Public Health Commons^™

Barbers Against Prostate Cancer: A Feasibility Study For Prostate Cancer Education In An Urban African American Community, John S. Luque, Brian M. Rivers, Maisha Kambon, Ronald Brookins, B. Lee Green, Cathy D. Meade

Community Health: Faculty Publications

The goal of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of training barbers to deliver a brief culturally and literacy appropriate prostate cancer educational intervention to urban African American men. Eight barbers received training to deliver a 2-month educational intervention in the barbershop and completed pre- and posttest training assessments. The training workshops led to a significant increase in mean prostate cancer knowledge scores among the barbers (60% before vs. 79% after; P < 0.05). The barbers also reported positively on the intervention in terms of satisfaction and relative ease of engaging clients. Training barbers to deliver a prostate cancer educational intervention is a feasible strategy for raising prostate cancer awareness of the disease among a priority population.

A Qualitative Study Of Stressors, Stress Symptoms, And Coping Mechanisms Among College Students Using Nominal Group Process, Helen W. Bland, Bridget F. Melton, Stephen Patrick Gonzalez

Community Health: Faculty Publications

Background: Stress is part of the college experience; however, how students deal with stress can greatly impact their behaviors and health status. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to qualitatively assess sources of stress, types of stressors, and coping mechanisms employed among undergraduate students.

Methods: Nominal group process was utilized to obtain information related to study variables and help prioritize the accounts provided by study participants (n = 173).

Results: Participants gave insight into the unique stress faced by this generation (grades, GPA, multitasking, parental expectations), stress symptoms (more psychological in nature), and coping strategies (prayer, talking to mom, …

On The Eigenstructures Of Functional K-Potent Matrices And Their Integral Forms, Yan Wu, Daniel F. Linder

Biostatistics: Faculty Publications

In this paper, a functional k-potent matrix satisfies the equation, where k and r are positive integers, and are real numbers. This class of matrices includes idempotent, Nilpotent, and involutary matrices, and more. It turns out that the matrices in this group are best distinguished by their associated eigen-structures. The spectral properties of the matrices are exploited to construct integral k-potent matrices, which have special roles in digital image encryption.

Analysis Of Subgroup Data In Clinical Trials, Kao-Tai Tsai, Karl E. Peace

Biostatistics: Faculty Presentations (2003-2018)

This conference abstract was published in the Proceedings of the Sixteenth Annual Biopharmaceutical Applied Statistics Symposium.

Extending Hiv Prevention: People Living With Hiv/Aids (Plwha) Strategize To Reduce Stigma And Promote Hiv Testing, Tiffiany M. Cummings Aholou, Su-I Hou, Tanisha S. Grimes

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Strategies to reduce acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)‐related stigma are paramount to promoting effective HIV prevention. As in the case of HIV antibody testing, despite the benefits of early detection, links to care, and risk behavior modification, nearly 250,000 people are unaware of their HIV status. AIDS‐related stigma has impeded such efforts due to discrimination, ignorance and other forms of stigma. These issues related to stigma and HIV testing are magnified when placed in the context of the rural Deep South region of the United States, where the incidence of HIV/AIDS are growing at alarming rates. The purpose of this paper …

Hiv Rates In The State Of Georgia: A Growing Threat Among Predominantly African American Populations, Swati Raychowdhury, Stuart H. Tedders

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: US rates of HIV/AIDS continue to rise with over 55% of new cases identified in southern states in 2003. The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude of HIV/AIDS cases in rural southeast Georgia in comparison to urban areas of the state.

Methods: County level data was acquired using OASIS. Rates of HIV infections by gender and race (black vs. white) were aggregated over a five year period (2000–2005) and indirectly adjusted using Georgia as the standard. Rates for rural counties, (populations less than 35,000), were statistically compared to urban rates (α = 0.05).

Results: HIV infections …

Social And Economic Determinants Of Infant Ill Health In 159 Georgia Counties: A Comparison Study, Angela Peden, Alison Scott, John G. Peden

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Prematurity and low birth weight (LBW) are important causes of infant morbidity in Georgia and the United States. Georgia county-level data were used to explore the relationships between prematurity and LBW and two social and economic determinants of health: race and poverty status. Spearman rank correlations and Friedman and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used. Prematurity and LBW were positively associated with poverty status and the presence of large African American populations. While causation cannot be inferred from correlative data, this analysis highlights the need to consider the role of social and economic factors in infant morbidity. It also highlights …

From The Editor: State Journals Of Public Health, Mckinley Thomas

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

State Journals of Public Health

Appropriate Practices In College/University Physical Activity Instructional Programs, Bridget F. Melton, Michele M. Sweeney, Jared A. Russel, Carrie L. Moore

Community Health: Faculty Presentations (1993-2018)

This session will introduce the audience to a new NASPE document that supports basic instructional programming at the college and university level. Based on NASPE’s former K-12 Appropriate Practice documents, this document will serve as an advocacy document for the importance of quality programming at the college/university level. Come and preview this new document!

Validation Of Inverse Seasonal Peak Mortality In Medieval Plagues, Including The Black Death, In Comparison To Modern Yersinia Pestis-Variant Diseases, Mark R. Welford, Brian H. Bossak

Earth, Environment & Sustainability: Faculty Publications

Background: Recent studies have noted myriad qualitative and quantitative inconsistencies between the medieval Black Death (and subsequent ‘‘plagues’’) and modern empirical Y. pestis plague data, most of which is derived from the Indian and Chinese plague outbreaks of A.D. 1900615 years. Previous works have noted apparent differences in seasonal mortality peaks during Black Death outbreaks versus peaks of bubonic and pneumonic plagues attributed to Y. pestis infection, but have not provided spatiotemporal statistical support. Our objective here was to validate individual observations of this seasonal discrepancy in peak mortality between historical epidemics and modern empirical data.

Methodology/Principal Findings: …

Complete Identification Of Permissible Sampling Rates For First-Order Sampling Of Multi-Band Bandpass Signals, Yan Wu, Daniel F. Linder

Biostatistics: Faculty Publications

The first-order sampling of multi-band bandpass signals with arbitrary band positions is considered in this paper. Gaps between the spectral sub-bands are utilized to achieve lower sampling rates than the Nyquist. The lowest possible sampling rate along with other permissible sampling rates is identified via a unique partition of the frequency axis. With the complete identification of all the permissible sampling rates, a necessary and sufficient sampling theorem for multi-band bandpass signals is presented in terms of a series of csinc-interpolators.

Hiv Rates In The State Of Georgia: A Growing Threat Among Predominately African American Populations, Swati Raychowdhury, Stuart H. Tedders

Epidemiology: Faculty Publications (2002-2018)

Background: US rates of HIV/AIDS continue to rise with over 55% of new cases identified in southern states in 2003. The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude of HIV/AIDS cases in rural southeast Georgia in comparison to urban areas of the state.

Methods: County level data was acquired using OASIS. Rates of HIV infections by gender and race (black vs. white) were aggregated over a five year period (2000–2005) and indirectly adjusted using Georgia as the standard. Rates for rural counties, (populations less than 35,000), were statistically compared to urban rates (α = 0.05).

Results: HIV infections …

Social, Economic And Health Costs Of Unintended Teen Pregnancy: The Circle Of Care Intervention Program In Troup County, Georgia, Andrea M. Brace, Michael Hall, Barry P. Hunt

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Unintended teenage pregnancy in the United States is a public health concern with ramifications that include a variety of social, economic and health costs. It has been estimated that adolescents giving birth before the age of 18 cost the United States at least $9.1 billion dollars annually (NCPTUP, 2008). Latest available national data indicate a slight increase in rates of unintended teen pregnancy after a 15 year period of steady decline. The unintended teen pregnancy rate in Troup County, Georgia in 2006 was 51.9/1,000 which was higher than the national average of 41.9/1,000(Kids Count, 2008). The purpose of this study …

Assessing The Validity Of Statistical Inferences In Public Health Research: An Evidence-Based, ‘Best-Practices’ Approach, Karl E. Peace, Anthony V. Parrillo, Charles J. Hardy

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Like many fields, public health has embraced the process of evidence-based practice to inform practice decisions and to guide policy development. Evidence-based practice is typically dependent upon generalizations made on the bases of the existing body of knowledge – assimilations of the research literature on a particular topic. The potential utility of scientific evidence for guiding policy and practice decisions is grounded in the validity of the research investigations upon which such decisions are made. However, the validity of inferences made from the extant public health research literature requires more than ascertaining the validity of the statistical methods alone; for …

Impact Of Chlamydia And Gonorrhea In Georgia: An Urban / Rural Comparison (2000-2004), Swati Raychowdhury, Stuart H. Tedders, Sarah K. Jones

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: In 2005, 33,562 cases of chlamydia and 15,860 cases of gonorrhea were reported in the State of Georgia, respectively corresponding to 3.4% and 4.7% of all cases reported nationally (CDC, 2005). Disparities of infection with respect to race and gender are evident for both diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude of chlamydia and gonorrhea in rural Georgia compared to urban areas of the state.

Methods: County level data necessary for analysis were acquired using the Georgia Division of Public Health’s Online Analytical Statistical Information System database (GDHR, 2007). Rates of infection by gender and …

Quantitative Data Analysis Of Multiple Factors Associated With Low Birth Weight In Bibb County, Georgia, Haley D. Jackson, Yudan Wei, Fan Chen

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Objective: This study aims to identify and evaluate significant risk factors associated with low birth weight in Bibb County, Georgia.

Methods: Data used in this study was obtained from the Georgia Department of Human Resources’ Vital Records Offices. The sample consists of 2,346 white and black or African American women giving birth in Bibb County, Georgia in 2005. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors associated with low birthweight in Bibb County, Georgia. The multiple factors analyzed as independent variables included maternal race, maternal education, maternal age group, socioeconomic status, marital status, maternal tobacco use during pregnancy, maternal …

On Matched Pairs Sign Test Using Bivariate Ranked Set Sampling: An Application To Environmental Issues, Hani M. Samawi, Mohammad F. Al-Saleh, Obaid Al-Saidy

Biostatistics: Faculty Publications

The matched pairs sign test using bivariate ranked set sampling (BVRSS) is introduced and investigated. We show that this test is asymptotically more efficient than its counterpart sign test based on a bivariate simple random sample (BVSRS). The asymptotic null distribution and the efficiency of the test are derived. The Pitman asymptotic relative efficiency is used to compare the asymptotic performance of the matched pairs sign test using BVRSS versus using BVSRS. For small sample sizes, the bootstrap method is used to estimate P-values. Numerical comparisons are used to gain insight about the efficiency of the BVRSS sign test compared …

Inference On Overlapping Coefficients In Two Exponential Populations, Mohammad F. Al-Saleh, Hani M. Samawi

Biostatistics: Faculty Publications

Three measures of overlap, namely Matusita’s measureρ , Morisita’s measure λ and Weitzman’s measure Δ are investigated in this article for two exponential populations with different means. It is well that the estimators of those measures of overlap are biased. The bias is of these estimators depends on the unknown overlap parameters. There are no closed-form, exact formulas, for those estimators variances or their exact sampling distributions. Monte Carlo evaluations are used to study the bias and precision of the proposed overlap measures. Bootstrap method and Taylor series approximation are used to construct confidence intervals for the overlap measures.

Infant Mortality Trends Among Georgia Residents, 1995-2003: Targeting Healthy People’S 2010 Goals, Diana Sturges, Laura Gunn, Padmini Shankar, Shrikrishna Shroff

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Population-based trends in infant mortality among Georgia Residents between 1995 and 2003 were assessed on characteristics such as race, birth weight, neonatal and post-neonatal periods, and cause of death. A statistical analysis was conducted to show that the Georgia infant mortality rate (IMR) remained constant throughout the study period and averaged 8.67 per 1,000 live births. The analysis revealed racial disparities, with an IMR ranging from 6.03 in white infants to 13.76 in black infants, with less than one percent (0.86%) change, on average, among the differences between black and white mortality rates across the nine-year period. The disparities were …

Risk Factors For Hiv Transmission Among Hispanic Men Who Have Sex With Men In Atlanta, Valerie A. Hepburn, Denyse N. Nanan

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

This study assessed and compared demographic factors, psychosocial factors, health seeking behavior, and sexual practices of two convenience samples of Hispanic/Latino gay men and men who have sex with men (MSM) in the metropolitan Atlanta region. The aim was to obtain data on emerging HIV/AIDS patterns in this group. Bilingual surveys were conducted in 2000 and 2006 at local gay bars. Discrepancies observed between HIV/AIDS knowledge and sexual behaviors in 2000 were replicated in 2006. Contrary to expected improvements due to enhanced HIV/AIDS education and awareness, risk behavior for HIV/STDs increased significantly between 2000 and 2006. These findings should inform …

Health Literacy Levels Among Adult Support Group Members And The General Adult Public : A Focus Group Approach, Daniel R. Czech, June Alberto, A. Barry Joyner

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Health literacy has been identified as lacking in 47% of Americans (The National Academies, 2004). While health literacy reports of studies conducted in the southern section of the United States are available (DeWalt et al., 2004; Kennen et al. 2005), this research team found limited research that provides health literacy levels of the southeast, rural Georgia population. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine and compare health literacy of health-related support group members and non group members in southeast Georgia utilizing a focus group methodology developed by Kreuger (1994). After Institutional Review Board approval at a local university, …

The Breast And Cervical Cancer Prevention And Treatment Act (Bccpta) In Georgia: Women Covered And Medicaid Costs In 2003, E. Kathleen Adams, Sarah C. Blake, Cheryl Raskind-Hood, Linien Chien, Mei Zhou, Jonathan Liff, William Eley

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act (BCCPTA) provided states with an optional Medicaid eligibility category for uninsured women with breast and/or cervical cancers. The BCCPTA is the first and only such effort to use a population-based public health screening program, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) to provide a pathway to publicly funded health insurance for otherwise uninsured low-income women. Georgia was one of the first states to adopt the BCCPTA and was one of only twelve states that provided Medicaid eligibility to women screened by non-NBCCEDP providers. We use 2003 Georgia Medicaid …

Clinicians’ Perception Of Inmates’ Satisfaction With Mental Health Services, Jerry B. Daniel, Wynne S. Korr

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

A growing body of literature addresses the mental health needs of prison inmates; however, very little research has examined mental health services among this population. Based on the Behavioral Model of Health Services Use (Andersen Model), the current study examined clinicians’ perception of inmates’ satisfaction with mental health services. The study’s main objective was to identify the effect of three major groups of predictor variables (predisposing, enabling, and need) on clinicians’ perception with inmates’ satisfaction with mental health services. The study utilized an exploratory, survey methodology. Although only a few variables were found to be statistically significant in the multivariate …

Modifying And Validating A Quality Of Life Measure To Fit Your Patient Population, Michelle R. Johnson, J Ross Maclean, Rebecca L. Rogers, Donna M. Fick, Andre Kallab

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Introduction: A well-developed quality of life (QoL) instrument is valuable in identifying the burden of illness. We were interested in exploring whether existing QoL instruments were suitable for patients in our medical setting and, if not, whether this could be rectified by adapting an existing valid and reliable instrument to meet the specific needs of our patient population. For the purposes of this study, we chose to evaluate the quality of life of patients with breast cancer. Specifically, we were interested in two aspects of QoL in women with breast cancer. The first was whether existing instruments were pertinent to …

Multi-Level Evaluation Of A Perinatal Health Program In Rural Southeast Georgia, Swati Raychowdhury, Stuart H. Tedders, Greta O'Steen, Sarah Jones

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Problem: Infant mortality has declined steadily in the past decade, however, significant disparities associate with lack of adequate perinatal health services and barriers to access disproportionately impact women residing in rural areas. In Georgia, data suggest significant challenges with respect to birth outcomes, and this problem seems to be exacerbated in rural regions of state. The objective of this presentation is to report on the impact of a regional perinatal health care collaborative implemented in rural southeast Georgia.

Method: Analysis of pre-intervention and post-intervention birth outcomes (gestational age, birth weight and infant mortality) served as the focal point programmatic evaluation. …

Relationship Of Fruit And Vegetable Servings And Self-Reported Diabetics In The Southeast And Northeast, Marylen Rimando, Faye Lopez, Haritha Battula

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

According to the American Diabetes Association, most diabetic patients are not consuming the recommended 3-5 servings of vegetables and 2-4 servings of fruits a day. This study examined fruit and vegetable servings of self-reported diabetics (N=35,407) in select southeastern and northeastern states using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2005 data. The estimate for both fruit and vegetable servings and self-reported diabetes was determined using multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for sociodemographics and geographic region. The results indicated a significant difference between fruit and vegetable servings for diabetics and non-diabetics (p<0.0001). A higher percentage of diabetics in the northeast consumed more than three servings of fruit and vegetables when compared to diabetics in the southeast. Respondents in the northeast were 21% more likely to consume five or more servings of fruit and vegetables and 16% less likely to be diabetic than those in the southeast after adjusting for age, race, sex, and geographic region. In conclusion, diabetics in the northeast consumed more servings of fruit and vegetables than did those in the southeast. Multiple factors influence fruit and vegetable consumption and diabetes and should be considered when developing targeted nutritional interventions. Diabetes educators, nurses, and physicians can encourage diabetic patients to consume more fruit and vegetables and motivate them to continue eating fruit and vegetables.

Individual Differences In Well-Being In Older Breast Cancer Survivors, Elizabeth A. Perkins, Brent J. Small, Lodovico Balducci, Martine Extermann, Claire Robb, William E. Haley

Epidemiology: Faculty Publications (2002-2018)

Older women who survive breast cancer may differ significantly in their long-term well-being. Using a risk and protective factors model, we studied predictors of well-being in 127 women age 70 and above with a history of at least one year's survival of breast cancer. Mean post-cancer survivorship was 5.1 years. Using life satisfaction, depression and general health perceptions as outcome variables, we assessed whether demographic variables, cancer-related variables, health status and psychosocial resources predicted variability in well-being using correlational and hierarchical regression analyses. Higher age predicted increased depression but was not associated with life satisfaction or general health perceptions. Cancer-related …

Historical Critique Of The Leading Causes Of Death In The United States, Mckinley Thomas

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Historical Critique of the Leading Causes of Death in the United States

Racial Differences In Perception Of Breast Cancer Risk In Rural Southeast Georgia, Stuart H. Tedders, Anthony V. Parrillo, Karl E. Peace, Jannell R. Knight

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

A university-public health collaborative was formed to more fully understand cancer risk among rural women in Georgia. Objectives: This study sought to gain an understanding of racial differences with regard to behavioral risk, perception of breast cancer risk, and perception of barriers to screening. Design: Differences in subjects’ risk and risk perception were assessed by creating, piloting, and administering a written survey at local health departments. Sample: A purposive sample of females enrolled in breast and cervical cancer screening programs in four rural counties in southeast Georgia (n = 147) were surveyed. Subjects were randomly invited to participate. Incentives were …

A Needs Assessment Of Hypertension In Georgia, Faye Lopez, Marylen Rimando, Harshali Khapekar

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Hypertension is a leading cause of stroke, coronary artery disease, heart attack, and heart and kidney failure in the United States. In Georgia, the percentage of those with hypertension and related diseases remain above the national average. The aim of this paper is to offer a basic review of hypertension including physical complications of the disease and to provide statistics regarding the scope of hypertension in the state of Georgia. Additionally, the paper provides insights on current hypertension programs such as the National High Blood Pressure Education Program (NHBPEP) and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH). In conclusion, a statewide …