Public Health and Community Nursing Commons^™

Garden-Based Nutrition Education May Lead To Increased Dietary Knowledge In Low Income Hispanic School Children, Larry Bui

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Childhood obesity is a pressing public health concern in the United States, with rates continuing to increase in recent years. This problem disproportionately affects Latino children as well as those from low socioeconomic status. It is well established that nutrition knowledge deficiencies and resulting poor dietary habits are some of the most common contributing factors to childhood obesity. Garden-based nutrition education programs have been introduced to remedy this knowledge deficit; however, a gap remains regarding whether this model can be viable for low-income, culturally diverse populations.
Aim: This literature review investigates the importance of diet in reducing childhood obesity …

Empowering Low-Income Women With Breast Cancer: Promoting Acupuncture At Community Health Fairs, Katrina Ramos

Nursing | Senior Theses

While research has explored the positive effects of acupuncture on cancer and cancer treatment symptoms, a notable gap exists in understanding its impact on lower-income populations. These individuals encounter barriers to accessing acupuncture, such as limited availability, cost, and provider knowledge. This longitudinal study aims to assess the impact of community health fairs, featuring acupuncture information for breast cancer and chemotherapy-induced symptoms, on the acceptance and utilization rates of acupuncture among low-income women with breast cancer. Collaborating with the Women’s Cancer Resource Center and a local non-profit integrative cancer care clinic in Oakland, we will conduct a three-day health fair …

Cultural Wounds Find Release: Art Therapy And First Generation Immigrants’ Mental Health, Crystal Soojung Yi, Dennis Chavez Calderon

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: First-generation immigrants in the United States confront significant mental health challenges rooted in cultural identity conflict. Specifically, these challenges are linked to elevated rates of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as indicated by Lindert et al. (2009). Art therapy holds promise as an intervention for treating mental health and identity conflicts in a variety of populations. Yet, little is known about how art therapy can improve the experience of first-generation immigrants experiencing cultural identity conflicts.

Objective: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of art therapy in improving the mental health and cultural identity conflicts of first-generation …

Effects Of Menopause On Coronary Artery Disease, Angelica Gonzales

Nursing | Senior Theses

Menopausal women, 40 to 60 years old, have an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) when they experience hormonal changes. Which then can lead to unwanted cardiac events. Within the literature review of this paper, it was found that there are factors of menopause that may further increase the risk of coronary artery disease in menopausal women. Such factors include whether a woman underwent surgical or natural menopause and the timing when menopause began. Additionally, within the review, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was explored to determine whether the possible intervention can decrease the progression and risk of developing …

Reducing Emergency Department Visits For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Nurse-Led Home Interventions, Teri Nguyen

Nursing | Senior Theses

In the realm of pediatric healthcare, children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face unique challenges alongside their caregivers. Caregivers face challenges in accessing appropriate support and resources to effectively address the needs of children with ASD. Children with ASD struggle with sensory sensitivities, impaired safety awareness, and difficulties perceiving potential dangers which put them at greater risk for injuries. As a result, children with autism have higher rates of emergency department visits compared to their neurotypical peers. This research aims to assess the effectiveness of nurse-led home injury prevention and education in reducing emergency department visits for children with …

Telehealth: A Rising Intervention For Latina Mothers Experiencing Prenatal And Postpartum Depression, Britney Gutierrez

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is high among Latina women but often goes unrecognized and untreated. Recognition and management of PPD in this population is crucial as PPD contributes to negative health effects on the mother and infant. Purpose: This research aims to look into telehealth to improve screening methods and treatment for Latina mothers through a Spanish mobile health application that will provide screening and education on PPD. Method: This mixed-method quality improvement study will include 300 participants from an OB-GYN and Pediatrics community clinic, > 18 years old, of Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, Spanish speaking, currently pregnant, or had a child within …

Advancing School Nursing Practice: A Novel Approach To Screening For Gastrointestinal Disorders In Children, Ashley Bunting, Isabella Cavlan

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Currently, mandated health screenings in California schools are limited to vision, hearing, and scoliosis; this leaves several other body systems unmonitored during the crucial years of childhood development. One such system is the gastrointestinal (GI) system, which plays a vital role in the normal growth, nutrition status, development, and overall health of children. Objective: By developing and implementing a GI-specific screening tool in the outpatient school setting, this research aims to increase the detection of GI disorders in children. Not only that, but school nurses can use this novel screening tool to promote early diagnosis, intervention, and …

Reducing Emergency Department Visits Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Teri Nguyen

Nursing | Student Research Posters

In the realm of pediatric healthcare, children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face unique challenges alongside their caregivers. Caregivers face challenges in accessing appropriate support and resources to effectively address the needs of children with ASD. Children with ASD struggle with sensory sensitivities, impaired safety awareness, and difficulties perceiving potential dangers which put them at greater risk for injuries. As a result, children with autism have higher rates of emergency department visits compared to their neurotypical peers. This research aims to assess the effectiveness of nurse-led home injury prevention and education in reducing emergency department visits for children with …

Advancing School Nursing Practice: A Novel Approach To Screening For Gastrointestinal Disorders In Children, Ashley Bunting, Isabella Cavlan

Nursing | Student Research Posters

California schools currently only screen for vision and hearing, leaving many other health concerns unaddressed. Among these, gastrointestinal (GI) health is particularly significant, as digestive disorders can lead to severe consequences, like malnutrition and stunted growth. By incorporating routine GI screenings, school nurses can promote the early detection of disease, allowing for timely intervention and improved health outcomes in children.

Based on existing literature, we have developed a novel pediatric GI screening tool for school nurses to use in routine screenings, presented below.

Nurses Current State Of Knowledge On Prion Disease, Chelsy Grande

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Human prion disease is a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Creutzfeldt- Jakob prion disease rapidly progresses, and is caused by prion, an infectious protein that damages the central nervous system (Bailey et al., 2000). The infectious pathogen is different from other infectious diseases as the normal prion protein misfolds, changing the structures and results in an accumulation of cellular prion proteins (Rentz, 2003). There is no cure for Creutzfeldt- Jakob disease, only palliative care to improve their symptoms and provide support as the disease progresses. How much do nurses know and understand about prion disease, and how can this influence …

Scabies Prevention In Correctional Facilities: A Path To Safer Inmate Populations, Bhavandeep Singh

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis mite, which burrows into the skin to lay eggs and feces, causing intense itching and a rash. These symptoms can take up to 4-6 weeks for a first time infection and it can occur as early as 1-4 days for a person who previously had scabies (National Park Service, 2023). Scabies is often transmitted through prolonged and direct skin to skin contact with an infected person, through sharing clothing, or due to overcrowded environments. This intense itching and rash can cause poor sleep, social ostracization, and affect …

Nursing Students’ Attitudes And Preparedness For Maid, Kristal Candray

Nursing | Student Research Posters

As the aging population grows, terminal illness diagnoses are increasing, which has increased global interest in Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS), and euthanasia. However, there hasn’t been much research on how nursing students in California feel about MAiD or how well their education prepares them for these practices. Studies show that religious beliefs and prior knowledge or clinical experience with MAiD can influence students’ attitudes and sense of preparedness. Qualitative research has also identified common challenges, like role confusion, conflicts between ethics and religion, and the need for better education on the topic. Despite this, there’s no …

Effectiveness Of Diversion Tube On Peripheral Blood Culture Contamination Rates From Intravenous Catheters In A Community Hospital Emergency Department, Anne Meginniss

DNP Scholarly Projects

BACKGROUND: Obtaining blood cultures is routine care for patients who are suspected to have sepsis. Contaminated blood cultures can lead to increased healthcare costs for patients suspected of sepsis. Reducing contaminated specimens could improve the quality of care delivered as well as increase patient satisfaction.

AIM: This quality improvement project aimed to reduce the number of contaminated blood cultures in a community hospital emergency department by using an initial specimen diversion tube to meet the new national benchmark of below 1% contamination rate.

METHODS: Twenty-seven diversion specimens were collected over an eight-week period via initial intravenous catheter insertion in a …

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Bundle For Hypertension Outcomes In Adult Patients Receiving Care In Public Health Clinics, Christine Jennifer Victorian

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: Hypertension (HTN) that is not adequately controlled leads to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart disease. It affects 116 million adults (47%) in the United States (U.S.). The HTN compliance rate in a South Texas public health clinic was 64%, below the national benchmark of 76%. Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) was recommended in a joint statement by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA). Literature evidence revealed that the HBPM bundle increased BP control (< 140/90 mmHg) compliance.

Methods: A quality improvement (QI) bundle was initiated to address the low HTN compliance rate from a quality management perspective. …

Guideline For Creating A Support Group For Adults With Down Syndrome Who Suffer With Prolonged Grief, Brandon Chace Warman

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Adults with Down syndrome process and express their grief differently from the general population. There are a multitude of support groups and organizations for individuals grieving a loss and experiencing prolonged grief but there are none that exist for people with Down syndrome. This project develops a guideline for creating support groups aimed at adults with Down syndrome who experience prolonged grief. Fifty-one pieces of literature from all over the world were reviewed to formulate recommendations that were graded by seven stakeholders. These recommendations were then used to develop a guideline for creating support groups for this population. Analysis of …

The Impact Of Multidisciplinary Just-In-Time Training On Confidence In The Delivery Of Care In The Humanitarian And Disaster Response Environment, Jennifer Verstreken

DNP Scholarly Projects

Background: Team Rubicon International deploys emergency medical teams with little targeted training on the health and illness patterns common to the geographic region and the type of disasters to which they respond, such as cholera, malaria, and malnutrition. These high-risk, low-incidence illnesses are infrequently seen in Western medical practices. Medical, nursing, and paramedical training programs address these illness patterns in the curriculum. Still, a lack of consistent exposure to the care and treatment of patients with these illnesses can lead to a lack of knowledge and confidence in delivering appropriate care.

Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to determine if …

Assessing Barriers And Facilitators To School Nurse Recommendations Of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination, Amy E. Dark

DNP Scholarly Projects

Background Vaccine hesitancy among students and caregivers is a pervasive challenge for educational leadership and school health staff, leaving the school community at risk for vaccine preventable disease. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is an underutilized primary prevention strategy against six HPV related cancers.

Purpose The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to measure the effect of an evidence-based educational intervention and facilitated role play on the knowledge and confidence of school nurses (SNs) when discussing HPV vaccination.

Methods This QI project was performed using a brief educational presentation with facilitated role play and a pre/post survey design. …

Implementing A Nurse-Driven Clostridium Difficile Screening Protocol, Sandrela Magnuson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Background: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a prevalent infection often contracted in hospitals. CDI is also increasingly originating from community settings. In addition to the health risks associated with CDI, diagnosis of a hospital-acquired CDI can have a significant financial impact on hospital systems. When hospital acquired, hospital systems are no longer reimbursed by payers. Secondary to the increasing prevalence of community-acquired CDI, mechanisms for early detection and isolation are warranted.

Local Problem: J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital has an integrated Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) electronic health record (EHR) screening questionnaire that requires updating to align with current guidelines.

Purpose: …

Establishing Guidelines For Implementing Electronic Hand Hygiene Monitoring Systems, Olaoti Opaleye

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in hospitals threaten patient safety and quality of care, which leads to increased healthcare costs. Despite national and state-level progress in hand hygiene compliance (HHC), the 2022 CDC annual report on HAIs highlighted ongoing concerns for standard infection ratios (SIRs) and called for improved HHC to reduce HAIs. Many hospitals use trained observers to collate HHC data; their audits are limited and often skewed by the Hawthorne Effect (HE) and observer bias, resulting in inaccurate HHC data. This project aimed to create guidelines for implementing electronic hand hygiene monitoring systems (EHHMSs) to help hospital inpatient units adopt …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Nurses’ And Midwives’ Experiences In Designated Covid-19 Healthcare Facilities In Rural And Urban Tanzania, Kahabi Isangula, Lucy Kisaka, Loveluck Mwasha

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background:

Frontline healthcare providers, particularly nurses and midwives, are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection due to frequent patient contact. However, studies examining their experiences, particularly in low-income countries like Tanzania, are limited.

Objective:

This study aimed to explore the experiences of nurses and midwives providing care in COVID-19-designated healthcare facilities in selected regions of Tanzania.

Methods:

A qualitative descriptive approach was used to investigate the experiences of nurses and midwives in COVID-19 care. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 purposefully selected participants from Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, and Pwani regions. Data were coded with NVivo 12 software and analyzed …

At The Heart Of Nursing: A Literature Review On Health Literacy Education In Nursing Curricula And Preparation For Patient Teaching Encounters, Samantha Garcia

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Health literacy is defined as one’s ability to find, comprehend, and utilize information to make health decisions (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, n.d.). Globally, nursing students are exposed to the concept of health literacy during their degree-seeking years, yet no formal health literacy education exists across nursing curricula in pre-licensure programs at the associate and bachelor levels. This lack of standardization and non-emphasis of health literacy as a formal topic within education has contributed to poor provider performance and, in turn, low health literacy rates that may lead to suboptimal patient outcomes.

Significance: Studies have found that …

Understanding The Impact Of Asthma And Rsv, Jasmine Celeste

Graduate Research Projects

No abstract provided.

Improving Dental Students' Knowledge And Confidence In Treating Tobacco Use, Victoria Pierce

DNP Projects

Background: Tobacco use can lead to numerous chronic health conditions. Healthcare professionals in the dental field are in a unique position to broach this issue with patients. Research shows that dental students do not feel equipped to provide tobacco cessation care, citing lack of education on the subject among their top reasons for this.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate changes in dental students’ knowledge and confidence related to treating tobacco use after participation in an educational intervention about the 5A’s, behavioral counseling, and first-line prescription medications.

Methods: This quality improvement initiative utilized a quasi-experimental survey design …

Provider And Staff Education Surrounding Universal Hcv Screening And Linkage To Care In An Ambulatory Care Setting, Lauren Clifford

DNP Projects

Abstract

Background: In the United States, it is estimated that there are more than 2 million cases of Hepatitis C (HCV), with over 66,000 new cases since 2020 However, an estimated 75% of those with HCV go undiagnosed and less than 35% receive treatment within a year of diagnosis. In 2018, UK Healthcare (UKHC) implemented a universal HCV screening method using a Best Practice Advisory (BPA) for anyone 18 and older who presented to the Emergency Department and had labs ordered. Patients who screened positive were then referred to outpatient clinics for HCV treatment. Approximately ten percent of positive patients …

Using Education To Confidently Identify And Report Concerns Of Child Abuse And Neglect: A Qualitative Improvement Initiative Through Staff Development, Sarah E. Neilson

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND: Pre-licensure education on child abuse and neglect is crucial for nurses in the healthcare field. It helps to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively identify, report, and intervene in cases of child abuse and neglect. Having this education available and understanding the signs and effects of child abuse and neglect, empowers nurses to take quick and decisive action in early intervention and prevention. Within the microsystem of a local Operating Room (OR), this quality improvement (QI) project will determine the muchneeded addition to the healthcare curriculum.

METHODS: The Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) framework was …

Improving Discharge Education Quality In Urgent Care Settings: A Quality Improvement Project, Brielle N. Patscheider

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND:

Effective discharge education is vital for improving patient care by enhancing health outcomes and reducing hospital readmission. When patients receive thorough and personalized discharge instructions, they are better able to manage their health, follow treatment plans, and identify symptoms needing further attention. This not only boosts patient satisfaction and safety but also reduces the strain on healthcare systems by decreasing preventable readmissions.

LOCAL PROBLEM:

Urgent care facilities serve diverse populations with a range of common, non-emergency ailments. The rapid service and walk-in availability often lead to a high volume of patients with diverse and complex medical needs. To eliminate …

Wellness In Motion: A Quality Improvement Initiative To Support Resident Mobility And Reduce Falls., San N. Pham

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Falls are a significant concern in community living centers for older adult veterans. Promoting physical activity and resident engagement is crucial for reducing fall risk among this population.

Local Problem: A specific microsystem within this setting has a fall rate of 3 falls per month. This discrepancy underscores the need for targeted interventions to effectively address this issue.

Methods: This study measured key metrics related to falls and resident engagement in mobility programs both before and after the implementation of an exercise program within the microsystem.

Intervention: The "GIMME 10" exercise program, grounded in evidence-based practices and emphasizing resident-centric …

Factors Associated With Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy In South Central Appalachia, Florence M. Weierbach, Rebecca Adkins Fletcher, Ingrid E. Luffman, Cynthia Meyer, Janet M. Keener, Manik Ahuja, Hadii M. Mamudu

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: The newly emergent COVID-19 virus reached pandemic levels in March 2020. By the middle of August 2020, there were over 1 million deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the U.S., with those in rural areas outpacing urban counterparts. Prior to emergency approval of the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine formulations, mitigation efforts addressing individual behavior were challenging. However, even with the entrance of these three new vaccines, herd immunity was not achieved in rural areas, as vaccine uptake remained low there. Although there has since been an abundance of COVID-19-related research addressing health literacy, vaccine hesitancy and overall …

Age, Body Mass Index, Physical Activity And Quality Of Life In Turkish Pregnant Woman With And Without A Diagnosis Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Comparative Study, Yaren Nur Tayyar, Hatice Kahyaoglu Sut

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to examine and compare the age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity (PA), and quality of life (QOL) of third-trimester Turkish pregnant women with and without a diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: A comparative study was conducted in the obstetrics clinic of a university hospital in Turkey, and it included 210 women (GDM women = 105 and non-GDM women = 105). Personal Information Form, International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ), and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Short Form-Turkish (WHOQOL-Bref-TR) were used.

Results: The age and BMI of GDM women were higher …

Associated Factors Related To Self-Management Behaviors Among People With Type 2 Diabetes In Myanmar, Aye Nyein Oo, Jiraporn Lininger, Sirirat Leelacharas

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Diabetes is a global health concern that affects individuals and the healthcare system. This study aimed to describe the relationships between personal and environmental factors and self-management behaviors in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: This research included 100 individuals with T2DM who were recruited through convenient sampling from three government hospitals in Myanmar. Data collection was fulfilled using a standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire consisting of demographic information, the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale, the New Short-Form Health Literacy Instrument, the 24-item version of the Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire, the Social Support Questionnaire, and the Summary of Diabetes …