Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Selected Demographic And Background Factors: Predictors Of Attitudes Of African American College Students Toward Individuals With Disabilities, Latosha Lachelle Nelson

Electronic Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this research is to examine the role that selected demographic and background factors play in identifying the attitudes that African American college students express towards individuals with disabilities. Attitudes can come from variety of sources such as the student's own culture (Belgrave, 1998; Kambon, 1992; Grand & Strohmer, 1983; Olkin & Howson, 1994); gender of the individual with the disability (Alston & Mccowan, 1994; Boylan, 1991; Cole, 1998); and the type of disability that individual has (Boylan, 1991 ). Other attitudes can come from society.

Predictors Of Nclex-Pn Success For Practical Nursing Students In An Open Access Technical College, Mary E. Ostrye

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nurse educators have an ethical obligation to ensure admission criteria and academic standards are reasonable and fair, yet effective indicators of graduate success. Passing the licensure examination (NCLEX-PN), a requirement for entry into the field of practical nursing, is an accepted measure of graduate success across practical nursing programs in the United States. A quantitative research design using archival data was conducted to analyze the impact of certain demographic characteristics (age, race, method of high school completion, and needs-based financial aid recipient), pre-admission variables (five PSB sub-scale scores, type ofremedial basic skill courses taken, and repetition of remedial basic skill …

Effects Of High Fruit Intake On Systematic Blood Pressure In African Americans, Leonard L. Gibbons

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This randomized dietary intervention trial examined the effects of a high fruit diet on systemic BP in African-Americans. Thirty-eight free-living subjects with systolic BPs between 130-159 mm Hg and diastolic BPs between 85-99 mm Hg, were enrolled for a six week period. The cases were given daily supplements of potassium rich foods: bananas, orange juice and raisins, while no dietary advice or food was given to the controls.

After six weeks, the means systolic BP was 5.79 mm Hg ( p=.009) lower in the cases than the controls. The mean diastolic BP at week six was 3.76 mm Hg (p=.047) …

Reducing The Potential For Falls Among Community Dwelling Older Adults, Sharon-Xiaowen Hu

Master's Projects

This research study used a pre-test and post-test design to determine if a nursing educational intervention would reduce the potential for falls among the community dwelling elderly. The participants (N=15) were: (a) age 65 or older, (b) mentally competent, (c) predisposed to falls, and (d) living independently. Four instruments were utilized to collect data: (a) the Folstein mini-mental state examination (MMSE), (b) a fall predisposition scale, (c) a home assessment checklist (Tideikaar, 1987), and (d) interview questions. Statistics were used to evaluate findings. The results show that a nursing educational intervention had a positive impact to help reduce the risk …

Factors Influencing Compliance In The Treatment Of Elderly Hypertensive Vietnamese Clients, Cuong Phu Pham

Master's Projects

Little is known about health care beliefs and practices among Vietnamese elderly persons living in the United States. In general, studies of patient compliance with medical advice consistently demonstrate a high level of noncompliance. Not following recommendations can have serious negative consequences in the management of disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate compliance among a group of elderly Vietnamese clients with the plan given to them by their physicians for control of hypertension. Because the literature reports a high correlation between income and level of education with compliance in other groups, these factors were also studied as …

Equine Laminitis Reviewed, Jocelyn Nelson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Laminitis, also known as founder, is one of the most devastating and crippling conditions affecting horses throughout the world today. Traditionally defined as the inflammation of the laminae within the hoof, laminitis actually presents itself as a complicated, multi-system disease, that, through a series of interrelated events, leads to a characteristic lameness. This lameness has serious economic and humane consequences because affected horses are often seen in pain, and frequently must be destroyed due to permanent damages within the hoof.

The Relationship Between Health Attitudes, Beliefs, Health Locus Of Control And Use Of Breast Cancer Screening Modalities In Elderly Hispanic Women, Debra Kay Gillett, Rosamaria Ortiz

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

A non-experimental design was used to examine the relationship between health attitudes, beliefs, locus of control and the use of breast cancer screening modalities in elderly Hispanic women in this pilot study. Leininger's Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality and the Health Belief Model were the supporting theoretical frameworks. Research was conducted at the Amigos del Valle senior centers in Hidalgo County and included 52 English-speaking elderly Hispanic volunteer participants. Instruments used for data collection were the Health Care Attitudes and Beliefs Scale and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale. Results of this study revealed that there appears …

Supervisory Feedback In Speech-Language Pathology: Preferences And Practices., Janet Michelle Gurley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research in the area of clinical supervision has historically been limited, especially in the field of speech-language pathology. Furthermore, those few studies that do exist were primarily published during the decade of the 1980's. Clinical supervision, and specifically its critical component of supervisory feedback, is crucial to all clinical training programs. However, supervision research only mentions the topic of supervisory feedback and neglects the relationship between supervisory feedback preferences and actual supervisory practices. This study was designed to identify and compare supervisor and supervisee preferences and perceptions regarding supervisory feedback, to relate these preferences to a continuum-based model of clinical …

Perceived Barriers To The Teaching Of Critical Thinking Skills By Nursing Faculty In Generic Bsn Programs In Tennessee, Renee C. Shell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teaching critical thinking is a national education goal. The ability to think critically is considered an essential skill of nursing graduates and is a necessary component of competent nursing practice. Therefore, nursing programs must address critical thinking for accreditation. The literature reports that teachers in all areas of education are having difficulties infusing critical thinking teaching strategies into their current teaching practices and critical thinking is lacking in new nursing graduates. This research study sought to identify barriers to the implementation of critical thinking teaching strategies as perceived by nursing faculty in generic, BSN programs in Tennessee. Data were collected …

The Lived Experience Of Older Mexcian American Adults With Type 2, Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, Lizza C. Abella

Master's Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of Mexican American older adults with type 2, non-insulin dependent diabetes. Research design and results: A phenomenological research approach was used when interviewing a sample of ten English speaking Mexican American older adults in Santa Clara County, California. Three collective themes were identified: Emotions prevalent in living with diabetes, diabetes' impact on life, and cultural factors affecting diabetes self care. Discussion/conclusions/implications: A duality of thoughts and experiences in living with diabetes, and the strong influence of culture and its beliefs characterize the life-world of Mexican American non-insulin dependent …

Prominent Signs Of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity In The Adult, Marcia Katz

Master's Projects

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurophyschiatric syndrome which most commonly becomes apparent during the first few years of grade school. While it was previously thought that this disorder remitted before or during adolescence, it has become well established that many patients will have an illness course that persists well into adulthood. The purpose of this study was to determine the 10 most prominent symptoms of ADHD in the adult population. Using the Dunphy and Winland-Brown (1998) "Circle of Caring" conceptual framework and the Wender (1998) Utah Criteria Scale questionnaire, a convenience sample of females (N=l5) from northern California were …

Attitudes, Knowledge, And Practice Strategies Of Nurse Practitioners In The State Of California Regarding Complementary Therapy, Steven J. Lenthe

Master's Projects

Context: This is a replication of a study by Boucher and Lenz (1) concerning knowledge and attitudes of physicians in a Midwestern teaching hospital about complementary therapy. Approval for use of all or any part of the original questionnaire was obtained from the authors. Objective: To discover the attitudes, knowledge, and practice strategies related to complementary therapy by nurse practitioners in the state of California. Conclusion: Overall nurse practitioners view the combination of complementary therapies and allopathic medicine as beneficial to positive outcomes for their clients. Nurse practitioners in the State of California appear to be knowledgeable in the purposes …

Accommodationg Nursing Students With Learning Disablities, Debrayh Gaylle

Master's Projects

This study examined factors that facilitated or hindered the process of accommodating learning disabled nursing students in the classroom. Surveys were mailed to 300 faculty at associate and baccalaureate degree schools of nursing. The survey focused on faculty members' degree of ease or difficulty in providing accommodations, their perceptions of the adequacy of institutional support, and their own beliefs and understanding of the accommodation process. Analysis of the 109 returned surveys suggest the majority of faculty understood the need for accommodations. The majority of respondents stated they received adequate support from their respective institutions and were able to provide the …

Noneconomic Barriers To Health Care Utilization By African-Americans, Johnie M. Tarver Phd, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

Many efforts have been made to maximize the utilization of health cue system. As a result the utilization of health care system by African Americans has increased, improving the health status (Blendon, Aiken, Freeman, & Corey, 1989). While some improvements have been made, recent reports show disparities between African Americans and Caucasians in the utilization of health care systems and in their health status. Barriers have been identified among those in the lower social economic status (SES). These barriers impede health care utilization and negatively affect health status. However, studies show that among some African Americans when health care is …

An Investigation Of A Career In Medical Writing: Portfolio, Heather O'Neill

Honors Theses

This portfolio contains the projects worked on by the author, many written for a professional audience, as part of an internship with a freelance medical writer. Also included are resources for writing.

Fighting Aids With Holistic Weapons: An Integrated Approach, Tom Goodwin

Honors Theses

The current AIDS epidemic has changed the way we view the world as well as our society as a whole. Diseases have ravaged humanity since the dawn of time, so what makes AIDS so much different from every other disease encountered by man? One reason is its transmission method. We know that HIV passes from person to person via blood, semen, and vaginal secretions. Most people that suffer from this disease contract it during sex, during intravenous drug use, or during a blood transfusion. Early accounts of HIV disease occurred in minority groups, namely homosexual men. This may have bee …

Missionary Nurse Dorothy Davis Cook, 1940–1972: "Mother Of Swazi Nurses", Susan Elaine Elliott Phd

Dissertations

Dramatically absent from nursing's historical knowledge and professional recognition are the lives, roles, contributions, and legacies of Christian faith-based nurses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ministry and service of Sister Tutor Dorothy Davis Cook, Church of the Nazarene missionary nurse in the African country of Swaziland 1940 to 1972. The multi-dimensional, multi-task expanded roles manifested in her integration of Christian missionary and nurse were explored and her legacy identified. The most significant primary source for this study was Mrs. Cook herself. She was interviewed on three occasions and has provided personal documents, journals, and photographs. Data …

Molecular Evolution Of Insecticidal Spore-Forming Bacteria, John Pool

Honors Theses

Molecular methods are increasingly being used to determine the phylogeny of microorganisms. This research was intended to determine phylogenetic relationships for bacteria of the species Bacillus thuringiensis and other members of the Bacillus cereus group. Each strain was analyzed by its sasp-B gene sequence to determine its species classification and relation to other strains studied. Results of this study indicated that according to the sasp-B gene tree, the species Bacillus thuringiensis is a paraphyletic with respect to both Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis. Some unexpected results and implications for species designations are also discussed.

The Rural Hospital Dilema: Will Nevada’S Rural Hospital System Survive?, Nancy L. Anderson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study, prepared for the Department of Public Administration, will review and discuss the rural hospitals in the State of Nevada. By virtue of its size and population distribution, Nevada has a need for rural hospitals. These hospitals, which are of critical importance for Nevada residents, are constantly struggling with how to build and support their limited health system capacity and infrastructure. To survive, rural hospitals must offset the losses they have sustained as a result of decreased federal funding. Some ways these losses have been offset is by employing some of the programs created by the Balanced Budget Act …

Clean Versus Sterile Wound Care Technique Utilized By Registered Nurses In Acute Care When Dressing A Pressure Ulcer, Donna S. Pennington

Masters Theses

The purposes of this study were to identify the wound care technique practiced by acute care nurses and the deviations made from sterile technique when dressing a pressure ulcer. A descriptive design using a survey methodology was employed. A questionnaire, the Faller Wound Care Technique Survey, was distributed to a convenience sample of 131 acute care nurses. Forty nurses (30%) responded.

The study findings indicate that the typical wound care technique of dressing a pressure ulcer is a combination of sterile and clean procedures and is not consistent with the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Guideline recommendations to …

An Occupational Study Of Physical Playing-Related Injuries In College Student Musicians, Christine A. Guptill

Masters Theses

Several studies have been conducted on the playing-related physical injuries of college music students. In this study, a client-centered, occupation-based survey was administered to music majors at a large midwestem university. The primary objectives of the study were to examine which health professionals were consulted by this population, and to determine student satisfaction with any treatment they might have received. Secondary objectives were to determine: (a) the perceived efficacy of currently available treatments, (b) the needs and expectations with regard to consultation and treatment, ( c) the perceived need of professionals with specialized knowledge of music and treating musicians, and …

Temporal And Emg Relationships Among The Phases Of Vertical And Depth Jumps, Amanda Albright

Masters Theses

Plyometric exercises blend speed and strength training and are often used to help an athlete reach his or her ultimate power potential. Specifically, plyometric training is a technique that enhances neuromuscular excitability, which may in tum increase the ability to achieve a greater work output.

The purpose of this study was to examine the temporal and EMG differences between two different jumping techniques: a vertical jump and depth jumps of varying heights. The study consisted of 20 female physical education majors grouped as skilled or unskilled. Temporal and EMG data were collected for (a) the duration of time spent in …

The Pediatric Breathing Survey, Linda J. Galloway

Health Services Research Dissertations

To ensure culturally-sensitive assessments, the researcher designed a Pediatric Breathing Survey (PBS) to measure quality of life for African-American children. The purpose of this study was to test whether the PBS is a reliable and valid instrument. Comparisons of group differences on race, income and parent's level of education based on parent responses to the questionnaires were conducted. More specifically, differences in Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) between Caucasian and African-American children were examined. The researcher-designed instrument was compared to Juniper's Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire. The sample consisted of parents of 84 school-aged children diagnosed with asthma. …

Explanatory Power Of The Behavior Model Of Utilization For Pediatric Asthma Health Care In An Urban Managed Care Setting, Kathie Marie Sawyer Zimbro

Health Services Research Dissertations

The Behavior Model of Utilization played a key role in explaining health services use for pediatric members with asthma in one urban, regional managed care company. The critical role the asthma management program played in promoting the health and well-being of enrolled members was elucidated. Information gleaned from this empirical study can be used to encourage appropriate resource utilization, formulate pediatric asthma health policy, and deliver cost-effective, quality health care. More importantly, managed care company administrators and clinicians can demonstrate the value of their efforts by achieving measurable improvements in the health and well-being of children in the communities they …

Adolescent Perceptions Of Parent-Adolescent Communication And Adolescent Pregnancy, Susan L. Tohm Lloyd Phd, Ms, Rn

Dissertations

Identification of adolescent perceptions of parent-adolescent communication, a significant factor in family functioning and connectedness, is important if effective interventions are to be provided by health care professionals related to decreasing the number as well as the adverse effects of adolescent pregnancy in the United States. The purpose of this descriptive, non-experimental, triangulated study was to examine the relationship between the perceived quality and effectiveness of parent-adolescent communication and pregnancy from the perspective of pregnant adolescent women in the Banning/Beaumont area of southern California. The theoretical framework for this study was based on adolescent and family developmental theories, family communication …

Behavioral Couples Therapy For Female Substance-Abusing Patients: Effects On Relationship Adjustment And Drug-Using Behavior, Jamie J. Winters

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The effectiveness of Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT) in the treatment of substance-abusing males has been demonstrated (Fals-Stewart, Birchler, 8 O'Farrell, 1996). However, research on the effectiveness of BCT in substance-abusing females has remained unexamined. It was hypothesized that BCT would improve posttreatment results of substance abuse treatment, both in terms of drug use and relationship satisfaction.

Married or cohabitating female substance-abusing patients (N=60) who were entering an outpatient treatment program were randomly assigned to one of two equally intensive treatment conditions. One treatment package (IBT) consisted of individual based therapy only; the other (BCT) consisted of individual based therapy and …

Characterization Of Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus 1 Reverse Transcriptase, Pinky Gundayao Agbuya

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Human T-cell leukemia virus 1 (HTLV-1) is a type C human retrovirus which has been the causative agent of Adult T-cell leukemia. Replication of the retrovirus; requires a reverse transcriptase which converts the retroviral RNA into DNA which is later incorporated into the host's genome. Very little is known about the reverse transcriptase of HTLV-1. Researchers have attempted to purify HTLV-1 RT by isolating the enzyme from human cell lines. Because large amounts of protein could not be produced by this isolation method, the reverse transcriptase cannot be fully characterized. In this research, a recombinant protein expressed in E. coli …

Kinetic Characterization Of Tetracycline Binding And Release By Demineralized Bone - Dfdba, Orner Kabil

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The microbial etiology of periodontal diseases has led to widespread research in the development of methods and local delivery systems to increase the efficacy of antibiotic therapy. Several drug delivery systems employing biodegradable and nonbiodegradable carriers have been shown to release antibiotics directly into periodontal pockets. The purpose of this study was to determine the binding and release kinetics of tetracycline by demineralized bone. Further aspects of the study include in vitro evaluation of DFDBA (demineralized freeze-dried bone allografts) as a tetracycline carrier system for periodontal therapy. Experiments were performed which employed different tetracycline concentrations with constant amounts of bone …

Family History, Brca1/Brca2 Status, And Local Recurrence In Conservatively Treated Breast Cancer Patients, Elizabeth Virginia Harrold (Ratchford)

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

This study explores the relationship among young age at diagnosis, family history, BRCA1/2 status, and ipsilateral breast tumor relapse (IBTR) in conservatively treated breast cancer patients. First, age was examined as a prognostic factor for IBTR using clinical information from 984 patients in a computerized database. Second, 52 case patients who had experienced an IBTR were matched to 52 control patients from the database to determine if IBTR was associated with family history. For these 104 patients, detailed family history interviews were conducted; all data were recorded in a pedigree. A genetic counselor blind to the clinical histories then scored …

An Object-Oriented Approach To The Modeling And Visualization Of Breast Cancer Tumors, Bruce C. Jenkins

Theses and Dissertations

Great strides have been made in controlling the progression of breast cancer, but medical professionals continue to rely primarily upon traditional mammography for early detection. Enhancing breast cancer detection capabilities - and thus reducing tumor detection time - should result in a reduction in mortality rates. The detection capabilities of mammography may be enhanced through improved modeling and visualization techniques. This thesis is an extension of initial research conducted at the Air Force Institute of Technology. Previous efforts focused on developing a mathematical model for simulating the growth of cancer within unconstrained 3-dimensional space. The research also explored the behavior …