Public Health Commons^™

Exploring Associations Between Poverty, Race/Ethnicity, Gender, And Childhood Obesity In Cherokee County, South Carolina, Lillie Mae Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity (CHO) rates have increased significantly worldwide over the last decade. The magnitude of CHO extends beyond physical health to include economic stability, social connections, and access to daily living resources. CHO is complex and requires a multifaceted approach that may differ from traditional prevention approaches and treatment. Over the years, interventions have focused on maintaining a balance of healthy eating and active living to reduce weight and promote lifelong behavior change. Body mass index (BMI) surveillance studies have been conducted in Cherokee County, South Carolina since 2012 to assess and inform CHO interventions. However, the data have not …

Perception Of Pre-Existing Dm2 Management Among Pregnant Asian Indian Immigrants During Covid-19, Sanya Bedi Grewal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that exerts a significant burden among communities by increasing healthcare costs, reducing productivity, higher rates for premature mortality, and tangible socioeconomic burden, which overall reduces the quality of life. The purpose of the study was to explore the perception of pregnant Asian Indian immigrants regarding diabetes self-management strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Five women were recruited via purposive sampling from Facebook groups. Data were collected via individual interviews using Facebook groups. The health belief model was used to help understand and interpret the findings. Clarke and Braun’s thematic analysis method was used to …

Impact Of Telehealth On Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Nancy Olivo Marshall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The incidence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is on the rise, particularly among adults aged 18 years and older. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels are commonly used by healthcare professionals to assess glucose variability; fluctuations are associated with an increased risk of adverse effects. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of self-directed management of HbA1c levels through telehealth. The purpose of this retrospective quantitative study was to investigate the effectiveness of self-directed management of HbA1c levels using telehealth among T2DM diagnosed adults at a community health service organization in the northeastern U.S. from December 2018 to 2022. Using multivariate regression …

Exploring Associations Between Poverty, Race/Ethnicity, Gender, And Childhood Obesity In Cherokee County, South Carolina, Lillie Mae Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity (CHO) rates have increased significantly worldwide over the last decade. The magnitude of CHO extends beyond physical health to include economic stability, social connections, and access to daily living resources. CHO is complex and requires a multifaceted approach that may differ from traditional prevention approaches and treatment. Over the years, interventions have focused on maintaining a balance of healthy eating and active living to reduce weight and promote lifelong behavior change. Body mass index (BMI) surveillance studies have been conducted in Cherokee County, South Carolina since 2012 to assess and inform CHO interventions. However, the data have not …

Examining The Association Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk Factors Between African Immigrants Living In The United States And African Americans Born In The United States, Philip Effiong

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of the study was to investigate the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among African immigrants and African Americans born in the United States to identify differences and similarities in their impact and prevalence. Variables considered as potential differentiators included alcohol consumption, income, educational levels, and smoking habits, age, and gender. The health belief model served as the theoretical framework. Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2016, logistic regression analyses were used to test for significant factors affecting T2DM prevalence in these groups. Results indicated that country of origin did not predict …

Knowledge, Health Beliefs, And Attitudes Toward Dementia Risk Reduction Among Rural Older Adults: A Qualitative Study, Jayanti Ray

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Dementia, characterized by compromised memory, reasoning, and problem-solving, is one of the major health concerns for older adults in rural areas. Literature has indicated that there are gaps in knowledge about what older adults in rural communities know about dementia and its risk factors. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the knowledge, health beliefs, and attitudes toward dementia and its risk factors among older adults in rural areas. This study aimed to determine gaps in older adults’ knowledge of dementia and its risk factors and to identify their understanding of lifestyle factors and strategies that were likely …

Hiv Preventive Care Services For Pregnant Women In Kenya Before And During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Modesta Vesonder

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected access to prenatal and postnatal care services for pregnant women living with HIV (PWLHIV) in counties in the Central, Eastern, and Rift Valley regions of Kenya. Many PWLHIV in some counties in Kenya faced challenges in accessing treatment services. In urban counties such as those in the Central region, HIV preventive care services were accessed with minimal disruption. Counties in the semi-arid of Eastern and Central regions experienced some disruptions in the provision of HIV preventive care services for PWLHIV. The periods under consideration were before the COVID-19 pandemic (2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic …

The Relationship Between Social Risk Factors And Pre-Term Births In Hawai’I, Rina Therese Ramos Amposta

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Premature birth remains the leading cause of neonatal death and is associated with birth defects and long-term health morbidities. Hawai’i, with dominant Pacific Islander, Asian, and White populations, ranks 18th amongst the states with the highest rate of preterm birth. Guided by the social ecological model, the purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional research study was to determine the extent of the association of social risk factors and preterm birth in the state of Hawai’i for the years 2012-2015 using the Hawai’i Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring Systems (PRAMS). Preterm birth in Hawai’i from 2012- 2015 was found to be 17% …

Perception Of African Immigrants Living In The United States Towards Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment Hesitancy, Akinwale O. Obatayo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

About 80% of active tuberculosis (TB) cases are caused by untreated latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), with most being foreign-born United States residents. Despite the availability of preventive therapies, African immigrants living in the United States are hesitant to accept LTBI treatment. Although researchers have explored LTBI treatment hesitancy among foreign-born United States citizens, no study has explored the perspectives of African immigrants living in the United States. This generic qualitative study explored the perception of African immigrants living in the United States on LTBI treatment hesitancy. Participants’ inclusion criteria include those 18 years and older with a positive TB test, …

Type 2 Diabetes As A Risk Factor For The Development Of Cognitive Dysfunction In U.S. Adults, Bobbi Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is no consensus as to whether having type 2 diabetes increases an individual’s risk for developing cognitive dysfunction. Though cognitive dysfunction is considered a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, it is also classified as a newly formed diabetes-related complication. The purpose of the study was to evaluate if self-reported healthcare – diagnosed diabetes has any association in the risk of the development of cognitive dysfunction in individuals living with type 2 diabetes. Self-determination theory served as the theoretical framework. The research questions concerned whether (a) an association exists between diabetes and cognitive dysfunction, (b) ethnicity plays a vital …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of Treatment Programs Among Veterans With Opioid Use Disorder In New York State, Olatoye Oluwaseyi Itaniyi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

New York State (NYS) is home to millions of veterans and has the fifth-largest veteran population in the country. Veterans represent a vulnerable population and are at higher risk for mental and physical health struggles. The focus of this quantitative study was to assess if there is any significant difference between pre- and post-OUD 24-hour detoxification treatment services, residential/rehabilitation treatment services, ambulatory outpatient treatment services, frequency of opioid use at discharge, and mental disorder among veterans with opioid use disorder in NYS when controlling for age, gender, race, and marital status. The study utilized the harm reduction framework and the …

Impact Of Covid-19 On Opioid Misuse, Mental Health, And Substance Abuse Treatment Of Adults, David Stephen Reed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this quantitative cross-year comparison of two cross-sectional studies was to examine whether there is an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on opioid misusers seeking mental health and substance abuse treatment, taking into consideration the social, ecological, and economic factors of age, gender, poverty status, and county of residence metropolitan status. The theoretical foundations of this study are the social-ecological framework in terms of the geographic and economic impacts, and the structural and social determinants of health framework to examine the influences of economic and community on individual behaviors, to answer the research questions while controlling for the …

The Relationship Between Ultrarunning Status, Subjective Well-Being, And Life Satisfaction, Raquel Ramirez Hernandez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a rise in mental health challenges across the United States. Consequently, two important well-being measures for Healthy People 2030—subjective well-being and life satisfaction—were negatively impacted. A plethora of evidence exists about the benefits of running for physical and mental health. Yet, there is no available evidence that shows the benefits of ultrarunning, subjective well-being, and life satisfaction. This quantitative cross-sectional study examined the relationship between ultrarunning status, subjective well-being, and life satisfaction among adult runners in the United States. The advanced triangle of epidemiology served as the conceptual framework. A convenience sample included 369 adult …

The Relationships Among Economic Support And Hypertension And Diabetes Among The Adult Jamaican Population, Andrea Wolfe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A significant number of adult Jamaicans have been diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension, and individual socioeconomic status (SES) has been linked to these health outcomes. SES included income, education and employment. Income may directly influence health; however, some individual’s income may not be sufficient to cover all financial obligations and income support may be necessary. Local or overseas family members may significantly augment an individual’s income and financial situation that could affect health outcomes. This quantitative cross-sectional study was used to examine whether there were relationships between health outcomes (hypertension and diabetes) and economic support (governmental and familial). The Jamaica …

Examining The Relationship Between Patient Engagement With Digital Inhaler Technology And Asthma Control, Tanisha D. Hill

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that has significant public health and economic impact. Nonadherence to asthma medications can lead to poor treatment response and poor asthma outcomes. Digital health technologies have been shown to improve asthma medication adherence as well as asthma outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative research study was to examine the relationship between patient characteristics and mobile app engagement and the relationship between patient engagement with a digital inhaler app and asthma control in adult patients with uncontrolled asthma who were assigned to use a digitally enabled asthma medication and accompanying app for asthma therapy. Several …

Toxicological Impacts Of River Chemical Spills In Affected West Virginia Counties, Janice Lorraine Taylor Peters

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Factors such as geographical location/proximity and exposure to external environmental events, as well as poor regulatory processes, are known to increase the risk for cancers among affected populations. There is still a gap in the literature related to the incidence of cancers in specific regions with heavy industrialization and environmental health hazards. In West Virginia, chemical contamination events have occurred in or near water systems. The goal of this quantitative, retrospective study was to discover whether there were any differences in the incidence of disease or adverse health effects and cancers due to chemical contamination in four counties (Kanawha, Mingo, …

Risk Factors For Hepatitis A Hospitalizations And Mortality In Kentucky's 2018 Hepatitis A Outbreak, Tanya Campbell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2018, the state of Kentucky faced an outbreak of Hepatitis A virus (HAV), which led to a significant increase in HAV cases, hospitalizations, and fatalities. The social-ecological model (SEM) was used in a cross-sectional design to identify the factors associated with this outbreak. This approach employed secondary data extracted from the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS). Logistic regression was used to test hypotheses determining homelessness, drug use, and HAV vaccine status were related to HAV hospitalizations. There was a statistically significant association between the covariate age and HAV hospitalization (p = 0.004), and between homelessness and hospitalization (p < .001); however, associations between drug use and HAV vaccine status were not statistically. Intervention programs should target homeless populations; such targeting can lead to a reduction in HAV infections and HAV outbreaks. Implications for positive social change include motivation for policymakers and public health officials to assist in curtailing hospitalization and mortality rates caused by HAV in high-risk groups. Targeted prevention and intervention measures can mitigate the incidence of HAV in high-risk populations and enhance their health prospects.

Assessing Barriers To Upward Mobility In The Cape Fear Region, Sabrina T. Cherry, Christopher R. Prentice

Journal of Sustainable Social Impact

Researchers explore upward mobility to better understand how economic and employment factors drive or undermine social justice and equity in the United States. This scholarship can inform activists and researchers seeking to design solutions that help overcome systemic challenges to upward mobility. Therefore, as an interdisciplinary team of scholars in a public university, we collaborated with community partners to conduct a case study in which we assessed the barriers to—and the drivers of—upward mobility in a medium-sized city in Southeastern North Carolina. We conducted key informant interviews and focus groups with a cross-section of local residents to learn about their …

Family Medicine’S Role In Addressing The Intersections Of Redlining And Climate Change, Daryl O. Traylor, Eboni E. Anderson, Brianna Clark, Alex M. Smith, Cooper K. Allenbrand

Journal of Sustainable Social Impact

Redlining, the practice of discriminating against specific neighborhoods based on race and socioeconomic status, leads to persistent environmental hazards and socioeconomic inequalities that have lasting adverse health effects on their populations. Health disparities are further exacerbated through the concentration of environmental hazards, as well as the escalating impact of climate change, which poses an increased risk of respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, mental health issues, heat-related illness, infectious diseases, food insecurity, and socioeconomic difficulties in redline neighborhoods.

This paper examines the interplay of redlining, climate change, and health disparities, with an emphasis on the enduring consequences for these marginalized communities. Through …

Relationship Between Knowledge, Years Of Licensure, And Attitudes Of Midwives About Female Genital Mutilation And Its Prevalence Among Their Patients In Bawku, Ghana, Frank Debrah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is one of the hindrances to girls' development. FGM is often a rite of passage between childhood and adulthood. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between the knowledge, years of licensure, and attitudes of midwives regarding FGM and the prevalence of FGM among their patients in Bawku, Ghana. Bronfenbrenner's social ecological model served as the theoretical framework to describe the link between midwives' knowledge, attitude, years of licensure, and FGM prevalence. The knowledge and attitude of midwives were classified as exosystem factors. Hence, their direct interaction with patients is likely to affect the patient's practice of …

Perceptions Of Patient-Healthcare Provider Relationships In The Management Of Type 2 Diabetes, Desiree D. Lacey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The patient-healthcare provider relationship (PPR) is the foundation of clinical care: it is established as a human relationship and has a profound effect on health outcomes. Though PPR has been studied in multiple health domains, there is very little on its role in managing Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative research study was to better understand the challenges faced by healthcare providers (HCP) and T2DM patients within the clinical PPR for diabetes selfmanagement. The health belief model served as the theoretical framework and the diabetes self-management education program as the conceptual framework. Participants were recruited …

Risk And Preventive Factors Of Asthma In Children In Texas, Yvonne A. Deen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Predictors Of Prep Uptake By Black Gay And Bisexual Men In Ohio, Ade Elisha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Role Of Pregnancy Intention And Substance Use In Postpartum Depression Among Black Women, Asaye Birhanu Mekonnen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Preexisting Hypertension And Demographic Factors On Pandemic-Era Anxiety Using The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, Chukwuemeka Ogbonnaya Okpom

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Spatial-Temporal Variation Of Diarrhea And Associated Sociobehavioral Factors Between 2010-2020 In Rwanda, Amans Ntakarutimana

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Broken Promises: Prolonged Diminished Quality-Of-Life Among Liberian Ebola Survivors Half A Decade After The 2014-16 West African Outbreak, Jessi Hanson-Defusco, Decontee Davis, Meghana Bommareddy, Zainab Olaniyan

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak left thousands of Liberian survivors with severely diminished quality of life. Applying a social determinants framework, this mixed method study investigates to what extent Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors suffer long-haul psychosocial stress, diminished quality-of-life factors, and the impact of EVD-related service provisions on their ongoing healing. We present the results of a quantitative analysis survey of data collected from 19 Liberian EVD survivors in 2022 using snowball sampling. Additionally, a qualitative analysis of survivor statements helps triangulate key statistical findings and inform causal mechanisms. Survivors report experiencing 5.25 of a total of 7 ongoing stressors …

Individual Risk Factors Associated With Cesarean Section Surgical Site Infections Among African American Women In California, Paula St Hill

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Beliefs Toward Third Hand Smoke, Gisele Tah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Third hand smoke (THS) is gaining significant interest in the environmental and public health fields as a new but dangerous phenomenon. THS is identified as a form of passive smoke consisting of residual nicotine and chemicals that settle on surfaces. THS is reported to be genotoxic in human cells, yet the public has limited or no knowledge of this new concept. The purpose of this qualitative, interpretive, descriptive study was to discover and describe the level of knowledge, attitudes, practices, and beliefs regarding THS among individuals in an eastern U.S. state. Social cognitive theory provided the theoretical framework for this …

Understanding Adherence To Prescribed Medical Regimen To Treat Hypertension Among African American Males, Yolanda Lucian George

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hypertension is referred to as the silent killer and has been for decades. African Americans have been affected disproportionately compared to Whites, leading to a significant medical and financial burden. The literature has demonstrated that even though African Americans have a similar or better awareness of hypertension, they are more likely to have poorer treatment outcomes and have their hypertension less controlled. In this study, the health belief model and the ecological social model were used as the guiding framework to understand this phenomenon. In this qualitative study, semistructured interviews were used to explore and understand the perception of adherence …