Public Health | Open Access Articles | Digital Commons Network™

Assessing Covid-19 Booster Hesitancy And Its Correlates: An Early Evidence From India, Geetanjali C. Achrekar, Kavita Batra, Yashashri Urankar, Ravi Batra, Naved Iqbal, Sabiha A. Choudhury, Deepti Hooda, Roohi Khan, Suraj Arora, Aditi Singh, Francesco Chirico, Manoj Sharma

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 mutants, waning immunity, and breakthrough infections prompted the use of booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to fight against the pandemic. India started booster doses in January 2022 and it is critical to determine the intention of booster dose uptake and its correlates. Therefore, the current cross-sectional study aimed to investigate booster dose acceptability and associated predictors among the Indian population. A convenience sampling technique was utilized to recruit a sample of 687 Indian residents. A 55-item psychometric validated survey tool was used to assess booster dose acceptability, vaccine literacy and vaccine confidence. Univariate, bivariate, and …

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Mental Disorder Symptoms During The Covid-19 Pandemic In Latin America – A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Stephen X. Zhang, Kavita Batra, Wen Xu, Tao Liu, Rebecca Kechen Dong, Allen Yin, Andrew Yilong Delios, Bryan Z. Chen, Richard Z. Chen, Saylor Miller, Xue Wan, Wenping Ye, Jiyao Chen

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Aims There is a lack of evidence related to the prevalence of mental health symptoms as well as their heterogeneities during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Latin America, a large area spanning the equator. The current study aims to provide meta-analytical evidence on mental health symptoms during COVID-19 among frontline healthcare workers, general healthcare workers, the general population and university students in Latin America. Methods Bibliographical databases, such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO and medRxiv, were systematically searched to identify pertinent studies up to August 13, 2021. Two coders performed the screening using predefined eligibility criteria. …

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Knowledge Or Awareness Of Non-Communicable Diseases And Their Associated Risk Factors Among University Students In Fiji: A Cross-Sectional Study, Awadhesh Kumar Shirotriya, Kavita Batra

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction: Chronic diseases (aka Non-communicable diseases, NCDs) contribute to the global burden of morbidity and mortality, with a significant share of premature deaths among low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Fiji. The early exposure to the risk factors of NCDs affects the entire life course; knowledge or awareness of adolescents towards NCDs and associated risk factors is critical for health promotion. This study aims to investigate the knowledge or awareness level of chronic conditions and their risk factors among Fijian students. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 338 university students was recruited using the paper as well as web-based …

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Assessing Acceptability Of Covid-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Among Adult Americans: A Cross-Sectional Study, Tesfaye Yadete, Kavita Batra, Dale M. Netski, Sabrina Antonio, Michael J. Patros, Johan C. Bester

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Given the emergence of breakthrough infections, new variants, and concerns of waning immunity from the primary COVID-19 vaccines, booster shots emerged as a viable option to shore-up protection against COVID-19. Following the recent authorization of vaccine boosters among vulnerable Americans, this study aims to assess COVID-19 vaccine booster hesitancy and its associated factors in a nationally representative sample. A web-based 48-item psychometric valid survey was used to measure vaccine literacy, vaccine confidence, trust, and general attitudes towards vaccines. Data were analyzed through Chi-square (with a post hoc contingency table analysis) and independent-sample t-/Welch tests. Among 2138 participants, nearly 62% intended …

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Intergenerational Perceptions And Practices In Breastfeeding And Child Feeding Among Quilombola Women In Goiás State, Brazil, Priscila Olin Silva, Muriel Bauermann Gubert, Amanda Kellen Pereira Da Silva, Lucélia Luiz Pereira, Leonor Maria Pacheco Santos, Gabriela Buccini

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

This exploratory qualitative study aimed to identify sociocultural and intergenerational aspects of perception and practices in child feeding among quilombola women, members of maroon communities in Brazil. A focus group with 12 mothers and another group with four grandmothers of children under five years of age were conducted in a rural quilombola community in the State of Goiás, Brazil. The data were analyzed with thematic content analysis, yielding four central themes and respective subthemes, which were then represented in a socioecological conceptual model with four levels of influence on child feeding as the outcome. Theme 1 dealt with the reasons …

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Factors That Determine Comprehensive Categorical Classification Of Ehr Implementation Levels, Soumya Upadhyay, William Opoku-Agyeman

Healthcare Administration & Policy Faculty Publications

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have the potential to alleviate patient safety mistakes. Of the various levels of EHR, advanced or higher-level functionalities of EHR are designed to improve patient safety. Certain organizational and environmental factors may pose as barriers toward implementing all of the functionalities, leaving certain hospitals intermediate between basic and comprehensive levels of implementation. This study identifies a comprehensive categorical classification that includes hospitals that have functionalities between basic and comprehensive levels of EHR and determines the organizational and environmental factors that may influence hospitals to implement one or more combinations of these categories. A longitudinal panel design …

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Influence Of The Request And Purchase Of Television Advertised Foods On Dietary Intake And Obesity Among Children In China, Jinli Xian, Mao Zeng, Zhengjie Cai, Changxiao Xie, Yuqian Xie, Manoj Sharma, Yong Zhao, Zumin Shi

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background: This study aims to examine the effects of the request and purchase of Television (TV) advertised foods on children’s dietary intake, overweight and obesity in China. Methods: Data from 1417 children (aged 6–17 years) in the 2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey were analysed. The request and purchase of TV advertised foods were assessed through the frequency of children’s requests to purchase TV advertised foods and the frequency of parents’ purchases of these advertised foods, as well as the frequency of children’s purchases of TV advertised foods. The height and weight of children were measured. Logistic regression models were …

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Individual- And Country-Level Correlates Of Female Permanent Contraception Use In Sub-Saharan Africa, Babayemi O. Olakunde, Jennifer R. Pharr, Lung-Chang Chien, Rebecca D. Benfield, Francisco S. Sy

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background: Female permanent contraception is a cost-effective contraceptive method that can help clients with the desire to limit childbearing achieve their reproductive intention. However, despite its benefits, the use of FPC remains low in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and limited studies have examined the correlates of its uptake. In this study, we assessed the individual- and country-level factors associated with the use of FPC among married or in-union women using modern contraceptive methods to limit childbearing in SSA. Methods: This study was a secondary data analysis of individual- and country-level data obtained from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program and …

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Reduction Of Secondary Transmission Of Sars-Cov-2 In Households By Face Mask Use, Disinfection And Social Distancing: A Cohort Study In Beijing, China, Yu Wang, Huaiyu Tian, Li Zhang, Dandan Guo, Wenting Wu, Xingxing Zhang, Ge Lin Kan, Lei Jia, Da Huo, Beiwei Liu, Xiaoli Wang, Ying Sun, Quanyi Wang, Peng Yang, C. Raina Macintyre

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Introduction Transmission of COVID-19 within families and close contacts accounts for the majority of epidemic growth. Community mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing are thought to be effective but there is little evidence to inform or support community members on COVID-19 risk reduction within families. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 335 people in 124 families and with at least one laboratory confirmed COVID-19 case was conducted from 28 February to 27 March 2020, in Beijing, China. The outcome of interest was secondary transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within the family. Characteristics and practices of …

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Patient And Provider Perspectives On How Trust Influences Maternal Vaccine Acceptance Among Pregnant Women In Kenya, Stacy W. Nganga, Nancy A. Otieno, Maxwell Adero, Dominic Ouma, Sandra S. Chaves, Jennifer R. Verani, Marc-Alain Widdowson, Andrew Wilson, Irina Bergenfeld, Courtni Andrews, Vincent L. Fenimore, Ines Gonzalez-Casanova, Paula M. Frew, Saad B. Omer, Fauzia A. Malik

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background Pregnant women and newborns are at high risk for infectious diseases. Altered immunity status during pregnancy and challenges fully vaccinating newborns contribute to this medical reality. Maternal immunization is a strategy to protect pregnant women and their newborns. This study aimed to find out how patient-provider relationships affect maternal vaccine uptake, particularly in the context of a lower middle- income country where limited research in this area exists. Methods We conducted semi-structured, in-depth narrative interviews of both providers and pregnant women from four sites in Kenya: Siaya, Nairobi, Mombasa, and Marsabit. Interviews were conducted in either English or one …

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Provider Perspectives On Demand Creation For Maternal Vaccines In Kenya, Irina Bergenfeld, Stacy W. Nganga, Courtni A. Andrews, Vincent L. Fenimore, Nancy A. Otieno, Sandra S. Chaves, Jennifer R. Verani, Marc-Alain Widdowson, Winnie N. Wairimu, Susan N. Wandera, Raphael O. Atito, Maxwell O. Adero, Paula M. Frew

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background. Expansion of maternal immunization, which offers some of the most effective protection against morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and neonates, requires broad acceptance by healthcare providers and their patients. We aimed to describe issues surrounding acceptance and demand creation for maternal vaccines in Kenya from a provider perspective. Methods. Nurses and clinical officers were recruited for semi-structured interviews covering resources for vaccine delivery, patient education, knowledge and attitudes surrounding maternal vaccines, and opportunities for demand creation for new vaccines. Interviews were conducted in English and Swahili, transcribed verbatim from audio recordings, and analyzed using codes developed from interview …

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The Design And Testing Of A Solar Autoclave With Broad Spectrum Sterilization Capabilities, Sarah S. Trabia

Honors College Theses

Energy is difficult to come by in developing countries and this interferes with the ability of doctors to provide good healthcare to their patients. Without decent sterilization, patients can become infected and diseases can spread throughout hospitals. This study involves designing a solar autoclave for developing countries that is as efficient as electrical autoclaves. The design is intended to not require any electrical input and to be affordable to those who cannot afford advanced medical equipment. Once the solar autoclave is designed, it will be tested to determine if it can sterilize equipment against a variety of different bacteria, including …

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Preventing Hepatitis B-Induced Liver Cancer: Implications For Eliminating Health Disparities, Moon S. Chen Jr.

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

If the definition of eliminating of a health disparity were signified by the absence of any differences in incidence or mortality between a population’s experiences with a health problem, then the only health disparity that has ever been eliminated is smallpox because with zero cases of smallpox in the world, no health disparities exist because of smallpox. The eradication of smallpox is perhaps the only historical example where the elimination of a health disparity has been achieved. Principles and lessons learned, particularly through the intersection of science and policy that could be applied to the elimination of other health disparities …

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Disease In The Desert: Las Vegas As A Case Study Of How First Responders And Emergency Managers Understand Novel Threats To Human Health And Plan To Respond During Biological Emergencies, Monique Williamson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Over recent years it has become clear that technological advancements, globalization, and ecological change, combined with the onset of increased terrorist incidents, are all currently working to create an extremely hazardous environment in terms of pathogenic invasion. Realizing that infectious diseases are both newly emerging and re-emerging in many parts of the world, the question of how prepared an expansive United States will be in the face of an oncoming global pandemic is easily raised. Using Las Vegas as an example of just how unequipped a largely visited U.S. city may be in the face of such a situation, this …

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Full-Text Articles in Public Health

Assessing Covid-19 Booster Hesitancy And Its Correlates: An Early Evidence From India, Geetanjali C. Achrekar, Kavita Batra, Yashashri Urankar, Ravi Batra, Naved Iqbal, Sabiha A. Choudhury, Deepti Hooda, Roohi Khan, Suraj Arora, Aditi Singh, Francesco Chirico, Manoj Sharma

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Mental Disorder Symptoms During The Covid-19 Pandemic In Latin America – A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Stephen X. Zhang, Kavita Batra, Wen Xu, Tao Liu, Rebecca Kechen Dong, Allen Yin, Andrew Yilong Delios, Bryan Z. Chen, Richard Z. Chen, Saylor Miller, Xue Wan, Wenping Ye, Jiyao Chen

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Knowledge Or Awareness Of Non-Communicable Diseases And Their Associated Risk Factors Among University Students In Fiji: A Cross-Sectional Study, Awadhesh Kumar Shirotriya, Kavita Batra

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Assessing Acceptability Of Covid-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Among Adult Americans: A Cross-Sectional Study, Tesfaye Yadete, Kavita Batra, Dale M. Netski, Sabrina Antonio, Michael J. Patros, Johan C. Bester

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Intergenerational Perceptions And Practices In Breastfeeding And Child Feeding Among Quilombola Women In Goiás State, Brazil, Priscila Olin Silva, Muriel Bauermann Gubert, Amanda Kellen Pereira Da Silva, Lucélia Luiz Pereira, Leonor Maria Pacheco Santos, Gabriela Buccini

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Factors That Determine Comprehensive Categorical Classification Of Ehr Implementation Levels, Soumya Upadhyay, William Opoku-Agyeman

Healthcare Administration & Policy Faculty Publications

Influence Of The Request And Purchase Of Television Advertised Foods On Dietary Intake And Obesity Among Children In China, Jinli Xian, Mao Zeng, Zhengjie Cai, Changxiao Xie, Yuqian Xie, Manoj Sharma, Yong Zhao, Zumin Shi

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Individual- And Country-Level Correlates Of Female Permanent Contraception Use In Sub-Saharan Africa, Babayemi O. Olakunde, Jennifer R. Pharr, Lung-Chang Chien, Rebecca D. Benfield, Francisco S. Sy

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

The Design And Testing Of A Solar Autoclave With Broad Spectrum Sterilization Capabilities, Sarah S. Trabia

Honors College Theses

Preventing Hepatitis B-Induced Liver Cancer: Implications For Eliminating Health Disparities, Moon S. Chen Jr.

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Disease In The Desert: Las Vegas As A Case Study Of How First Responders And Emergency Managers Understand Novel Threats To Human Health And Plan To Respond During Biological Emergencies, Monique Williamson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones