Public Health Commons^™

Food Insecurity And Risky Sexual Behaviors Among College Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Bertille Assoumou, Jennifer Pharr, Courtney Coughenour

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and food insecurity are public health concerns in the United States (US) due to their growing prevalence and incidence among young people, and particularly in college students. Studies have reported that college students are at higher risk of STIs due to the high rates of risky sexual behavior (RSB). Most studies report a food insecurity prevalence of more than 30% among college students, which was more than twice the overall national food insecurity rate of 10.5% in 2020. This study aims to assess the relationship between food insecurity and RSB among college students during the …

Air Quality Health Benefits Of The Nevada Renewable Portfolio Standard, Alireza Rezaee, Lung-Wen Chen, Ge Lin, Mark P. Buttner, Max Gakh, Emma Frances Bloomfield

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

In recent years, renewable portfolio standards (RPS), which require a certain percentage of electricity sold to consumers to come from renewable resources, have been established by many state governments to mitigate emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants in the United States. Nevada’s RPS set a target of 50% of electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030. By coupling the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AVoided Emissions and geneRation Tool (AVERT) and CO–Benefits Risk Assessment (COBRA) model, this study assesses potential emission reductions from fossil fuels owing to this requirement and regional health benefits via improved air quality, as well …

Testing Multi-Theory Model (Mtm) In Explaining Sunscreen Use Among Florida Residents: An Integrative Approach For Sun Protection, Manoj Sharma, Matthew Asare, Erin Largo-Wight, Julie Merten, Mike Binder, Ram Lakhan, Kavita Batra

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Florida residents have the second highest incidence of skin cancer in the nation. Sunscreen usage was found to be the one of the most effective integrative health approaches for reducing risk of skin cancer. Given the limited information on the likelihood of adopting and continuing sunscreen usage behavior, this cross-sectional study aimed to examine the correlates of initiating and sustaining sunscreen usage behavior among Florida dwellers, using the fourth-generation, multi-theory model (MTM) of behavior change. A web-based survey containing 51 questions was emailed to Florida residents aged 18 years or above, who were randomly selected from the state voter file. …

Intergenerational Perceptions And Practices In Breastfeeding And Child Feeding Among Quilombola Women In Goiás State, Brazil, Priscila Olin Silva, Muriel Bauermann Gubert, Amanda Kellen Pereira Da Silva, Lucélia Luiz Pereira, Leonor Maria Pacheco Santos, Gabriela Buccini

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

This exploratory qualitative study aimed to identify sociocultural and intergenerational aspects of perception and practices in child feeding among quilombola women, members of maroon communities in Brazil. A focus group with 12 mothers and another group with four grandmothers of children under five years of age were conducted in a rural quilombola community in the State of Goiás, Brazil. The data were analyzed with thematic content analysis, yielding four central themes and respective subthemes, which were then represented in a socioecological conceptual model with four levels of influence on child feeding as the outcome. Theme 1 dealt with the reasons …

A Theory-Based Analysis Of Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among African Americans In The United States: A Recent Evidence, Manoj Sharma, Kavita Batra, Ravi Batra

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

African Americans have been disproportionately vaccinated at lower rates, which warrants the development of theory-based interventions to reduce vaccine hesitancy in this group. The fourth-generation theories, e.g., multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change, are vital in developing behavioral interventions. Therefore, the current study aims to determine recent trends in COVID-19 vaccination rates and to test the MTM model in predicting the initiation of COVID-19 vaccines among vaccine-hesitant Blacks. A sample of 428 unvaccinated African Americans were recruited through a web-based survey using a 28-item psychometric valid questionnaire. Chi-square, independent-samples-t-test or Welch’s t test, and Pearson’s correlation tests were utilized …

Global, Regional, And National Progress Towards Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 For Neonatal And Child Health: All-Cause And Cause-Specific Mortality Findings From The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2019, Asma Awan, Numerous Authors, See Full List Below

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background: Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 has targeted elimination of preventable child mortality, reduction of neonatal death to less than 12 per 1000 livebirths, and reduction of death of children younger than 5 years to less than 25 per 1000 livebirths, for each country by 2030. To understand current rates, recent trends, and potential trajectories of child mortality for the next decade, we present the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 findings for all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality in children younger than 5 years of age, with multiple scenarios for child mortality in 2030 that include …

Using The Multi-Theory Model (Mtm) Of Health Behavior Change To Explain The Correlates Of Mammography Screening Among Asian American Women, Manoj Sharma, Chia-Liang Dai, Kavita Batra, Ching-Chen Chen, Jennifer R. Pharr, Courtney Coughenour, Asma Awan, Hannah Catalano

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Globally, breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women. The incidence of breast cancer has been growing among Asian American women. Mammography is a screening procedure that provides early diagnosis for the timely treatment to reduce premature mortality due to breast cancer. However, there are no national data available that summarize the rates of mammography screening among Asian American women. Some small-scale studies have reported low rates of mammography uptake among Asian American women. This cross-sectional study utilized the fourth-generation, multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change to explain the correlates of mammography screening among Asian American women between …

Sociodemographic Inequities In Nurturing Care For Early Childhood Development Across Brazilian Municipalities, Gabriela Buccini, Stefanie Eugênia Dos Anjos Coelho Kubo, Jéssica Pedroso, Juracy Bertoldo, Alberto Sironi, Marcos Ennes Barreto, Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, Sonia Isoyama Venancio, Muriel Bauermann Gubert

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Providing an enabling nurturing care environment for early childhood development (ECD) that cuts across the five domains of the Nurturing Care Framework (i.e., good health, adequate nutrition, opportunities for early learning, security and safety and responsive caregiving) has become a global priority. Brazil is home to approximately 18.5 million children under 5 years of age, of which 13% are at risk of poor development due to socio-economic inequalities. We explored whether the Early Childhood Friendly Municipal Index (IMAPI) can detect inequities in nurturing care ECD environments across the 5570 Brazilian municipalities. We examined the validity of the IMAPI scores and …

Testing The Multi-Theory Model (Mtm) To Predict The Use Of New Technology For Social Connectedness In The Covid-19 Pandemic, Manoj Sharma, Kavita Batra, Jason Flatt

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Loneliness or social isolation, recently described as a “behavioral epidemic,” remains a long-standing public health issue, which has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of technology has been suggested to enhance social connectedness and to decrease the negative health outcomes associated with social isolation. However, till today, no theory-based studies were performed to examine the determinants of technology use. Therefore, the current study aims to test theory-based determinants in explaining the adoption of new technology in a nationally representative sample during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 382). A psychometrically reliable and valid instrument based on the multi-theory model (MTM) …

Influence Of The Request And Purchase Of Television Advertised Foods On Dietary Intake And Obesity Among Children In China, Jinli Xian, Mao Zeng, Zhengjie Cai, Changxiao Xie, Yuqian Xie, Manoj Sharma, Yong Zhao, Zumin Shi

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background: This study aims to examine the effects of the request and purchase of Television (TV) advertised foods on children’s dietary intake, overweight and obesity in China. Methods: Data from 1417 children (aged 6–17 years) in the 2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey were analysed. The request and purchase of TV advertised foods were assessed through the frequency of children’s requests to purchase TV advertised foods and the frequency of parents’ purchases of these advertised foods, as well as the frequency of children’s purchases of TV advertised foods. The height and weight of children were measured. Logistic regression models were …

Propensity Score Analysis Assessing The Burden Of Non-Communicable Diseases Among The Transgender Population In The United States Using The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2017–2019), Jennifer R. Pharr, Kavita Batra

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Research to assess the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the transgender population needs to be prioritized given the high prevalence of chronic conditions and associated risk factors in this group. Previous cross-sectional studies utilized unmatched samples with a significant covariate imbalance resulting in a selection bias. Therefore, this cross-sectional study attempts to assess and compare the burden of NCDs among propensity score-matched transgender and cisgender population groups. This study analyzed Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data (2017–2019) using complex weighting procedures to generate nationally representative samples. Logistic regression was fit to estimate propensity scores. Transgender and cisgender groups were …

Conceptualization Of College Students' Covid-19 Related Mask-Wearing Behaviors Using The Multi-Theory Model Of Health Behavior Change, Robert E. Davis, Manoj Sharma, Kayla E. Simon, Amanda H. Wilkerson

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background: Recommendations and policies, regarding the use of face coverings, have been instituted to control transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Understanding of psychosocial factors related to the use of face coverings within the context of COVID-19 is needed. This study aimed to conceptualize mask-wearing behavior among students using the Multi-theory Model (MTM) of behavior change. Methods: In October 2020, students (n = 595) enrolled in a large public southeastern US university were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional survey, using a valid and reliable instrument. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate techniques described mask-wearing behavior and differentiated theoretical drivers of mask-wearing …

Explaining Handwashing Behavior In A Sample Of College Students During Covid-19 Pandemic Using The Multi-Theory Model (Mtm) Of Health Behavior Change: A Single Institutional Cross-Sectional Survey, Manoj Sharma, Kavita Batra, Robert E. Davis, Amanda H. Wilkerson

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, handwashing offers a simple and effective hygienic measure for disease prevention. Reportedly, a significant proportion of college students did not follow handwashing recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the pre-COVID era. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore and explain the handwashing behavior among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic using a contemporary fourth-generation multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change. Data were collected from 713 college students at a large public university in the Southern U.S. in October 2020 using a validated 36-item survey. Statistical analyses included …

Incidence Of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Epidemic And Associated Predictors In Nevada: A Statewide Audit, 2016–2018, Kavita Batra, Patricia Cruz, Chad L. Cross, Neeraj Bhandari, Farooq Abdulla, Jennifer R. Pharr, Mark P. Buttner

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a postnatal withdrawal syndrome among neonates born to mothers with drug dependence disorders. NAS poses a significant public health challenge nationally, with a six-fold increase in incidence (1.2 to 6.7 per 1000 hospital births/year) from 2000–2016. Besides national data, it is critical to quantify NAS at the state-level to identify target areas for prevention. The objectives of this study were to ascertain statewide burden, including county and regional distribution of NAS in Nevada during 2016–2018, and to investigate potential factors associated with NAS. This study utilized hospital administrative data, and a total of 100,845 inpatient …

Individual- And Country-Level Correlates Of Female Permanent Contraception Use In Sub-Saharan Africa, Babayemi O. Olakunde, Jennifer R. Pharr, Lung-Chang Chien, Rebecca D. Benfield, Francisco S. Sy

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background: Female permanent contraception is a cost-effective contraceptive method that can help clients with the desire to limit childbearing achieve their reproductive intention. However, despite its benefits, the use of FPC remains low in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and limited studies have examined the correlates of its uptake. In this study, we assessed the individual- and country-level factors associated with the use of FPC among married or in-union women using modern contraceptive methods to limit childbearing in SSA. Methods: This study was a secondary data analysis of individual- and country-level data obtained from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program and …

A National Study On The Physical And Mental Health Of Intersex Adults In The U.S., Amy Rosenwohl-Mack, Suegee Tamar-Mattis, Arlene B. Baratz, Katharine B. Dalke, Alesdair Ittelson, Kimberly Zieselman, Jason D. Flatt

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Objectives: To describe the health of intersex adults (people with differences of sex development) in the U.S. using community-based research methods. Methods: In July–September 2018, we conducted a national health study of intersex adults aged 18 and older in the U.S., using a survey hosted on Qualtrics. The study describes the physical and mental health experiences of intersex adults, including differences by age (18 to 39 vs. 40 and older). Questions were derived from national (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) and intersex-related health studies. Results: A non-probability sample of 198 intersex adults completed the survey over three months. Over 43% …

Covid-19 And Social Isolation Endangering Psychological Health Of Older Adults: Implications For Telepsychiatry, Kavita Batra, Amanda Elizabeth Morgan, Manoj Sharma

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has created a public health emergency and had claimed 911,877 lives at the time of writing this manuscript (September 12, 2020). While everybody is at the risk of acquiring infection following the exposure to SARS-CoV-2, older adults are significantly more likely to experience severe illness, life-threatening complications, hospitalizations, and deaths. As the pandemic evolved, social distancing or shielding efforts as primary prevention were instituted to protect the physical health status of the vulnerable population, with no or limited consideration to the psychological health of the older population. Social isolation and loneliness are the long-standing public health concerns …

Readability And Suitability Assessment Of Educational Materials In Promoting The Quality Of Life For Postmenopausal Women, Mohammad Ali Morowatisharifabad, Nooshin Yoshany, Manoj Sharma, Narjes Bahri, Sara Jambarsang

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Introduction: Educational materials are frequently used by health providers to inform postmenopausal women about menopause acceptance behavior. However, little attention has been paid to the readability and suitability of these educational materials. The study aimed to determine the readability and suitability of educational materials in promoting the quality of life for postmenopausal women. Material and methods: Multiple instructional materials and books were used for the design and preparation of educational materials and were then tailored to the target group. Readability was measured by using the readability assessment of materials (RAM); and suitability was determined by the suitability assessment of materials …

Reduction Of Secondary Transmission Of Sars-Cov-2 In Households By Face Mask Use, Disinfection And Social Distancing: A Cohort Study In Beijing, China, Yu Wang, Huaiyu Tian, Li Zhang, Dandan Guo, Wenting Wu, Xingxing Zhang, Ge Lin Kan, Lei Jia, Da Huo, Beiwei Liu, Xiaoli Wang, Ying Sun, Quanyi Wang, Peng Yang, C. Raina Macintyre

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Introduction Transmission of COVID-19 within families and close contacts accounts for the majority of epidemic growth. Community mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing are thought to be effective but there is little evidence to inform or support community members on COVID-19 risk reduction within families. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 335 people in 124 families and with at least one laboratory confirmed COVID-19 case was conducted from 28 February to 27 March 2020, in Beijing, China. The outcome of interest was secondary transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within the family. Characteristics and practices of …

Exercise As A Mitigator Of Poor Mental Health Among Lesbian, Gay, And Bisexual Adults, Jennifer R. Pharr, Jason D. Flatt, Lung-Chang Chien, Axenya Kachen, Babayemi O. Olakunde

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Introduction: There is a positive association between exercise and improved mental health in the general population. Although there is a greater burden of psychological distress among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people, little is known about the association between exercise and mental health in this population. The authors explored the association between exercise and poor mental health reported by LGB adults in the United States. Methods: Our analyses used data from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine the association between exercising and mental health days adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Data …

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (Pbde) And Poly- And Perfluoroalkyl Substance (Pfas) Exposures During Pregnancy And Maternal Depression, Ann M. Vuong, Kimberly Yolton, Joseph M. Braun, Andreas Sjodin, Antonia M. Calafat, Yingying Xu, Kim N. Dietrich, Bruce P. Lanphear, Aimin Chen

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background: Experimental studies in rodents suggest that polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may contribute to depressive symptoms. Few studies have examined the impact of these chemicals on depression in adults. Objective: To examine the associations between serum PBDE and PFAS concentrations during pregnancy and repeated measures of depressive symptoms in women assessed from pregnancy to 8 years postpartum. Methods: This study was based on 377 women from the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment Study, a birth cohort in Cincinnati, OH (USA). PBDEs (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, and ∑PBDEs) and PFAS (perfluorooctanoate [PFOA], …

If I Get Sick With Coronavirus, Can Donald Trump Make Me Stay Home?, Brian Labus

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

President Donald Trump recently appointed Vice President Mike Pence to lead the government’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak and control public statements by government health officials about the crisis. In the days since, health departments throughout the country have investigated potential cases, announced new cases and declared public health emergencies, all without the approval of the vice president. So who really is in charge of the outbreak response? As with most things in American government, the answer is complicated.

Love In The Time Of The Coronavirus: Do You Turn Your Back When Someone Offers You A Hand, A Kiss Or A Hug?, Brian Labus

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

We are exposed to numerous viruses from our day-to-day interactions with other people all the time. However, our risk of being infected by a simple greeting usually isn’t in the forefront of our minds. The spread of COVID-19 has changed that. Conferences have banned handshakes, churches have changed their worship services, and even politicians have changed the way they greet each other. But what’s the risk in a simple hug or a handshake?

What Really Works To Keep Coronavirus Away? 4 Questions Answered By A Public Health Professional, Brian Labus

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Editor’s note: The World Health Organization has declared that COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, has a higher fatality rate than the flu. As of March 4, 2020, nine deaths have been reported in the U.S. Brian Labus, a professor of public health, provides essential safety information for you, from disinfectants to storing food and supplies.

Is The Coronavirus A Pandemic, And Does That Matter? 4 Questions Answered, Brian Labus

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Editor’s note: The new coronavirus has now affected more than 20,000 people in China and claimed more lives as of Feb. 4 than the SARS epidemic from 2002 to 2004. Hong Kong has reported its first death. Some public health officials have said the outbreak is likely to soon be a pandemic, but the World Health Organization said Feb. 4 that it isn’t, yet. Just what is a pandemic anyway? An epidemiologist and public health researcher explains.

Trends And Disparities In Self-Reported And Measured Osteoporosis Among Us Adults, 2007-2014., Qing Wu, Yingke Xu, Ge Lin

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

(1) Background: Studies examining osteoporosis trends among US adults by different socioeconomic status (SES) are limited. The prevalence of self-reported osteoporosis in the US is rarely reported. (2) Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2007–2008 and 2013–2014 cycles were analyzed. Age-adjusted prevalence of self-reported and that of measured osteoporosis were calculated overall and by sex, race/ethnicity, education attainment, and SES. (3) Results: The prevalence of self-reported osteoporosis was higher than that of measured osteoporosis in all three survey cycles for women, and in 2007–2008 and 2009–2010 for men. Participants with high school/GED or higher …

Patient And Provider Perspectives On How Trust Influences Maternal Vaccine Acceptance Among Pregnant Women In Kenya, Stacy W. Nganga, Nancy A. Otieno, Maxwell Adero, Dominic Ouma, Sandra S. Chaves, Jennifer R. Verani, Marc-Alain Widdowson, Andrew Wilson, Irina Bergenfeld, Courtni Andrews, Vincent L. Fenimore, Ines Gonzalez-Casanova, Paula M. Frew, Saad B. Omer, Fauzia A. Malik

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background Pregnant women and newborns are at high risk for infectious diseases. Altered immunity status during pregnancy and challenges fully vaccinating newborns contribute to this medical reality. Maternal immunization is a strategy to protect pregnant women and their newborns. This study aimed to find out how patient-provider relationships affect maternal vaccine uptake, particularly in the context of a lower middle- income country where limited research in this area exists. Methods We conducted semi-structured, in-depth narrative interviews of both providers and pregnant women from four sites in Kenya: Siaya, Nairobi, Mombasa, and Marsabit. Interviews were conducted in either English or one …

Identifiying High Risk Areas Of Zika Virus Infection By Meteorological Factors In Columbia, Lung-Chang Chien, Francisco Sy, Adriana Perez

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background Several Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreaks have occurred since October 2015. Because there is no effective treatment for ZIKV infection, developing an effective surveillance and warning system is currently a high priority to prevent ZIKV infection. Despite Aedes mosquitos having been known to spread ZIKV, the calculation approach is diverse, and only applied to local areas. This study used meteorological measurements to monitor ZIKV infection due to the high correlation between climate change and Aedes mosquitos and the convenience to obtain meteorological data from weather monitoring stations. Methods This study applied the Bayesian structured additive regression modeling approach to include …

Implementation Of National Policies For A Total Asbestos Ban: A Global Comparison, Ro-Ting Lin Phd, Lung-Chang Chien Drph, Masamine Jimba Phd, Sugio Furuya Bec, Ken Takahashi Phd

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background Two international Conventions from the International Labor Organization (ILO; C162 Asbestos Convention) and the UN (Basel Convention) offer governments guidelines for achieving a total asbestos ban policy, but the long-term effect of these Conventions on policy implementation, and the role of government effectiveness, remains unknown. We aimed to investigate associations between government ratification of the ILO and UN international Conventions, government effectiveness, and implementation of a national total asbestos ban. Methods We obtained data for year of a national asbestos ban, year of ratification of one or both international Conventions, and World Bank government effectiveness scores for 108 countries …

Risk Of Cancer Death Among White, Black, And Hispanic Populations In South Florida, Paulo S. Pinheiro, Karen E. Callahan, Tulay Koru-Sengul, Justine Ransdell, Layla Bouzoubaa, Clyde P. Brown, Erin Kobetz

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background: The cancer burden in South Florida, with a population of more than 6 million with a heavily Hispanic and large Afro-Caribbean population, has not been quantified. Methods: We analyzed 2012–2016 cancer mortality data from South Florida for white, Hispanic, and black populations with disaggregation for Cuban, Puerto Rican, South American, African American, and Afro-Caribbean groups. We calculated cancer site-specific and all-sites combined age-adjusted mortality rates, and we used negative binomial regression to determine mortality rate ratios to compare South Florida’s cancer mortality rates with those of the rest of the nation. Results: We analyzed 53,837 cancer deaths. Per 100,000 …