Public Health Commons^™

Diet Quality As Assessed By The Healthy Eating Index-2020 Among Individuals Diagnosed With And Without Type 2 Diabetes, Minghao Zhou, Hairui Yu, Renee Underwood, Hongning Cai, Tung Sung Tseng, Susu Luo

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background: Dietary management is key to preventing and controlling type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, few studies have examined differences in Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2020) scores and components among individuals with and without diagnosed T2DM. This study aimed to assess gender differences in HEI-2020 scores and its 13 components by T2DM status. Methods: Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2011 to 2018, this cross-sectional study analyzed 19,464 adults. Diagnosed T2DM was identified via self-report or diabetes medication use. Diet quality was assessed using the HEI-2020, scored from 0 to 100, with a higher HEI score indicates …

Nourishing Births: A Program Evaluation Proposal For Community-Based Nutrition Education, Food Access, And Garden Engagement Among Black Birthing People, Naa Deedei-Vera Hammond

Master's Projects and Capstones

Black birthing people in the United States continue to experience unequal maternal health outcomes, shaped in part by racism and barriers to nutritious food, culturally relevant health education, and supportive community spaces. While prenatal nutrition education and food assistance programs can provide important resources, information alone cannot address the challenges many people face when trying to access healthy and affordable food during pregnancy. The Nourishing Births Initiative is a proposed community-based maternal health program designed to respond to these needs by bringing together prenatal nutrition education, help connecting to food resources, community gardening, and peer support for Black birthing people …

Surveillance And Comparative Genomics Of Bacteria From Hospital And Human Reservoirs, Emily E. Benedict

WUSM Theses and Dissertations – All Programs

Bacteria are diverse and adaptable and, consequently, present in a wide variety of environments. They are capable of growing under intense pressures, including those brought on by the human immune system and disinfection strategies. To survive these pressures, bacteria develop resistances. Antimicrobial resistance, which occurs when a microbe is no longer responsive to the antibiotic intended to control it, is one such adaptation that presents an especially serious threat, as it limits treatment options for infections caused by antimicrobial resistant microbes. Similarly, the ability of bacteria to survive in environments subjected to heavy disinfection efforts, such as intensive care units …

In Adults Older Than 18 Years With Obesity Living In Massachusetts, Can Engaging In A Weight Loss Program Help Them Lose Weight After Insurance Stops Covering Their Weight Loss Medications?, Angel Nagawa

Capstones

Executive summary

The Problem

Obesity rates continue to rise sharply across the United States. Weight loss medications have high compliance but face major insurance restrictions. Strict clinical criteria leave many patients without accessible treatment options.

The Proposed Solution

Launch structured, lifestyle-focused clinical weight loss programs. Provide an effective, accessible alternative to restricted pharmaceutical therapies.

Supporting Evidence

Evaluated data from three distinct randomized controlled trials. Findings confirm successful long-term weight management for program participants. Results prove effective control over serious obesity-related comorbidities.

Policy recommendation

Implement structured lifestyle programs as a primary, frontline intervention modality. Improve broad-scale patient health outcomes across clinical …

The Role Of Local Protein Sources In Nutritious And Balanced Complementary Feeding For The Prevention Of Stunting In Infants Aged 6-24 Months, Kysara Aureldy Davonso Matualage, Leonardo Tedjaprasadja, Chy'as Diuranil Astrid Permataputri

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Stunting remains a major public health problem in Indonesia, with prevalence rates still above national targets. The complementary feeding period (6–24 months) is a critical window for prevention, during which inadequate protein intake significantly contributes to impaired linear growth. Local animal protein sources offer an accessible and sustainable strategy to improve dietary quality. This study aims to review scientific evidence on the role of local animal protein sources in nutritionally balanced complementary feeding for the prevention of stunting in Indonesian infants aged 6–24 months. A literature review was conducted by systematically searching scientific databases for studies published between 2020 and …

Development And Nutritional Evaluation Of Plantain–Soy Composite Flour Blends As Complementary Foods For The Management Of Protein-Energy Malnutrition, Jelili A. Quadri Dr., Azeesat O. Adebiyi-Olabode Dr, Anifat B. Saka Mrs., Debbie M. Esekhade Miss

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) continues to be a critical problem in public health, especially in developing nations where sources of affordable nutrient-dense foods are unavailable. Plantain is one of the staple foods rich in carbohydrates but deficient in protein, while soybeans are protein-rich legumes. A blend of these local foods in composite flour will increase the nutritional value of plantain-based foods without compromising their sensory properties. The objective of this study was to formulate plantain-soy composite flour blends at various substitution rates and determine their composition and sensory characteristics. Unripe plantain and soybean were milled into flour and mixed in …

Factors Associated With The Incidence Of Hypertension In Young Adults (20–24 Years) In Central Kalimantan Province (Analysis Of Ski 2023 Data), Indira Paramesti, Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika, Diah Mulyawati Utari, Kusharisupeni Joko Suyono

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Hypertension has been identified as a major public health problem leading to premature death and contributing to the development of various non-communicable diseases. In recent years, it has occurred not only among older populations but also among young adults. Hypertension at a young age can result in earlier organ damage, leading to a more rapid decline in quality of life and productivity. This study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with the incidence of hypertension among young adults aged 20–24 years in Central Kalimantan Province in 2023. A cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing secondary data from the 2023 Indonesian …

A Comparison Of Iron-Folic Acid Supplement Consumption Among Female Undergraduate Students In Health And Non-Health Majors At The University Of Indonesia In 2026, Naila Afifah, Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika, Triyanti Triyanti, Deasy Martini

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Iron-Folic Acid Tablets (IFAT) are recommended to prevent anemia among adolescent girls and women of reproductive age. However, IFAT consumption remains a concern among female college students, with previous research reporting differences in non-adherence between female health and non-health students at the University of Jember. This study aimed to analyze IFAT consumption behavior and its associations with residential status, attitudes, mother’s education, IFAT side effects, IFAT accessibility, media, family support, peer support, and healthcare provider support among female undergraduate students in health and non-health majors at the University of Indonesia in 2026. A cross-sectional study with purposive sampling was conducted …

Association Of Chrononutrition Behaviors And Other Factors With Nutritional Status Among Dormitory Students Of Universitas Indonesia In 2026, Hana Maulani Putra, Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika, Trini Sudiarti, Fathimah Sulistyowati Sigit

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Overweight and obesity remain major public health concerns in Indonesia and may be influenced by various factors, including chrononutrition behaviors related to meal timing and eating frequency, snacking habits, physical activity, sleep patterns, stress levels, ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption, allowance, and sex. Students living in dormitories may experience lifestyle changes associated with greater independence, which can affect their nutritional status. This study aimed to analyze the association between chrononutrition behaviors and other factors with the nutritional status of dormitory students at Universitas Indonesia in 2026. This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2026. Participants were recruited using purposive …

Dominant Factors Associated With The Risk Of Chronic Energy Deficiency (Ced) Among Pregnant Women In East Nusa Tenggara Province (Analysis Ski Data 2023), Keisa Dwinta Mailova, Triyanti Triyanti, Tria Astika Endah Permatasari

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) is a long-term condition of energy deficiency resulting from inadequate nutrient intake. CED in pregnant women has negative effects on both maternal and fetal health. East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province is one of the regions with the highest prevalence of CED among pregnant women in Indonesia, with national data from 2023 showing a prevalence rate of 28%. This study aims to identify the dominant factors associated with the risk of CED in pregnant women in NTT. The study design is cross-sectional, utilizing secondary data from the 2023 Indonesia Health Survey (SKI), involving a sample of 215 …

Millets As A Preventive Dietary Intervention For India’S Nutrition Transition: A Narrative Review Of Glycaemic And Micronutrient Evidence, Kundan Kaushal, Manisha Upadhyay, Shambhu Nath Dubey, Indrajeet Kumar Jha

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

India’s nutrition profile reflects a nutrition transition rather than a single narrative: a rapidly escalating burden of diet-related non-communicable disease, including an estimated 101 million people with diabetes, coexists with a severe and worsening burden of micronutrient deficiency, with anaemia affecting 57% of women and 67.1% of children. This narrative review examines millets, small-seeded cereals historically marginalised in Indian diets in favour of rice and wheat, as a preventive dietary intervention with plausible relevance to both ends of this transition. Evidence was drawn from peer-reviewed systematic reviews and meta-analyses, national survey data and documented delivery interventions, identified through searches of …

Use Of The Well-Star Model And Well-Star Graphic In Healthcare, Fidan Korkut-Owen, Zubeyde Akpakir, Dean W. Owen

Journal of Wellness

No abstract provided.

Analyzing Accessibility And Efficacy Of One Research Survey Website To Test Readability Of Physical Activity Promotion Material Disseminated Online: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study, Jafra D. Thomas, Anuraj Dhillon, Yi Sheng Wu, Jasmine C. Wong, Regina F. Hockert

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Volume 7: Issue 1, Article 2, 2026.  Accessibility is the effort and ability required to access and navigate environments and participate in activities. Physical activity educational materials disseminated to the public and used within behavior change interventions may be hard to read and navigate, decreasing their accessibility and a study’s validity. This study documented, and addressed, issues that may hinder researchers’ ability to gauge accessibility of their online educational materials using the cloze procedure (a direct readability measure, requires guessing missing words from text passages). A multi-stage, mixed methods pilot study was utilized (August 2022 to May 2023). Phase 1: …

Community-Based Well Testing And Outreach To Mitigate Human Health Risk From Unsafe Drinking Water, W. Adam Sigler, Katharine Sutphen, Margaret J Eggers, Kaleena Miller, Michelle Grocke-Dewey

Journal of Extension

Twenty-two percent of groundwater wells tested nationwide have one or more contaminants above a health threshold, yet many private well owners are unaware of these risks because they have not tested their water. Researchers piloted a community well testing clinic for education/outreach and surveyed participants about outcomes. Two months later, 75% of participants with high or intermediate health risk water quality results had taken action or intended to, indicating that community private well testing clinics can be effective in mitigating human health risks from contaminated drinking water.

The Other Visual Acuity, Paul B. Freeman Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Editorial

Psychosocial And Demographic Determinants Of Work Stress Among Lecturers At University X, Natasha Putri Ayu Kayla, Fajaria Nurcandra, Dr. Dyah Utari, Nayla K. Fithri, Siti Norashikin Mohamad Shaifuddin

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Occupational stress is a psychological pressure related to work conditions. Psychosocial and demographic determinants may be the influence. Lecturers are white collar workers who have the opportunity to experience occupational stress. The aim of this study is to determine the factors that influence occupational stress among lecturers in X University. This research is a quantitative study with a cross-sectional study design. The sampling technique used is Accidental Sampling. The number of samples used was 132 respondents. The study was conducted in April-June 2024. The Cox Regression Model was used to analyze. The instruments used were The Workplace Stress Scale, Multidimensional …

Factors Associated With Adherence To Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs (Atds) In Samarinda, Fahmi Nur Indah Sari, Irfansyah Baharuddin Pakki, Nur Rohmah, Siswanto Siswanto, Muhamad Z. Saefurrohim

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that remains a major public health problem in Indonesia. Treatment success is highly dependent on the patient's adherence to taking Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs (ATDs). This study aimed to determine the relationship between perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers (stigma), cues to action (healthcare workers support), and self-efficacy with adherence to taking ATDs among TB patients in Samarinda City. This study employed a cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach involving 121 TB patients from four community health centers (Puskesmas) in Samarinda. Samples were selected using multistage sampling. Data were collected through structured interviews using questionnaires and analyzed …

Intimate Partner Violence And Child Wasting Across Countries: An Ecological Cross-Sectional Study, Wanri Lumbanraja, I Ketut Kasta Arya Wijaya, Ruben Cornelius Siagian

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health issue that can affect the well-being of women, their families, and the child-rearing environment. Meanwhile, wasting in under-five children reflects acute malnutrition linked to food insecurity, infectious diseases, poverty, and access to healthcare services. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the prevalence of IPV among women in the past 12 months and the prevalence of wasting in children under the age of five at the national level. This study addresses the gap in cross-national research, which remains limited in linking IPV as an indicator of social vulnerability with wasting as …

Barriers And Facilitators To Health Literacy Among Black Americans With Overweight And Obesity In South Carolina: A Mini-Ethnographic Study, Shelly Campbell-Timmons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative mini ethnography adapted from traditional ethnography with limited time and scope, was to explore and understand perceptions of barriers and facilitators to health literacy among Black Americans with overweight and obesity in three South Carolina counties. Population data showed that approximately 40.3% of U.S. adults are obese. Moreover, Non-Hispanic Black communities are disproportionately affected by overweight and obesity despite efforts to combat the weight-related health risk. Still, limited health literacy should be the focus of public health strategies like teach-back and plain language communication, to address overweight and obesity prevalence and disparities. The study was …

Precision Approaches Improve Community Health, Roger A. Rennekamp, David Buys

Journal of Extension

Recent advances in data science provide Extension practitioners with access to data sorted by zip code, census tract, or neighborhood. Such hyper-local data now allows Extension personnel to assess community needs and assets at a more granular level and focus their work on the people and communities of greatest need. In this article, we introduce an approach we refer to as precision public health. Using such a precision approach to community assessment and, ultimately, programming can save money, increase the likelihood of producing measurable results, and create more manageable workloads for county-based Extension personnel.

The Association Between Rapid Growth In Children Under The Age Of Five And Adolescent Obesity, Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika, Fadila Wirawan, Iche Andriyani Liberty, Nurul Husna Mohd Shukri, Siti Arifah Pujonarti, Edy Purwanto, Munaya Fauziah

Kesmas

Early-life nutrition is a critical predictor of long-term health, yet the association between rapid early-childhood growth and adolescent obesity, particularly in relation to the “double burden of malnutrition,” remains under-researched in Indonesia. This study aimed to analyze the association between rapid growth and adolescent obesity. Data were obtained from the 1997, 2000, and 2014 waves of the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS). This study included 641 children (aged 0–23 months at baseline) with complete anthropometric measurements across all three waves. Rapid growth was defined as an increase in z-scores of >0.67 in weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ), or weight-for-height (WHZ) between …

Environmental Perspective For System Dynamics Modeling Of Stunting Mitigation To Achieve The Sustainable Development Goals In West Sumatra, Indonesia, Elsa Yuniarti, Nabila Azzahra, Yulhendri Yulhendri, Heldi Heldi, Mery Delvina, Saskia Putri Azeli

Kesmas

This study developed a system dynamics model to simulate stunting reduction in West Sumatra Province, Indonesia, by integrating infant and toddler health, maternal health, and environmental determinants. Secondary data from 2020–2024 on low birth weight, immunization, malnutrition, exclusive breastfeeding, maternal chronic energy deficiency, iron and folic acid supplement distribution, sanitation, and safe drinking water access were compiled from West Sumatra Provincial Health Office and Statistics Indonesia, and validated through consultation with five stakeholder institutions. Causal Loop Diagrams mapped feedback relationships among determinants and were translated into Stock Flow Diagrams using Powersim Studio 10. The model was validated through structural verification, …

Osteoporosis Knowledge, Health Beliefs, And Calcium Intake Among Malaysian Chinese Adults In Perak: A Cross-Sectional Study, Thean Hui Ru, Nurul Aimi Ab Kadir, Fatin Izzaty Mohd Shahrin

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The Malaysian Chinese population records the highest national prevalence of osteoporotic hip fractures. This study investigated the relationships between osteoporosis knowledge, health beliefs, and calcium intake among Malaysian Chinese adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 205 Malaysian Chinese adults in Kampar, Perak, using the adapted Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Tool (OPAAT), Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS), and a 30-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ).

Results: Participants demonstrated low osteoporosis knowledge (6.84 ± 2.92), with low perceived susceptibility (14.87 ± 5.00), moderate perceived seriousness (17.81 ± 5.20), and barriers to calcium intake (15.61 ± 4.15), and …

Staphylococcus Aureus Urease Is Controlled By A Complex Regulatory Network To Promote Dissemination During Cauti, Jennifer N Walker

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are one of the most common hospital-associated infections in the United States, accounting for >1 million cases annually. One CAUTI pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus, is commonly found persisting asymptomatically in the bladder of catheterized individuals, increasing these individuals' risk of developing infection. Importantly, S. aureus is not only associated with severe symptoms during CAUTI, including bacteremia and septic shock, but it also produces a common uropathogen-associated virulence factor, urease. Despite its importance, urease has only been well-studied in another uropathogen, Proteus mirabilis. While previous studies identified three S. aureus urease regulators, including CodY, …

Examining Pain Catastrophizing, Mental Toughness, Self-Efficacy, And Perceived Pain In The Performance Of Female Athletes During Their Menstrual Cycle, Carissa R. Martinez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pain is a universal unpleasant or negative experience influenced by physiological, psychological, and environmental factors. Disruption in the neural pathways of pain can affect athletic performance and lead to injury risks. Both negative attributes, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, and positive attributes, such as mental toughness and self-efficacy, contribute to pain perception and catastrophic thinking. The menstrual cycle also plays a critical role in pain catastrophizing, as hormonal fluctuations across different phases may hinder pain perception and performance in female athletes. However, research lacks the inclusion of how these factors impact female athletes. Using a non-experimental quantitative analysis, this …

Expression Levels Of Heat Shock Protein 72 And Their Correlation With Biomarkers Of Renal Function Among Hispanic Construction Workers Exposed To Ambient Heat In El Paso, Texas, Maria Fuentes

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Heat shock proteins (HSP) are intracellular molecular proteins that are upregulated in response to cellular stress, including heat exposure. Through their protective functions, HSP help maintain protein structure, prevent protein denaturation, and preserve cellular homeostasis during states of physiological stress. Because of their cytoprotective properties, HSP have emerged as potential biomarkers for detecting early signs of tissue injury and predicting clinical outcomes associated with heat related illnesses (HRI), including acute kidney injuries (AKI). AKI is a leading cause of hospitalizations due to heat stress exposure and heat stroke. In the absence of early detection and effective therapeutic interventions, AKI may …

Bridging The Gap In Science Research: Preparing Students For College- Level Research In The Sciences, Victoria Helwig, Yaoguang Li

UConn Library Presentations

Many first-year students enter college unprepared to fully engage with scientific literature and academic library resources. Drawing on experiences from academic librarians working with STEM students, this session explores common gaps in science research skills, including navigating databases, identifying scholarly sources, and understanding the structure of scientific literature. Participants will be introduced to practical strategies and classroom-ready activities to better prepare students for college-level research. Discussion questions: What science research skills do students struggle with most when entering college? How can high school instruction better support these skills? Where can librarians and educators collaborate to support student success?

Healthcare Access And The Persistent Racial Disparities In Low Birth Weight, Zaheda A. Hussain, Yadanar Moe

DePaul Discoveries

Low birth weight (LBW), defined as less than 2,500 grams, is an influential factor contributing to infant mortality in the United States, with significant racial disparities between Black and White mothers. This study analyzed data from 3,054 Black and White mothers collected from the 2018 National Health Interview Survey to explore the association between access to medical care and LBW within different racial groups. The prevalence of LBW was 8.0%. Overall, mothers without a usual place of medical care had, on average, an 18% higher risk of LBW than those with a usual place (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.80–1.74). …

Clearing The Air: Tracking Spatial And Temporal Pm2.5 Variability Along A Biking Transect In Chicago, Beau R. Rass

DePaul Discoveries

Fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) poses significant risks to human health and disproportionately affects marginalized communities in urban environments (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021; Tessum et al., 2021). Using low-cost mobile sensors, this study explored spatiotemporal PM₂.₅ concentration patterns along a north–south transect of Halsted Street in Chicago. A 2B Technologies Portable Aerosol Monitor (PAM) mounted on a bicycle was used to continuously record PM₂.₅ concentrations with associated GPS coordinates at approximately two-second intervals during 16 sampling events between 08-12-2025 and 10-05-2025. PM₂.₅ concentrations did not differ significantly among the South Side, West Loop, and North Side regions, contrary to the …

Exploring Primary Care Providers’ Compassionate Care And Their Evidence-Based Practice With Death, Grief, And Loss: Patient Experience And Perspective, Kathryn Krzykala

Dissertations

Research on primary care providers’ (PCPs) education regarding Death, Grief, and Loss (DGL) remains limited. Specifically, data is lacking regarding patients' perceptions and opinions on what they need and expect from their PCPs regarding grief and loss. This exploratory mixed-method study comprised 146 participants who had experienced death and non-death loss. It examined participants' perceptions of 1) PCP compassion, 2) PCP utilization of evidence-based grief and loss practices, 3) their own level of comfort discussing DGL with their PCPs during medical visits, and 4) their personal grief and loss experiences. The findings revealed that PCPs' grief-informed evidence-based treatment, as reflected …