Public Health Commons^™

Lessons Learned From Interdisciplinary Efforts To Combat Covid-19 Misinformation: Development Of Agile Integrative Methods From Behavioral Science, Data Science, And Implementation Science, Sahiti Myneni, Paula Cuccaro, Sarah Montgomery, Vivek Pakanati, Jinni Tang, Tavleen Singh, Olivia Dominguez, Trevor Cohen, Belinda Reininger, Lara S Savas, Maria E Fernandez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Despite increasing awareness about and advances in addressing social media misinformation, the free flow of false COVID-19 information has continued, affecting individuals' preventive behaviors, including masking, testing, and vaccine uptake.

OBJECTIVE: In this paper, we describe our multidisciplinary efforts with a specific focus on methods to (1) gather community needs, (2) develop interventions, and (3) conduct large-scale agile and rapid community assessments to examine and combat COVID-19 misinformation.

METHODS: We used the Intervention Mapping framework to perform community needs assessment and develop theory-informed interventions. To supplement these rapid and responsive efforts through large-scale online social listening, we developed a …

Integrating Feminist Approaches In Counseling Work With Adult Women, Kristen M. Toole

Adultspan Journal

The scope of ‘women’s issues’ in counseling is an ever-evolving landscape. Recent events such as the reversal of Roe v. Wade and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on women serve as powerful reminders of the necessity of this focus while underscoring a deep-rooted history of oppressive patriarchal structures. Therefore, counselors must remain informed of the unique considerations surrounding adult women in counseling and acquire proficiency in versatile techniques to meet this population’s nuanced needs. This article examines the complexity of contemporary womanhood and explores the fundamentals of Feminist Counseling Theory (FCT), a holistic, multiculturally conscious, social justice theory in counseling. …

The Role Of Porn Literacy In Comprehensive Sex Education To Reduce Endorsements Of Gendered Sexual Violence And Support Healthy Adolescent Development, Kiana Harnish

Scripps Senior Theses

Due to stigmatization of sex and insufficient sexual education, modern-day adolescents rely on free online pornography as a source of education about sex and relationships. This thesis provides a review of the connections between adolescent porn use and the socialization of sexual violence (SV) and coercion against women, comprehensive sex education (CSE) and healthy adolescent sexual development, and porn literacy (PL) and sexual attitude or behavior changes. Porn literacy aims to equip adolescents with tools to critically analyze sexualied media and messages, to empower them to make informed decisions to engage or disengage with porn and their sexuality in a …

Workplace Aggression Against Healthcare Workers In A Spanish Healthcare Institution Between 2019 And 2021: The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Aitor Díaz, Mireia Utzet, Joan Mirabent, Pilar Diaz, Jose Maria Ramada, Consol Serra, Fernando G Benavides

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVES: Describe the incidence of first aggressions among healthcare workers (HCWs) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Spanish healthcare institution, according to workers' socio-occupational characteristics and analyze the impact of the pandemic on it.

METHODS: A cohort involving HCWs who worked in the institution for at least 1 week each year from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021. Adjusted relative risks (aRR) were estimated using generalized estimating equations and negative binomial models to calculate the differences in WPA between the different time periods. All analyses were stratified by gender.

RESULTS: Among women, the incidence was 6.8% (6.0; …

Stuffed Animals For Coping And Communication In The Hospital: A Child Life Perspective, Becca Scobee

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

No abstract provided.

An Exploration Of Quality Of Life Perceptions Of Cochlear Implant Recipients And Their Frequent Communication Partners, Jessica L. Bishop, Ashley G. Flagge

Ashley Flagge Publications

Purpose: Quality of life (QoL) after cochlear implantation has been investigated using a variety of QoL questionnaires. However, few studies have examined the perceived QoL of cochlear implant (CI) recipients compared between the recipient and a frequent communication partner (FCP) using both hearing-related (hearing-specific), and health-general (health-general) measures.

Method: For this multiple case study, five participant pairs were recruited, consisting of five adult recipients who were implanted at least six months prior to the time of evaluation, and five adult frequent communication partners who lived with the recipient at the time of evaluation. All ten participants (five pairs) completed a …

Long-Term Psychological Adaptation Of U.S. Human Resource Personnel In Response To The Covid-19 Pandemic, Samantha Ann Denson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previous research indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted employee psychological outcomes in various workforce sectors. Although research showed that U.S. human resource (HR) employees experienced unique occupational challenges during the pandemic, the literature did not explore pandemic-related psychological outcomes in this population. This quantitative survey-based study included a purposive sample of 294 U.S. HR professionals to explore the pandemic’s impact on their psychological well-being. The transactional model of stress and coping served as the theoretical framework to understand the independent effects of appraisal, meaning-based coping, and coping efforts on psychological well-being. A mediation analysis was used to understand the …

Relationship Between Screentime And Depressive Symptoms And Associated Mediators For African American Adolescents In The United States, Brittney Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The prevalence of adolescent depression in the United States is increasing as adolescents’ use of electronic screen devices increases. Some studies have found associations between screentime and adolescent depression, and other researchers have posited that screentime is not intrinsically harmful. High screentime in African American adolescents may place them at risk for worse depressive symptom outcomes, but the relationship between screentime and depressive symptoms for this population is unknown. The three research questions of this study addressed whether there is a relationship between screentime and depressive symptoms in African American adolescents, and whether sleep duration and the frequency of physical …

The Effect Of An Educational Handout On Knowledge, Awareness And Attitudes Of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) Among Participants At A Needle And Syringe Exchange Site, Mckenzie Buckel

DNP Projects

Background: In 2018, the total number of HIV cases in the United States was 1.2 million. Almost 186,500 of these cases were attributed to intravenous drug use. With the adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) there is approximately a 49% decrease in the rates of HIV among people who inject drugs and the most significant barrier to PrEP among this population is a lack of awareness and knowledge.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine participants’ of a needle and syringe exchange site knowledge, awareness and attitudes of PrEP after reviewing an educational handout about PrEP.

Methods: A quasi …

Electronic Cigarettes And Young Adults: Use Of Screening Tools And Provider Knowledge, Kayla Erin Chelf

DNP Projects

Background: Electronic Cigarette (e-cigarette) use is now more common than traditional cigarette use in adolescents and young adults (Dinardo & Rome, 2019). There is concern that the lack of screening for use and knowledge about the health consequences of e-cigarette use is driving this growth.

Objective: The purposes of this project were to (1) assess baseline e-cigarette knowledge and screening practices from healthcare professionals, and (2) evaluate changes in knowledge after delivery of an educational intervention about e-cigarettes.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study a seven-question survey on screening practice and knowledge concerning e-cigarettes in young adults was posted on the …

Disparities In Mental Health Technology Among African Americans: Breaking Cultural Inclusion Barriers, Nyoki Cosey-Brown

DSW Capstone Projects

Mental health technology is a healthcare delivery model of the future. The engagement in virtual healthcare was intensified when traditional healthcare methods were inaccessible during the federal restrictions implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing digital apparatuses for healthcare improved the convenience, efficiency, and accessibility of various mental health services that were inoperable in past healthcare models. However, the historical constructs of stigma, discrimination, inequity, exclusion, and structural racism in mental healthcare were prevalent problems that remained present in virtual mental health platforms concerning the experiences of African-American patients and professionals who utilized the spaces.

This research explored mental health …

A Constructivist Grounded Theory Analysis Of Seven Medical Provider Perspectives On Major Barriers To Prescribing Buprenorphine To Youth With Opiold Use Disorder In Outpatient Medical Settings: "We Should Be Providing Them With What We Know To Be The Gold Standard Of Care"., Maeve O'Leary Sloan

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study utilized Primary Care Provider (PCP) perspectives to unveil major barriers to prescribing buprenorphine to youth (ages 16-25) with opioid use disorder (OUD). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven PCPs recruited through convenience and snowball sampling. Interviews were conducted and recorded via Zoom video conferencing. Transcripts were generated and analyzed for themes using a Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT) approach. The CGT of the present study describes four major barriers that limit PCP prescription of buprenorphine to youth: 1) PCPs Feel Overwhelmed, 2) PCPs Feel Ill Equipped to Treat Youth Patients with OUD, 3) PCPs Hold and Observe Stigma toward …

Caregiving To Older Adults With A Physical Limitation: Evidence From The Mexican Health And Aging Study, Carlos Díaz-Venegas, Rafael Samper-Ternent, Rebeca Wong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many older adults face physical limitations to performing activities of daily life (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily life (IADLs) and seek help performing them. In Mexico, family caregivers, especially spouses and adult children, traditionally take care of older adults. However, a detailed characterization of the care received has not been thoroughly provided. We sought to identify socioeconomic, demographic, and health-related differences in receiving help among older adults reporting physical limitations.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Using the 2012 wave of the Mexican Health and Aging Study, we provided information on adults aged 60 and older who reported …

Health-Related Quality Of Life And Recovery Capital Among Recovery Residents Taking Medication For Opioid Use Disorder In Texas, Elizabeth O Obekpa, Sheryl A Mccurdy, Vanessa Schick, Christine M Markham, Kathryn R Gallardo, Johnny Michael Wilkerson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD) includes improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and is supported by recovery capital (RC). Little is known about RC and HRQOL among recovery residents taking medication for OUD. We described HRQOL and RC and identified predictors of HRQOL.

METHODS: Project HOMES is an ongoing longitudinal study implemented in 14 recovery homes in Texas. This is a cross-sectional analysis of data from 358 participants' on HRQOL (five EQ-5D-5L dimensions-mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression) and RC (Assessment of Recovery Capital scores) collected from April 2021 to June 2023. Statistical analyses were conducted …

Understanding The Implications Of Under-Reporting, Vaccine Efficiency And Social Behavior On The Post-Pandemic Spread Using Physics Informed Neural Networks: A Case Study Of China, Samiran Ghosh, Alonso Ogueda-Oliva, Aditi Ghosh, Malay Banerjee, Padmanabhan Seshaiyer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In late 2019, the emergence of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, led to the implementation of stringent measures forming the zero-COVID policy aimed at eliminating transmission. Zero-COVID policy basically aimed at completely eliminating the transmission of COVID-19. However, the relaxation of this policy in late 2022 reportedly resulted in a rapid surge of COVID-19 cases. The aim of this work is to investigate the factors contributing to this outbreak using a new SEIR-type epidemic model with time-dependent level of immunity. Our model incorporates a time-dependent level of immunity considering vaccine doses administered and time-post-vaccination dependent vaccine efficacy. We find that vaccine …

Reimbursement For Hpv Vaccine Cost In The Private Sector: A Comparison Across Specialties, Yenan Zhu, Yueh-Yun Lin, Ruosha Li, Cara He, David R Lairson, Ashish A Deshmukh, Kalyani Sonawane

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is the most expensive of all routinely recommended pediatric vaccines. Adequate cost reimbursement by 3rd-party payers is a critical enabling factor for clinicians to continue offering vaccines. This study found that net returns from HPV vaccine cost reimbursements are lowest for family physicians ($0.34/dose) and highest for pediatricians ($5.08/dose). Furthermore, a $1 increment in return was associated with an increase in HPV vaccine doses administered (highest for family physicians; 0.08% per dollar). Reimbursement for HPV vaccine costs by private payers is adequate; however, return margins are small for non-pediatric specialties.

Designing And Pilot-Testing Smokefreesgm: A Text-Based Smoking Cessation Intervention For Sexual And Gender Minority Groups, Rebecca Klaff, Samuel Tundealao, Brittany Krenek, Irene Tamí-Maury

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Although the prevalence of smoking is significantly higher among sexual and gender minorities (SGM) than the general population, no text-based smoking cessation intervention has been specifically tailored to this group. The objective of this phase of our study was to develop SmokefreeSGM, an SGM-tailored text-based smoking cessation program, and pilot test its design to inform the refinement of the program.

METHODS: SmokefreeSGM was adapted from SmokefreeTXT, the National Cancer Institute's text-based smoking cessation program, to respond to the needs of SGM smokers. In addition to tailored text messages, SmokefreeSGM includes a new keyword, STRESS, to address the unique psychosocial …

An Exploration Of The Causes And Effects Of Interpersonal Conflict Related Stress Among A Self-Selected Cohort Of Second Level Teachers In Ireland, Patrick Bruce

Theses

Teaching has been classified by researchers as a high stress profession. Stress in teaching has been reported to have many negative health outcomes and also affects productivity. The literature also reports that stress in teaching is a difficult matter to resolve satisfactorily, with mixed outcomes from interventions. An emergent cause of work-related stress in education is IPC and this study sets out to investigate the prevalence of this underreported phenomena.

A sample of 25 teachers working in Irish second level schools were recruited. Semi structured interviews were conducted to report on the experiences of stress, it’s causes and effects both …

Beyond Breathless: Unravelling The Enigma Of Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations, Sri Mounya Jampala, Jagadish Kumar K Dr., Manjunath V G, Nandish H R

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) are abnormal connections between the pulmonary arteries and veins, leading to a direct shunting of blood without passing through the normal capillary bed. These AVMs can be associated with a rare genetic disorder called Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome. HHT is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the development of fragile telangiectasias in various organs, including the skin and mucous membranes. These telangiectasias are prone to bleeding, leading to recurrent nosebleeds and mucocutaneous bleeding. In patients with HHT, the most common site of AVMs is in the lungs. Pulmonary AVMs can cause …

Stroke: A Neurological Complication In Covid-19., Abhigna M, Vikram Patil

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

The Trichobezoar Enigma: Untangling The Intricacies Of Rapunzel Syndrome, Debabrata Sahu, Dr Rajkishor Sahu

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Rapunzel Syndrome is a rare manifestation of trichobezoar, characterized by the presence of hair strands extending beyond the stomach and into the duodenum. Trichobezoars typically develop in individuals with a history of trichotillomania, a compulsive behavioral disorder involving hair-pulling, combined with trichophagia, the ingestion of hair. While trichobezoars predominantly form within the stomach, their occurrence in the jejunum is infrequent. This condition is more commonly observed in adolescent females.

The formation of bezoars within the gastrointestinal tract is typically attributed to anatomical changes. However, in cases where no such anatomical abnormalities are present, psychiatric disorders like trichotillomania can lead to …

Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy As Maintenance Treatment, Jatin Kumar, Kishor M, Murali M R

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Depression is the most common psychiatric condition that significantly affects the quality of life of individual affected with it and it can present with various signs and symptoms. It usually presents with persistent and pervasive sadness of mood, anhedonia, sleep disturbance, reduced appetite, reduced concentration, multiple somatic symptoms, and suicidal thoughts. In this case report a 61-year-old gentleman presented with sadness of mood, loss of interest, sleep disturbance, multiple body aches, and abdominal pain which varied from 2 to 6 weeks. He had failed to respond to multiple classes of antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics. However, he would respond well …

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis In Pregnancy : A Case Report, Dr Sumuk M S Sr, Dr Anupama Marnal B A Sr, Dr Mamatha S Professor And Head Of The Department, Poornima M Associate Professor

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare complication encountered in pregnancy. Symptoms of CVT include headache, limb paresis, seizures , disturbed consciousness , visual disturbances. We present our 25 years old pregnant patient who presented with unsteadiness of gait , weakness and numbness of all four limbs, vomiting headache , giddiness due to which it was difficult for her to perform her daily activities. After the differential diagnostic examinations, we recognised cerebral venous thrombosis. After anti-coagulant treatment , the symptoms resolved. We would like to convey that such symptoms in pregnant women we should always think of CVT.

Relationship Between Femoral Artery Intima-Media Thickness And Atherosclerosis In Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease- A One Year Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Dr. Somashekhar Sogi, Dr. Ravi Sarvi, Dr. Pradeep Goudar, Dr. Mallikarjun Karishetti, Dr.V.V Hattiholi, Dr.Meenakshi Sarvi

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. CKD and Peripheral arterial disease both independently increase the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. There is limited data about the co-relation between ultrasound measures of the femoral artery in peripheral vascular disease (PVD) & renal functional status. This research hence will help us in the establishment of a relationship between femoral intima-media thickness (fIMT) with CKD. Also, IMT assessment might help in earlier detection of atherosclerotic plaques & hence PVD.

Materials and methods: A cross sectional …

Hyperdiploid Chromosomes In Patients With B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Anjali Shastry

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Introduction: Hyperdiploidy (more than 50 chromosomes) is an important cytogenetic abnormality found in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B cell ALL). The presence of hyperdiploidy > 50 is considered to be a good prognostic marker since it has increased sensitivity to standard chemotherapy. Patients with hyperdiploidy have the longest disease-free survival compared with any other cytogenetic group.

Aim of study:

To estimate prevalence of hyperdiploid chromosomes in patients with B cell ALL through conventional karyotyping and Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).

Materials and methods:

Retrospective study was done on 200 bone marrow samples diagnosed with B cell Acute lymphoblastic leukemia …

Dengue Fever With Normal Platelet Count In A Patient With Β-Thalassemia Trait: A Case Report, Pankaj Kumar Jain, Manoj Seval, Vikas Meena, Rajesh Yadav

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Dengue fever is an arboviral infection typically characterized by thrombocytopenia and hemoconcentration. However, hematological manifestations may differ in patients with underlying hemoglobinopathies. We report a case of 18-year-old female diagnosed with dengue fever (IgM ELISA positive), presented with persistent fever, vomiting, and myalgia. Laboratory evaluation revealed moderate microcytic anemia (Hb 9.7 g/dL, MCV 54.7 fL) with a low Mentzer index (8.7). High-performance liquid chromatography confirmed β-thalassemia trait (HbA2 4.6%). Contrary to the typical presentation of dengue, the patient had elevated platelet counts at admission (584,000/µL), which remained within normal to high range during hospitalization. This case highlights that dengue infection …

Community-Based Tuberculosis Contact Management: Caregiver Experience And Factors Promoting Adherence To Preventive Therapy, Micaela Sandoval, Godwin Mtetwa, Tara Devezin, Debrah Vambe, Joyce Sibanda, Gloria S Dube, Thandeka Dlamini-Simelane, Bhekumusa Lukhele, Anna M Mandalakas, Alexander Kay

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Delivery of tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) for children with household exposure to tuberculosis is a globally supported intervention to reduce the impact of tuberculosis disease (TB) in vulnerable children; however, it is sub-optimally implemented in most high-burden settings. As part of a community-based household contact management program, we evaluated predictors of adherence to community based TPT in children and performed qualitative assessments of caregiver experiences. The Vikela Ekhaya (Protect the Home) project was a community-based household contact management program implemented between 2019 and 2020 in the Hhohho Region of Eswatini. At home visits, contact management teams screened children for TB, …

Enabling Structural Resilience Of Street-Involved Children And Youth In Kenya: Reintegration Outcomes And The Flourishing Community Model, Michael L Goodman, Sarah E Seidel, Andrew Springer, Aleisha Elliott, Christine Markham, Hani Serag, Philip Keiser, Ben Raimer, Lauren Raimer-Goodman, Christine Gatwiri, Kelvin Munene, Stanley Gitari

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Millions of children and youth live on city streets across the globe, vulnerable to substance use, abuse, material and structural neglect. Structural resilience, the re-establishment of access to structural goods within a society such as housing, education, and healthcare following some interruption, provides an orientation for research and interventional efforts with street-involved children and youth (SICY). Further, a structural resilience framework supports organizing interactions between levels and sectors of a socio-ecology.

Methods: Following the expressed interests of Kenyan SICY, and consistent with emerging policy interests at national and global levels, we assess reintegration trajectories of Kenyan SICY (n …

Pregnancy-Related Covid Worry, Depressive Symptom Severity, And Mediation Through Sleep Disturbance In A Low-Income, Primarily Latinx Population In California’S Central Valley, Jennifer N Felder, Patience A Afulani, Kimberly Coleman-Phox, Serwaa S Omowale, Charles E Mcculloch, Lauren Lessard, Miriam Kuppermann

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: This study (1) assessed the psychometric properties of a pregnancy-related COVID worry scale, (2) explored variations in pregnancy-related COVID worry over the course of the pandemic, and (3) examined associations between pregnancy-related COVID worry and depressive symptom severity, and evaluated sleep disturbance as a mediator.

Methods: Data were drawn from an ongoing randomized trial comparing the effectiveness of two enhanced forms of prenatal care. The current analysis includes baseline pre-randomization data collected from participants who enrolled November 2020-November 2021 (n = 201). Participants were pregnant individuals with low income and primarily Latinx.

Results: Our 7-item scale was valid and …

Association Between Psychosocial, Obstetric, And Lifestyle Factors And Antenatal Depression, Tomnema Xiong

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Antenatal depression, or depression during pregnancy, is a mental health concern in the United States that impacts mothers and their infants. This study examined the associations between psychosocial, obstetric, lifestyle factors, and antenatal depression. This study was guided by social cognitive theory, specifically the reciprocal determinism construct. Secondary data from the 2007–2018 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) were used in this quantitative cross-sectional study. Every participant of the NHANES completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression screening form. The study sample consisted of 274 women who were pregnant at the time of participating in the NHANES, approximately 28.8% of …