is added to personal care products to prevent bacterial growth. The FDA banned the use of triclosan in soap in 2016 due to safety concerns. Triclosan is considered an endocrine disruptor and had reported effects on the body, including changes in thyroid function.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between urinary triclosan and serum thyroxine in U.S adults. Methods: Data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed (N =1,476). Linear regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between log transformed triclosan and …

Does Self-Efficacy Mediate The Relationship Between Parenting Style And Adolescent Fruit And Vegetable Consumption?, Sumayyah S. Shermadou

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Inadequate fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption is a serious public health issue in children and adolescents that is influenced by the type of parenting style and one’s self-efficacy.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the association between parenting style and adolescent FV consumption and whether adolescent self-efficacy mediates this relationship.

Methods: Data retrieved from the Family, Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) study were used to perform statistical analyses on 1,382 parent – adolescent dyads. A mediation analysis using the causal steps approach was used to determine whether adolescent self-efficacy mediated the effect of parenting …

A Tale Of Three Systems: Improving Three Emergency Communication Systems, Elizabeth M. Williams

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

This paper examines the current state of communications between the public, first responder organizations, and hospitals during mass traumatic casualty events. While the current system that exists nationwide, the National Incident Management System (NIMS), is an effective system, there are several improvements that could be made on a community level. This paper looks at national-level plans, such as the national emergency communications plan, NIMS, Hospital Incident Command System (HICS), and national Incident Command System (ICS). This paper sets forward several cost-sensitive recommendations to add to local emergency communication plans and structures in order to make better use technology that already …