Public Health Commons^™

Increasing Implementation Of The Comfortable Cafeteria Program To Promote School-Age Children’S Mental Health And Well-Being, Reinecka Mondesir, Angela Labrie Blackwell Phd, Otr

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Every Moment Counts (EMC) is a positive mental health promotion initiative that offers several initiatives to create inclusive environments that support student participation and emotional well-being throughout the school day. Comfortable Cafeteria, part of EMC, fosters positive mealtime experiences supporting peer interaction, emotional regulation, and inclusion. Many SBOT practitioners lack the resources to implement Comfortable Cafeteria, despite its benefits. This capstone project addresses the need for practical tools to help school-based occupational therapy (SBOT) practitioners integrate the Comfortable Cafeteria program into daily practice. Using the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, the project developed and disseminated an interactive, evidence-based video …

Addressing Psychosocial Barriers To Participation In People Experiencing Homelessness: An Occupational Therapy Workshop, Preston Bender, Steven M. Gerardi, Lacey Spark

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Despite the occupational therapy (OT) profession's emphasis on holistic, person-centered care, many OT practitioners and students report feeling a lack of self-efficacy and preparedness to navigate the complex psychological, social, and systemic barriers that hinder occupational participation in people experiencing homelessness (PEH). This capstone project aimed to address the perceived unpreparedness among clinicians through the creation of an 8-hour interactive educational workshop aligned with Experiential Learning Theory. The content is grounded in the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and informed by the Bridging the Transition from Homelessness: A Social Justice Framework (BTTF), trauma-informed care (TIC), harm reduction, and diversity, equity, …

Kind Kids, Healthy Teens: Child Prosociality And Fruit And Vegetable Intake, Farah Qureshi, Krista P. Woodward, Laura D. Kubzansky, Julia K. Boehm

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction

Methods

Adolescent Students’ Adaptability During The Covid-19 Pandemic Impacting Their Academic Preparedness In College: A Qualitative Exploration Of Resilience In Secondary School Disruptions, Nicole Tyanne Jameson

Dissertations

This study, conducted several years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, takes a unique approach to investigating the long-term effects of the pandemic-induced disruptions on adolescents during secondary schooling and their academic preparedness in college. The study combined a descriptive qualitative analysis of academic routine data with quantifiable resilience scores, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges students faced, their adaptability and resilience, and the overall impact on their education journey into college. This comprehensive descriptive qualitative study utilizes triangulation of quantitative data and qualitative approaches to understand the subject matter thoroughly. The quantitative scores meticulously analyzed resiliency and …

Caregiver Perceptions, Knowledge, And Likelihood To Intervene With Suicidal Youth, Amber L. Willwerth

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized an online survey to target primary caregivers of a child aged 5-18. The survey highlighted factors regarding caregiver involvement in suicide prevention efforts, such as their knowledge, comfort and confidence intervening with a youth experiencing suicidality, and barriers to doing so. It was found that caregivers who had experienced suicide prevention training reported higher levels of comfort and confidence intervening with their own child and another child than those who had not, as well as lower levels of worry. Higher levels of education were also found to predict lower levels of worry, suggesting that further training and …

Delusional Parasitosis With Depression, Hypertension And Migraine, Mouli Mandal, M Kishor, Mr Murali

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Delusional Parasitosis (DP) , also known as Ekbom Syndrome, is a psychiatric disorder characterised by the unshakeable belief of infestation by parasites, insects or other organisms, despite the absence of objective medical evidence.
This case report presents a 49 year old female with a history of chronic headaches, progressively worsening insect crawling sensations. She was initiated on treatment and supportive psychotherapy.
This case highlights the importance of a thorough multidisciplinary approach in managing Delusional Parasitosis, emphasising the need to differentiate between primary and secondary forms, address the potential medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and implement appropriate pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions.

Intergenerational Family Dynamics Among Caregivers And Children’S Social-Emotional Development In China, Weiman Xu

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The early years of a child’s life are pivotal for social-emotional development. While extensive research has explored the role of family settings in fostering children's social-emotional development (Bornstein, 2005), the impact of grandparental involvement, particularly the caregiving dynamics between generations, remains less well understood. This study aims to fill this gap by examining two critical aspects of intergenerational dynamics among caregivers (i.e. parent-grandparent coparenting and parent-grandparent relationship quality) and their associations with children’s social-emotional development (i.e. social skills and problem behaviors). Two specific aims were delineated: 1) examine the unique contribution of parent-grandparent coparenting, especially the power and authority domain …

The Tree That Would Not Fall: An Educator’S Autoethnographic Journey Of Healing Through Words, Raeanna Marie Carlson

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

To say the world has changed since the 2020 COVID-19 shut down is to minimize the micro and macro social changes that infiltrated the school system. In the wake of it all, we find a landscape marred by a both rising teacher attrition and struggling student motivation. This autoethnographic dissertation explores the deeply personal experience tethered to a deeply problematic system that contributes to not only teacher burnout but what I came to know as teacher demoralization. Personal traumas of teachers profoundly impact their experience in the classroom, and as I examined my own near departure from the classroom, I …

The Real Story Of “The Happy Mother”: A Narrative Inquiry Exploring The Construction Of Motherhood And Postpartum Depression, Elizabeth Erin Falconer

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The transition to motherhood is a complex and challenging period, during which mothers undergo a considerable number of biological, hormonal, and identity changes. The first six to eight weeks following childbirth is a time of great susceptibility to postpartum depression for mothers. Despite its prevalence, there is a lack of research beyond the biological understanding of the experience. Prior literature has examined the biological aspects of postpartum depression and its societal influences on motherhood. However, no prior study has explored how postpartum depression impacts mothers’ construction and understanding of motherhood through investigating their subjective, lived experiences. This study fills that …

“Medication Is Only 10% Of Recovery”: A Mixed-Method Analysis Of Facilitators And Barriers To The Equitable Implementation Of Medications For Opioid Use Disorder Treatment, Alexandra Hernandez-Vallant

Psychology ETDs

Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), the gold standard treatment for OUD, are underutilized. Yet, research on MOUD clinical encounters is limited. Attention to social determinants of health (SDOH) can help improve engagement and retention in MOUD treatment. This dissertation project describes development of a clinical vignette-based survey using a two phase exploratory sequential design to examine the extent to which SDOH influence clinical decision-making among MOUD providers. Study 1 included interviews with 23 providers to learn their perspectives on facilitators/barriers to MOUD treatment and the clinical and social determinants most influential to their clinical decision-making. Study 2 involved development …

Temporal And Generational Changes In Depression Among Young American Adults, Ashley W. Kranjac, Dinko Kranjac, Valentine Chung

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

The prevalence of depression among young American adults has risen significantly over the past two decades, but the mechanisms that underlie the population-level changes in depressive symptoms severity remain unclear. We used data from the 2005–2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and hierarchical age–period–cohort (HAPC) analysis to examine developmental (i.e., age), life stage (i.e., period), and generational (i.e., cohort) distribution of depressive symptoms among American adults aged 20–30 years old over an 18-year period. Our model results indicate that the probability of either mild, moderate, or severe depression increased among young adult females and males between 2005 and …

New Patient Onboarding, Jennifer Fournier, Sarah Flagg, Alletta Roberts Dzik, Lyndsay Stevens, Shannon Smith, Karen Waterhouse

Operations Transformation

Currently there are barriers to establish a new patient with a primary care. The workflow for patients who self-refer currently requires 10 steps and is performed by 7 care team members.

• 4 PSR at the front desk complete paper intake forms that are then manually entered into a spreadsheet by 3 other care team members.

The step in the workflow, to obtain the release of information for patient records to be requested and submit the form, is inconsistently followed internally and externally and results in very long process time of 40+ days. This step is frequently overlooked due to the …

Pharmacogenetic Exploration Of Burenorphine And Related Metabolites In Umbilical Cord Blood, Amelia Monfared, Derek E. Murrell, Darshan S. Shah, Melissa Hoang, Stacy D. Brown, Sam Harirforoosh

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The goal of this study was to explore associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and umbilical cord blood concentrations of buprenorphine and its metabolites following maternal administration. This is a sub-study of a prospective observational cohort investigation which included pregnant women receiving buprenorphine for opioid use disorder during pregnancy. Following delivery, umbilical cord blood samples were collected and genotyped using a pharmacogenetic panel. The drug and metabolite concentrations were analyzed through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and genetic association analysis was completed using PLINK software. The included neonates (n = 14) had a mean birth weight of 3.00 ± 0.39 kg and were …

Academic Stress Among Jss High School Students In Mysuru And Chamarajanagar Districts: A Cross-Sectional Study, Lathika R, Dr Sunil Kumar D, Krishnamurthy K V, Dr Rakshitha J

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background

In today's world, students face academic stress which leading to anxiety, poor performance in academics and many other issues like nervousness, panic attacks and depression mainly derived from grades, parental pressure, and competition between the students. With the above background study aims to estimate the prevalence and assess the associated factors of academic stress among high school adolescents.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the academic stress among JSS high school students of Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts. A total of 379 were selected through Probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling. Structured questionnaire was used to assess the …

A Cancer Education Needs Assessment: Informing Middle-Aged Female Patients About The Relationships Between Obesity And Women’S Health Concerns In The Reproductive System, Breast, And Endometrial Health, Batul Mirza

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Obesity significantly impacts women’s health, particularly among middle-aged women, by increasing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, endometrial, and reproductive system cancers. This study examines the educational needs of this demographic group regarding obesity-related cancer risks and explores effective intervention strategies. Obesity-induced mechanisms – hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance – drive cancer susceptibility, emphasizing the need for targeted health education. The study employs a qualitative design, which includes interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) and surveys of middle-aged women. The goal is to assess awareness, perceived barriers, and preferred learning methods. Findings suggest that with many …

Mechanisms And Intermediate Outcomes Of A Community Translation To Adapt A Whole Family-Inclusive Lifestyle Intervention: A Pilot Evaluation, Megan J. Moran, Kimberly Padilla, Abby Neiser, Nicole Clark, Virginia Jimenez, Natalia Sanchez, Talia Thompson, Ana M. Gutierrez-Colina, Jesse Owen, Chesleigh Keene, Matthew A. Haemer, Lauren B. Shomaker

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Involving community members in the process of translating scientific evidence into health messaging and interventions can lead to improved health outcomes and more patient-centered healthcare. Community Translation (CT) is one methodology for fostering collaboration between researchers and community members, and it has been shown to result in locally relevant, acceptable solutions to health challenges. There has been very little research on the direct effects that participation may have on community members who become involved in CT. Understanding the mechanisms of CT and its outcomes on participating community members is essential to maximizing the potential of CT. To address this …

Incidence And Clinical Profile Of Cardiovascular Abnormalities In Infants Of Diabetic Mother, Kailas Randad, Praveen Das, Akash Dnyandeo Sarkate, Qudsiya Ansari

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: Maternal diabetes is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, notably congenital heart disease (CHD) in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs). This study evaluated the prevalence and spectrum of CHDs in IDMs and the effect of maternal glycemic control.

Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over 18 months at a tertiary care centre in Mumbai. A total of 112 IDMs were enrolled. Maternal glycemic status was assessed using HbA1c and random blood sugar. All infants underwent clinical examination, oxygen saturation measurement, and echocardiography.

Results: CHDs were identified in 26.7% of infants. The most frequent lesions …

Improving Hiv Nonoccupational Postexposure Prophylaxis Completion In Survivors Of Sexual Assault, Rebecca Aden

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

PURPOSE

This project aimed to increase adherence to HIV nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) among adult survivors of sexual assault using a 24-hour nurse-led callback intervention to reinforce patient education and support treatment completion.

BACKGROUND

This project was implemented within a public healthcare system’s forensic nursing program. Sexual assault survivors face an elevated risk of HIV transmission, yet completion of the 28-day nPEP regimen often remains below 40%. Barriers to completion include limited understanding, gaps in follow-up, as well as psychosocial and socioeconomic challenges.

METHODOLOGY

The FADE QI framework was utilized for this project. The population included adult, non-incarcerated patients who …

The Mental Health Workforce In Nevada, 2024, Olivia K. Cheche, William E. Brown Jr., Caitlin J. Saladino

Health

This fact sheet presents data on the share of workers in the mental health workforce in Nevada. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Query System provides data on the amount of employment in all job sectors at the state and metropolitan statistical area (MSA) levels. This fact sheet focuses on employment and wage data for the State of Nevada, the Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV MSA, and the Reno, NV MSA as of May 2024.

Qualitative Insights Into Drug Use Safety Strategies And Social Support Among Sexual Minority Women Who Inject Drugs In Baltimore, Maryland, Jennifer L. Glick, Leanne Zhang, Aimee Huang, Megan Nguyen, Danielle German

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background: Sexual minority women (SMW) experience higher rates of substance use relative to heterosexual women in the U.S. but remain an under-studied population. SMW who inject drugs (SMWWID) navigate an unpredictable drug market and may experience complex relationships within their social spheres. We explore cisgender SMWWID’s strategies to maintain safety while injecting drugs, and the influence of their social support systems on those strategies. Methods: We conducted N = 16 phone-based, semi-structured, in-depth interviews with SMWWID in Baltimore, Maryland between June-October 2021. The interviews explored participants’ sexual orientation and gender identities, social networks and support systems, drug use behaviors and …

Sex-Specific Effects Of Early-Life Unpredictability On Hippocampal And Amygdala Responses To Novelty In Adolescents, Elysia Poggi Davis, Bianca T. Leonard, Robert J. Jirsaraie, David B. Keator, Steven L. Small, Curt A. Sandman, Victoria B. Risbrough, Hal S. Stern, Laura M. Glynn, Michael A. Yassa, Tallie Z. Baram, Jerod M. Rasmussen

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Unpredictable childhood experiences are an understudied form of early-life adversity that impact neurodevelopment. The neurobiological processes by which exposure to early-life unpredictability impact development and vulnerability to psychopathology remain poorly understood. In the current study, we investigated the sex-specific consequences of early-life unpredictability on the limbic network, focusing on the hippocampus and the amygdala.

Methods

Participants included 150 youths (54% female). Early-life unpredictability was assessed using the Questionnaire of Unpredictability in Childhood (QUIC). Participants engaged in 1 or more task–functional magnetic resonance imaging scans between the ages of 8 and 17 (223 total observations) measuring blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) …

A Rare Cause Of Severe Bleeding In Neonate: Congenital Afibrogenemia Case Report, Abdul Azeem Hulkoti, Qudsiya Ansari, Kailas Randad, Akash Dnyandeo Sarkate Dr

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background- Congenital afibrinogenemia is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the complete absence of fibrinogen, a critical factor for clot formation in the blood. This deficiency leads to significant bleeding tendencies from birth. Patients typically present with severe haemorrhagic symptoms early in the neonatal period.

Case presentation- We describe a case of a neonate presenting with umbilical bleeding diagnosed with congenital afibrinogenemia. Initial clinical manifestations included active umbilical bleeding and pallor, while hematological workup revealed a lack of detectable fibrinogen. The diagnosis was confirmed by coagulation assays and genetic testing. The infant was managed with Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) …

The Impact Of Household Dysfunction On Dating Violence Perpetration Among Adolescents In The United States: A Scoping Review, Sumaita Choudhury, Melissa F Peskin, Timothy J Walker, Emily T Hébert, Nivedhitha Parthasarathy, Kaitlyn L Zajack-Garcia, Lea Sacca, Christine M Markham

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Adverse childhood experiences, such as household dysfunction (HD), play a central role in how adolescents establish, experience, and navigate the challenges of relationship formation, maintenance, and dissolution. HD exposures have been independently associated with dating violence (DV) perpetration in both adolescents and adults. However, research examining the association between the concurrent effect of HD on DV perpetration, especially among adolescents remains scarce. Thus, we conducted a scoping review to accumulate and summarize existing research regarding the impact of HD on DV perpetration among adolescents aged 10 to 17 years in the United States. We used three electronic databases, Medline (Ovid), …

Author Reply, Cyprian Mostert

Population Health, East Africa

No abstract provided.

"The Growing Burden: Overweight And Obesity Prevalence And Risk Factors Among Medical College Students In Mysuru: A Cross-Sectional Study", Akansha ., Nayanabai Shabadi, Anchu R Nath, Ravipati Manogna

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

ABSTRACT:

Background:

The transition from adolescence to adulthood is often accompanied by significant lifestyle changes, including changes in dietary habits, physical activity levels, and stress, which can contribute to unhealthy weight gain. In India, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among youth has shown an upward trend, raising concerns about early onset of non-communicable diseases. This study aims to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among degree college students in Mysuru and to identify the associated socio-demographic and lifestyle factors contributing to these conditions.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was conducted over three months, from January to March 2025, among …

The Effect Of Computer-Mediated Communication On Occupational Positive Mental Health Mediated By Work-Family Enrichment In Workers In Remote Areas: Analysis Using Structural Equation Modelling, Herlando Junanta, Suryo Wibowo, Herqutanto ., Dewi Yunia Fitriani, Titis Mariyamah, Dewi Sumaryani Soemarko

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Objective: This study aims to examine the effect of computer-mediated communication (CMC) on occupational positive mental health (OPMH) mediated by work-family enrichment (WFE) in workers in remote areas using the CMC, OPMH-40, and WFE questionnaires. Method: The latent variables in this study are CMC, OPMH, and WFE. The observed variables include all items from CMC, OPMH, and WFE. The sample technique used was total sampling, revealing that 349 workers in the project department of an oil and gas company located in the West Papua Province of Indonesia expressed their willingness to participate as research participants. To test research hypotheses using …

Pengaruh Media Ceramah, Kipas Dan Poster Terhadap Peningkatan Pengetahuan Junk Food Pada Remaja Awal, Lulu' Luthfiya, Mufidatul Khoiriyah, Hafidhotun Nabawiyah, Kartika Pibriyanti, Ladya Mayu Pinasti

Perilaku dan Promosi Kesehatan : Indonesian Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior

Background. Consuming excess junk food lead to degenerative diseases and cause various nutritional problems. This is due to the lack of information regarding the dangers of junk food in teenagers from education media. Fan media and posters as a media intermediari for delivering information related to the dangers of junk food in adolescents.

Aim. This study conducted to determine the effect of educational media of lecturer fan and poster) on knowledge of junk food in adolescents.

Method. The study was conducted by quasi-experimental method with a pre-post test group design. Sample was 174 respondents that divided into …

Transforming Primary Care: Innovative Post Graduate Pa Training For Real-World Solutions, Kenneth Botelho, James Ali

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

The ongoing crisis in primary care demands innovative and scalable strategies to prepare and retain advanced practice providers. This article introduces the Primary Care Practitioner (PCP) Program, a conceptual postgraduate training model designed for certified physician associates/assistants (PAs) who aim to serve in underserved and rural communities. The program integrates advanced clinical training, leadership development, telehealth competencies, VR-enhanced simulation, and evidence-based strategies to promote provider resilience. Rooted in systems-based thinking and real-world applicability, the PCP Program culminates in capstone projects that encourage innovation in care delivery and population health.

Aligned with national frameworks such as the HRSA Primary Care Training …

Living Heritage, Resilience And Ethically Informed Infrastructures In Malawi, Martha B. Lerski, Frank Puluputu Mwale

Publications and Research

Rooted in a rural community’s needs, this paper explores how historically, and ethically informed infrastructures can support community engagement towards identification, documentation, and dissemination of local, traditional, and indigenous knowledge relating to climate change. The paper examines climate adaptation and sustainability issues through the lenses of community organizing and Library & Information Science best practices. It draws on a growing body of literature identifying a role for expanded epistemological and subject discipline perspectives. While the impacts of climate on material culture are increasingly recognized, intangible, and biocultural heritage have not received as much attention. Living heritage traditions and knowledge systems …

Potential Effect Of Statins As Adjuvant Anti‑Tuberculosis Agents: A Short Communication, Mehwish Hanif, Ayesha Tariq, Laiba Zahoor

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Tuberculosis is a chronic pulmonary infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and can affect other parts of the body such as bones, brain, and lymph nodes (extra pulmonary Tb). Statins, primarily used for hyperlipidemia, have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that may help prevent and manage TB. They inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, reduce cholesterol synthesis and interfere with phagocytosis crucial for TB infection. Given the rise in resistance to first-line anti-tubercular therapies, Statins have shown promise as adjunctive agents by potentially shortening treatment duration, reducing adverse effects, and improving outcomes, particularly in immunocompromised and diabetic patients. Based on these findings, Statins …