Public Health Commons^™

The Mentoring Cycle: A Two-Way Exchange, Sara S. Plaspohl

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

This article is an invited editorial for the special supplement for the Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association featuring student-mentored research.

How Can We Promote Mentored Student Research In Georgia?, Nancy C. Webb, Selina A. Smith

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

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Associations Between Major Depression, Health-Risk Behaviors, And Medication Adherence Among Hiv-Positive Adults Receiving Medical Care In Georgia, Rachel Culbreth, Shanta R. Dube, David Maggio

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: There are approximately 1.2 million people in the United States living with HIV, and 25.6% of HIV-positive adults suffer from depression. The purpose of this study is to examine the contribution of depression to substance use and medication adherence among HIV-positive adults receiving medical care for HIV in Georgia.

Methods: Secondary data with a probability sample of 775 HIV-positive adults who took part in the 2009-2013 Georgia Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) were analyzed. Descriptive analyses and multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to assess relationships between depression and current cigarette smoking, injection drug use, other non-injection drug use, and medication …

An Assessment Of Data Related To Inspections Of Risk Factors For Public Swimming Pools, Shanita Shack, Maurice Redmond, Christopher Rustin

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is mandated to ensure that public swimming pools are safe for those who use them. This mandate is carried out by the DPH and local environmental health professionals through regulations and inspections. In 2015, legislation was introduced proposing to reduce the authority of the DPH to inspect certain pool types (apartments, subdivision, condominiums) and thus reduce regulatory protections in place for swimmers. To ensure that the DPH had current information on the risks associated with pools, the EH team, with assistance from a graduate student, analyzed inspection data to evaluate risk factors …

Determinants Of Adherence To Nutrition- Related Cancer Prevention Guidelines Among African American Breast Cancer Survivors, Lindsey A. Ramirez, Yunmi Chung, Wonsuk Yoo, Brittney Fontenot, Benjamin E. Ansa, Mary S. Whitehead, Selina A. Smith

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Mortality rate for breast cancer is higher among African American (AA) women than for women of other racial/ethnic groups. Obesity, also higher among AA women, may increase the risk of breast cancer development and recurrence. Lifestyle factors such as healthy nutrition can reduce the rate of obesity and breast cancer. This study examined the determinants of adherence to nutrition-related cancer prevention guidelines among AA breast cancer survivors.

Methods: AA breast cancer survivors (n=240) were recruited from a breast cancer support group to complete a lifestyle assessment tool for this cross-sectional study. Chi-square test and ordinal logistic regression analysis were …

Black College Women Sexual Health Peer Education At Clark Atlanta University, Clarissa Francis, Josephine Bradley, Christopher Bass, Karla Scipio, Ronald Braithwaite

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: This research was based on the premise that various factors, such as social determinants, cultural competency, use of statistics and location, contribute to the efficacy of the transmission of sexual health education. In the United States, African American women account for 60% of the cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) of women. Considerable research has noted the high rates of HIV among African-American women. The present research, however, focused exclusively on Black college women at Clark Atlanta University (CAU).

Methods: A mixed method approach using surveys and participant observation in an exploratory case study was used to evaluate responses …

The Association Of Stress With Anxiety And Depression: Evidence From A Community Health Needs Assessment, Nicole La Tournous, Grace Bagwell-Adams

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Mental illness affects approximately 1 in 5 Americans, making mental health an important area of study for public health. Much research has been conducted on two of the most prevalent mental health disorders, anxiety and depression. However, the association of stress with these disorders, especially specific types of stress (e.g., financial, health, relationship), has been under-studied at the local level. This study aimed to gain insight into the relationship between stress, anxiety, and depression in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia.

Methods: Data collected in the 2015 Athens-Clarke County Community Health Needs Assessment were analyzed using linear regression models to explore the …

Predictors Of Mammogram And Pap Screenings Among Us Women, Sewuese Akuse, Koren Tate, Tiffany Addison, Tierra Drayton, Deborah Kanda, Kelly Sullivan

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The most common cancers among women are breast and cervical cancer. Although early detection of cancer has been shown to increase the likelihood of survival, many women are not screened for these cancers as often as practice guidelines recommend. The objective of this study was to examine the mammography and Papanicolaou (Pap) smear screening practices among women within the United States, and to determine predictors of screening.

Methods: Data from the 2012 and 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used. The association between demographic predictors (age, marital status, education level, employment status, income, health insurance, and medical cost …

Association Between Intimate Partner Violence And Mentally Unhealthy Days In Women In The U.S., Danielle Broadnax, Reinetta Thompson Waldrop, Mechelle D. Claridy, Elaine Archie Booker, Ernest Alema-Mensah

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: In the United States (U.S.), intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health concern, mainly affecting the health and well-being of women. The objective of this study was to identify the IPV and socio-demographic factors associated with mentally unhealthy days among women in the U.S. of ages ≥18 years.

Methods: Data for this study were obtained from the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Multivariable analyses were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for factors associated with IPV and 14 or more mentally unhealthy days per month. Analyses were conducted using …

The Zika Virus In The United States: A Comprehensive Review, Daniel R. Lindsey, Martin H. Greenberg

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: With a series of outbreaks spanning the globe, the Zika virus has transitioned, in a short time, from an obscure virus to a public health emergency. Locally transmitted Zika has reached the United States, leading to increased concern regarding further transmission and the potential impact on public health.

Methods: The present study was conducted to examine the propagation and effects of Zika in the United States by reviewing published literature regarding Zika in conjunction with updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To gauge the regional response, including prevention and control efforts, interviews were conducted with public …

Planning A National-Level Data Collection Protocol To Measure Outcomes For The Colorectal Cancer Control Program, Anamika Satsangi, Amy Degroff

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded 30 grantees to partner with health systems with the goal of increasing screening for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Evaluators applied CDC’s Framework for Program Evaluation to design a national level outcome evaluation for measuring changes in CRC screening rates in partner health systems.

Results: The resulting evaluation design involves the collection and reporting of clinic-level CRC screening rates supplemented by various tools to support the reporting of high quality, reliable data.

Conclusions: The CRCCP evaluation represents a strong design to measure the primary …

Air Pollution, Physical Activity, And Markers Of Acute Airway Oxidative Stress And Inflammation In Adolescents, Emily Pasalic, Matthew J. Hayat, Roby Greenwald

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The airway inflammatory response is likely the mechanism for adverse health effects related to exposure to air pollution. Increased ventilation rates during physical activity in the presence of air pollution increases the inhaled dose of pollutants. However, physical activity may moderate the relationship between air pollution and the inflammatory response. The present study aimed to characterize, among healthy adolescents, the relationship between dose of inhaled air pollution, physical activity, and markers of lung function, oxidative stress, and airway inflammation.

Methods: With a non-probability sample of adolescents, this observational study estimated the association between air pollution dose and outcome measures …

The Eating And Cooking Healthy (Teach) Kitchen: A Research Protocol, Sashia White, Roberto Alva-Ruiz, Lucia Chen, Jason Conger, Christopher Kuang, Cameron Murphy, Najeah Okashah, Eric Ollila, Selina A. Smith, Benjamin E. Ansa

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Diet-related chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia have affected millions of individuals, resulting in disease-related complications and mortality. Strategies that may improve the outcome of chronic disease management include modification of lifestyle risk factors such as unhealthy diets. TEACH Kitchen is an experiential education program related to community nutrition, the goal of which is to teach patients management of chronic disease through dietary change.

Methods: Adults (n=144) ≥18 years old and their children (n=144) 7-17 years old will complete four 2-hour sessions. Components of each session will include brief nutrition education (20 min), an interactive cooking …

Bios 6531 - Categorical Data Analysis, Haresh Rochani

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course introduces statistical methods for analyzing both univariate and multivariate categorical data and count in medical research and other health-related fields. The course will introduce how to distinguish among the different measurement scales, the commonly used statistical probability distribution and inference methods for categorical and count data. Emphasis will be placed on the application of the methodology and computational aspects rather than theory. The students will learn how to apply SAS procedures to data and interpret the results.

Bios 7431 - Statistical Issues In Drug Research And Development, Karl E. Peace

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

Numerous statistical issues attendant to providing biostatistical support to drug research and clinical development programs are identified and discussed. Real examples are used to illustrate and solidify how to address the issues.

Bios 7534 - Data Management For Biostatistics, Haresh Rochani

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course emphasizes data management and software applications using the SAS (Statistical Analysis System) software package. It will introduce the student to SAS codes for: inputting and outputting data, creating temporary and permanent data sets, creating formatted and labeled SAS data sets, merging and connecting SAS data sets, creating output using the TABULATE and REPORT procedures, debugging a SAS program that includes the TABULATE, REPORT and SQL procedures, using characteristic functions in SAS, using a random number generator, probability distributions, arrays, and date and time functions. Students will also write a simple and complex query using the SQL procedure; create, …

Bios 9131 - Advanced Statistical Theory For Biostatistics I, Hani Samawi

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course provides an advanced study of theoretical statistics. Topics include: an introduction probability and sample space, conditional probability and Bayes Theorem, probability distribution of a random variable, discrete and continuous random variables, functions of random variables, moments and moment generating functions, order statistics and their distributions, discrete distributions, continuous distributions, bivariate and multivariate normal distribution, modes of convergence, limiting moment generating functions, and the central limit theorems. 3 hours

Bios 9135 - Advanced Survival Analysis, Lili Yu

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course will be placed on the theory on survival data. Counting processes and martingale method will be introduced. Emphasis will be place on the applications of the theory on the methodologies for survival data, such as Kaplan-Meier estimate, log-rank test, Cox model, etc. The students will learn how to use R language to setup survival dataset and perform analysis.

Bios 9231 - Bayesian Statistics I, Hani Samawi

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course provides the student with an introduction Bayesian analysis and compares Bayesian methods to that of frequentists. The course includes selection of prior distributions, computing posterior distributions, and conjugate models such as the Beta-Binomial, Normal-Normal, and Gamma-Poisson models. Bayesian inference using point and interval estimation, Bayesian hierarchical models, and exchangeability will be explored. Topics including Empirical Bayes versus a fully Bayes approach, Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods and model checking using Bayes factors and sensitivity analyses will be included. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of "B" in BIOS 9131, or permission from instructor.

Chbe 9335a - Global Health And Preparedness, Andrew Hansen

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course will focus on global public health and preparedness for domestic and global emergencies. Students will explore patterns of health and disease around the world, and compare them to public health issues in the United States. An ecological framework will be employed to illustrate the complex political, social, economic, and environmental determinants of global health inequity. Concepts from the social sciences, epidemiology, health systems, and policymaking will be incorporated. The course will emphasize issues related to humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters both globally and domestically, and the need to build public health infrastructure and preparedness to mitigate them.

Cohe 7232a - Health Promotion Planning, Andrew Hansen

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

Introduces the student to the theory and application of planning and evaluation principles. Planning and evaluation skills will be developed that can be utilized in a variety of health-related settings. Familiarizes students with theories and models from the social and behavioral sciences and health education used in behavior change interventions. Emphasizes the planning and implementing of community health interventions at multiple ecological levels.

Cohe 7234 - Community Health Analysis And Assessment, Moya L. Alfonso

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course familiarizes students with concepts and approaches for community health assessment and analysis. This includes discussion of social action, organizational development, policy advocacy, capacity building, community diagnosis (needs assessment), social networking and coalition formation to bring about health and quality of life improvement. Special focus will be placed on the application of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods methods and CBPR approaches for assessment.

Chbe 9130a - Research Methods In Community And Behavioral Health, Levi Ross

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

General Course Description: This course introduces students to research methods in health science. Development and presentation of practicum and research proposals will be the focus of the course. Additional emphasis will be placed on writing skills that will contribute to research projects and grant applications.

Envh 7233 - Environmental Exposure And Impact Assessment, Atin Adhikari

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

Introduces students to appropriate design, implementation, and analysis of primary environmental exposures and how they are influenced by public health ethics, equity and disparities. Specific topics covered include designing risk profiles; evaluating dose-response relationships; assessing the contribution of public health ethics, equity and disparities to environmental exposures; and analyzing field exposures of toxins.

Envh 7234 - Environmental Toxicology, Evans Afriyie-Gyawu

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course introduces students to concepts associated with the lethal and sub-lethal effects of environmental and occupational stressors on humans and other living organisms.

Envh 7235 - Field Methods In Environmental Health, Marina E. Eremeeva

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course introduces students to an overview of current and accepted field methods for environmental and occupational exposure monitoring.

Epid 7134 - Epidemiologic Methods Ii, Kelly L. Sullivan

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course provides instruction and hands-on experience in the analysis and interpretation of data from epidemiologic studies. Topics to be covered include epidemiology research questions that can be addressed by case-control and cohort studies, the rationale underlying the major techniques used to analyze data from case-control and cohort studies, the conditions under which these methods are appropriate and their relative advantages and disadvantages. Attention will be given to how interactions, confounders and nonlinear relationships among variables can be addressed along with interpretation of statistical software output from epidemiologic studies employing these designs and analytical methods.

Hspm 7090a - Selected Topics In Health: Geographic Information Systems, Jeffery A. Jones

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course will introduce students to geographic information systems (GIS) to map and spatially analyze public health and demographic data. Students will learn the fundamentals of the ArcMap software system and ways to integrate cartography into biomedical informatics practice. Beyond use of GIS for cartography, this course will also examine ethical issues and methods of analyzing demographic and spatial health patterns using GIS and demography analysis methods. The versatility of GIS in a public health setting will be examined and will include exercises involving GIS applications in health marketing, demography, epidemiology, and health care systems. For example, we will look …

Hspm 7133a - Public Health Policy & Ethics, William A. Mase

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

The course prepares learners to understand complex health and human service-related systems in order to inform effective practice-based ethical decision-making. The primary focus of the course relates to public health policy and practice. Major content areas include health policy institutions, the health policy process, ethical political considerations, social determinants of health, workforce, health care financing, medical technology, health care organizations, the public health system, primary care systems, and other health-related issues impacting the health of the public. Strategies of implementing change through policy making and the legislative process are covered.

Hspm 7137 - Healthcare Finance And Payment Systems, James H. Stephens

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course examines the structure and functioning of the finance reimbursement components of the health care delivery system. Healthcare organizations including hospitals, long-term care, ambulatory care, managed care, private and public insurance, public health, integrated delivery systems, and other health care providers will be discussed within the context of the financial environment that includes financial management, managerial accounting and revenue and reimbursement cycle management. The course also examines key financial tools and analyses for financially related decision making within the principles of strategic management applied to healthcare organizations amid a dynamic/changing environment.