Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Chronic Medical Illness : The Counselor's Role, Diana J. Cira

Graduate Research Papers

In the next few decades, the number of chronically medically ill individuals in the United States will increase dramatically. To implement necessary interventions to improve their care, the United States health care system must make changes in the approaches used for these individuals. Counselors can play a critical role in these changes. By incorporating counselors in the care of individuals with chronic medical illnesses, the health care system will be better able to provide interventions that aid in effectively coping with the illnesses and the many psychosocial ramifications of the illnesses.

Women Alcoholics And Addicts : An Examination Of The Role Of Gender-Specific Treatment Programs In Substance Abuse Counseling, Adarienne L. Burrow

Graduate Research Papers

Traditionally, substance abuse treatment programs have been developed based on data collected on male substance abusers. Women entering into these traditional treatment programs often are not successful at recovery. Male-based treatment programs are not designed to meet the complex set of needs of women substance abusers and addicts. The purpose of this research is two-fold. First, to identify the specific needs of women substance abusers and addicts. And secondly, determine how to address these identified needs in a substance abuse treatment program in order to provide a holistic approach to substance abusing and addicted women.

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International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

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International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

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Socioeconomic Status And Domestic Violence, Disa K. V. Lubker

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

Domestic violence is pandemic and affects women and families all over the world. It involves the "systematic use of violence and abuse to gain power over and to control a partner of ex-partner (DVIP)." Forms of domestic violence include any physical or sexual contact, aggression or violence that is unwanted and may take the form of threats, harassment, verbal abuse, hitting, kicking, etc. (DVIP). It is estimated that 20 to 50 percent of the world's female population will be victims of domestic violence (Feminist Majority), and in the United States, it is estimated that at some point in their lives, …

Risk Factors And Hiv/Aids Among The Msm In Developing Countries Outside Of The African Continent, India Dennis

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

The spread of AIDS has seriously impacted developing countries on a scale unimaginable to industrialized countries. The number of people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide was estimated to be 46 million people as of Dec. 2003, with a total of over 60 million people who were affected by the virus globally. Sub-Saharan Africa is the region with the highest rate with 29 million cases (UNAIDS/WHO, 2003). However, the HIV cases within the confines of developing countries outside of the African continent have become a major concern for researchers and epidemiologist alike. This paper will review epidemiological literature that examines the connection …

Breast Feeding And Childhood Obesity, Ashley R. Mckenna

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

Obesity is an epidemic in today's "obesogenic" society, a society that encourages excess food consumption but also idealizes thinness (Golan & Crow, 2004). One at-risk population that is gathering much attention, and much concern, is children. Obesity is the most frequent nutritional disorder in children (von Kries et al., 1999). Recent numbers indicate that the prevalence of obesity in children (ages six-11) has doubled, from seven percent in 1980 to 15.3 percent in 2000; the prevalence for adolescents (ages 12-19) has tripled, from five percent in 1980 to 15.5 percent in 2000 (AOA, 2004).

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome : Description, Epidemiology, And Control Measures, Jorge E. Galva

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (hereinafter SARS) is the first severe and readily transmissible new disease to emerge in the 21st century 1. The presence of this infectious agent was first recognized in early November 2002 in the province of Guangdong in the People's Republic of China. SARS rapidly spread from there to other parts of the world, notably Southeast Asia and Canada. According to data compiled in August 2003, altogether 8,422 cases occurred in 29 countries. The most severely affected countries were China (including the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong and Taiwan), Canada, Singapore and Vietnam, all of which …

Anthrax In A Highly Endemic Area: Survey Of Knowledge, Attitudes And Beliefs Among Haitian Livestock Owners And Follow-Up Public Health Practice, Katie Steneroden

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

Anthrax, a zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution, is endemic and enzootic in Haiti. Hyper-endemic areas exist and regional outbreaks occur sporadically throughout the country. The number of cases of human cutaneous anthrax reported in a rural area of central Haiti has increased in the last several years. A cross-sectional questionnaire was developed to ascertain livestock owners' knowledge of anthrax and analyzed for potential risk factors and intervention strategies. Results of this survey indicate that a lack of knowledge of the signs, symptoms and transmission of anthrax may be contributing to an increase in human cases. Survey results have been reported …

Challenges For Reducing Inequities In Health And Healthcare For The 21st Century, Osman Galal, Roberto De Vogli

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

Human life expectancy during the time of the Roman Empire was approximately 28 years. In 1990, global life expectancy had increased to 65 years. The advances in life expectancy in the 20th century were remarkable by any standard. Although many factors contributed to this enhanced life expectancy, including medical technologies, by far the largest proportion of the increase occurred as a consequence of economic growth, rising living standards and nutrition. Despite the large improvements in terms of life expectancy, significant health variations still remain between countries and across different socioeconomic classes with in countries. As the 20th century proceeded, a …

Monitoring Heavy And Trace Metals In Selected Children's Food, Gharib Mahmoud Taha, Abd El-Salam, Abd El-Ghanyarifien, Safaa El-Nahas Abas

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

High or low levels of essential and trace elements in foods typically eaten by child re n (potato chips, "karate" [a crispy puffed corn paste], biscuits and cakes) may cause significant health problems. In this study, the amounts of 13 elements (Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb and Zn) were estimated in samples collected from supermarkets in Aswan City, Upper Egypt. Food samples included, 28 kinds of potato chips, 44 kind of karate, 15 kind of biscuits and 13 kind of cakes. One hundred samples were analyzed. The results showed that potato chips have …

Hiv/Aids Related Stigma In Sub-Saharan Africa: Context And Consequences, Chinyelu B. Okafor, Barbara Holder

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

While HIV infection has been a worldwide epidemic, minority and poor rural groups the world over have been disproportionately affected by the disease. People of color have been most affected, particularly in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa and the United States. HIV/AIDS is a highly stigmatized disease, and the stigma attached to the disease has fed into, and in many ways strengthened, pre-existing stigma and prejudice against certain groups in the society. This paper gives an analysis of factors that create and sustain such stigma in rural communities, with particular reference to Nigeria, which is Africa's most populous country. The …

Women Who Gamble, Hannah Rb Heritage

Graduate Research Papers

Understanding the differences between the male compulsive gambler and the female compulsive gambler can play an important role in the healing process of the female compulsive gambler. This manuscript describes these differences and discusses treatment methods and issues specific to the female pathological gambler including the Twelve Step program for gamblers and cognitive treatment methods. The co-occurrence of other addictions and mental health issues are also examined.

The Qi Connection: A Study In Studying Qi, Elizabeth Brooke Barrett

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

The concept of Qi (pronounced "chee") is a difficult one to understand, let alone study. It strikes most of us as amorphous at best. Traditional Chinese Medicine enthusiasts in the West translate the term as "life-energy". How much more broad could it be! Some try to make the term scientific, referring to Qi as "bio-electrical" or "bio-magnetic", but they succeed only in clouding the issue further. Certainly, it does not help matters that those who would seem to know the most about this concept of Qi, the Qigong masters, are themselves most mysterious. Is it any wonder that many in …

The Biopsychosocial Model Of Medicine: Implications For The Future Of Healthcare, Abby M. Luensmann

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

The science of medicine is changing at an incredible rate. New treatments, technologies, and biologically-based discoveries seem to occur almost daily. In fact, the health care business has evolved into the largest service industry in the United States, grossing more than $1 trillion annually (Taylor, 2003). Despite the obvious attention paid to health-related issues in this country, is our health care system actually providing American citizens with the most efficient and effective care treatments possible? Do current medical practices have the best interests of the American public in mind, or are outdated philosophies being used to treat illnesses and diseases …

Cerebral Palsy: Physical Therapy And Medical Treatment Issues, Jill Pedretti

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

A discussion of the various terms associated with CP as well as the different classifications will precede a review of several randomized controlled trials, case studies, cohort studies and other related articles regarding treatment methods. Specifically, the use of Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy (1TB), Botulinum toxin injections (Botox), Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, Threshold Electrical Stimulation (TES), and Pediatric Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy will be examined.

Difficulties In Recognizing And Treating Depression In The Elderly : Implications For Counselors, Kristin A. Schloemer

Graduate Research Papers

Diagnosing elderly depression is a difficult, overlooked process. Many elderly seek out family physicians, but few visit mental healthcare professionals (Lyness et al., 1997; Sable & Dunn, 2002). When assessing elderly depression, it is important for counselors to be aware of symptoms, ensuring correct treatment.

According to Friedrich ( 1999), it is difficult for healthcare professionals, including counselors, to diagnose depression in the elderly. As elderly may not display traditional depressive symptoms, it is necessary to distinguish between depression, bereavement, and illness, all common in late life. Once depression has been diagnosed, treatments including: medication, psychotherapy, or perhaps the most …

Application Of Case Study Methodology In The Context Of Undergraduate Critical Care Nursing Education, James A. Hauschildt

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study represented an initial effort to investigate how a case study methodology could be used in the context of critical care nursing education. The study hoped to improve students' content specific knowledge of critical care nursing and facilitate critical thinking processes vital to clinical decision making. The study describes the transformation of a critical care-nursing course from a traditional lecture-based approach to a case study approach.

The traditional approach addressed the content through abundant teacher centered lecture, but did not require students to actively engage in discourse or apply critical thinking skills to real nursing problems. The case study …

Health For All: Project Export Addresses An Elusive Goal With An Expanded Journal, Michele Yehieli

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

During the past century, tremendous advances were made in reducing illness around the world. Many of these dramatic improvements in health status and life expectancy were the result of public health interventions such as clean water, better living conditions, prenatal care and immunizations. Nonetheless, with globalization and industrialization now increasing, significant health disparities still exist, both between nations and within them. Indeed, some 25 years after the historic Alma Ata primary care conference where the World Health Organization and leading non-governmental organizations called for "Health for All by the Year 2000," global health equity has yet to be achieved (PAHO, …

Attachment Theory : How To Treat Attachment Disorders In Adults, Kristy L. Hrdlicka

Graduate Research Papers

Attachment is a bond formed between two individuals over a period of time, dealing with how they relate to one another through their interactions (Sable, 2000). In this paper, a review of the literature is discussed regarding how the attachments between individuals are formed and the four different patterns of attachment: Secure, anxious-ambivalent, avoidant, and disorganized. Following the review, practical interventions are also provided for counseling professionals to use when working with clients who have attachment disorders.