Public Health and Community Nursing Commons^™

Improving Blood Pressure Through A Multimodal Intervention, Kalynn Solomey

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and remains a significant public health concern in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023a). Despite the availability of effective pharmacological therapies, many patients struggle to achieve adequate blood pressure control, highlighting the need for accessible, evidence-based lifestyle interventions. An extensive literature search of five databases provided 11 articles for utilization. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal intervention that included hypertension education, individualized lifestyle counseling, self-measured blood pressure training, and a progressive walking program in reducing systolic blood pressure …

Empowered Choices: A Quality Improvement Women’S Health Initiative In Faith-Based Nursing For Women Recovering From Substance Use Disorder, Jennifer Mewshaw

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Women with substance use disorder (SUD) face higher rates of unplanned pregnancy, reproductive infections, and delayed prenatal care. Faith community nurses (FCNs) often already serve within this community and have a long history of promoting public health interventions. However, they lack the knowledge and confidence in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education.

Evidence Review: A literature review identified barriers to SRH care for women with SUD and the role of FCNs in community and public health interventions. Evidence supports providing FCNs with the knowledge and skills to deliver SRH education and support for women with SUD using trauma-informed and …

Practice Matters: Measles, Maria E. Main, Melissa K. Travelsted, Maire M. Blankenship

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Measles has re-emerged as a significant public health concern, with an estimated 10.3 million global cases and more than 100,000 deaths in 2023, primarily among young children. In the United States, measles incidence has risen sharply due to declining vaccination rates and increased international travel, resulting in a growing number of locally transmitted outbreaks. Faith community nurses, who play key roles in health education, advocacy, and illness prevention, are uniquely positioned to support community-level efforts that reduce measles transmission. This article addresses key aspects of measles epidemiology, clinical presentation, and complications, emphasizing the virus’s high communicability and potential for severe …

Challenges And Barriers Faced By Healthcare Workers In Implementing Strategies To Reduce Teenage Pregnancy In Iligan City, Elise Janella A. Denila, Jydel Anne P. Dalangin, Wynne Nicole P. Englatiera, Dave William E. Almonia, Ian C. Abordo, Donna Belle P. Sumugat Rn, Man, Raymond M. Salvador

Pacific Journal of Health

Aims: To investigate nursing strategies and their perceived barriers in reducing teenage pregnancy among barangays in Iligan City with high incidence of teenage pregnancy.

Study Design: This study uses qualitative, exploratory research design. This design is ideal for delving into complex issues and understanding phenomena in their real-world context.

Place and Duration of the Study: Iligan City Philippines, between September 2023 and May 2024

Methods: This study includes 6 healthcare workers experienced in handling teenage pregnancy and 25 teenagers who have experienced it. Participants were selected using purposive sampling to ensure they had relevant experiences. Data was collected through face-to-face, …

Enhancing Community Engagement: Perspectives From Researchers, Community Members, And Service Providers, Anne-Marie O'Brien, Elyssa Wood

Virginia Journal of Public Health

Purpose: Compare and contrast perspectives from Research Team Members (RT), Community Members (CM) and Service Providers/Others (SP/O) about barriers and facilitators to community engagement and participation in health research.

Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey study with a convenience sample of adults who lived and/or worked in the Commonwealth of Virginia was conducted between May and July 2022. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were conducted to identify similarities and differences across the three stakeholder groups.

Results: A total of 303 participants were involved in this study. In general RTs, CMs and SP/Os were similar in their responses to perceived barriers and …

50 Years After The Bunker Hill Mine Fire Caused One Of The Largest Lead-Poisoning Cases In Us History, Idaho’S Silver Valley Is Still At Risk, Martin Schiavenato

Nursing Faculty Scholarship

On Sept. 3, 1973, a fire swept through the baghouse of the Bunker Hill mine in Idaho’s Silver Valley. The building was designed to filter pollutants produced by smelting, the melting of rocks that separates metal from its ore. The gases produced in this process carried poisons, including lead.

At the time, the prices of lead and silver were climbing toward all-time highs. Rather than wait for new filters and repairs, company officials kept the mine running. They increased production, bypassed the filtration steps and, for eleven months, dumped noxious gases directly into the surrounding area.

Then, horses …

Wound Care For Unhoused Youth, Diana Altman, Monse Villasenor, Grace Fry, Maddy Johnson, Matthew Messenger

Nursing Leadership in Community Engagement Projects

Wound Care For Unhoused Youth

Introduction

We partnered with a non-profit organization designed to serve the unhoused youth, ages 18-25, who have a day program as well as an overnight shelter. They have 30 beds and reserve 20 of those beds for individuals who are “residents,” who commit to staying for several nights and work towards finding more permanent options. The other 10 beds are for individuals to use for a single night, but these are not always guaranteed, you must sign up to save a spot. The day program has various activities ranging from painting to resume workshops and …

The Threat Of Hospital Wastewater: An Evidence-Based Call To Action, Ann P. Nguyen

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Introduction: Hospital wastewater carries a unique composition of pollutants, a burden that includes high chemical and biological residuals. These pollutants are discharged into sewage treatment plants and natural environments where they contaminate human water sources and larger ecosystems. Water treatment plants are not designed to treat the high loads of biomedical waste and persistent organic compounds found in hospital wastewater and therefore pollutants survive in conventionally treated water. Evidence of contaminated soil, municipal wastewater, surface water, ground water, and even drinking water have been demonstrated in studies conducted around the world highlighting the ubiquity of the problem. Hospital effluent as …

Parent And Child Anxiety Evaluated During An Early Period Of The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study, Karla M. Abela, Darlene Acorda, Stanley Cron, Geri Lobiondo-Wood

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: The objective of this study was to explore parent and child anxiety during the pandemic. Unlike previous pandemics, measures implemented to prevent the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been much more limiting.

Methods: An explanatory convergent mixed-methods design was used to describe anxiety of children 9–17 years of age and their parents during August–October 2020. Adult and child versions of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to examine levels as measured on STAI’s state-anxiety subscale. Web-based interviews with a subset of patients were conducted qualitatively to analyze anxiety-related themes.

Results: A total of 188 parents …

Exploring Digital Health Interventions For Pregnant Women At High Risk For Pre-Eclampsia And Eclampsia In Low-Income And-Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review, Anam Shahil Feroz, Noreen Afzal, Emily Seto

Community Health Sciences

Objective: To explore digital health interventions that have been used to support pregnant women at high risk for pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (HRPE/E) in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Design: Scoping review.
Data source: EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and CINAHL were searched between 1 January 2000 and 20 October 2020.
Eligibility criteria: The review included original research studies that were published in English, involved pregnant women at HRPE/E and implemented digital health interventions for PE/E in LMICs.
Data extraction and synthesis: Two reviewers independently completed the data extraction for each of the 19 final …

The Effects Of Social Determinants On Renal Care Among Eskd Patients In The Philippines: Rural Vs. Urban Areas, Melanie Rojas

Nursing | Senior Theses

From a Public Health Nursing (PHN) perspective, populations who are diagnosed with chronic disease or illness are the most vulnerable to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) states that the mortality rate for ESKD amounts to roughly 7 million individuals worldwide. In examining causes of ESKD throughout both history and the lifespan, high mortality rates are attributed to the lack of access to life-sustaining therapies such as dialysis or transplantation. The lack of access to therapy or healthcare services has been an immense Public Health crisis in the last few decades. …

Laboratory Techniques In Public Health: Bi-520 Introduction To Public Health Lab Manual, Anuradha Srivastava

Open Educational Resources

This laboratory manual for a foundations course Public Health is unique in the sense that very rarely, a foundations course in the field has a lab component offered with the lecture. This lab manual provides basic laboratory exercises that could be useful to introduce undergraduate students to the basics of public health laboratory practices.

What Methods Can The Health Care Industry Implement To Reduce Energy Consumption And Waste Production From Patient Care To Limit Greenhouse Gas Emissions?, Danielle H. S. Good

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Purpose: Climate change is a growing issue all around the world and has negative impacts on the environment and human health. The health care industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions amplifying climate change. Health care establishments are in place to improve health but are inadvertently harming it at the same time. Methods:A review of the literature was conducted to determine the impact the health care industry has on climate change and what can be done to limit the impacts on the environment. Resources were collected from trusted organizations databases such as Healthcare Without Harm, …

Hidden Heroes: Tales From Caregivers, Part 4, Singapore Management University

Social Space

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unleash its effects on a global scale, most of us are glued to the news and social media for updates, and bracing ourselves for the impact of the coronavirus on our countries, communities and families. In the face of such uncertainty, it's only normal to feel anxious and afraid. However, if you're holed up at home letting your worries and fears get the better of you, it may be time to slow down and steer yourself into a calmer headspace.

A Vaccine Administration Training Program To Increase Adolescent Vaccination Rates, Claire Jensen

Dissertations

Abstract

Immunizations have been proven to control life-threatening diseases. Often Registered Nurses (RNs) administer vaccines but are unsure how to discuss vaccines with vaccine hesitant patients. Missouri’s adolescent vaccination rates are below its neighboring states. This initiative’s purpose was to increase adolescent vaccine administrations at a Missouri County Health Department (MCHD).

This quality improvement initiative had an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive design. RNs employed at three MCHD clinics attended an adolescent vaccine administration training program (VAT) and completed pre-/post-tests regarding the Advisory Council on Immunization Practices recommendations. Medical record reviews from March 1-April 30, 2018 and March 1-April 30, 2019 compared …

Decreasing Environmental Health Risks In The Philippines: Implementation Of A Culturally Appropriate Screening Tool, Alyssa Samson

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Objectives: The purpose of this DNP project was to increase the knowledge of environmental health risk factors in the Philippines among nurses and doctors located within that healthcare system. The overall goal was to educate providers on local environmental health risks, provide training for the use of a screening tool (Tagalog Environmental Health and Safety Assessment Tool [TEHSAT]), and provide resources aimed at increasing screening of at risk populations and provide opportunities for education and health promotion.

Methods: This project included a two-part educational training session. The first part included a preliminary presentation on environmental health and the use of …

Evidence-Based Study Of Medication Compliance Project In Hiv Prevention Using Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) Antivirals For Hiv-Negative Males, Ming-Chun Ho

Doctoral Projects

In 2012, emtricitabine/tenofovir was the only Food and Drug Administration-approved medication for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) used in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention. To date, there is little research on open-label and mixed-payer characteristics supporting medication compliance of men who have sex with men (MSM). The purpose of this research was to describe individual demographic variables associated with PrEP medication adherence and to examine the effect of a follow-up phone call from a nurse once a month for 3 months. A total of 30 MSM were recruited and data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, medication adherence tool and follow-up phone …

Pornography As A Public Health Issue: Promoting Violence And Exploitation Of Children, Youth, And Adults, Elisabeth Taylor

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

The pornography industry is expanding exponentially as a result of ongoing technological advances. The ability to stream videos over the internet and the ubiquity of the smart phone have meant that pornography producers are able to use algorithms to target potential consumers, to cultivate new sexual tastes and to deliver content to a more diverse audience over mobile devices. The advent of virtual reality pornography with interactive sex toys and sex robots imbued with artificial intelligence promises to unleash a further step-change in the extent to which pornography influences ‘real-world’ sexual culture. The critical analysis of pornography undertaken over decades …

Lead In The Environment, Msn Module, Dawn Blue

Q2S Enhancing Pedagogy

Module for MSN program in toxicology on lead in the environment.

The Public Health Harms Of Pornography: The Brain, Erectile Dysfunction, And Sexual Violence, John D. Foubert

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

Who's Hungry In San Diego, Alison M. Schurman, Kathy S. James

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Objective: Food insecurity (FI) is a lack of access to nutritious food. FI has been linked to multiple preventable diseases from behavioral disorders to asthma to obesity and its sequelae. In San Diego County, 14 percent of families are food insecure. The AAP recommends screening for FI at all well appointments using the two-question FI screening tool. The aim of this project was to implement this tool at a multi-clinic, low income population community health center where ninety-five percent of patients meet qualification for SNAP benefits.

Methods: Stakeholders chose one week to screen all patients presenting to clinic for FI …

Improving Patient Outcomes: Early Mobilization Of Intensive Care Patients, Casey Teves

Honors College Theses

Early mobilization of intensive care patients has gained the interest of researchers within the last few years due to its safe and practical application and numerous benefits it can provide. Reviewing the literature on this topic reveals the substantial benefits of early mobilization and the detrimental effects of prolonged bed-rest. Despite recent evidence proving that this practice will increase quality of care, many intensive care units still utilize bed-rest as a standard. Understanding the barriers and facilitators of this change can help transform this research into practice and improve patient care outcomes. Nurses are the key facilitators in the initiative …

The Citizen Nurse: An Educational Innovation For Change, Kathleen M. Clark, Joyce P. Miller, Cheryl Leuning, Katherine Baumgartner

Faculty Authored Articles

Background: Nursing education needs to provide the necessary tools for students to develop leadership skills and to practice civic agency to create meaningful change in the shifting health care field. This article focuses on facilitating a student's role in becoming a citizen nurse through curricular modifications.

Method: Through an ongoing partnership, nursing faculty and community organizers implemented a year-long pilot project to discover the deeper insights into the role of a citizen nurse and to analyze the skills students need to be effective agents of change. Pilot lectures and workshops were held throughout the academic year, and curricular changes were …

Integrating Correctional And Community Health Care: An Innovative Approach For Clinical Learning In A Baccalaureate Nursing Program., Mary T. Bouchaud, Beth Ann Swan

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

PROBLEM: With an evolving focus on primary, community-based, and patient-centered care rather than acute, hospital-centric, disease-focused care, and recognition of the importance of coordinating care and managing transitions across providers and settings of care, registered nurses need to be prepared from a different and broader knowledge base and skills set. A culture change among nurse educators and administrators and in nursing education is needed to prepare competent registered nurses capable of practicing from a health promotion, disease prevention, community- and population-focused construct in caring for a population of patients who are presenting health problems and conditions that persist across decades …

Patient Engagement In Transitional Care, Sheeree Dela Pena

Master's Projects and Capstones

The Clinical Nurse Leader Master’s project was conducted about a public health program called the Transitional Care Program that was working in partnership with a county hospital system, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. The specific aim was to reduce hospital re-admissions of high-risk patients by supporting patient motivation and engagement in the Transitional Care Program by May 2015. Over a four-month period, data was collected through ten client visits, interviews with two public health nurses, information available about the program, and current research conducted on transitional care, hospital discharges, and patient engagement. Various aspects of the program were assessed, such …

Family And Child Development Education For Harrisonburg Adolescents, Mollie M. Moran, Jennifer E. Corser, Julia M. Glauber

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The pregnancy rate among 15- to 17-year-old women in Harrisonburg is double Virginia's state rate (Townsend, 2008). While meeting administers and guidance counselors of Harrisonburg High School we learned that Harrisonburg High School views this issue as one that cannot be addressed by teaching abstinence in their public school. They have found that because of cultural beliefs, abstinence is not an effective tool for preventing teenage pregnancy. Instead, HHS teaches their students about safe sexual practices and how to have a healthy pregnancy in the event they were to become pregnant. The high school offers a class called “Child and …

Pink Goes Red For A Day: Is Your Heart Healthy?, Quierra W. Jones

Honors College Theses

There is a major lack of public health education among college aged students at many colleges and universities across the country. Even further, many minority college students are unfamiliar with one of the most life-threatening health issues that affect them the most: heart health. As a nursing student and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., I strive to uphold our “service to all mankind” motto and also educate the public about important heart health matters. On February 4, 2014, I presented a program through my sorority entitled Pink Goes Red for a Day in which I educated the primarily …

Enhancing Access To Cultural Health Assessment Instruments For Refugees In Idaho, Samantha Fundingsland

College of Health Sciences Poster Presentations

Statement of the problem: Boise, Idaho is one of 16 relocation centers in the United States for refugees from all over the world. The number of Boise refugees from 2001-2011 totaled 5,431 with more than 30 countries represented (Idaho Office for Refugees, 2013). Refugees are fleeing persecution on basis of race, religion, nationality, and social groups and generally cannot protect themselves from their own countries. The process of resettlement is stressful and can impact physical and mental health. Upon entering the United States refugees are required to undergo a medical examination, which initially introduces them to the healthcare system. Refugees …

Community Health Nursing Service Learning, Joyce K. Edmonds, Diane Coste

Office of Community Partnerships Posters

Through the Service Learning Course, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, RN-BS Online Program, Senior Level Course, Community Health for RN’s and NU 461, 6 credits Student Body Registered Nurses (70-105 each semester) throughout the state seeking to obtain a Bachelor in Science of Nursing. The Institute of Medicine, Future of Nursing Report recommends increasing the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80% by 2020. Instructional Aim Students obtain a better understanding of public health and nursing theory and practice as they further develop their professional and civic identities through meaningful service to their communities. Service Learning Requirement …

Development Of An Evidence-Based Program To Address Burnout And Resilience In Nursing, Heather Zink

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Abstract

Problem: Public health nurses at a county health department are experiencing burnout because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: The purpose of this program development project was to address burnout in public health nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic through assessment and recommended resilience interventions.

Methods: Two survey tools to measure burnout and resilience were distributed to 70 public health nurses. A literature review using the Wiederman framework for battling burnout and building resilience guided the development of the resilience toolkit.

Intervention: A resilience toolkit consisting of evidence-based interventions, budgets, assessment tools, an example plan, and posters was developed for the …