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Condom Use Among Young African American Men: Implications For Planning Interventions, Adedeji S. Adefuye, Stephen B. Kennedy, Shakirudeen Amuwo, Sherry Nolan, Judith V. Sayad

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Condom Use among Young African American Men: Implications for Planning Interventions

Sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, continue to present significant public health problems affecting young people in the United States, especially African Americans. While African Americans make up about 12% of the U.S. population, in 2010 they accounted for 44% of new HIV infections in 2010 and 48% of all persons living with AIDS in 2007. The 2010 data shows that of these new cases, 38% occurred among African American males ages 13-24 years old.

Correct condom use remains a challenge in this population and efforts to increase condom use …

The Role Of Relationship And Other Factors Associated With Condom Use Intention Among Young American Indian Men Ages 18 To 24 Years Old, Rebecca Dick, Elizabeth Rink, Kris Fourstar

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The purpose of this study was to investigate the heterosexual relationship factors that were associated with condom use intention for STI prevention in a purposive sample of American Indian men. The sample was drawn from the Fort Peck Reservations in northeastern Montana. The sample size included 122 American Indian men ages 18 to 24. The theory of planned behavior and interdependence theory provided the theoretical basis for the study. Seventy- seven percent of the young men reported being in a steady relationship with 60.3% agreeing that they were committed to maintaining their relationship with their current partner. Relationship duration and …

Do Masculinity And Perceived Condom Barriers Predict Heterosexual Hiv Risk Behaviors Among Black Substance Abusing Men?, A, Kathleen Burlew, Jerika Wilson, Latrice Montgomery, Bridgette Peteet, Candace Johnson, Mary Hatch-Maillette

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Although HIV prevention during substance abuse treatment is ideal, existing HIV risk-reduction interventions are less effective among Black and other ethnic minority substance abusers. The Sexual Health Model (SHM) and the Person, Extended Family and Neighborhood-3 model (PEN-3) both highlight the importance of increasing our understanding of the relationship of sociocultural factors to sexual-decision making as a step towards developing more HIV prevention interventions for ethnic minorities. However, few studies examine sociocultural factors in the sexual decision-making process of Black substance abusing men. This secondary analysis of data collected in an evaluation of Real Men Are Safe (REMAS), a HIV …

Sexual Hiv Risk Among Male Parolees And Their Female Partners: The Relate Project, Megan Comfort, Olga Grinstead Reznick, Samantha E. Dilworth, Diane Binson, Lynae Darbes, Torsten B. Neilands

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background: The massively disproportionate impact of America’s prison boom on communities of color has raised questions about how incarceration may affect health disparities, including disparities in HIV. Primary partners are an important source of influence on sexual health. In this paper, we investigate sexual HIV risk among male-female couples following a man’s release from prison.

Methods: We draw upon data from the Relate Project, a novel cross-sectional survey of recently released men and their female partners in Oakland and San Francisco, California (N=344). Inferential analyses use the actor-partner model to explore actor and partner effects on sexual HIV risk outcomes. …

Perceptions Of Hiv Risk And Explanations Of Sexual Risk Behavior Offered By Heterosexual Black Male Barbershop Patrons In Brooklyn, Ny, Tonya N. Taylor, Michael A. Joseph, Kirk D. Henny, Angelo R. Pinto, Francis Agbetor, Brignel Camilien, Kim M. Williams, Ruth C. Browne, Marilyn White, Yolene Gousse, Humberto Brown, Raekiela D. Taylor, Tracey E. Wilson

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Objective: To describe HIV risk factors among adult heterosexual Black men recruited from four barbershops located in high HIV seroprevalent neighborhoods of Brooklyn, NY.

Methods: Data on HIV-risk related behaviors and other characteristics were collected from barbershop clients. All participants (n=60) completed brief risk assessments; and a subset (n=22) also completed focus groups and/or individual interviews.

Results: Of the subset of 22 men, 68% were US born, 59% had been in jail/prison, 32% were unemployed; and during the 3 months before the interviews, 68% reported at least two partners and 45% reported unprotected vaginal or anal sex with …

Editors' Notes: Men Of Color Sexual Health Across The Lifespan, Marya Shegog, Melva Thompson-Robinson

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

No abstract provided.

Environmental Disparities Present A Challenge For Diabetes Prevention And Management Efforts In Dallas County, Theresa Mendoza, Sushma Sharma, Pamela Daughty, Crystee Cooper, Carol Young, Larry Tubb, Kristin Jenkins, Community Health Collaborative Of North Texas (Chc)

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The State of Texas is home to nearly 2 million men, women and children with diabetes, over half a million of which reside in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region. Recognizing the rising need to identify the disparities in implementing the diabetes prevention and management efforts and adopting the healthy life style in high diabetes prevalence areas in Dallas County, we explored the potential of Geographic Information System (GIS) methodology to analyze the data at zip code level from Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council (DFWHC) Research Foundation’s data registry. The objectives of this research were to identify the zip codes with the …

Predictors Of Readiness To Quit Among A Diverse Sample Of Sexual Minority Male Smokers, Alicia Kaye Matthews, Anna Hotton, Frances Aranda, Lisa Kuhns, Joseph G.L. Lee, Natalie Ross

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Readiness to quit smoking - a pattern of attitudes, intentions, and behaviors that reflect a likelihood of engaging in cessation activities—is a useful heuristic for understanding smoking disparities based on sexual orientation. This study examined demographic, tobacco-use patterns, psychosocial and cognitive factors associated with readiness to quit among gay and bisexual male smokers.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted as part of a larger Tobacco Elimination and Control Collaboration (Q-TECC) initiative in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Readiness to quit was measured by a composite score created from four variables (motivation to quit, importance of …

Health Disparities Among Racial And Ethnic Minority Firefighters, Walker Sc Poston, Christopher K. Haddock, Sara A. Jahnke, Nattinee Jitnarin, Rena Sue Day, I David Daniels

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

ABSTRACT

Background: Racial/ethnic minorities are substantially underrepresented in the fire service and this situation is unique when compared to similarly mentally and physically demanding and hazardous occupations such as the military and law enforcement. There is little systematic research to provide greater clarity about this significant disparity. The purpose of this study is to examine physical and behavioral health issues of racial/ethnic minority firefighters when compared to their white, non-Hispanic counterparts and potentially identify areas for future research that might assist in improving their substantial underrepresentation.

Materials and Methods: We report the results of a secondary analysis of data combining …

Inequalities In Infertility Service Utilization: A Comparison Of Latina And Caucasian Women With Impaired Fecundity Who Seek And Do Not Seek Care, Amy Sudhinaraset, Deyu Pan, Carolyn Alexander, Omid Khorram

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Purpose: To compare racial differences in accessing infertility services, and to characterize socioeconomic, cultural and social factors that influence the propensity to seek care.

Materials and Methods: Using data from the 2002 and 2006-2010 rounds of the National Survey of Family Growth, bivariate analyses and multiple logistic regressions were performed to determine the associations between individual patient characteristics and health seeking practices, stratified by ethnicity.

Results: Factors that were significantly associated with seeking infertility services included Latina ethnicity, age, country of birth, more than high school education, being born in the United States, placing importance on religion, >200% federal poverty …

Cultural Competence: New Conceptual Insights Into Its Limits And Potential For Addressing Health Disparities, Shireen S. Rajaram, Susan Bockrath

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The increasing interest in the role of racism and racialization in health disparities, calls for exploring new paradigms in addressing and eliminating health disparities related to race/ethnicity. Cultural competence is conceptualized as one of the keys ways to address racial/ethnic disparities in public health and healthcare. However, for cultural competence to fulfill this role, it requires a critical understanding of the underlying socio-political and economic processes of power, privilege and institutional racism that create, support and maintain existing health disparities. This paper outlines how the concept of cultural competence can be made more robust, by incorporating concepts such as Public …

Environmental And Health Disparities In Appalachian Ohio: Perceptions And Realities, Michele Morrone, Natalie A. Kruse, Amy E. Chadwick

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background. Appalachia is a region of the United States that faces significant environmental and health disparities. Understanding these disparities and the social determinants that contribute to them will help public health practitioners make better decisions. The purpose of this research is two-fold. First, through secondary data analysis, we document environmental and health disparities as well as demographic and economic conditions that may contribute to these disparities between Appalachian and non-Appalachian Ohio. Second, we examine perceptions of environmental health practitioners about the differences in environmental conditions between Appalachian and non-Appalachian Ohio.

Methods. We gathered secondary data about economics, health, and the …

Evaluation Of The Community Child Health Research Network (Cchn) Community-Academic Partnership, Rhonda Belue, Peter Schafer, Bowen Chung, Maxine Vance, Robin Lanzi, Patricia O'Campo, Child And Community Health Network (Cchn)

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background: The Community Child Health Network (CCHN) is a research collaborative network of five communities in the U.S. formed to study maternal and child health disparities, via a community-based participatory research study design. CCHN studies how community, family, and individual level influences interact with biological processes to affect maternal stress, resilience, and allostatic load; ultimately, the study evaluates whether such factors result in health disparities in pregnancy outcomes and infant and early childhood mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this paper is to assess the community-based participatory research (CBPR) process that governs the CCHN and offer lessons from our experiences. …

Race And Sex Differences In Correlates Of Systolic Blood Pressure In Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Cassandra Ford Phd, Patricia Sawyer, Patricia Parmelee, Olivio J. Clay, Martha Crowther, Richard M. Allman

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Objectives: To describe correlates of measured systolic blood pressure (SBP) among community-dwelling older African American and White Medicare beneficiaries.

Methods: Participants completed an in-home assessment and factors significantly correlated with SBP were tested using multivariable models.

Results: Among the 958 participants (mean age= 75.3 [SD = 6.8]; 49% African American; 49% female; 52% rural) African Americans were more often diagnosed with hypertension, more likely on anti-hypertensives, and on more anti-hypertensive medications. SBP was 2.7 mmHg higher in African Americans than Whites (p=.03). SBP was higher in women than men. Multivariable models revealed differences in the factors associated with SBP by …

Connecting Gender, Race, Class, And Immigration Status To Disease Management, Marie-Anne S. Rosemberg Phd, Mn, Rn, Jenny Hsin-Chun Tsai Phd, Arnp, Pmhcns-Bc

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Objective: Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death in the United States. Chronic disease management occurs within all aspects of an individual’s life, including the workplace. Though the social constructs of gender, race, class, and immigration status within the workplace have been considered, their connection to disease management among workers has been less explicitly explored. Using a sample of immigrant hotel housekeepers, we explored the connections between these four social constructs and hypertension management.

Methods: This qualitative research study was guided by critical ethnography methodology. Twenty-seven hotel room cleaners and four housemen were recruited (N = 31) and …

Are There Gender Differences In Perceived Sexual Self-Efficacy Among African-American Adolescents?, Michelle L. Redmond, Rhonda K. Lewis

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background: African American adolescents accounted for more than half of all HIV/AIDS cases in 2009. Behavioral Strategies are needed to help lessen the incidence of HIV/AIDS among this population.

Purpose: The aim of his study was to examine sexual self-efficacy practices and beliefs among African American adolescents. We also examined gender differences between African American adolescents to better understand their perceptions of sexual self-efficacy, condom use intention, and other safer sex practices and beliefs.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 214 African American adolescents using survey instruments to examine their beliefs, perception and intentions on the use of condoms, …

The Effects Of Environmental Prompts On Stair Usage, Lori Andersen, Tim Bungum, Sheniz Moonie Phd

Nevada Journal of Public Health

Experts have advocated exercise with little success, and have turned to encouraging physical activity by incorporating it into daily activities such as taking the stairs over elevators. Much literature exists suggesting that environmental prompts can encourage the use of stairs and literature has established that some messages may be more effective than others. This study aimed to assess the effects of selected signage prompts on stair usage. Methods: Stair and elevator use were monitored in three, two-story buildings. One building served as a control, while a fitness message was placed in another building, and the final building received a weight …

Environmental Health In Southern Nevada, Courtney Coughenour, Jennifer Pharr, Shawn Gerstenberger

Nevada Journal of Public Health

There are a multitude of environmental factors that influence public health. The purpose of this manuscript is to evaluate the Southern Nevada community with respect to environmental conditions and health, including both positive and negative traits, and develop realistic goals and strategies aimed at improving these conditions. Southern Nevada is located in one of the most arid regions of North America. Since annual rainfall averages less than four inches per year, Southern Nevada depends upon the Colorado River for its water supply. It is predicted that water flow to the area will decrease by 5% to 20% by 2050. As …

Use Of Craigslist.Org To Hook Up: Age Differences In Sex Requests, Hiv Disclosure And Negotiated Safety Among Men-Seeking-Men, Kristen Clements-Nolle, Aliya Buttar, Lindsey Dermid-Gray, Tyler Peterson, Andrea Esp

Nevada Journal of Public Health

Data from 984 “men-seeking-men” Craigslist.org postings in five cities were analyzed to assess differences in sexual requests, HIV status disclosure, and negotiated safety between young (18-24 years) and older (25 years and older) men who have sex with men (MSM). Young MSM were less likely than older MSM to post their HIV status or the preferred status of a partner (p=0.04), disclose and/or request a partner who was disease and drug free (p=.01), and request use of a condom in their posting (p=0.01). Interventions aimed at changing the culture and content of postings on Craigslist.org by encouraging HIV status disclosure …

Community Health Indicators In Southern Nevada, Courtney Coughenour, Jennifer Pharr, Shawn Gerstenberger

Nevada Journal of Public Health

Community design and access to services are essential components of healthy and sustainable communities. The purpose of this manuscript is to evaluate Southern Nevada with respect to community design and access, including both positive and negative traits, and to suggest realistic changes that could be made to improve these conditions. The region’s network of parks and open space recreation areas is one of its strongest assets. Clark County enjoys over 42 million acres of federal and state lands which offer a large variety of recreational opportunities. The region has an extensive trail system, with a total of 179 miles of …

Effective Smoking Cessation Methods Among Smokers With Diabetes In Nv, Salome Kapella-Mshigeni, Eunice Kimunai, Peter Anderson, Elizabeth Fildes, Tam Villar

Nevada Journal of Public Health

Smoking and diabetes could both be prevented if individuals would abstain from smoking, eat healthy, and exercise regularly. Smokers with diabetes have an increased risk of serious health outcomes, hence effective smoking cessation interventions are critical. The transtheoretical model was used in this quantitative study analyzing secondary data from the state of Nevada Quitline to examine the relationships between smoking cessation method (counseling versus counseling and medication) and quitting smoking for 720 smokers with/without diabetes. Participants were Nevada residents, ages 18+, men and women, English or Spanish speakers. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and a test of two proportions were conducted. …

Education And Educational Attainment In Southern Nevada, Jennifer Pharr, Courtney Coughenour, Shawn Gerstenberger

Nevada Journal of Public Health

Failure to complete high school has a direct impact on a person’s earning potential and quality of life. Higher levels of education are associated with better health. Because of this association, it is important for children and adults to have access to quality education. The percentage of adults who have successfully pursued higher education in Southern Nevada is lower than the peer Mountain West metropolitan areas and the national average. Nevada high school graduation rates are the lowest in the nation. High school graduation rates and dropout rates vary by race/ethnicity in the Clark County School District. High school graduation …

Evaluation Of An Assertive Continuing Care Program For Hispanic Adolescents, Eric Strunz, Joanna Jungerman, Juliet Kinyua, Paula M. Frew

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

PURPOSE: This study evaluated an Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) and Assertive Continuing Care (ACC) program targeting Hispanic adolescents at risk for substance abuse.

Application Of The Transtheoretical Model: Assessing Exercise Behavior In African Americans In A Church-Based Setting, Robin Marie White

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Sedentary behavior rates are higher among African-American men and women than in other American races and ethnicities, placing them at greater risk for chronic illness. Routine physical activity reduces the risk of chronic health problems such as: (a) overweight and obesity, (b) type 2 diabetes, (c) hypertension, (d) coronary artery disease, (e) stroke, (f) congestive heart failure, and (g) cancers. Assessment of African-Americans' exercise attitudes in a church-based setting may provide information with which to develop effective interventions to improve physical activity. This descriptive, cross-sectional study used components of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) to assess whether any associations exist between …

Lung Cancer Survival Disparities In Nevada, Chima Osuoha

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. Nevada shows moderate incidence rates of lung cancer for men but high rates for women. Little is known about the lung cancer experience and survival characteristics of the nearly 2000 new cases occurring every year in the State. The purpose of this study was to measure the extent to which geographic area of residency, gender, race, health insurance, social economic status (SES) and stage at diagnosis were associated with survival in patients diagnosed with lung cancer in Nevada. This was a retrospective …

Listening To The Ranks: Perceptions Of The U.S. Air Force Occupational Health And Safety Training, Melissa Jo Breunig

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Occupational health and safety hazards are abundant in military environments. Due to the hazardous occupational settings, injuries remain a public health concern in the United States military. Public health plays a critical role in injury reduction by addressing the need for comprehensive safety education training, and more specifically, exposure related injuries. A secondary data analysis was completed using Communication Theory as the overarching framework to analyze 13 qualitative interviews conducted with Airmen to gain their perceptions of the occupational health and safety training at Nellis and Creech Air Force Base (AFB). Pedagogy and training content were the two main themes …

Characteristics Of Unintentional Prescription Drug Poisoning Admissions Clark County, Nevada 2009-2013, Tamara Bruno

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Prescription drug abuse has been the fastest growing drug problem in the United States in recent years, and is the second most commonly abused category of illegal and illicit drugs, after marijuana (SAMHSA, 2013; Carnevale, 2011). Reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with prescription drug abuse in challenging because multiple factors contribute to the problem. Prescribing behaviors and the lack of education among providers and pharmacists along with inadequate counseling and

monitoring of patients prescribed pain medication are important factors (Machikanti, 2007; Okie, 2010). Patients' misuse or abuse, diversion or the sharing or sell of pills, and doctor shopping are …

An Assessment Of A 13-Week Teaching Gardens Intervention On Healthy Behavior Outcomes In 4th And 5th Grade Students At Crestwood Elementary School In Las Vegas, Nevada, Miranda Corgiat

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Nearly 13 million children and adolescents are considered to be obese in the United States, with children enrolled in Clark County School District showing elevated overweight and obese weight statuses compared to national averages. Carrying an excessive amount of weight can lead children to experience a multitude of complications with their physical and mental health as well as increase their risk of developing various chronic diseases. The American Heart Association's Las Vegas Teaching Gardens program implemented a school-based garden pilot study to target environmental causes of obesity in 4th and 5th grade students at Crestwood Elementary School. The objective of …

Social Network Analysis (Sna) Of Clark County, Nevada Tuberculosis (Tb) Case And Contact Investigation Data To Determine Pediatric Risk Factors For Disease Transmission, Darin Michael Cozatt

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Within the spectrum of childhood (infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence), TB is a priority disease, and preventive care is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)/Bright Futures initiative (AAP, 2008). Within the early childhood stage (15 months to 4 years), TB is classified as "HR2" (high risk 2), behind lead poisoning, which is "HR1" (AAP, 2008), the highest risk within this age range. Within the middle childhood stage (5 to 10 years), TB becomes an HR1. TB is preventable, and targeted screening is the best prevention method. The AAP/Bright Futures initiative further specifies the risk based on …

Socio-Economic And Cultural Determinants Of Health Care Services Utilization In Ghana, Vickita Akosua Antwiwaa Harvey

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The study examines the relationship between socio-economic and cultural determinants of health care service utilization in Ghana using Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) 2008 data collected by Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) in which a two-stage sample design was used. The first stage involved a systematic sampling, with probability proportional to size, of 412 clusters using the 2000 Ghana Population and Housing Census as the sampling frame. At the second stage, systematic samples of 30 households from each cluster were selected, making a total of 12,360 sampled households. According to the GSS, data were not collected in some of the …