Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Injuries Among Security And Law Enforcement Personnel In The Private Versus Public Sectors, William S. Witt

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Background and Objectives: Data collected through workers’ compensation may be useful for occupational injury surveillance. This study examined whether differences existed between the public and private sectors of the security and law enforcement industry in Kentucky.

Methods: Using a cross-­‐sectional design, workers’ compensation data from the Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims was analyzed to evaluate differences in demographic and injury characteristics, as well as award outcomes, stratified by industry sector. The dataset included all workers’ compensation first reports of injury and claims filed by security and law enforcement personnel in Kentucky from 2005 to 2015. Statistical analyzes included chi-­‐square and …

Comparing The Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis Patients With Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (Ntm) And Non-Ntm Infections, Maninder Bir Singh

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Objective

The objective of the study is to compare the Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis patients with Non Tubercular Mycobacteria (NTM) and Non-NTM infection and determine if the NTM and Non-NTM groups are different.

Methods

Data from the COPD Foundation’s Bronchiectasis Research Registry (BRR) was used in the study (n=1660).Logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards regression, and Kaplan Meier survival analysis were used to analyze the data.

Results

The study found odds ratio for having NTM infection for age to be 1.02 and for gender to be 2.34, after adjusting for all other variables in the multivariate logistic regression, with the p-value of …

Eat Well, Keep Moving: Decreasing Childhood Obesity In Fulton County, Kentucky, Sandra Onekhena

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

With the high rates of childhood obesity in Fulton County, the Purchase District Health Department proposes the implementation of the Eat Well and Keep Moving Program in all the county’s elementary schools among fourth and fifth graders. It is an interdisciplinary, evidence-based program that will be aimed at our short-term goal of increasing knowledge about nutrition and physical activity and inspiring positive behavioral change. It works by integrating lessons and activities about proper nutrition and activity into various aspects of the children’s lives — in the classroom, cafeteria, at home and in the community. We hope to see children move …

Neurotoxic Effects Of Occupational Exposures In Agricultural Workers, Miriam Siegel

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Background: Pesticides and organic solvents are two classes of neurotoxic substances regularly used in agriculture. Pesticides have been studied in relation to a range of nervous system effects, and have been repeatedly shown to relate to depression in agricultural workers. Likewise, occupational solvent exposure is recognized as a risk factor for central nervous system effects, including mood disturbances and cognitive impairment, across various industries. Many gaps in knowledge regarding the effects of chronic exposure to these substances on mental/neurological health in agricultural workers still exist. The specific aims of the current analysis were to 1.) Estimate associations between metrics of …

Overdose Education And Naloxone Distribution By Board-Certified Pharmacists In Five Eastern Kentucky Counties, Laura Elizabeth Broughton

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

The Coalition of Kentucky Health Professionals Against Substance Abuse (CKHPASA) is a professional organization uniting members of the various health professions against a rising tide of substance abuse in the state of Kentucky. In 2013, Kentucky ranked 3rd in the United States for highest number of drug overdose fatalities. Previously under the scourge of the prescription opioid epidemic, the state of Kentucky is now seeing rising numbers of overdose deaths related to heroin use, which is an opioid that works similarly to morphine and prescription pain medications.

Naloxone is a life-saving antidote for opioid related overdoses and evidence has shown …

Improving Indoor Air Quality For Children In Rural Kentucky, Denerica L. Curry

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Community interventions directed towards improving indoor air quality for children are often implemented after exposure has occurred and focuses on parental smoking cessation. Our proposed project will intervene during the prenatal stage prior to exposure and continue to support families 6 months postpartum. Infants are at an increased risk of secondhand smoke exposure due to the amount of time they spend in the home and proximity to the smoker. We hypothesize that by enhancing care of the current home visitation model to include an early intervention we will increase the amount of smoking bans in the home and decrease maternal …

Evaluations Of Patients’ Appointment Duration By Type In An Ophthalmology Practice, Brittany U'Wren

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Objective: The Affordable Care Act expanded health care coverage and provided more access to physicians, resulting in potentially longer wait times. Large portions of ophthalmology patients are on Medicare. Two thirds of the expansion populations were Hispanic or African Americans, which have higher rates of eye disease. Another contributoring factor leading to the increase for eye care is the surge of baby boomers. More specifically, these are individuals reaching sixty-five and are beginning to utilize Medicare. Access to care has increased but the capacity of the practice has not. An important goal, therefore, is to maximize efficiency of current …

“Exchange Northern Ky”: An Evidence-Based Needle & Syringe Exchange Program Serving The Northern Kentucky Area Development District, Amanda Hunter

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Intravenous drug users (IDUs) account for nearly 16% of new HIV infections in the United States and almost one half (48%) of newly reported acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections have been found to be IDU related.1 Within the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, hepatitis C infections have soared with an incidence of more than 1,000 newly reported cases during 2015 alone.⁴ Rigorous scientific evidence complied by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has indicated that one of the most unique and effective strategies for the curtailing HIV incidence among IDUs is by ensuring users’ access to …

E-Cigarettes: Effective Cessation Tools Or Public Health Threat?, Luke Clancy, Kate Babineau

Articles

In a short time, electronic cigarettes have become a multi-billion dollar industry. Since their introduction to the market, prevalence of ever-use among smokers in the USA appears to have increased from 2% in 2010 to >30% in 2012, and the rate of increase appears to be similar in the United Kingdom, Ireland and other Western countries according to a special Eurobarometer survey in 2014.1 The e-cigarette market is estimated to be worth over $3 billion. However, there is no consensus on the role of e-cigarettes and their contribution to the provision of smoking cessation (SC) services, nor to global tobacco …

Promoting Culturally Respectful Cancer Education Through Digital Storytelling, Melany Cueva, Regina Kuhnley, Anne Lanier, Mark Dignan, Laura Revels, Nancy E. Schoenberg, Katie Cueva

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Cancer is the leading cause of mortality among Alaska Native people. Over half of Alaska Native people live in rural communities where specially trained community members called Community Health Aides/Practitioners (CHA/Ps) provide health care. In response to CHA/Ps’ expressed desire to learn more about cancer, four 5-day cancer education and digital storytelling courses were provided in 2014. Throughout each course, participants explored cancer information, reflected on their personal experiences, and envisioned how they might apply their knowledge within their communities. Each course participant also created a personal and authentic digital story, a methodology increasingly embraced by Indigenous communities as a …

Chinese Adolescent In Hong Kong, Mandakini Sadhir

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Wnc Healthy Teens: A Multi-Level Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, Katharine Macmillan

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

WNC Healthy Teens is a multi-component, community-based teen pregnancy prevention initiative. The program will be targeted in rural areas of Buncombe and Henderson Counties that have aggregate rates showing that over half the population of women aged 15-19 years are giving birth. Sexual education is necessary, but not sufficient to preventing risky sexual behaviors1. Tying multiple levels of evidence-based school interventions together with standardization of adolescent sexual health care will provide a well-rounded approach to address teenage pregnancy. Starting the initiative at age 14, it is anticipated the majority of teens will have yet to initiate sexual activity. Reducing the …

Risking Connection: A Multi-Level Trauma-Informed Care Approach To Refugee Services In Lexington, Ky, Marie Paige Higginson-Rollins

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

This project proposes to implement a multi-level, trauma-informed care approach to refugee services in Lexington, KY. The intervention will be carried out at three sites, the Bluegrass Community Health Center, the Kentucky Refugee Ministries, and the Lexington Global Engagement Center. These sites were chosen because of their extensive work with the refugee community. The intervention proposed is Risking Connection, a SAMHSA recommended trauma-informed care program, with a cultural-sensitivity training module and marketing campaign, and a group therapy pilot intervention for Congolese women based on the Bashal program at the Center for Torture and Trauma Survivors. The short-term goals of this …

Colorectal Cancer Prevention In The North Slope Borough Of Alaska Utilizing The Flu-Fit Intervention, Jennifer Jenkins

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

The intention of the Flu-FIT intervention is to increase colorectal cancer screening rates by combing two annual activities into one visit that doesn’t necessitate a doctors visit. The original study increased colorectal cancer screening rates by 14 percentage points and this program should be able to show similar results in the North Slope Borough of Alaska. The North Slope Borough has the highest incidence rate of colorectal cancer in the United States, and this proposed intervention could lead to a reduction in that rate by increasing screening and knowledge about colorectal cancer in the community.

Forced Sexual Intercourse And Its Link To Suicide Ideation/Suicide Attempts Among Adolescent Girls: Findings From 2013 Youth Risk Behavioral Survey, Adebukola Helen Adegbite

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Objectives. We sought to assess the association between forced sexual intercourse and suicidal ideation/attempts among adolescent girls ages 14-17.

Methods. We performed secondary data analysis of the 2013 Youth Risk Behavioral Survey, using chi-square tests to examine the association of forced sex and race/ethnicity, with suicide ideation.

Results. We found that there was an association between those who had considered suicide and those who had experienced forced sexual intercourse. Moreover, race/ethnicity was associated with those who had ever considered suicide in the past 12 months before taking the survey. Lastly, we found that there was an association of suicide ideation …

Development Of Multiple Primary Cancers In Lung Cancer Patients: Appalachian Vs. Non-Appalachian Populations Of Kentucky, Vira Pravosud

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether there were differences in the development of multiple primary cancers in lung cancer patients residing in the Appalachian versus Non-Appalachian regions of Kentucky. The study also identified other factors associated with the development of another primary cancer in lung cancer patients.

HYPOTHESIS: Lung cancer patients residing in Appalachian Kentucky are more likely to develop multiple primary cancers compared to patients residing in Non-Appalachian Kentucky.

METHODS: This was a retrospective, population-based cohort study of Kentucky patients (N=26456) aged 20 years and older, diagnosed with primary lung cancer between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2013. The …

An Examination Of Traumatic Brain Injury As A Risk Factor For Psychiatric Symptoms In Alzheimer’S Disease Patients, Jennifer F. Walch

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Introduction:

Dementia is a major public health issue both in the United States and worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is widely considered to be the most prevalent type of dementia. While the hallmark AD symptom is profound memory loss, patients also commonly experience changes in personality and behavior. These changes often include depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, mood swings, irritability and aggression, changes in sleeping habits, and delusions.

Background:

Several studies have established a mechanistic link between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the development of AD. However, it is unknown whether TBI contributes to the personality/behavior changes observed in many AD patients. …

Identifying Predictors Of Functional Limitations Associated With Depression, Anxiety, And Emotional Problems In Us Adults, Jillian Richardson

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Depressive disorders are characterized as sharing affected mood, and somatic (e.g. sleep pattern, appetite, and unintentional changes in weight) and cognitive alterations from previous normal daily functioning that are clinically significant. Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive fear, general or specific anxiety, and related behavioral disturbances that are also clinically significant. This project attempts to identify risk factors that may predict what groups are most likely to be affected by depression and/or anxiety.

Sponsored by the CDC, the National Health Interview Survey collects general health information for non-institutionalized individuals living in the US. Variables for use in logistic regression model …

"Life Skills Training" Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Among Youth In Bell County, Kentucky, Arveen Kaur

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Prescription Drug Abuse (PDA) has become a serious public health concern and a major epidemic in the United States (U.S.). According to the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSUDH), approximately 15 million people (aged 12 or older) used prescription drugs in the past year and 6.5 million in past month. Out of these, 2 million Americans (aged 12 or older) either abused prescription drugs or were dependant on them. Almost 5% of adolescents (1.1 million) between the age group 12-17 abused prescription painkillers in 2014. Nationally, Kentucky is among the top five states with highest age-adjusted overdose …

Policy And Political Motives For Medicaid Expansion Under The Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act, Ross C. Stanton

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Objective

This study aims to analyze policy-related and political rationales for Medicaid expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). More specifically, this study seeks to discover whether states’ decisions regarding Medicaid expansion were likely based on policy implications regarding the uninsured or political motives.

Methodology

The approach is a cross-sectional/observational study of American states and the District of Columbia after the Sebelius decision in 2012. This study compares three variables: (1) whether each state decided to opt into the expansion (“Opted In”), (2) whether each state’s governor and legislature were affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican …

Analysis Of Firearm Legislation And Law Enforcement Suicides In Nvdrs-Funded States, Meagan L. Hurst

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate firearm-related suicides among law enforcement members and identify potential differences between decedents and firearm legislation grades from National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) funded states

METHODS:

Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted using suicide data from 820 decedents who worked within law enforcement at the time of death. Data were collected over a ten-year period (2003-2013) from the NVDRS. Multivariable logistic regression and Pearson’s chi-square were used to identify if differences existed among firearm-related suicides and other means using variables such as age, marital status, occupation, mental health, and firearm legislation …

The “Burnout” Construct: An Inhibitor Of Public Health Action?, Bianchi Renzo, Irvin Sam Schonfeld, Eric Laurent

Publications and Research

The prevention and treatment of the “burnout syndrome” within the critical care community is an important objective of the Moss et al. Burnout in the occupational area is based on the idea that burnout is especially common in individuals who care for critically ill patients. We think that the authors’ observations and recommendations are diminished by the fact that studies of burnout’s prevalence are methodologically problematic. The current definition and use of the burnout construct may in fact be detrimental to public health decision making.

Assessment Of The Knowledge And Skills Of School Personnel To Respond To Diabetic Emergencies In Georgia Public Schools, Alesha Wright

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Diabetes is a common chronic disease that affects children in the United States. As children with diabetes attend school, the ability to appropriately manage their diabetes is essential to preventing life-threatening health complications. The purpose of the study was to assess school personnel’s knowledge of diabetes and perceived self-competence in performing diabetes management skills in response to a diabetic emergency. For the present study, a diabetic emergency was operationalized to include hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or diabetic ketoacidosis. A cross-sectional survey design, utilizing a fifty-two item self-administered questionnaire that accentuated the causes and symptoms of diabetes, definition of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and …

Socioeconomic Factors Associated With Cataract-Related Blindness Treatment In Women In Rural Regions Of Andhra Pradesh, Kiranpreet Kaur 4198353

Undergraduate Research Posters

Despite efforts of Vision 2020 in India, the Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study (APEDS) extrapolated, in 2000, approximately 18.7 million blind people in India and also, projected an increase to 31.6 million blind people by 2020. Within the state Andhra Pradesh itself, preventable corneal blindness increased to 1.84% from 1.5% in the late 1980s.

Numerous public health studies have been conducted to outline factors that cause and preclude treatment of avoidable corneal blindness in the India. Conclusively, the escalation of corneal blindness can be largely attributed to personal, social, and economic barriers in utilizing available eye-care services. However, due to …

Risk Factors Associated With Severe Acute Respiratory Infections Cases, Ryan Gatdula Ortiguerra

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The close proximity of the United States to the Mexican border poses a concern for communicable diseases because of the high flow of population movement. The purpose of this retrospective, quantitative study was to identify risks associated with respiratory diseases using an analysis of archived data from the Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) surveillance program. Based on the epidemiologic triangle theory, demographic and etiologic factors were analyzed to examine any associations with SARI in this population. Between 2010 and 2012, 798 subjects enrolled in this program, with 336 (42.1%) testing positive for respiratory pathogens. Chi square analysis determined that age …

Acculturation, Inflammation, And Depression Among Hispanic Adults In The United States, Kristin Marie Marano

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Disparities exist in the recognition and treatment of depression among Hispanics in the United States, creating a social, ethical, economic, and public health burden. This study was designed to generate an improved understanding of the causes of and/or contributors to depression within this population. It was specifically designed to 1) assess the prevalence and severity of depression among Hispanic adults in the United States relative to adults of other race/ethnicities in the United States; 2) clarify the inconsistent results in the literature concerning the relationship between acculturation and depression among Hispanic adults in the United States; and 3) fill a …

Predictors Of Excessive Alcohol Consumption Among U.S. Business Travelers, Jennifer Clore Barrickman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Excessive alcohol consumption (EAC) is an important public health problem. Several researchers have examined work-related influences on EAC, but few have investigated the predictors of EAC related to business travel. This study measured the association between EAC and frequency of business travel, duration of business travel, and job industry among U.S. business travelers. Research was conducted within the social-ecological theoretical framework. Snowball sampling was used to gather data from 187 business travelers. Data were evaluated using bivariate analysis to assess the association between measures of EAC and each independent variable. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for covariates. Respondents …

Performance Measurement Processes In Uganda: Role Of Nurse Administrators, Godfrey Katende

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

The concept of performance measurement is relatively new with inadequate documentation in Ugandan health sector. Worldwide, nursing professionals still represent the largest health workforce although their involvement in the policy formulation and development remains minimal. Despite the limited involvement in policy development, the performance measurement and transparency programs continue to target at nursing for quality care improvement. The objective of this paper was to examine performance measurement in the current policy arena with Uganda in order to recommend for use in other developing countries. The paper presents evidence based solutions and strategies for integration of performance measurement when developing standards …

Hepatitis C Virus In Mexican Americans: A Population-Based Study Reveals Relatively High Prevalence And Negative Association With Diabetes, Gordon P. Watt, Kristina Vatcheva, Laura Beretta, Jen-Jung Pan, Michael Fallon, Joseph B. Mccormick, Susan P. Fisher-Hoch

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Mexican Americans living in South Texas. We tested plasma for the presence of HCV antibody from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC), a randomized, population-based cohort in an economically disadvantaged Mexican American community on the United States/Mexico border with high rates of chronic disease. A weighted prevalence of HCV antibody of 2·3% [n = 1131, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·2-3·4] was found. Participants with diabetes had low rates of HCV antibody (0·4%, 95% CI 0·0-0·9) and logistic regression revealed a statistically significant negative …

Evaluation Of A Mosquito Control Intervention And Recommendations For Development Of Best Practice Protocols By The Shire Of Kalamunda, Kerry Staples

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Abstract

The mosquito control program implemented by the Shire of Kalamunda Environmental Health Service has been assessed. Mosquito species and abundance has been evaluated along with an assessment on the current level of pesticide resistance and downstream S‐methoprene levels post‐treatment. The rate of Ross River virus transmission within the Shire has also been considered, along with the relationship between local species and virus transmission.

Methodology

Floating Emergence Traps were used in 15 storm‐water gullies to determine the effectiveness of S‐methoprene briquets in prevention of adult mosquito emergence over 124 days. Samples were taken monthly from October 2014 to March 2015. …