Public Health Commons^™

Sociodemographic And Hiv-Related Characteristics Associated With Mental Health Diagnoses Among People Living With Hiv, Monique J. Brown Ph.D., Mph, Jiayang Xiao, Xueying Yang Ph.D., Bankole Olatosi Ph.D., Sharon Weissman, Xiaoming Li Ph.D., Jiajia Zhang Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Mental health diagnoses have been linked to poor HIV treatment outcomes and poorer quality of life among people living with HIV (PLWH). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between sociodemographic and HIV-related characteristics, and common and serious mental health disorders among PLWH in South Carolina (SC). Data were obtained from the integrated system of statewide electronic health record (EHR) data in SC (2006–2019; N = 8,124). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the associations between sociodemographic and HIV-related characteristics, and common mental health disorders and serious mental health disorders. Among the study population, 4% were 60 …

Intimate Partner Violence Experience, Support Seeking And Coping Strategies Among Pregnant Women In Southwestern Uganda, Eve Katushabe, John Baptist Asiimwe, John Bosco Ndinawe, Editor Abeneitwe, Agnes Katusiime, Gladys Nakidde, Vincent Batwala

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy remains a global health challenge. This study aimed to explore pregnant women’s experiences of IPV, support seeking, and coping strategies in Southwestern Uganda. Pregnant women who had experienced IPV during pregnancy were purposively selected and completed in-depth interviews, with data saturation reached after 25 participants. Guided by the feminist theory, data were analyzed deductively and inductively using thematic analysis. Participating pregnant women were exposed to physical violence (e.g., the gravid abdomen being stepped on), psychological violence (e.g., verbal abuse), sexual violence (e.g., being forced into uncomfortable sexual positions), and financial control and manipulation (e.g., …

Asian Reference Values For Handgrip Strength, Gait Speed, Five-Times-Sit-To-Stand Test, Muscle Mass And Calf Circumference, Jozo Grgic, Siew Ling Tey, Dieu Thi Thu Huynh, Yen Ling Low, Zeljko Pedisic, Nina Schaller, Vanessa Kristina Wazny, Weilan Wang, Yasuhiko Saito, Ravindra P Rannan-Eliya, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Monique Chaaya, Carlos Mendes De Leon, Preeti Gupta, Ecosse L Lamoureux, Mythily Subramaniam, Edimansyah Abdin, Rahul Malhotra, Angelique Chan, Bayasgalan Tumenbayar, Oyunbileg Luvsandavaajav, Bolormaa Enkhtuvshin, Norma Mansor, Halimah Awang, Andrea B Maier

Faculty Publications

Background:Handgrip strength, gait speed, Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST) performance, skeletal muscle mass and calf circumference are important health outcomes, particularly useful for diagnosing sarcopenia. The aim of this study was to establish reference (normative) values for handgrip strength, gait speed, FTSST performance, skeletal muscle mass and calf circumference by pooling individual participant data from national cohorts in Asia.

>Methods:We conducted a pooled analysis of individual participant data from 20 national cohorts representing 12 Asian countries (China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Sri Lanka). We included cohorts with data on at least …

Dual Challenges, Shared Wins: Unlocking Climate Financing For Nutrition, Chiara Dell’Aira, Natalia Rovelo-Velazquez, Sarah Lahaye, Xiu Xin Catherine Lok, Stella Nordhagen, Stephen Dorey, Mireya Vilar-Compte

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Background

The intertwined challenges of climate change and malnutrition amplify each other, with climate change exacerbating malnutrition, particularly in vulnerable populations; and food systems significantly contributing to emissions and environmental degradation. Addressing these issues together offers opportunities for shared gains, yet funding streams for these sectors remain siloed and misaligned.

Objective

This study developed a scoring methodology to assess the compatibility of climate funds with financing nutrition-related actions where synergies align with climate funds’ primary goals, referred to as the “scope for nutrition integration”.

Methods

Using the Climate Funds Update database, 18 active climate funds were systematically reviewed …

Your Healthcare Rights & Resources In Ice Detention: A Bilingual (English-Spanish) Resource For Detained People, Vineeth R. Vaidyula B.S.*, Shivani Kulkarni B.A.*, Jai Mehrotra-Varma B.S.*, Elizabeth R. Kolod M.D., M.P.H.

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

This resource provides a concise, practical overview of healthcare rights and medical access for people held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention. It outlines basic health, dental, mental health, and reproductive care rights; expected medical processes during the initial period of detention; and common barriers such as delayed care, limited access to specialists, and language challenges. The guide also offers strategies for self-advocacy and documentation, including tracking medications, medical encounters, and requests for care, and identifies legal and advocacy resources for additional support. Designed for use by detained individuals and their advocates, this resource aims to promote informed …

Measuring The Impact Of 3d Printers On The Health Of Youth, Alexis Kostin, Olla Obeid, Oz Trost

Wetterhahn Science Symposium Posters

3D printers are used more widely than ever before; they can be found in factories, hospitals, and even schools. However, the health effects of the VOCs and UFPs that these machines emit have yet to be fully understood. In collaboration with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, this study utilizes an Air Gradient One sensor at the Diamond Lab to monitor VOC and UFP emissions before, during, and after 3D printing sessions. By comparing these levels to EPA and CDC safety standards, we aim to quantify the respiratory risks posed to youth.

Reverse Koebner Phenomenon In Linear Scalp Morphea Following Punch Biopsy: A Rare Therapeutic Response, Suhas C. Gowda, Akshay Samagani, Shreyas C. Gowda

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Morphea is a chronic immune-mediated fibrosing disorder characterized by excessive collagen deposition in the skin. Linear morphea of the scalp (en coup de sabre) commonly demonstrates the Koebner phenomenon, wherein lesions develop at sites of trauma; however, the reverse Koebner phenomenon—trauma-induced regression—is exceptionally rare. We report an unusual case of linear scalp morphea showing early regression following a diagnostic punch biopsy. A 71-year-old male presented with an asymptomatic, indurated linear plaque on the scalp of two months’ duration. Histopathology from a 3.5-mm punch biopsy confirmed morphea, demonstrating dense collagen bundles with lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. At follow-up eight days after …

Proof-Of-Concept Development And Preclinical Evaluation Of A Microarray Patch Platform For Codelivery Of Multiple Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies For Hiv Prevention, M. Melissa Peet, Vivek Agrahari, Parbeen Singh, Lam Luong Hoai Nguyen, Louise A. Ouattara, Eun Sung Yang, Carolina Herrera, Amarendra Pegu, Theodore C. Pierson, Thanh D. Nguyen, Gustavo F. Doncel

CONRAD Publications

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) are advancing as a preventative or treatment option for HIV infection, but currently must be administered parenterally, typically as a large injection or infusion, an invasive method of delivery, especially for the pediatric population. Here, we present proof-of-concept data on a minimally invasive microneedle (MN) patch platform codelivering three bnAbs, PGT121, VRC07-523LS, and PGDM1400LS, from separate MN patch units or pixels. Each 1 cm² patch pixel, fabricated via solvent casting, contained similar to 2 mg of one bnAb. In ex vivo porcine skin tests, the MNs effectively penetrated the skin. When tested in vitro in PBS …

Chinese Athletes’ And Parents’ Motivations For U.S. Collegiate Sports Participation, Wenting Sun, Russell D. Ravert, Simran Kaur Sethi

Kinesiology and Health Promotion Faculty Publications

To gain an understanding of international student recruitment and retention in collegiate athletics, this study examines the motivations and decision-making processes of Chinese high school athletes and their parents in pursuing U.S. collegiate sport opportunities. Using the push–pull framework and an ecological perspective, it explores how individual aspirations, family priorities, institutional resources, and national policies shape transnational mobility. Semistructured focus group discussions with 10 athletes and eight parents revealed six key motivational themes and highlighted the influence of recent collegiate sport-related policy changes in China. The findings suggest that while both groups value U.S. sport pathways, athletes and parents may …

Exploring Dominican University Nursing Students’ Perceptions Of Economic Barriers To Accessing Essential Women’S Health Products, Annabelle E. Burke

Nursing | Senior Theses

Period poverty is defined as inconsistent or inadequate access to feminine hygiene products, and it has been shown to negatively impact physical and mental health, academic performance, and dignity across diverse populations. Existing research highlights financial strain, social stigma, and insufficient support as key barriers to menstrual equity among individuals experiencing homelessness, adolescents living in low-resource environments, low-income women, and general undergraduate students (Brinkley & Niebuhr, 2023; Dave et al., 2022; Gruer et al., 2021; Lahme et al., 2018; Parkinson et al., 2024; Gilchrist et al., 2024). However, no studies have examined these issues amongst Dominican University nursing students who …

Summary Of: Clinician Experiences And Comfort With Providing Harm Reduction Resources To People Who Use Drugs, Amanda Cahn, Melissa Calica, Erin Mooz, Malia Haddock, Wendy Craig, Tania D. Strout

Northern New England Clinical & Translational Research

Drug overdose deaths continue to rise in the United States, including in Maine, which has high rates of overdose mortality, viral hepatitis, and a recent HIV outbreak among people who use drugs. Harm reduction strategies such as naloxone distribution, safer use supplies, and linkage to syringe service programs are well established in research and improve patient safety and engagement. Despite strong evidence, clinical adoption remains inconsistent.

Study found @ "Clinician Experiences and Comfort with Providing Harm Reduction Resour" by Amanda Cahn, Melissa Calica et al.

Exploring Acculturation And Its Role In Substance Abuse Behaviors Among Refugee Populations In Bowling Green, Ky: An Interactive Learning Experience Through Provider’S Perspectives., Aishwarya Potluri

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Substance use among refugee populations is an emerging public health concern shaped/influenced by cultural, social, and structural factors associated with resettlement. This qualitative study explored providers’ perspectives on substance use behaviors among refugees in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Using Health Behavior Theory with acculturation as a contextual construct, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 providers working with refugee-serving organizations. Data collected through the interviews was analyzed using thematic analysis in NVivo. The findings indicate that substance use is being influenced by peer exposure, occupational stress, and the increased availability of substances in the United States. Providers identified cultural stigma surrounding mental …

Sexuality Education In An Age Of Resistance: Reflections At The Nexus Of Education, Health And Rights, Sarah Vrankovich, Katrina Marson, Giselle Woodley, Jordina Quain, Hanna Saltis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is internationally recognised as essential to public health and young people’s rights. Yet its implementation in Australia and globally is increasingly undermined by conservative backlash, moral panic and political interference. This paper offers a critical reflection on the current landscape of CSE, drawing on insights from a panel discussion at the 2025 World Association for Sexual Health congress, and collaborative analysis. As early-career researchers, sexologists and practitioners working across education, communications, public health and sexual violence prevention, we utilise our collective experience to examine how various influences shape and constrain the delivery of CSE. We map …

Reflecting On Themes From Telehealth Consultations Early In The Pandemic: An Opportunity To Learn From Multiprofessional Colleagues, Maggie Meeks, Laura R. Joyce, John Dean, Lorna Davies, Tika Ormond, Philippa Seaton, Dale Sheehan, Dean Sutherland, Melanie Welfare, Arindam Basu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: This study is aimed at documenting the reflections of New Zealand healthcare professionals on the use of synchronous telehealth consultations. Methods: A qualitative narrative inquiry was conducted to explore the practice of telehealth in New Zealand. Purposive sampling was used to identify clinicians from multiple professions who used telehealth during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fifteen semistructured interviews were conducted between October 2020 and May 2021 with clinicians from primary and secondary care, including multiple professional backgrounds. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically. Results: Six themes were identified: (1) equitable access: There were concerns regarding equitable access to …

Review Of Current Research Describing The Influence Of Non-Health Care Drivers Of Health In Rural And Urban Populations, Katie Youngen, Julia Cecil, Tyrone F. Borders

Rural & Underserved Health Research Center Publications

Social determinants of health (SDOH) (also called social drivers of health) are the conditions of the environment where people live, learn, work, and play that are known to affect health outcomes.¹ The primary objective of this literature review is to summarize the most recent literature related to the Healthy People 2030 domains of a) economic stability, b) education access and quality, c) neighborhood and built environment, and d) social and community context.² Our particular focus is on non-health care drivers of health. The secondary objective is to identify gaps in literature applied to rural populations.

Management Of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors By Rural And Urban Primary Care Practices, Lars E. Peterson, Zachary J. Morgan

Rural & Underserved Health Research Center Publications

In the United States, over 650,000 people die annually from cardiovascular disease (CVD) with high associated health care and economic costs.1 Despite a strong scientific basis for their beneficial impact on health,2 rates of preventive screening remain low.3 Levels of adherence to preventive guidelines are even lower in African American populations, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, and underserved rural populations.4 Rural populations have higher rates of modifiable risk factors—obesity, smoking, physical inactivity—for CVD than urban populations and bear a disproportionate burden from CVD.5–7 Rates of undiagnosed and poorly treated high blood pressure are more common in rural areas.8,9 Racial/ethnic minority populations also …

Rural-Urban Differences In Dental Care Utilization After A Public Health Emergency, Quazi Minhaz Tabassum, Redwan Bin Abdul Baten, Ahmed A. Arif

Rural & Underserved Health Research Center Publications

Overview of Key Findings

• Past year dental clinic visits declined among both rural and urban populations after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, rural patients are more likely to report delayed dental service utilization than their urban counterparts.

• Participants residing in Medicaid expansion states or with health insurance coverage were 16% less likely to delay dental visits overall.

• The COVID-19 pandemic further worsened the existing challenges in dental healthcare access for urban and rural communities.

The Best Practice Guide For Early Childhood Education And Care Food Environment: Module 6: Quality, Leadership And Governance (Version 1.0), Quality, Leadership And Governance Consortium

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Quality, Leadership and Governance are central pillars in the role early learning settings play in children’s growth, development and wellbeing. By meeting regulatory requirements and quality standards through stringent business procedures and continuous improvement practices, services can provide high-quality food environments for all children – shaping their thoughts, feelings, and practices around food and eating.

This Quality, Leadership and Governance (QLG) module aims to:

Provide critical context for how the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) food environment is intertwined with National Law and Regulations.

Support services to meet regulatory requirements, through specific resources and guidance.

Provide practical guidance regarding …

The Best Practice Guide For Early Childhood Education And Care Food Environment: Module 4: Staff And Family Engagement (Version 1.0), Staff And Family Engagement Consortium

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Engaging with families is a core responsibility of ECEC services and staff. By building positive, personal relationships with families, ECEC staff are able to share concerns or queries about the children in their care in a sensitive way.

One of the more sensitive topics that can come up is food – what they are eating, how much they are eating, their eating behaviours and skills, and everything in between. Through quick conversations at drop-off or via formal communication platforms, services can share a range of information about a child’s eating patterns and behaviours, and also gather information from families to …

The Best Practice Guide For Early Childhood Education And Care Food Environment: Module 5: Sustainable Food Practices (Version 1.0), Sustainable Food Practices Consortium

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

ECEC food environments are uniquely positioned to support sustainability by implementing practices that can reduce environmental impacts while creating meaningful opportunities for children to experience and explore the interconnections between people, animals, plants, lands and water through food.

The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) (Version 2.0) recognises sustainability as an important consideration for children’s learning and development and that educators and children have active roles to play in contributing to more sustainable communities.1 Through the food provided, mealtimes, and food education, ECEC services can provide meaningful opportunities for children to experience and engage with sustainable food practices.

This Sustainable Food …

Body Image Perception In African American Women, Ages 20-55 Years, Trina Suttles

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the factors that influence body image perception among African American women in the metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia area and examined how these perceptions shape physical activity and dietary behaviors. Body image perception is a critical psychocultural factor influencing obesity-related behaviors, particularly among African American women who navigate culturally specific beauty standards and health beliefs. Guided by the Socioecological Model, this study addressed three research questions: (1) how African American women perceive their body image, (2) how these perceptions influence health behaviors, and (3) what multilevel factors shape body image perceptions. This study employed consensual qualitative research (CQR) …

A Chronic Pain Self-Management Quality Improvement Bundle For Veterans, Srijana D. Baniya

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Introduction: Veterans often face challenges accessing care services due to limited awareness of available resources for support, Self-care, and mental health (Harding et al., 2019; Patel et al., 2024). Given the high prevalence of Chronic pain and opioid use in this population, Self-management (SM) education and non-pharmacologic interventions are required to address the biological, psychological, and social effects of pain (Bair et al., 2015; Mumba et al., 2024; Nahin, 2017; Higgins et al., 2020). This Quality improvement project aims to determine whether implementing an evidence-based SM bundle for chronic pain improved Pain severity scores and increased understanding of SM strategies. …

Exploring Biopsychosocial Influences On Hookup Culture And Disrupting Compulsory Behaviors In Emerging Adults: A Multidisciplinary Analysis Of A Contemporary Public Health Concern, Catherine Benjamin

Honors Theses and Capstones

Multidisciplinary analysis, including biology, psychology, and sociology, to better understand the compulsory Hookup Culture that exists as a contemporary public health concern among the age group defined as emerging adults. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) diagnoses are steadily rising in the United States and disproportionately affecting college students. Early socialization and current educational resources that contribute to shame and stigma are discussed to explain how lifestyle and social conditions can act as risk factors for individual health outcomes.

Feeding Missoula: Food Insecurity In Rural Children And Youth, Chani Brammer, Braelee Cheeks, Jordin Holland, Rayne Mccollough, Laurel Palmer, Therese Solomon

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

In Montana, approximately one in seven children live in a food-insecure household, with rural Montanans in particular facing significant barriers. Existing needs-based food assistance programs, such as SNAP and WIC, have structural weaknesses: SNAP benefits are often not sufficient to last through the month, and those eligible for these programs face a confusing application process, shame and stigma, and logistical hurdles, such as limited transportation.

“Feeding Missoula” began with an evaluation of how current food assistance programs met or failed to meet the needs of rural youth. Our methodology integrated a comprehensive review of existing literature and structured interviews with …

Viral Misunderstandings: Reddit Posts And The Covid-19 Infodemic, Julia C. Knutson

Scripps Senior Theses

Information epidemics or “infodemics” became the center of misinformation conversations, due to a global increase in information spread surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. While many academic scholars and institutions, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) attribute the cause of infodemics to anti-science attitudes and the public’s lack of scientific literacy, scholars in Science, Technology, and Society argue that analyzing misinformation within these isolated bounds limits our understanding of its underlying social and historical contexts. Using the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study for misinformation analysis reveals a gap in our current understanding of how people who resonate with or spread …

Between Tradition And Transition: Cultural Negotiations And Contraceptive Perceptions Among Ghanaian Students In The United States, Beatrice Amissah

Theses and Dissertations

As global mobility continues to rise, international students often encounter new cultural norms and health practices that differ from those in their home countries. While some studies have focused on contraception within the context of gender and types, less focus has been placed on diasporic populations, especially how students navigate tensions surrounding contraception within new cultural environments. This study explores how Ghanaian students in the United States interpret, negotiate, and respond to contraceptive messaging while navigating the cultural transition between their heritage and host societies. Drawing on Berry’s (1980)  Acculturation Theory, the study examines the tensions students experience, the strategies …

Preventing Teen Pregnancy Through Expanded Contraceptive Access In Mccreary County, Kentucky, Dacey B. Chitwood

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

This capstone project proposes a school-based Condom Availability Program to reduce teen pregnancy risk by expanding discreet contraceptive access for adolescents in McCreary County, Kentucky. Teen pregnancy remains a persistent public health concern in rural communities where stigma, privacy concerns, transportation barriers, and limited healthcare access can prevent adolescents from obtaining reproductive health resources. McCreary County faces elevated teen birth rates, socioeconomic disadvantage, and limited maternal healthcare infrastructure, making teen pregnancy prevention an important local priority. The proposed program would place free latex and non-latex condoms in student restrooms at McCreary Central High School, with QR-code-linked information connecting students to …

Exploring Sexually Explicit Material Literacy In Compressive Sex Education, Ashton Payne

2026 Honors Symposium

Background: Pornography has become increasingly accessible in recent years, particularly for younger audiences. Many individuals now report first exposure before the age of fourteen, underscoring the need for early, developmentally appropriate interventions within public education. To address students’ existing norms, misconceptions, and media‑driven expectations, especially those related to sexually explicit material (SEM), educators and researchers have emphasized the importance of pornography literacy as a critical component of modern comprehensive sex education (CSE). Purpose: This review synthesizes current research on pornography literacy pedagogy, with particular attention to its implementation, delivery methods, and documented impacts on adolescent knowledge, attitudes, and …

Measles Vaccine Hesitancy Improvement Bundle To Improve Vaccination Rates In A Rural Outpatient Clinic, Ramie Malone

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Introduction

Despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations to vaccinate children against measles, a decline in measles vaccination rates has been observed at a rural family medicine clinic. While numerous factors contribute to the decline in vaccination rates—including parental doubts about the necessity of vaccination, concerns about vaccine side effects, and insufficient education—the latter remains a fundamental underlying cause of suboptimal vaccination coverage.

Objectives

This project focused on surveying, educating, and boosting parents' confidence in measles vaccines for children under five to raise the measles vaccination rate.

Methods

This project used a pre- and post-intervention bundle over an …

Reducing School Absenteeism In Children With Avoidance Behaviors, Kimberly Carey

DNP Scholarly Projects

Background: Chronic absenteeism and school avoidance are a problem facing schools across the nation following the COVID-19 pandemic. Chronic absenteeism is financially, emotionally, and academically expensive for society. Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to decrease absences by 50% over a 6-week timeframe when compared to the same timeframe from the previous year. Methods: Utilizing a Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, an intervention based on tracking multi-day consecutive absences and reaching out to families to provide education and support was implemented. At three days of absence, the school nurse would either call the family for absence with unknown etiology or email with an …