Public Health Commons^™

Let My People Go:Improving Nurses’ Knowledge To Decrease Physical Restraint Use, Trisha Marie Zehrung

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite extensive research revealing the dangers of physical restraint use, it remains a common practice in critical care settings across the globe. Nurses stand at the forefront of clinical decision-making regarding the use of physical restraints but are doing so with a lack of education and evidence-based practices. The project addresses whether an evidence-based educational program regarding the use of physical restraints and alternative measures is an acceptable method for intensive care unit (ICU) nurse education according to six local subject matter experts (SMEs). The project’s purpose was to create an educational program outlining physical restraint evidence and alternative measures …

Evaluating The 2012 Vaccination Reporting Mandate: Applications To Adventist Health Network, May Abdalla

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Influenza is a public health concern that claims up to 56,000 lives annually in the United States, though it is a vaccine-preventable disease. Influenza vaccination among health care personnel (HCP) is highly encouraged to prevent influenza transmission in health care settings. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between mandatory reporting of HCP influenza vaccination rates (implemented in 2012) and HCP influenza vaccination intake in a health care network with 20 hospitals. The protection and motivation theory was used as the theoretical framework. Data collected from surveys of hospital administrators and archives of the Center for Medicare …

Effects Of Perpetrator Types And Gender-Based Violence On Condom Use Among Tanzanian Female Sex Workers, Lashonda Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

HIV status among female sex workers (FSWs) continues to be a significant public health concern. Condom use is associated with HIV cases among FSWs. Gender-based violence (GBV) plays a role in FSWs HIV status. While studies have investigated the relationship between GBV and condom use, little is known about the impact of factors such as perpetrator type and substance use. I aimed to examine whether perpetrator type and substance use affect the relationship between GBV and condom use among FSWs in Tanzania. Secondary data analysis was performed on 1,502 FSWs extracted from the 2020 Tanzanian, John Hopkins Program for International …

Preconception Protective Factors Associated With Preterm Birth In Black/African American And Non-Hispanic White Women In Nyc, Joyce Yvonne Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Racial disparities in preterm birth have persisted during the past two decades. Though studies have delineated the medical, behavioral, and social risk factors explaining racial disparities in preterm birth, less is known about protective factors. This quantitative, correlational study was conducted to examine the prevalence, association, and risk of preconception health protective factors and sociodemographic covariates between Black/African American and non-Hispanic White women with preterm birth in New York City (NYC). The maternal and child health (MCH) life course approach was the theoretical foundation. The NYC Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System 2016–2018 Phase 8 survey data, which included 2,161 women …

Lifestyle Modifications To Reduce Hypertension In Obese Patients: A Clinical Practice Guideline, Tiffany Lynn Oates

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, obesity affects almost 50% of the population with estimates of 60–70% of hypertension in adults attributable to adiposity. The practice gap addressed in this project is a lack of standardized patient education on lifestyle modifications aimed at reducing hypertension in the obese patient, which is the recommended first line of treatment for these patients. The practice focused questions were answered when evidence from the literature supported the implementation of a clinical practice guideline developed from evidence-based literature focused on patient education about lifestyle modification as the initial treatment for the reduction of hypertension in the obese …

Association Between Family Structure And Childhood Obesity In Essex County, Nj., Chima Tony Onyeagoro

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is one of the most prevalent nutritional disorders in children in the United States. There are many factors associated with childhood obesity, but there is limited information about the association between family structure and childhood obesity. This quantitative retrospective cross-sectional study, guided by the Social Ecological Model, was carried out to identify the effect of family structure on childhood obesity. For this study, the 2017 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) of children 6-13 years old residing in the state of New Jersey was analyzed. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between family structure and obesity, …

Assessing Cancer And Heart Disease Occurrence From Groundwater Contaminated With Volatile Organic Compounds, Courtnie S. Owens

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study examined the effects of the toxic chemicals contained in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on cancer occurrence and heart disease through occupational and environmental exposure to groundwater sources. This study was important because it provided critical insight for the public health community on the association between variations of past and current levels of VOCs in water sources and cancers and heart disease. The key research questions examined what proportion of occupational and nonoccupational individuals in southeastern North Carolina were diagnosed with cancer or heart disease and whether VOCs were associated with the long-term effects of cancer or heart disease …

Children's Body Mass Index Before And After Covid-19 Related Childcare Center Closures, Ericka L. Peterson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prolonged childcare center closures due to COVID-19 restrictions have changed children’s health-related behaviors that may result in an increased risk in childhood obesity. Grounded in the social ecological model, the purpose of this study was to examine the differences in body mass index (BMI), physical activity, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and screen time among preschool aged children enrolled in the Merced County Office of Education Head Start program before and after COVID-19 related Head Start center closures. A quantitative, longitudinal study design using secondary data from ChildPlus was used. The paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to …

Treatment Outcomes And Associated Factors In Tb/Hiv-Coinfected Patients In Namibia, Esland Shilongo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractHIV and TB have merged into a deadly co-epidemic in Namibia. Currently, though, TB and HIV data at the national, regional, and district level might be underreported and insufficient to understand the full burden and outcome rates of TB and HIV. Targeting the TB outcomes rate among TB/HIV-coinfected individuals is an effective strategy for decreasing future TB burden and furthering the gains in the control of both diseases. The objective of this study was: to assess the outcomes of patients registered for anti-TB treatment in //Karas Region which has the largests burden of TB in Namibia. A 5-year retrospective cohort …

Faculty Perspectives On Quality Of Online Courses In Health Education And Promotion Programs, Dana Wawrzyniec

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The need to make quick transitions online due to COVID-19 challenged many Health Education and Promotion (HEP) faculty to identify how to create quality online HEP courses. A review of the literature identified the need for qualitative research on the quality of online courses from the faculty’s perspective. The purpose of this general qualitative study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of HEP faculty at multiple universities, in terms of the organization and facilitation of their online courses, communication between instructor and student, and assessment of students. The community of inquiry (COI) framework, which evaluates the teaching, social, and …

Nursing Staff Education On The Use Of The American Diabetes Association Guidelines, Terrie Hattie Allen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractDiabetes mellitus is a complex chronic condition that requires continuous care and management. Approximately 34 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes and around 90%–95% suffer from Type 2 diabetes. The problem identified in this project was the need to follow the American Diabetes Association guidelines in place at the study site clinic but are not adhered to by the staff. Framed within the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation model of instructional design, the purpose of this project was to plan, implement, and evaluate a nursing staff education program on the use of the American Diabetes Association Guidelines for diabetes. …

Prophylactic Antimalarial Intermittent Preventive Therapy In Pregnancy And Birth Weight In Togo, Epiphane Awokou

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In Togo, prophylactic antimalarial intermittent preventive therapy in pregnancy (IPTp) is provided to disrupt suboptimal pathways leading to the issue of low birth weight. However, there is a lack of nationally representative data on the determinants of this adverse birth outcome. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to determine pregnancy-related determinants of low birth weight through a nationally representative dataset. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems model guided this study to explore potential associations between the covariates IPTp, utilization of long-lasting insecticidal bed nets, age of pregnant women, socioeconomic status of pregnant women, and gravidity type of pregnant women and the …

Typhoid Fever Among Low-Income Women Living In Gujranwala, Pakistan., Tehmina S. Khan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Approximately 21 million individuals suffer from typhoid fever (TF) globally, and most outbreaks occur in Southeast Asia. The incidence of TF is high in Pakistan, particularly in low socioeconomic areas, and a new drug-resistant strain makes it difficult to control the spread of TF. There is a pressing need for up-to-date and accurate data regarding the attitudes, beliefs, and habits leading to the spread of TF infection among individuals living in low socioeconomic areas of Pakistan. This qualitative, phenomenological study was grounded in the health belief model and explored factors that influence the spread of TF among women of childbearing …

The Association Of Suicidality With Video Gaming And Physical Inactivity Among U.S. Adolescents, Mary Colleen Cyrus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicide represents a leading cause of death in U.S. young people, and the rate is increasing. Although young people are spending more time each day playing video or computer games, there is limited research on the association, if any, between playing video games and suicidality. The purpose of this study was to identify whether there is a statistically significant association between video gaming, physical inactivity, and suicidality (suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts). Age, race, gender, and being bullied electronically and in school were assessed as potential confounding variables. The interpersonal theory of suicidal behavior and the social-ecological theory served as …

Alternative Diet Practices As Predictors For Vaccine Confidence, Nancy Dolin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Perceived risks and side effects have left some with a lack of confidence in the safety and efficacy of vaccines. This may lead to not adhering to the recommended vaccination schedule and result in outbreaks that have the potential to harm those who are unable to get vaccinated due to age or infirmity. It is vital to seek and address the characteristics that may predict one’s confidence in vaccines. The aim of this study was to identify whether an individual’s alternative diet behavior may be able to predict their confidence in the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The theoretical …

The Outcome Of Stroke Education And Management On Cerebrovascular Accident Patients In Bermuda, Antoinette Simone Dyer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractIncidence of cardiovascular accident (CVA), also referred to as a stroke, has increased in Bermuda. Understanding key contributing factors is necessary to reduce incidences that are associated with this disease process. This dissertation examined the outcome of stroke education and management on CVA patients in Bermuda. The health belief model, incorporating a reflection of the public health framework, guided the analysis of a quantitative dataset obtained through Bermuda Hospitals Board’s Neurology Department. A cross-sectional study design was used to sample 253 stroke patients over a 2-year period (2019 -2021). The Wilcox test was employed to compare two groups – stroke …

Length Of Stay In A Homeless Shelter And Mitigating Homelessness, Uwemedimo S. Etteyit

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractHomelessness is a major public health issue in the United States. Every night, thousands of people have no residence to call their own. Most homeless persons turn to homeless shelters for help. Despite the homeless shelters, the problem of homelessness persists. This study examined the concept that the length of time spent at a homeless shelter is related to the homeless persons mitigating their homelessness through home placement, jobs, and healthcare access. Homelessness was examined using the socioecological model with its attendant levels of influence. On the intrapersonal level, socioeconomic status, education, old age, veteran status, and disability were factors. …

Assessing Violence And Mental Health With The 2019 Nevada Youth Risk Behavioral Survey, Samantha Graham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The effects from childhood trauma can interfere in all aspects of a child’s life, including their education. School delivery systems need to be trained to identify these risks and how to reduce further risks of re-traumatization by applying trauma-informed practices. This study addressed the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on mental health and behavioral issues. The study was guided by Bandura’s social cognitive theory and the socioecological model. The correlation between ACEs and mental health as well as ACEs and physical violence were examined based on data from the 2019 Nevada Youth Risk Behavioral Survey, which was a high …

The Impact Of Staff Sexual Misconduct On U.S. Federal Prison Inmates’ Mental And Physical Health, Wanwisa Grover

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prison staff sexual misconduct is an ongoing issue in the United States, but little is known about how inmates’ perceptions of staff sexual misconduct influence their mental and physical health. The purpose of this quantitative research study was to examine the relationship between staff sexual misconduct with federal prison inmates and prisoner mental health and rates of injury, and why inmates are not reporting sexual misconduct encounters. Ecological theory provided the theoretical foundation. The three research questions were designed to examine the relationships between nonconsensual sexual misconduct of prison inmates with prison staff and (a) serious mental health illnesses and …

Health-Related Quality Of Life For Veterans Transitioned Into Civilian Life, Vicki Ann Guerra

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Texas veterans transitioning to civilian life have experienced health issues after discharge. There are processes to follow before seeking treatment or diagnosis for any health issue prior to military discharge. Given the gaps in the literature on veteran health, quality of life and transition to civilian life, scholars lack understanding of the transitional events that take place. Veteran health issues are impacted by medical appointment wait-times, day to day life events, and this can lead to decreased quality of life. The purpose of this mixed-methods study (N=36) was to evaluate veterans’ health related quality of life who had transitioned from …

Using Social Perspectives On Vaccination To Build Public Trust In Pro-Vaccine Communication, Lindsay Hale

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

United States public health guidelines for mandating vaccination of school age children for preventable diseases is increasingly ineffective. Little is known, however, about what sociocultural factors influence parents’ and legal guardians’ decisions to adhere to, hesitate against, or refuse to abide by immunization public health guidelines. The purpose of this qualitative study was to discover and better understand sociocultural factors that contribute to or detract from parents and legal guardians’ adherence to recommended vaccination schedules. The theoretical framework for this study was Coleman’s Rational Choice Theory. Research questions involved sociocultural factors and reference groups that influence parents and legal guardians’ …

Marijuana Legalization And Depression Effects On Marijuana Use In African American Late Adolescents, Anthony Olusegun Iroko

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

State medical marijuana legalization (MML) may contribute to increased cannabis use among older adolescents, especially African American youth and adolescents with depression. This quantitative cross-sectional correlational study, which utilized Smart’s availability-proneness theory of drug use as a guiding framework, had a two-fold purpose: to determine if state MML status and self-reported depression were significantly related to past-month marijuana use and to assess if state MML status significantly moderated between depression and past-month marijuana use. The study utilized data from 1,391 African American late adolescents (aged 16-20) who participated in the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Binary logistic …

Experiences Of African American Women Living With Herpes Simplex Virus 2, Cherlisa Jackson, Yitza A. Arcelay-Rojas

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

In the United States, the prevalence of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) continues to be the highest among African American women. Yet the perceived benefit of discussing sexual health, as well as recognizing a need to discuss HSV-2 with a health-care provider, is a gap in research. The purpose of this interpretive qualitative study was to understand the experiences of African American women who received an asymptomatic HSV-2 diagnosis. Semistructured interviews of seven participants were used to explore the experiences of African American women diagnosed with HSV-2, including barriers and challenges of discussing HSV-2 with health-care providers. Participants highlighted that …

Childbirth Educators’ Role Regarding Pregnant Women And Cervical Cancer Prevention, Olufunmiso Oyetunde Asamu, Hadi Danawi

Journal of Excellence in Nursing and Healthcare Practice

Childbirth educators play an important role in educating pregnant women regarding their health. They bridge the gap between pregnant women and healthcare providers. A paucity of information exists on the benefits that pregnant women derive from interactions with childbirth educators regarding early cervical cancer detection. The purpose of our cross-sectional study was to investigate the association among education during early pregnancy offered by the childbirth educators, access to childbirth educators, availability of childbirth educators in the United States and survival from cervical cancer. Secondary data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) on 520,153 women were analyzed using logistic …

Advancing Behavioral Health Literacy, James Scollione

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Accessing, comprehending, and using information to make informed decisions and improve one’s overall health or well-being are the foci of health literacy. The concept of behavioral health was introduced in the early 1980s and, since then, it has influenced new ideas (e.g., behavioral health literacy and integrated behavioral health care) and gained research and public attention. My aim is to provide an overview of definitions (i.e., health literacy, mental health literacy, and behavioral health literacy) and their connection to each other. I propose an expanded and honed definition of behavioral health literacy to enhance the behavioral health literacy and well-being …

Exploring The Perceived Barriers And Benefits Of Physical Activity Among Wounded, Injured, And/Or Sick Military Veterans, Robert Walker, Caroline Limbert, Paul M. Smith

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Wounded, injured, and/or sick (WIS) military veterans face significant physical and psychosocial challenges following discharge from service. Physical activity can have many positive effects on the holistic wellbeing of such individuals. However, little knowledge exists regarding the perceived barriers and benefits of physical activity within this population, creating challenges surrounding physical activity promotion. Therefore, this study was designed to identify key barriers and benefits among this population, so that informed approaches to encourage participation in physical activity can be developed. A questionnaire related to the perceived barriers and benefits of physical activity was completed by 105 WIS British military veterans. …

University Professors’ Perceptions About Patient Safety Teaching In An Interprofessional Education Experience: A Phenomenological Study, Gabriele Vilanova, Andreas Xyrichis, Elena Bohomol, Rosana Aparecida Salvador Rossit

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Background: Interprofessional education (IPE) and patient safety are recurrent and linked themes within the field of healthcare worldwide. International organizations have repeatedly called for and research has shown the benefits of health and social care professionals learning how to work collaboratively and efficiently to provide safer and better care. This study was undertaken to explore professors’ perceptions and experiences of an IPE curricula project with a view to improving future patient safety teaching in undergraduate health courses.

Methods: This qualitative study utilized phenomenology as a theoretical framework. The participants were 11 professors from a public university in south-eastern Brazil, recruited …

Developing Innovative Practices Through Third-Space Partnerships: Reflections On Project Dare (Dementia Knowledge, Art, Research And Education), Corinne A. Green, Michelle J. Eady Dr, Pippa Burns, Jessica Baker, Jennine Primmer, Penelope Harris, Carinya Barkley, Victoria Traynor

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Partnerships between schools, universities, and community organizations have mutual benefits for all involved. These partnerships value the contributions of all participants and capitalize on the expertise and knowledge that each brings. This reflective paper details a collaborative third-space partnership between a university, a primary school, and a community organization. The partnership facilitated the design, development, and implementation of a unique program called Project DARE (Dementia knowledge, Art, Research, and Education). A research-based evaluation of the Project DARE feasibility study can be found elsewhere (Burns et al., 2020). The aim of this paper is to reflect upon the formation of the …

Family-Based Caregiving: Does Lumping Asian Americans Together Do More Harm Than Good?, Suryadewi E. Nugraheni, Julia F. Hastings

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Asian American family caregivers have gained increased attention due to the need to provide life-sustaining aid at home given the rising numbers of older adults. This article reflects upon caregiving-related research studies that have overlooked the circumstances Asian American caregivers bring to the home-care context. Policies written to address community needs tend to omit the social circumstances many Asian American caregivers must face when trying to take advantage of programs and services. For example, the eligibility requirements fail to recognize distinctive cultural values embedded within the caregiving processes. Further, most Asian American data is aggregated. Aggregating data by ethnicity limits …

Drinking Behavior Among College Students: Interventions To Increase Mindfulness And Social Capital, Jenna C. Anderson, Antonio J. Gardner, Barry Hunt

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The impacts of drinking behaviors are far-reaching, with college student drinking contributing to over 1,500 deaths and an estimated 696,000 assaults on college campuses each year (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [NIAAA], 2019). There are a variety of explanations to explain why college students engage in risky drinking behaviors. However, there is evidence to suggest that drinking and other substance use may be a result of complex psychological origins, including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This paper reviews the literature available on ACEs among college students, how these experiences impact alcohol use among this population, and potential areas for …