Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Effect Of A Nutrition Intervention On Parents Living In A Rural Georgia Community, Regina Elliott-Walker, Dawn M. Hayes, Emeka Oraka, Rashunda Lewis, Andre Leon

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Childhood obesity is a concern for public health organizations. Nearly one in four children living in rural communities are obese, and children living in rural Georgia communities are no exception. For rural communities, prevention efforts are needed to address challenges to reducing childhood obesity. The objective of the present effort was to increase the knowledge of parents in a rural community of the benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption and other healthy options.

Methods: The “We Can Energize Families” curriculum, developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute was implemented in a rural Georgia community. Pender’s Health Promotion …

Formative Research To Develop A Lifestyle Application (App) For African American Breast Cancer Survivors, Selina A. Smith, Mary S. Whitehead, Joyce Q. Sheats, Brittney Fontenot, Ernest Alema-Mensah, Benjamin Ansa

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: There is a proliferation of lifestyle-oriented mobile technologies; however, few have targeted users. Through intervention mapping, investigators and community partners completed Steps 1-3 (needs assessment, formulation of change objectives, and selection of theory-based methods) of a process to develop a mobile cancer prevention application (app) for cancer prevention. The aim of this qualitative study was to complete Step 4 (intervention development) by eliciting input from African American (AA) breast cancer survivors (BCSs) to guide app development.

Methods: Four focus group discussions (n=60) and three individual semi-structured interviews (n=36) were conducted with AA BCSs (40-72 years of age) to assess …

Local Efforts Toward Addressing Health Disparities In Dekalb County, Georgia, April Hermstad, Erikka Gilliam, Sedessie Spivey, Zipatly Mendoza

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: In underserved African American communities throughout DeKalb County, the DeKalb County Board of Health (DCBOH) is implementing community-based initiatives using policy, systems, and environmental improvement approaches to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities by increasing opportunities for nutrition and physical activity.

Methods: The initiatives are being implemented in priority census tracts where the population is at least 40% African American, 30% live below federal poverty level, and 25% did not graduate from high school. Communications promote awareness of the programs, and evaluation activities document processes and outcomes.

Results: To date, implementation of five interventions has affected approximately 276,000 DeKalb …

Fulfilling Community Health Assessment Requirements: Lessons Learned From Facilitating State-Wide Community Health Forums, Ashley Walker, Angela Peden, Stuart H. Tedders, John S. Barron, Aaron Jackson, Nicholas Williams, Bethrand Ugwu

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: A prerequisite for National Public Health Accreditation is completion of a Community Health Assessment (CHA) that presents an exhaustive profile of the population served by a particular public health agency.

Methods: The Georgia Department of Public Health (GA DPH) contracted with the Center for Public Health Practice and Research at Georgia Southern University to facilitate five state-wide community health forums.

Results: Evaluation of the forums yielded qualitative data illustrating current challenges faced by Georgians, as well as assets that could be leveraged to improve health status.

Conclusion: Lessons learned from these state-wide community health forums can be applied to …

Screening For Developmental Delay In Georgia’S Family Shelters: Formative Evaluation Of A Quality Improvement Initiative, Marvin So, Luisita G. Agbayani, Mariel K. Gutierrez, Josef T. Griffins

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Children in families experiencing homelessness are at elevated risk for cognitive, motor, speech, and other developmental delays. Given the prevalence of family homelessness in Georgia and across the U.S., investigating the feasibility of implementing developmental screeners while families are in shelters is warranted.

Methods: Three pilot shelters were selected for the development and implementation of Quality Improvement (QI) Teams, who used Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) Cycles to make progress towards universally screening children for delay. We employed a formative evaluation to (1) characterize screening rates and shifts in shelter as a result of QI initiatives, and (2) identify barriers and facilitators …

Evaluating Public And Private Partnership To Improve Food And Language Nutrition Among Children 0-5 Years, Chinwe Ejikeme, Kia Powell-Threets, Emily Anne Vall, Laura Wagner, Luke Fiedorowicz, Audrey Idaikkadar, Jean O'Connor

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Racial and ethnic minority populations in Georgia experience increased rates of chronic disease and poor health and education outcomes, which can be prevented through enhanced public- private partnerships. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) evaluation framework, the Evaluation Subcommittee for the Georgia Partnership for Food and Language Nutrition Project comprised of representatives from various stakeholders affiliated with state agencies, academia, and community-based organizations developed an evaluation plan to improve the collaborative effort designed to improve food and language nutrition among children 0-5 years. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to assess influential collaborative factors.

Methods: …

Brain Development: A Look At Four Programs In Georgia That Support Optimal Brain Development, Nancy C. Webb, Madison L. Gates

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Georgia is making strides to improve its early care and education system through program development within state agencies and alliances. These timely, statewide programs are focused on improving understanding of the importance of brain development.

Methods: We reviewed the mission and information provided by four Georgia agencies with the aim of developing and improving programs and educational opportunities to instruct educators, policy makers, the general public, and others about child development in the context of brain development.

Results: For young children in Georgia, the four organizations are committed to ensuring opportunities for well-being. Georgia is moving forward in its …

Colon Cancer Knowledge, Screening Barriers, And Information Seeking In Northeastern Georgia, Jeffrey K. Springston, Su-I Hou

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The present study assessed utilization of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and knowledge, barriers, and information-seeking among adults in northeastern Georgia.

Methods: A total of 245 people aged 40 years and older from selected rural, suburban, and small towns in northeastern Georgia participated in this cross-sectional survey.

Results: Respondents aged 50 years and older were more likely to think that they “don’t need screening at their current age” as compared with those in their 40s. Higher information-seeking correlated with lower screening barriers (p

Discussion: Respondents generally had a low level of knowledge about CRC. Individuals with lower perceived screening barriers …

A Preliminary Examination Of Elevated Blood Lead Levels In A Rural Georgia County, R. Christopher Rustin, Yu Sun, Chris Calhoun, Christy Kuriantnyk

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Rural areas are often viewed as lower risk for lead poisoning and toxic exposures seriously impacting development of the brain and central nervous system; this report examines the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels for childrenCounty, GA.

Methods: Lead surveillance data from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) were analyzed using SAS®v-9.3 to calculate the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (≥5ug/dL) among those children in Ben Hill County who had been tested for lead; the results were compared to Georgia and national data.

Results: A preliminary analysis of 2010-2015 screening data for Ben Hill County indicates that …

Assessment Of Medical Needs Of The Hispanic Community In Macon-Bibb County, Georgia, Kim Bélanger-Giguère, Jose Pino, Brad Lian

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Little is known about the health concerns and issues among the Hispanic community in growing, mid-sized cities, such as Macon, Georgia.

Methods: A questionnaire on general health-related issues was given to a sample of 125 Hispanic participants.

Results: The top health concerns of the Hispanic community were diabetes, obesity, and dental hygiene; the most common factors preventing Hispanics from receiving medical treatment were the lack of insurance, language barriers, and copayments or deductibles being too high.

Conclusions: Lack of higher education and the inability to communicate effectively in English may be manifested as difficulties in finding proper information about …

Exploration Of Barriers And Facilitators To Publishing Local Public Health Findings: A Mixed Methods Protocol, Selina A. Smith, Nancy C. Webb, Daniel S. Blumenthal, Bobbie Willcox, Darra Ballance, Faith Kinard, Madison L. Gates

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Worldwide, the US accounts for a large proportion of journals related to public health. Although the American Public Health Association (APHA) includes 54 affiliated regional and state associations, little is known about their capacity to support public health scholarship. The aim of this study is to assess barriers and facilitators to operation of state journals for the dissemination of local public health research and practices.

Methods: A mixed methods approach will be used to complete the 12-month study. Affiliate websites will be accessed through the APHA membership portal to evaluate organizational infrastructure and ascertain the presence/absence of a journal. …

สมดุลงานและชีวิตในมิติด้านสุขภาพ, เจตน์ รัตนจีนะ, พรชัย สิทธิศรัณย์กุล

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

สมดุลงานและชีวิต (Work-life balance) คือ แนวความคิดเกี่ยวกับสมดุลระหว่างงานและชีวิตมีแนวทางในการจัดการทั้งระดับตัวบุคคลและระดับนโยบายสมดุลงานและชีวิตมีผลกระทบโดยตรงต่อสุขภาพบทความนี้เป็นการทบทวนวรรณกรรมเกี่ยวกับสมดุลงานและชีวิตในประเด็นของที่มาและความสำคัญ ความหมาย การจัดการ สมดุลงานและชีวิตในมิติด้านสุขภาพ การประเมิน และข้อเสนอแนะสำหรับการศึกษาเกี่ยวกับประเด็นดังกล่าวในอนาคต.

Structure And Functions Of Angiotensinogen, Hong Lu, Lisa A. Cassis, Craig W. Vander Kooi, Alan Daugherty

Saha Cardiovascular Research Center Faculty Publications

Angiotensinogen (AGT) is the sole precursor of all angiotensin peptides. Although AGT is generally considered as a passive substrate of the renin–angiotensin system, there is accumulating evidence that the regulation and functions of AGT are intricate. Understanding the diversity of AGT properties has been enhanced by protein structural analysis and animal studies. In addition to whole-body genetic deletion, AGT can be regulated in vivo by cell-specific procedures, adeno-associated viral approaches and antisense oligonucleotides. Indeed, the availability of these multiple manipulations of AGT in vivo has provided new insights into the multifaceted roles of AGT. In this review, the combination of …

Recognition Of Smoking Gesture Using Smart Watch Technology, Casey A. Cole, Bethany Janos, Dien Anshari, James Thrasher, Scott Strayer, Homayoun Valafar

Faculty Publications

Diseases resulting from prolonged smoking are the most common preventable causes of death in the world today. In this report we investigate the success of utilizing accelerometer sensors in smart watches to identify smoking gestures. Early identification of smoking gestures can help to initiate the appropriate intervention method and prevent relapses in smoking. Our experiments indicate 85%-95% success rates in identification of smoking gesture among other similar gestures using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). Our investigations concluded that information obtained from the x-dimension of accelerometers is the best means of identifying the smoking gesture, while y and z dimensions are helpful …

Decreased Pregnane X Receptor Expression In Children With Active Crohn's Disease, Valentina Shakhnovich, Carrie A. Vyhlidal, Craig A. Friesen, Amber Hildreth, Vivekanand Singh, James Daniel, Gregory L. Kearns, J Steven Leeder

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Expression of the pregnane X receptor (PXR) has been reported to be decreased in animal models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To investigate the differential expression of PXR in children with Crohn's disease, a type of IBD, RNA was extracted from archived intestinal biopsies from 18 children with Crohn's disease (CD) and 12 age- and sex-matched controls (aged 7-17yrs). The aim of this investigation was to compare the relative mRNA expression of PXR, cytochrome p450 3A4 (CYP3A4), and villin 1 (VIL1) (a marker of epithelial cell integrity) in the inflamed terminal ileum (TI) versus noninflamed …

Validation Of Noninvasive Measures Of Left Ventricular Mechanics In Children: A Simultaneous Echocardiographic And Conductance Catheterization Study., Shahryar M. Chowdhury, Ryan J. Butts, Carolyn L. Taylor, Varsha M. Bandisode, Karen S. Chessa, Anthony M. Hlavacek, Girish S. Shirali, G Hamilton Baker

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: The accuracy of echocardiography in evaluating left ventricular contractility has not been validated in children. The objective of this study was to compare echocardiographic measures of contractility with those derived from pressure-volume loop (PVL) analysis in children.

METHODS: Patients with relatively normal loading conditions undergoing routine left heart catheterization were prospectively enrolled. PVLs were obtained via conductance catheters. The gold-standard measure of contractility, end-systolic elastance (Ees), was obtained via balloon occlusion of one or both vena cavae. Echocardiograms were performed immediately after PVL analysis under the same anesthetic conditions. Single-beat estimations of echocardiographic Ees were calculated using four different …

Outcomes After Pediatric Fundoplication: Defining The Redo Population, J E. Baerg, E E. Perrone, R A. Vannix, D L. Thorpe, A Gasior, Shawn D. St Peter

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Objective: The aims were to compare outcome variables in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and one Nissen fundoplication to children with redo fundoplications and define the pediatric redo population. Methods: After IRB approval (#5100277), a case control study was conducted of children younger than 18 years, from two children’s hospitals, with one Nissen fundoplication (control group) or a redo performed between January 1995 and March 2011. Complete data were collected by phone calls to caregivers in December 2012. Only redo operations performed after recurrence of GERD symptoms and wrap herniation into the mediastinum confirmed by contrast radiograph were included. …

Parents’ Perspectives On Shared Decision Making For Children With Solid Organ Transplants, Stacee M. Lerret, Kristin Haglund, Norah L. Johnson

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

The Institute of Medicine prioritizes active family and clinician participation in treatment decisions, known as shared decision making (SDM). In this article we report the decision-making experiences for parents of children who had a solid organ transplant.

Method

We performed a prospective longitudinal mixed methods study at five major U.S. children's medical centers. Qualitative interview data were obtained at 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after hospital discharge following the child's transplant.

Results

Forty-eight parents participated in the study. Three themes were identified: (a) Parents expect to participate in SDM; (b) parents seek information to support their participation …

Submaximal Oxygen Uptake Kinetics, Functional Mobility, And Physical Activity In Older Adults With Heart Failure And Reduced Ejection Fraction, Scott L. Hummel, John Herald, Craig Alpert, Kimberlee A. Gretebeck, Wendy S. Champoux, Donald R. Dengel, Peter V. Vaitkevicius, Neil B. Alexander

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Submaximal oxygen uptake measures are more feasible and may better predict clinical cardiac outcomes than maximal tests in older adults with heart failure (HF). We examined relationships between maximal oxygen uptake, submaximal oxygen kinetics, functional mobility, and physical activity in older adults with HF and reduced ejection fraction.

Methods: Older adults with HF and reduced ejection fraction (n = 25, age 75 ± 7 years) were compared to 25 healthy age- and gender-matched controls. Assessments included a maximal treadmill test for peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), oxygen uptake kinetics at onset of and on recovery from a submaximal treadmill test, …

Evaluation Of An Oral Health Education Session For Early Head Start Home Visitors, Kevin Glatt, Christopher Okunseri, Diane Flanagan, Pippa Simpson, Yumei Cao, Earnestine Willis

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Objectives

Home visiting programs promote the education and health of Early Head Start (EHS) children and pregnant women. However, EHS's oral health component is unevenly implemented. We conducted an educational intervention to improve oral health knowledge and motivational interviewing techniques among Wisconsin EHS home visitors.

Methods

A questionnaire assessing oral health-related knowledge and confidence was administered to home visitors before and after an educational session. Changes between pre/post-responses were analyzed with McNemar's test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test.

Results

After the intervention there were increases in both knowledge and confidence related to oral health communication. Knowledge increases were observed in …

Wearing Complete Dental Prostheses - Effects On Perioral Morphology, Gregor F. Raschke, Philipp Eberl, Geoffrey A. Thompson, Arndt Guentsch, Andre Peisker, Stefan Schultze-Mosgau, Marta Gomez-Dammeier, Gabriel Djedovic, Ulrich M. Rieger, Florian Beuer

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Background: To adequately perform rehabilitation of edentulous patients by a complete removable dental prosthesis (CRDP) is from basic interest to dentists to understand the morphologic changes caused by re-establishment of a physiologic jaw relationship. Anthropometric analyses of standardized frontal view and profile photographs may help elucidate such changes. Material and Methods: Photographs of 31 edentulous patients were compared in relaxed lip closure and after insertion of a CRDP in stable occlusion. 2232 anthropometric distances were raised. Eighteen anthropometric indices reflecting the perioral morphology and its integration in the vertical facial harmony were investigated. Results: The intercanthal – mouth width index …

Pilot Testing The Debriefing For Meaningful Learning Evaluation Scale, Cynthia Sherraden Bradley, Kristina Dreifuerst

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Debriefing for Meaningful Learning (DML), an evidence-based debriefing method, promotes thinking like a nurse through reflective learning. Despite widespread adoption of DML, little is known about how well it is implemented. To assess the effectiveness of DML implementation, an evaluative rubric was developed and tested.

Sample

Three debriefers who had been trained to use DML at least 1 year previously, submitted five recorded debriefings each for evaluation.

Methods

Three raters who were experts in DML scored each of the 15 recorded debriefing session using DML Evaluation Scale (DMLES). Observable behaviors were scored with binary options. These raters also assessed …

Transition Of Experienced And New Graduate Nurses To A Pediatric Hospital, Carol Klingbeil, Rachel F. Schiffman, Carolyn Ziebert, Joan P. Totka, Catherine A. Schmitt, Lynn Doyle, Ashley Stelter, Alice V. Stonek, Weiming Ke, Norah L. Johnson

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

This study reports on the 3-, 6-, 12-, and 18-month outcomes of 118 newly hired registered nurses (RNs) who completed a 12-month transition-to-practice program at a pediatric hospital. Experienced RNs (n = 42) and new graduate RNs (n = 76) showed improved organization, prioritization, communication, and leadership skills over time. The experienced RNs reported better communication and leadership skills than the new graduate nurses. Results inform transition program development for both new and experienced nurses.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2012) predicts that, without a multifaceted approach, a national nursing shortage will occur by 2020. Many nurses leave …

Health Literacy Assessment And The Meaningful Use Incentive Of Providing Clinical Summaries In An Underserved, Hypertensive Population, Tami Pettenger

Doctoral Projects

Hypertension is a common diagnosis in the United States and can lead to health complications if not well managed. However, this condition often has few to no symptoms which may lead patients to modify, disregard, or otherwise be non-adherent to treatment plans. Also a patient’s health literacy level may directly affect his or her ability to understand and act on health information. This may be especially true in vulnerable populations such as older adults and underserved communities. In addition, the education material provided to patients, such as clinical summaries following a health visit, may not be consistent or understandable or …

Improved Estimation Of Optimal Cut-Off Point Associated With Youden Index Using Ranked Set Sampling, Jingjing Yin, Hani M. Samawi, Daniel Linder

Biostatistics: Faculty Publications

A diagnostic cut-off point of a biomarker measurement is needed for classifying a random subject to be either diseased or healthy. However, the cut-off point is usually unknown and needs to be estimated by some optimization criteria. One important criterion is the Youden index, which has been widely adopted in practice. The Youden index, which is defined as the maximum of (sensitivity + specificity −1), directly measures the largest total diagnostic accuracy a biomarker can achieve. Therefore, it is desirable to estimate the optimal cut-off point associated with the Youden index. Sometimes, taking the actual measurements of a biomarker is …

Commentary: There Are Medical Dilemmas And Then There Are Firearms, Peter G. Holub

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

When faced with a medical dilemma, the right decision depends on how the relevant ethical principles are prioritized. Prioritization of ethical principles in a medical dilemma often depends on contextual features, such as the patient’s age, economic impact, and public safety. Firearms should be as much a part of medical research and patient education as alcohol and tobacco, seat belts and car seats, safe sex and condoms. The problem with firearm research and patient education is twofold: a). government funded research on gun violence is currently prohibited by Congress¹ and b). states and wellness programs actually prohibit doctors and …

Case Reflections On Care Of A Child With Palliative Care Needs, Umarani J Ms

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Palliative care is a specialized medical care focused to provide treatment to the patients with life-threatening illness and to the families in order to fulfil the needs of physical, psychosocial and spiritual dimensions. The main aim of palliative care is to relieve the patients with terminal illness from sufferings. In paediatric palliative care, mostly parents are involved as care givers. The children and parents are expected to get health benefits from the palliative team. The palliative care team must identify the needs of patients and families for successful improvement in their quality of life. This article aims at reflecting the …

Nutrinews, Volume 18, July 2016, Department Of Nutrition And Dietetics, University Of North Florida

NutriNews

This issue features Truth about sugar, Man-Made Manipulation, and Nicaraguan Cuisine

Evaluation Of The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling Pathway As A Therapeutic Target In Human Papillomavirus-Associated Disease, Anastacia Maria Griego

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the most common sexually transmitted infectious agents. They are responsible for >99% of all cervical cancers as well as subsets of other anogenital cancers. HPVs are also the causative agents of a growing number of head and neck cancers. As such, they present a significant health problem both in the U.S. and developing countries. Much is still unknown regarding the factors underlying progression from HPV infection to cancer or maintenance of viral oncoprotein expression following oncogenic transformation. Previous studies reported significant interplay between the epidermal growth factor (EGFR) pathway and HPV oncoproteins. HPV oncoproteins E5, E6, …

Technology And Opportunity: People With Serious Mental Illness And Social Connection, Lisa Townsend, Allison Zippay, Kyle Caler, Bradley Forenza

Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Objective: Little information exists regarding how individuals with serious mental illness use technology and whether this usage facilitates social connections. This study contributes to filling this knowledge gap by examining ways in which a sample of persons with serious mental illness use cell phones and the Internet. Methods: Interviews with 50 consumers living in supported housing were asked about their use of cell phones and computers and their perceptions of social connections. Results: Cell phones and computers allowed greater linkage with social, medical, mental health, and employment resources. Nearly all obtained phones through publicly funded programs. “Running out of minutes” …