Public Health Commons^™

Evaluation Of A Health Newsletter Intended For Sageplus Participants, Karen Lynn Anderson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Little is known about the effectiveness of the SagePlus newsletter as a motivational tool for influencing behavior change. The purpose of this study was to determine the reading level of the SagePlus newsletter and to evaluate the effectiveness of the SagePlus newsletter as a communication and motivational tool for SagePlus participants. A nonexperimental, descriptive correlational design was used in this study. Forty English speaking participants were contacted and agreed to participate in the telephone survey from a potential list of 190 participants. A modified questionnaire containing 20 multiple choice and open-ended questions was used in a telephone survey. Data was …

Addicted Youth: The Understanding Of Smoking-Related Health Risks In Female College Students, Rebekah Agnes Ann Morris

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Young adults are at the greatest risk for initiation of smoking or becoming daily smokers. Smoking has a unique history in the United States and is associated with health risks beyond heart disease and lung cancer, many specifically affecting women. Although the majority of people are aware of the risks for heart disease and lung cancer, many other risks are not recognized. By evaluating the known knowledge of smoking-related health risks beyond and including heart disease and lung cancer in the high risk population of female college students, education programs and cessation teaching can be altered, potentially resulting in lower …

Adolescent Substance Use: Perceptions Of Parents And Teenagers, Anthony Stadtherr

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Drug use among Minnesota youth is a leading health risk behavior. This study examined rural adolescents' and parents'/guardians' perceptions of teens' substance use. An electronic survey was administered to high school students (n = 62; adjusted response rate = 84.9%) and sent by email to 79 parents/guardians (n = 22; adjusted response rate = 27.8%). Analyses included descriptive statistics, independent and paired sample t-tests, and chi-square. 56.5% of teens reported using alcohol in the past 12 months whereas 12.9% reported using marijuana. During the past 30 days teens reported using alcohol 1.1 days and using marijuana 1.2 days. When teenage …

Use Of Social Marketing Promotional Strategies To Create Awareness Of Worksite Health Promotion Programs: A Survey Of Program Coordinators, Anna Catherine Stahl

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

There is growing interest in evidence-based research supporting worksite health promotion to help alleviate rising healthcare costs associated with unhealthy lifestyle choices of employees. Worksite health promotion programs can be designed and promoted to help prevent and reduce the negative effects of an unhealthy workforce. With that, the purpose of this research study was to assess how social marketing promotional strategies were used by worksite health promotion program coordinators in organizations located throughout the upper Midwest region of the United States. A 12-question survey collected basic demographic information on each participant, in addition to the way social marketing promotional strategies …

Optimal Control Applied To A Discrete Time Influenza Model, Paula Andrea Gonzalez Parra

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

For the last decades, mathematical epidemiological models have been used to understand the dynamics of infectious diseases and guide public health policy.

In particular, several continuous models have been considered to study influenza outbreaks and their controls policies. However, most epidemiological data is discrete; therefore, a discrete formulation is more convenient to compare collected data with the output of the model. We introduce a discrete time model in order to study optimal control strategies for influenza transmission.

In our model, we divide the population into four classes: susceptible, infectious, treated, and recovered individuals.

In particular, we evaluate the potential effect …

Addressing The Burden Of Uncorrected Refractive Error In Mozambique, Stephen Thompson, James Loughman, Prasidh Ramson, Luigi Bilotti, Geoff Harris, Kovin Naidoo

Conference Papers

A situational analysis indicates a lack of eye health personnel who can and do refract. The logical course of action would be to train more eye health personnel. A conservative estimated annual burden of URE in lost productivity in Mozambique is $14,486,692. To achieve the V2020 target ratio, an extra 184 workers are needed in six provinces analysed.The analysis assumes the existing personnel are well trained and dedicate time to offering a refraction service. It also assumes that the patient receives the care they require. Other aspects of the situational analysis suggest this is currently not always the case. A …

Gender Differences In Food Habits, Beliefs, And Fast Food Consumption Among A Predominantly Hispanic College Student Population, Alma Xochitl Ortega Gomez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Fast food consumption in the United States (U.S.) has been increasing steadily during the last decades. This trend has been linked to the increased prevalence of overweight and obesity among the population (Barnard, 2010; Currie, Della Vigna, Moretti & Pathania, 2009). Several sociodemographic characteristics that have been associated with the likelihood of frequent fast food consumption include income, ethnicity, gender and age (Block, Scribner, DeSalvo, 2004; Bowman & Vinyard, 2004; Drewnoski & Darmon, 2005; Driskell et al., 2006; Morse & Diskell, 2009; Paeratakul et al., 2003). Most studies related to fast food consumption have been conducted in adult population, only …

Preliminary Efficacy Of A Computer-Delivered Hiv Prevention Intervention For African American Teenage Females, Charles H. Klein, Josefina J. Card

Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study translated SiHLE (Sisters Informing, Healing, Living, and Empowering), a 12-hour Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evidence based group-level intervention for African American females 14-18 years of age, into a 2-hour computer-delivered individual-level intervention. A randomized controlled trial (n = 178) was conducted to examine the efficacy of the new Multimedia SiHLE intervention. Average condom-protected sex acts (proportion of vaginal sex acts with condoms, last 90 days) for sexually active participants receiving Multimedia SiHLE rose from M = 51% at baseline to M = 71% at 3-month follow-up (t = 2.06, p = .05); no statistically significant difference …

Attitudes Toward Vaccination In The Event Of An Influenza Pandemic And The Characteristics Of Those Likely To Decline Vaccination, Michelle Lynn Cummings

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

BACKGROUND: In addition to conscientious hygiene and limiting exposure, vaccination is an important public health intervention to limit influenza infection among high risk groups. However, limited research has been conducted among the general population to measure vaccine acceptance against a pandemic strain of influenza, and which specific concerns might hinder acceptance. Because this study was conducted prior to the H1N1 pandemic of 2009, it serves as a baseline measure of the population's perspectives on influenza vaccination. Subsequent studies will shed light on the degree to which a pandemic heightens acceptance.

Epidemiology Of Blood-Borne Infections Among Georgian Health Care Workers, Maia Butsashvili

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

INTRO: The prevalence of hepatitis in central Asia is considered high (>8% endemnicity) by the World Health Organization. Universal precautions among healthcare workers (HCWs) and newborn vaccination programs are important public health interventions to reduce the spread of hepatitis and other blood borne pathogens. This comprehensive evaluation of the risk of blood borne pathogen exposure among HCWs in the Republic of Georgia measures the following: 1) nosocomial risk events; 2) prevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV among Georgian HCWs; 3) predictive factors for HCWs recommending HBV vaccination for children; 4) prevalence of and willingness to report behavioral risk factors …

An Evaluation Of Multiple Primary Breast And Lung Cancers, Colleen G. Sherman

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the recent changes in multiple primary rules for breast and lung cancers and determine their effects on population incidence rates, illustrate specific patterns in multiple primary cancers for breast and lung cancers in New York and compare these patterns to SEER data, and to identify risks for developing multiple primary breast and lung cancers based on data in the New York State Cancer Registry (NYSCR).

Stakeholder, Organizational And Environmental Influences On Nursing Home Regulatory Enforcement : A New Perspective, Tamika R. Black

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This dissertation proposes a conceptual framework that integrates stakeholder and compliance theory and employs a multi-method approach to examine the influence of stakeholders, bureaucratic discretion and external environment on nursing home inspections and enforcement. Negative binomial regression analysis was conducted on a population of 655 nursing homes in New York to identify determinants of variation in compliance and enforcement (as measured by deficiency citations). As hypothesized, organizational characteristics (i.e., nursing home bed capacity, sponsorship, occupancy rates and Medicaid revenue) were significant predictors of regulatory compliance and quality of care. Nursing home complaints, the presence of family councils, political party of …

Pcbs And Measures Of Attention And Impulsivity On A Continuous Performance Task Of Young Mohawk Adults, Bita Behforooz

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Past animal and human studies have shown that exposure to PCBs can result in a wide range of negative toxic effects. However, only a few studies have investigated the relationship between PCB exposure and attention and impulsivity. The present study examined the relationship between current body burden levels of PCBs and attention and impulsivity in young adults ages 17 to 21 from the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne. The community is concerned because PCBs from industrial effluent have contaminated the local ecology and entered the Mohawk's food chain. Attention and impulsivity were measured by errors of omission and errors of commission …

Maternal Caffeine Consumption And Risk Of Congenital Limb Deficiency Malformations, Lei Chen

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

ABSTRACT

Utilization And Maintaining The Spirit Of Motivational Interviewing In Sageplus Lifestyle Interventions, Joan Y. Grotewold

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Utilizing a descriptive quantitative design to guide data collection and analysis, 11 of the 14 clinics in the State of Minnesota that participate in the SagePlus program were selected by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to participate in this study. The population for this study was the 22 healthcare professionals who were providing the lifestyle interventions in those clinics. The purpose of this study was to determine if the SagePlus healthcare professionals who are providing lifestyle counseling interventions were using Motivational Interviewing (MI) with SagePlus clients and if the healthcare professionals were maintaining the spirit of MI throughout these …

On Trade Policies And Wage Disparity In Egypt: Evidence From Microeconomic Data, Chahir Zaki

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This working paper assesses the extent to which trade barriers, including traditional tariff barriers, non-tariff measures, and red tape, affect wage disparity and employment in Egypt. Using a microeconomic dataset, the author assesses to what extent different trade barriers affected wage disparity and employment in Egypt. This disparity is studied in three dimensions: on gender (males vs. females), qualification (blue vs. white collar workers), and regional (urban vs. rural workers). Findings show that both non-tariff measures and red tape barriers have a higher impact than traditional tariffs on wage disparity and that women, urban workers, and blue collar workers are …

Parent-Child Communication On Sexual And Reproductive Health Matters: Perspectives Of Mothers And Fathers Of Youth In India, Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, K.G. Santhya

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This report from the Population Council study “Youth in India: Situation and Needs” presents data from in-depth interviews with mothers and fathers of youth in six states of India regarding communication patterns. The content of parent-child—and parent-daughter—communication is typically intended to ensure that young people conform to prevailing social, gender, and relationship norms. This study, one of the first from India to probe parental perspectives, suggests that parents are indeed concerned about their children’s transition into sexual life, but are constrained by traditional norms, lack of information, and limited skills from communicating with and providing them the supportive environment needed …

La Dynamique De La Discrimination Salariale Et De L'Équité Gendorielle Sur Le Marché Du Travail Au Maroc, Sami Zouari

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This Population Council working paper investigates the dynamics of the wage gap between men and women in Morocco. Estimates have shown that women earn up to 35 percent less than men in the periods observed. Differences in characteristics between the two sexes, mainly due to the difference in human capital endowments, are explained by only a small proportion of the gap. A negative proportion reported, though, is a kind of breakthrough for women, since it means that in terms of human capital skills, women are better qualified than their male counterparts. These negative differences confirm that women, especially those working …

Rethinking The Time Allocation Of Egyptian Females: A Matching Analysis, Rana Hardy

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This study explores the extremely biased division of labor within Egyptian households. The effects of marriage on women’s market and domestic labor supplies are important aspects of this study conducted by the Population Council for its working paper series on gender and work in the Mideast-North Africa region. New explanations for married women’s low participation rates are proposed. A matching model is estimated to determine how selection into marriage alters the time allocation of women. The empirical results show that marriage significantly affects both types of work with married women spending about eight hours less on market work weekly relative …

Women's Economic Resources And Bargaining In Marriage: Does Egyptian Women's Status Depend On Earnings Or Marriage Payments?, Rania Salem

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This working paper reports on a study using Egyptian survey data to determine whether the effect of women's work on their status is mediated by the material transactions that accompany marriage. This perspective posits that marriage payments made to the bride, as well as assets she herself brings to the marriage, enhance her bargaining position. Analysis of the 2006 Egypt Labor Market Panel Survey panel data is used to explore the associations between women’s labor market activity, earnings, absolute and proportional marriage payments, and a measure of women’s status within marriage, namely their decisionmaking power. Consistent with the existing literature, …

Decrease Of Youth Participation In The Labor Market In The Palestinian Territories: Reasons And Determinants From Gender Prospects [Arabic], Ayman Abdul Majeed

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

It is widely acknowledged that Palestinian youths between the ages of 15–29 have a low participation rate in the labor force. Population Council research has shown that this age group faces many barriers and challenges that make it difficult to pursue work. The prevailing political, economic, social, cultural, and educational conditions are major contributors to the low work participation, in addition to a decreased sense of self-confidence and low self-esteem. The conclusions from the research were to propose practical solutions to help this generation to regain self-confidence and self-esteem and become more active participants in the labor force. There is …

It's All One Curriculum: Guidelines For A Unified Approach To Sexuality, Gender, Hiv, And Human Rights Education [Arabic], International Sexuality And Hiv Curriculum Working Group, Nicole Haberland, Deborah Rogow

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Education on sexuality and HIV can help adolescents develop the capacity for healthy, respectful relationships and protect themselves from unwanted and unsafe sex, unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections. A 2015 Population Council study found that sexuality and HIV education programs that address gender and power in intimate relationships are five times more likely to be effective than programs that do not. However, most curricula still do not address these issues. “It’s All One Curriculum” provides a rationale, content, and sample activities for placing gender and rights at the center of sexuality and HIV curricula—both as stand-alone modules and integrated …

It's All One Curriculum: Activities For A Unified Approach To Sexuality, Gender, Hiv, And Human Rights Education [Arabic], International Sexuality And Hiv Curriculum Working Group, Nicole Haberland, Deborah Rogow

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Education on sexuality and HIV can help adolescents develop the capacity for healthy, respectful relationships and protect themselves from unwanted and unsafe sex, unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections. A 2015 Population Council study found that sexuality and HIV education programs that address gender and power in intimate relationships are five times more likely to be effective than programs that do not. However, most curricula still do not address these issues. "It’s All One Curriculum" provides a rationale, content, and sample activities for placing gender and rights at the center of sexuality and HIV curricula—both as stand-alone modules and integrated …

It's All One Curriculum: Activities For A Unified Approach To Sexuality, Gender, Hiv, And Human Rights Education [Bangla], International Sexuality And Hiv Curriculum Working Group, Nicole Haberland, Deborah Rogow

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Education on sexuality and HIV can help adolescents develop the capacity for healthy, respectful relationships and protect themselves from unwanted and unsafe sex, unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections. A 2015 Population Council study found that sexuality and HIV education programs that address gender and power in intimate relationships are five times more likely to be effective than programs that do not. However, most curricula still do not address these issues. "It’s All One Curriculum" provides a rationale, content, and sample activities for placing gender and rights at the center of sexuality and HIV curricula—both as stand-alone modules and integrated …

Scaling For Change: Strategic Investment In The Poorest Girls In The Poorest Communities, Judith Bruce

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

No abstract provided.

The Population Council's Approach: Promoting Healthy, Safe, And Productive Transitions To Adulthood, Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This Promoting Healthy, Safe, and Productive Transitions to Adulthood brief provides an overview of the Population Council’s focus on adolescents that began in the early 1990s. The focus has been accompanied by a commitment to move the field of adolescent research and programs from one often narrowly focused on sexuality, reproductive health, and behavior to the broader social and economic issues that underpin adolescent health and well-being. In 1998, with the publication of The Uncharted Passage—a benchmark review of the situation of adolescent girls in developing countries—the current program of work was launched. The Council’s approach has been characterized by …

Equipping Mayan Girls To Improve Their Lives, Jennifer Catino, Alejandra Colom, Marta Julia Ruiz

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Guatemala’s population is poorer, less educated, faster growing, and more ethnically diverse than most others in Latin America. The country’s fertility and infant mortality rates are among the highest in the region. Nearly half of the Guatemalan population is indigenous, and more than 20 Mayan ethnic groups live in isolated rural areas with limited access to basic services such as water, sanitation, schooling, and health care. Mayan girls are the country’s most disadvantaged group, leading lives characterized by limited schooling, early marriage, frequent childbearing, social isolation, and chronic poverty. The Population Council, in collaboration with local and international partners, launched …

Using Data To Identify And Reach The Most Vulnerable Young People, Adam Weiner

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Promoting Healthy, Safe, and Productive Transitions to Adulthood Brief No. 10 describes how the Population Council, through workshops and conferences with partners around the world, seeks to promote a better understanding of the adolescent experience and advocates for the development of programs based on evidence. To facilitate fact-based planning, the Council uses valuable sources of data, such as the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), to generate evidence to support policy analysis and program design. In 2001, the Council produced a series of reports using DHS called “Facts about Adolescents from the Demographic and Health Survey: Statistical Tables for Program Planning” …

Scaling Up Asset-Building Programs For Marginalized Adolescent Girls In Socially Conservative Settings: The Ishraq Program In Rural Upper Egypt, Nadia Zibani, Martha Brady

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

In 2001, the Population Council and partners designed and implement an intervention program to address the needs of out-of-school adolescent girls in rural Upper Egypt. As noted in Promoting Healthy, Safe, and Productive Transitions to Adulthood Brief No. 12, the pilot, referred to as Ishraq (“Sunrise”), was launched in four rural villages of el-Minya governorate in Upper Egypt, the country’s least developed and most disadvantaged region. Targeting girls aged 13–15, this program was designed to promote literacy, impart life skills, build social networks, and foster leadership and self-confidence through sports. By establishing girl-friendly spaces in which participants could meet, learn, …

Enhancing The Benefits Of Girls' Livelihood Initiatives, Sajeda Amin

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

As a pioneer in the relatively young field of adolescent livelihood programs, the Population Council has implemented and evaluated a range of projects that test vocational training, savings, financial education, and credit initiatives. Since the 1990s, the Council has documented the importance of adolescents’ livelihoods and worked to adapt adult livelihood models to fit adolescents’ unique needs. While these programs often share common strategies and elements, all Council adolescent initiatives recognize the need to learn from and adapt to the local context. Promoting Healthy, Safe, and Productive Transitions to Adulthood Brief No. 17 reviews the Council’s work on adolescent livelihoods …