Public Health and Community Nursing Commons^™

County Youth Athletics Response To Covid-19 Pandemic, Elise Schaller

Dissertations

Problem: To ensure safe participation in youth athletics and prevent COVID-19 transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Louis County Department of Public Health (DPH) implemented Youth Sports Guidelines on October 14, 2020. This project aimed to identify level of adherence to precautions listed in the guidelines at six county public high school athletic events.

Methods: An observational descriptive study design was used to monitor guideline adherence at high school athletic events. Two observers tallied violations by participants and spectators to Youth Sports Guidelines at St. Louis County public high school athletic events. Six high-frequency contact (basketball and wrestling) events …

Intimate Partner Violence Education For High School Students, Morgan Foster

Dissertations

Problem Adolescents are at risk for experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). As early as seventh grade, over half of adolescents have reported being in a romantic relationship. Adolescent screening for and education of IPV is minimal, and only the Healthy Relationships Quiz developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] screens young adolescents across all aspects of IPV, including psychological and sexual violence. The purpose of this project was to develop an IPV education plan for high school students in a health course.

Methods An educational lesson plan for IPV was created for high school teachers.

Results …

Mental Health Concerns Of Frontline Registered Nurses Associated With The Covid-19 Pandemic, Julie Ingle

Dissertations

Problem

COVID-19 caused local healthcare facilities to admit patients with COVID-19 at increasing rates, critically overloading healthcare system resources. Caregiver-related stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic placed frontline registered nurses (RNs) at risk for mental health consequences (Havlioglu & Demir, 2020; Shechter et al.,2020).

Methods

This quality improvement project used a descriptive design to administer a collection of validated instruments assessing anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and demographics. A purposive sample of RNs were recruited from the COVID-19 units in a local hospital, and the survey was distributed via email.

Results

During the implementation period (April 4, 2021-May 15, …

Youth Sports In A Pandemic Age, Robert Bohnert

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: Youth sporting events is a public health concern as infected youth with coronavirus disease 2019 may unknowingly spread the virus, as many show little to no symptoms (Zimmerman & Nigel, 2020). This project aimed to identify level of adherence to posted Youth Sports Guidelines, which were designed to mitigate the spread of virus at youth sporting events.

Methods: An observational descriptive design was utilized. Two observers tallied guideline violations by participants and spectators at six high-contact (basketball) and six low-contact (swimming) public high school youth sporting events.

Results: A total of 726 youth sport participants and 139 …

Health Disparities And Covid-19 Pandemic: Increasing Clinical Research Participation Among African Americans, Kashica J. Webber-Ritchey, Abbi D. Lane-Cordova

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Health disparities in African Americans is a persistent issue. Higher rates and severity of the novel coronavirus-19 [COVID-19] among African Americans only widens health disparities. Effective COVID-19 treatment options are imperative, requiring representation of African Americans in clinical research. However, low participation and under-representation of African Americans is complex in nature. This article describes health disparities, the impact of COVID-19, and participation in clinical research among African Americans. We offer strategies for researchers to enhance the inclusion of African Americans. We also offer strategies in conducting clinical research during COVID-19.

Hypertension Education And Management Intervention (Hemi) In The Urgent Care Setting, Conrad L. Cash

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Hypertension, being a very prominent disease, is a common problem found during urgent care visits. By beginning in the urgent care setting, hypertension management can be started early; thereby preventing complications from uncontrolled hypertension.

Purpose: This DNP project aimed to improve patient knowledge of hypertension and overall blood pressure readings by providing one-to-one provider-patient education.

Design Method: This DNP quality improvement project was a pre- and post-test design using quantitative data. The goal was to access if there was a change in patient education pre, post, and three months follow-up along with a change in blood pressure.

Results: …

How Do Community Dwelling Non-English Speaking Patients And Caregivers Perceive Their Medication Management?, Julia Cosner, Sarah Miner, Yvette Conyers

The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research

Non-English-speaking individuals face a linguistic and cultural barrier to managing prescribed medications in the community. Wilson et al. (2005) found that limited English proficient (LEP) patients reported more misunderstanding and negative drug reactions when taking prescribed medication compared to English-speaking patients. Not only is the inappropriate management of medication dangerous, but it is also a disparity in health care that is inequitable. The purpose of this literature review is to collect community-dwelling non-English-speaking patient and caregiver experiences with managing medication. These perspectives will highlight what is successful and what needs to be improved regarding non-English-speaking patient medication interactions. Literature suggests …

James Davidson Fawcett (1933–2020): Imbibing With The Kiwi, Louis A. Somma

Papers in Herpetology

An obituary and summary of the life of James D. Fawcett (1933-2020), herpetologist and instructor and professor of Biology at University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1972-2015. Includes bibliography of his works, list of master's theses chaired, and recollections of former students.

The Associations Of Chronic Stress, Social Support, Health Behaviors And Metabolic Syndrome Among Hispanic Women, Edna Esquer

Dissertations

The Associations of Chronic Stress, Social Support, Health Behaviors and Metabolic Syndrome Among Hispanic Women

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence is 25% among Mexican American women 30 – 49 years of age, compared to 22% among non-Hispanic Whites in the United States. Little is known about the additional contributions of chronic stress, social support and health behaviors to the development of MetS among this population.

Purpose: Describe the associations between chronic stress, social support, and health behaviors and the presence of MetS in Hispanic women living in an underserved community.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study design. The Adult Treatment Panel …

Identifying Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) In A Federally Qualified Health Center Using The Pediatric Aces And Related Life Events Screener, Melody Albarran-Slovin, Bsn, Rn

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Background: Evidence links adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to health issues later in life. Most research has been conducted in adults but there is a lack of recent research on the impact of ACEs in the pediatric population particularly in relation to mental health conditions. Utilizing the Pediatric ACEs Screener (PEARLS) health care providers can screen for ACEs at earlier ages.

Purpose: The aim of this evidence-based project is to determine if there is an increase of newly diagnosed mental health related disorders when using PEARLS compared to not using PEARLS in the previous months before implementation.

Methods: ACEs were identified …

Standardized Education On Physician Orders For Life Sustaining Treatment (Polst) Conversations, Venessa Oteniya

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

According to research literature, 15% of Medicare beneficiaries spend more than 7 days in the intensive care unit before they die. These Medicare beneficiaries receive aggressive, life-prolonging medical treatments that might not be in agreement with their wishes. Approximately 13% of SNF residents have improperly completed POLST forms that can result in intensive treatments that patients did not want. One barrier to the lack of POLST completion in SNFs is staff difficulty with understanding and explaining the form, a result of inadequate education.

In August 2020, the San Diego Coalition for Compassionate Care formed an education program to provide virtual …

Food Insecure Copd Patients And Healthcare Utilization: A Retrospective Study, Kristine Mendoza

Dissertations

Abstract

Purposes/Aims: Despite advances in the recognition and treatment of high-cost users of health care, the incidence of healthcare utilization remains high. Rates of hospital admissions and emergency room visits among chronic disease like COPD have become a targeted group for health management. COPD patients have multiple and complex health and social needs, but the impact of their unmet food needs is not well understood and warrants further investigation. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships between COPD food insecure patients and healthcare utilization in San Diego County.

Background/Rationale: Government programs targeting patients with high healthcare costs …

Standardized Outreach: Increasing Vaccine Uptake In The Latinx Community Through A Standardized Phone Call Process, Vanesa Vazquez

Master's Projects and Capstones

Vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic has been an issue in several minority communities since the initial discussions of the emergency use of the experimental Moderna and Pfizer vaccines (Increased risk, 2020). The aim of this project is to standardize the patient outreach process to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake, particularly in the Latinx community. Patients at a community clinic in Oakland, California have made apparent their distrust of the healthcare system and their disbelief in the positive outcomes of the COVID-19 vaccine. Most of these patients are Latinx-identifying and are considered more at risk for development of COVID-19 in …

Prevention Of Abusive Head Trauma Using An Educational Program For Parents/Caregivers, Camile Williams

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Problem: The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome reports that 1,300 abusive head trauma (AHT) cases occur in the USA each year, a quarter of which are fatal. Injuries are caused by impact, shaking, or both and result in intracranial and spinal damage, retinal hemorrhages, fractures of the ribs and other bones. AHT case rates in the community involved in this project had a 22% increase of AHT from 2018 to 2019.

Context: A practice improvement project involved the implementation of an AHT educational program targeted at parents/caregiversreceiving care services at a children’s hospital pediatric well-child clinic located in …

Improving Vaccination Uptake In The Latinx Community Through Standardized Outreach, Vanessa M. Arteaga

Master's Projects and Capstones

Vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic has been an issue in the Latinx and Black community since the initial discussions of the emergency use of the experimental Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. The aim of this project is to standardize the patient outreach process to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Patients at a community clinic in Oakland have expressed hesitance of the COVID-19 vaccine. They also exhibited increased frustration with the staff who are contacting them to schedule vaccine appointments and provide information. This resulted in refusal of the vaccine and less than desirable number of vaccine appointments. The objective of this …

Understanding Older Adults Living In Medically Underserved Areas Perspectives Regarding Type 2 Diabetes Care Received, Christopher Rogers

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Older adults with type 2 diabetes living in medically underserved areas (MUAs) have unique health and social needs that must be taken into consideration when supporting their type 2 diabetes treatment and management care. Effective treatment and management of type 2 diabetes for older adults living in MUAs requires incorporating the preferences, desires, needs, values, and goals of the person at the center of the care into his/her care plan. Shifting care to be conducive to the treatment and management goals and plans co-created with older adults living in MUAs based on their individual physical, psychological, social, and spiritual preferences, …

Utilizing A Stress And Coping Model Into A Preventive Abusive Head Trauma Parent/Caregiver Educational Program, Camile Williams

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a serious form of child maltreatment that is the primary cause of fatal head injuries in children younger than 24 months and is the cause for over 50% of severe or fatal traumatic brain injury incidences. These injuries can be caused by impact, shaking, or the combination of shaking and impact. These multi-factorial injuries can cause intracranial and spinal damage, retinal hemorrhages, and fractures of ribs and other bones. The age and severity of injuries will be used to assess the diagnosis of AHT. When AHT occurs, it is often tied to the behavior from …

Increasing Vaccination Rates In Pregnancy Using A Multifaceted Approach Including Patient Education And Reminder/Recall Interventions, Jas Tiara Mcgee

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Given the global tragedy that this most recent pandemic has caused, more attention has been given to the devastating outcomes that the spread of infectious disease outbreaks can have. Similar to those with comorbid conditions, pregnant women are also extremely vulnerable to infectious diseases, as disease manifestation does not only affect the mother, but the fetus as well. Thus, the prevention of both the influenza virus and pertussis are two major goals when providing care for this population. Preventing both of these disease processes during the intrapartum period helps to ensure optimal wellness for both mother and baby and overall …

Better Together? The Effects Of Shared Medical Appointments On Bmi In Obese Adults, Amanda Larson

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The United States (U.S.) is amidst an obesity epidemic, with Indiana ranking as the 15th worst state (Institute of Medicine, 2012; United Health Foundations, 2020). Despite current management strategies, the obesity rate in both the U.S. and Indiana continues to rise (WHO, 2020). Therefore, obesity management must change. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to determine if the addition of shared medical appointments (SMAs) consisting of informational group sessions by specialists and brief individualized meetings with the provider will result in greater reduction of weight and body mass index (BMI) compared to standard care alone in those …

Implementation Of A Cost-Effective Treatment Algorithm For The Management Of Acne Vulgaris In College Students, Cristina Borsilli

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Acne is one of the most common skin disorders in the United States, occuring in over 5.1 million Americans. Of those with acne, 53.8% are adults between the ages of 18 and 44 years old (American Academy of Dermatology [AAD], 2017). Acne can lead to multiple issues such as scarring, poor self-esteem, anxiety, and depression (Zaenglein et al., 2016). Acne can also negatively impact quality of life (Cengiz & Gurel, 2020). The purpose of this evidence-based project was to develop a cost-effective treatment algorithm for the management of acne vulgaris in adult college students. A literature search determined the best …

Using Mindfulness To Decrease Stress In College Students, Saska Pavlovic

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The prevalence of stress is increasing in colleges, where students are experiencing anxiety at an alarming rate, with anxiety being the topic most discussed in university counseling centers. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to determine the effect of mindfulness exercises on college students’ perceived stress. The Stetler Model guided the project development and implementation. The literature search revealed that best practice included mindfulness exercises through a combination of face-to-face instruction and remote online audio meditation for a duration of eight weeks. For this project, 56 undergraduate students (health care-leadership, health-science, and nursing majors) enrolled in a health …

Pediatric Health Literacy, Morgan E. Sapper, Grace G. Lloyd

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Abstract

Background: Unless you are a healthcare provider or licensed healthcare professional, understanding the United States healthcare system and its accompanying medical jargon can be confusing and overwhelming to try to navigate. Even more difficult is comprehending what resources are available to specific populations and how to gain the most benefit from these offered resources. Limited health literacy skills have been identified as the largest barrier in identifying an individual’s health outcomes. Health affects every stage of life. The purpose of this paper is to analyze what health literacy implementations look like as well as the age and developmental stage …

Caring Calls: A Weekly Phone Call Intervention And The Correlation With Loneliness In Rural Dwelling Adults, Abigail Jumbeck, Jennifer Timm, Mieca Valen, Chris Malone

Nursing DNP Projects

Purpose: This pilot study’s aim was to examine the impact of weekly phone calls from interprofessional students on loneliness in rural dwelling adults.

Design: A pretest and posttest quasi-experimental design was utilized.

Setting: The intervention was based in southeastern Minnesota, although the participants could have lived anywhere. Zoom for Healthcare © was utilized, and students were able to make the phone calls from their homes, therefore, no travel was necessary.

Subjects: The subjects were rural dwelling adults (over the age 18 years old).

Intervention: Interprofessional students made weekly social phone calls to rural dwelling adults over ten weeks.

Measures: The …

Don't Be Such A Buzzy®Kill: Reducing Pain During Vaccinations In College-Age Students, Katherine Long

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Immunizations play a fundamental role in reducing the occurrence of preventable diseases in the population. Injections related to immunization are the most frequent pain-producing medical procedure implemented worldwide and account for nearly 12 billion injections annually (CDC, 2019; Taddio et al., 2015). These procedures are often perceived as simple but can have a variety of complications including pain. This evidence-based practice project addressed the following PICOT question: In college-aged students receiving immunizations (P), does the Buzzy® device (I) when compared to non-intervention standard of care (C) effectively reduce injection site pain (O) over a 12-week time period (T)? The Buzzy® …

Keeping Primary Care Providers Informed About Detecting Skin Cancer In Young Adults, Riley J. Spears

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Skin cancer is a common, life-threatening disease that affects anyone, regardless of age or skin color (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2020). The incidence of melanoma is on the rise for young adults, with an estimated 2,400 new cases for individuals aged 15 to 29 (ACS, 2020). Although skin cancer is highly preventable, clinical guidelines are inconsistent regarding skin cancer screening. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to determine if the implementation of the INternet curriculum FOR Melanoma Early Detection (INFORMED) program would improve primary care providers’ (PCPs’) confidence about skin cancer and the number of completed and …

Nursing Assignment: Understanding Covid-19 Vaccines: Specific Strategies To Encourage And Educate Your Patients, Regina G. Lama

Open Educational Resources

Understanding Covid-19 Vaccines: Specific Strategies to Encourage and Educate Your Patients

This assignment focuses on the difference in Covid-19 vaccinations. The nursing student will discuss the different vaccinations and form a teaching plan for the patient in order to encourage the vaccination process. The student will then explore the patients expectations concerning vaccination.

As a presentation the students will be able to evaluate, share and reflect on teaching method.

Eastern European Orthodox Christian Immigrant Women: A Pilot Study And Needs Assessment, Kimberly A. Babich-Speck

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

The healthcare perceptions of the Eastern European Orthodox Christian immigrant women (EEOCIW) to the United States (U.S.) are under-represented in the literature. Although they appear similar to Americans, their cultural and religious traditions are outside the mainstream American culture. This pilot study and health needs assessment examines the women’s healthcare perceptions of 14 EEOCIW and identifies similarities and differences with 25 U.S. born Orthodox Christian women (USOCW). Between September and November 2020, interviews were conducted with Orthodox Christian immigrant women from Eastern Europe and Orthodox Christian women born in the U.S. Questions covered the perceptions of women’s healthcare, factors influencing …

Evaluating Va Nurse Acceptance Of Virtual Healthcare Technology During The Coronavirus Outbreak, Francesca Bryan-Couch

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

At a regional Veterans Administration (VA) hospital, nurses performing case management were unable to perform face-to-face visits with patients due to coronavirus. Care coordination and discharge planning efforts occurred through telephonic case management to preserve personal protective equipment and reduce transmission rates through social distancing. Trust and rapport between patients and nurses were reduced without personal contact. Peplau’s theory of interpersonal relations described six nurse roles and three phases of relationship development required to create therapeutic nurse-patient relationships. Connectedness was a key concept considered to be the path to a successful meaningful therapeutic nurse-patient relationship (Hrabe, 2005).

To evaluate current …

Community Health Nursing In Ghana: Dental Hygiene, Alexis Llewellyn

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Dental hygiene is an important contributor to our overall health. Poor dental hygiene practices can lead to plaque buildup, cavities formation, tooth decay, and infection. Infection that began as a result of poor oral hygiene can spread to other parts of the body and cause more serious conditions to develop. Dental health is not a priority among Ghanaian residents and there is a need for updated, evidence based research about this topic. This literature review focuses on community health nursing in Ghana, Africa regarding dental hygiene of the pediatric population in this country. The primary focus is to compare the …

Methods Of Malaria Prevention In Ghana, Africa: An Exhaustive Literature Review, Ally R. Marotti

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Ghana, Africa is currently listed among the top fifteen malaria burdened countries across the globe (WHO, 2019). While developed nations around the world have deemed malaria of no concern, third world countries continue to battle rising case and mortality rates each year. The purpose of this literature review is to determine which method of prevention proves most effective against malaria transmission and why recognized prevention methods are lacking in accessibility to the residents of Ghana. Peer-reviewed primary sources published between the years of 2015 and 2021 were utilized in this study. In order to be considered for review, sources located …