Public Health Commons^™

Know Your Value: Negotiation Skill Development For Junior Investigators In The Academic Environment—A Report From The American Society Of Preventive Oncology's Junior Members Interest Group, Allison B. Burton-Chase, Maria C. Swartz, Stephanie A. Navarro Silvera, Karen Basen-Engquist, Faith E. Fletcher, Peter G. Shields

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

The American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO) is a professional society for multidisciplinary investigators in cancer prevention and control. One of the aims of ASPO is to enable investigators at all levels to create new opportunities and maximize their success. One strategy adopted by ASPO was to develop the Junior Members Interest Group in 1999. The Interest Group membership includes predoctoral fellows, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty members who are provided career development and training opportunities (1). Responsibilities of the members of the Junior Members Interest Group include serving on the ASPO Executive Committee and the Program Planning …

What Matters Most For Children: Influencing Inequality At The Start Of Life, Eboni C. Howard

Mickey Leland Center Information Portal

This paper provides an overview of the science of early childhood and summarizes the disparities and the opportunity gaps stemming from inequalities. It also describes categories of programs, services and policies for children birth to age 3 that might affect the extent of inequality and provide supportive early life experiences.

Assessing Idaho Rural Family Physician Scope Of Practice Over Time, David Schmitz, Ed Baker, Lisa Mackenzie, Logan Kinney, Ted Epperly

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Context: An important consideration determining health outcomes is to have an adequate supply of physicians to address the health needs of the community. Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to assess scope of practice factors for Idaho rural family physicians in 2012 and to compare these results to findings from a 2007 study. Methods: The target population in this study was rural family physicians in Idaho counties with populations of fewer than 50,000. Identical surveys and methods were utilized in both 2007 and 2012. Results: The physician survey was mailed to 252 rural physicians and was returned by 89 …

Assessing The Health And Safety Aspects Of Reboiler Maintenance Activities, William Svendsen

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Maintenance on equipment at an oil and gas facility is an everyday occurrence in Alberta, Canada. Due to their inherent hazards, especially from explosion, fire and chemicals, these facilities (refineries and upgraders) are tightly regulated places in which to work. In these plants, hazards can come in many different shapes and forms; all of which must be mitigated to ensure the safety of both the equipment and the workers. Examples of such hazards include hydrogen sulphide (H2S), naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM), ergonomics and noise.

The intent of this survey was to determine if there were any gaps in Client …

Exposure Assessment To Respirable Crystalline Silica Particles During Airfield Maintnenance Concrete Operations, Kenneth Pratt

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Crystalline silica is found in naturally occurring and manmade materials. According to OSHA, approximately 2.2 million people are exposed to silica each year (OSHA, 2002). These individuals are at an increased risk of silicosis, an incurable disease that is often fatal. The objective of this project was to determine if airport maintenance workers are exposed to crystalline silica over the current permissible exposure limit. Two days of sampling was conducted and it was determined that there was some exposure to the Airfield Paint Crew exceeding the action level. The highest employee exposure was at 0.362 mg/m3 with a corresponding PEL …

Heat Stress Prevention Program For Workers In Demilitarization Protective Ensemble At Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Training Facility, Joseph Padayhag

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) is being constructed to dispose of the entire stockpile of sulfur mustard contained in munitions stored at Pueblo Chemical Depot, Colorado. The PCAPP Training Facility provides courses on protective measures necessary for making entries into areas with hazardous concentrations of chemical warfare agents in air. Students are trained to work in Demilitarization Protective Ensemble (DPE), an encapsulating, impermeable, and positive pressure suit. The course includes wearing the suit and performing tasks to simulate work in PCAPP toxic areas.

Wearing DPE will increase the heat stress load for workers making entries. The PCAPP heatstress …

Occupational Silica Exposure For The Fuel Distributing Company On Hydraulic Fracturing Locations, Caleb Moore

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

This report investigates the potential exposure to respirable crystalline silica experienced by fuel distributing employees on hydraulic fracturing locations. Hydraulic fracturing is an oil and gas technique used to develop shale formations all across the United States of America. This is done by injecting large volumes of water, sand, and treatment chemicals under high pressure into oil wells within the shale formation. This well stimulation is possible due to the high pressure of the fluid, which creates and opens cracks and fissures in the formation. The sand contained inside the fluid flows into these opened fissures and becomes wedged, holding …

A Pilot Study To Assess The Impact Of The Proposed Crystalline Silica Standard In The Construction Industry, Kendra Lyons

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

No worker should have to suffer a life altering or fatal illness for the sake of a job, yet thousands of workers have died or developed a disabling illness from occupational exposure to silica. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has not updated the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for silica since 1971. The current PEL for respirable crystalline silica in the construction industry is 250 mppcf/ (%SiO₂ + 5) TWA which is adjusted per the amount of silica in the sample. This exposure limit is known to cause silicosis, a disease developed from silica exposure. The construction industry …

Health And Safety Considerations Associated With Sodium Debris Bed Experimental Nuclear Assembly Dismantlement, Alan Carvo

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

As the end of World War II approached, scientists who developed the processes to generate nuclear material for war-time use grew interested in applying those technologies to the generation of power for cities across the United States. Concerns about the availability of natural uranium led to the development of self-fueling fast neutron breeder reactors. In order to produce plutonium at a rate greater than the consumption of uranium during a nuclear chain reaction, high-energy “fast” neutrons are required. Fast neutron reactors utilize low melting-point metals, like sodium, to provide cooling.

After the earliest reactors experienced trouble providing adequate cooling during …

Literature Review Of Studies Linking Benzene And Leukemia, Kylene Owens

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The purpose of this review was to discover how the by-products of oil production, such as benzene played a significant role in health issues, particularly leukemia. The objective is to evaluate the association of benzene exposure and leukemia through laboratory toxicity studies and public and occupational epidemiology studies. Multiple articles were researched to find a link between benzene exposure and the development of leukemia. Several articles were viewed and some eliminated due to their irrelevant to this paper or their duplicated information with other articles. A total of six articles were selected for this paper. Research has shown that benzene …

Methylene Chloride Exposure Evaluation During Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Manufacturing, Janet Rullman

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

A manufacturer utilizes methylene chloride (CH2Cl2) (CAS 75-09-2), also known as dichloromethane, to manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients. Methylene chloride is specifically regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under 29 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 1910.1052. Evaluation and documentation of employee exposure to methylene chloride is required to comply with OSHA regulations. In addition to OSHA compliance, it is also important to evaluate employee exposure levels to determine if respiratory protection, regulation of the work area, and medical monitoring are necessary.

This industrial hygiene report describes an investigation into the risks of exposure to methylene chloride. This report …

Hiv Risk Perception And Risk Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex With Men In Nigeria, George I. Eluwa, Adebajo Sylvia, Stanley Luchters, Babatunde Ahonsi

Population Health, East Africa

Background: Some studies have shown that greater perceived vulnerability to HIV is associated with less involvement in risk taking. We evaluated prevalence and correlates of HIV risk perception among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nigeria.

Methods: A cross sectional study using respondent driven sampling (RDS) was conducted in six Nigerian states in 2010. Weighted HIV risk perceptions were calculated using an RDS analytic tool. Logistic regression was used to determine correlates of HIV risk perception, stratified by state.

Results: The total number of MSM ranged from 217 in Abuja to 314 in Cross River state. Median age …

A Step By Step Methodological Approach To Appraise The Quality Of Written Feedback Using Comment Analysis, Lubna Ghazal, Raisa B. Gul, Amina Aijaz Khowaja

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Several studies have been conducted to analyze the quality of written feedback given by teachers on students’ written assignments. However, it has been observed that there is no clear existing method or tool to facilitate the analysis of teachers’ written feedback. This paper aims to document a step by step methodological approach to analyze teachers’ comments and appraise the quality of feedback on students’ written assignments. A self-initiated tool was developed from the comment analysis process which revealed the use of various formats and modes employed to provide written feedback to the students. In addition, this tool helped to determine …

A Study Of A Simulated Infectious Disease On Healthcare Workers' Reaction, Knowledge, Attitudes, And Performance Towards Hand Hygiene, Lydia Wigglesworth-Ballard

Health Services Research Dissertations

Problem Statement. The high rate of healthcare worker-patient contact provides many opportunities for exposure to pathogens, which creates challenges in assessing healthcare workers' success at preventing healthcare associated infections caused by these dangerous pathogens.

Methods. This study explored the effects of a simulated infectious disease on healthcare workers' hand hygiene knowledge, attitudes, performance, and reactions using Kirkpatrick's Four levels of Evaluation. The study utilized a mixed method pre-test – 2 post-test design. The dependent variables were hand hygiene knowledge, attitudes toward hand hygiene guidelines, hand hygiene performance, and reaction to the overall experience. Data was collected three times over a …

The State Of Accreditation Readiness In Georgia: A Case Study, Angela Peden, Gulzar H. Shah, Russell B. Toal, Dayna S. Alexander, Alesha Wright, Ashton Anderson, Nandi A. Marshall, Scott Uhlich, Jeffery A. Jones

Health Policy & Management: Faculty Publications (2006-2018)

Background: Georgia’s public health districts first began exploring the idea of national public health accreditation in 2008 when Cobb & Douglas Public Health included accreditation in their strategic plan. In May 2015, Cobb & Douglas Public Health was the first Georgia public health district to achieve national accreditation status. This article discusses the current state of accreditation readiness in Georgia and explores strengths and barriers to accreditation.

Methods: This study utilized a case study approach in order to examine PHAB accreditation efforts in Georgia within a reallife context. Data came from three sources: nine Accreditation Readiness Assessments, a PHAB Pre-Application …

Research Proposal: Emrs Changing Patient Medication Errors, Kerry Moore

Applied Research Projects

In 2009 the federal government initiated the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in efforts to improve timely and quality health care. This new initiative promised to provide great incentives to health care providers who took advantage of the program by implementing electronic medical records (EMRs) within their facilities, clinics, and practices. Coupled with tight deadlines and the incentive of reimbursement, the health care world has been witness to an influx of EMRs being developed by vendors and implemented at health care facilities. The rate at which these EMRs have been implemented has been astounding. So fast, the health care …

The Impact Of The Hospital Acquired Conditions (Hac) Initiative For Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: Is It Really Improving Patient Care?, Shannon Hargis

Applied Research Projects

This research study focuses on the CMS, pay-for-performance, inpatient initiative regarding hospital acquired conditions (HAC) and present on admission (POA) identification of illnesses and injuries and studies conducted upon the initiatives that have measured outcome since the implementation of the program. This study is a focused assessment of numerous studies regarding the overall outcome of the initiative thus far, which was implemented in 2007. The goal of this research is to ascertain the effectiveness of the HAC initiative and possible factors that have positively or negatively impacted the overall outcomes in regard to Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI).

The Impact Of Ehr Usability Issues On The Perceived Efficiency Of Non-Clinical Hospital-Based Ehr Users, Natasha Ocean

Applied Research Projects

A survey-based study of the impact of the EHR systems usability issues on the perceived efficiency of work among non-clinical users in the hospital settings was performed June 20th to July 24th 2015. There were 160 valid responses. The results were processed in SPSS (IBM statistical application) and I determined the usability dimensions with the greatest impact on efficiency, for all EHRs and for the major EHRs (Meditech, Epic and Cerner). Helpfulness was the most frequent problem for users of all EHRs.

The survey is experimental and cross-sectional. The format was 20 Likert-type questions, along with screening and demographic questions. …

Anticipation, Recognition, Evaluation, And Control Of Lead Exposure Associated With Sources Ouniquie To Highway Construction Projects, Jack Packwood

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

No abstract provided.

Child Marriage Legislation In The Asia-Pacific Region, Elisa Scolaro, Aleksandra Blagojevic, Brigitte Fillion, Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli, Lale Say, Joar Svanemyr, Marleen Temmerman

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Child marriage is a human rights violation that robs a girl of her childhood, puts her health, growth, and development at risk, disrupts her education, limits her opportunities for empowerment and social development, and increases her risk of exposure to violence and abuse (for a review of the evidence on the negative effects of child marriage on girls and their children, see Parsons et al. 2015, in this issue). While child marriage is not mentioned specifically in the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention does contain a provision requiring governments to abolish “traditional practices prejudicial …

Noroviruses As A Cause Of Diarrhea In Immunocompromised Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell And Solid Organ Transplant Recipients, X. Ye, J. N. Van, F. M. Munoz, P. A. Revell, Claudia A. Korinetz, R. A. Krance, R. L. Atmar, M. K. Estes, H. L. Koo

ETSU Faculty Works

Case reports describe significant norovirus gastroenteritis morbidity in immunocompromised patients. We evaluated norovirus pathogenesis in prospectively enrolled solid organ (SOT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients with diarrhea who presented to Texas Children's Hospital and submitted stool for enteric testing. Noroviruses were detected by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Clinical outcomes of norovirus diarrhea and non-norovirus diarrhea patients, matched by transplanted organ type, were compared. Norovirus infection was identified in 25 (22%) of 116 patients, more frequently than other enteropathogens. Fifty percent of norovirus patients experienced diarrhea lasting ≥14 days, with median duration of 12.5 days (range 1–324 …

Airborne Infection In Healthcare Environments: Implications To Hospital Corridor Design, Ehsan Mousavi

Department of Construction Engineering and Management: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Several studies have linked nosocomial transmission airborne diseases to airflow in healthcare settings. Quasi-experimental methods are developed to observe the aerodynamic transport behavior of synthetic respiratory particles in corridors of a hospital. Computational models, validated by experimental results, are then developed to explore the spatial relationships of supply-exhaust air ventilation in patient corridors. The aim of this study is to determine optimal HVAC design strategies to contain and remove airborne contaminants in healthcare environments.

In addition to occupant comfort, hospital HVAC systems are designed to provide ventilation and directional airflow to contain, dilute and remove contaminants including airborne disease. Of …

The Association Of Racial Identity And Locus Of Control With Eating Attitudes And Obesity In African American College Women, Jamie Grisham

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

African-American women have been disproportionately affected by the obesity epidemic in the United States, and studies have suggested that sociocultural factors may have a negative influence on weight and weight loss efforts. Relatedly, other studies have found that African-American women have reported feeling less motivated to lose weight than other ethnic groups. Previous research has also indicated that locus of control plays a role in some health outcomes for African America women. The current study aimed to examine the impact of Black identity, external locus of control, and exercise motivation on obesity in African-American college women. Uncontrolled eating and exercise …

Size And Power Of Tests Of Hypotheses On Survival Parameters From The Lindley Distribution With Covariates, Macaulay Okwuokenye, Karl E. Peace

Biostatistics: Faculty Publications

The Lindley model is considered as an alternative model facilitating analyses of time-to-event data with covariates. Covariate information is incorporated using the Cox’s proportional hazard model with the Lindley model at the timedependent component. Simulation studies are performed to assess the size and power of tests of hypotheses on parameters arising from maximum likelihood estimators of parameters in the Lindley model. Results are contrasted with that arising from Cox’s partial maximum likelihood estimator. The Linley model is used to analyze a publicly available data set and contrasted with other models.

Joint Modeling Of Treatment Effect On Time-To-Event Endpoint And Safety Covariates In Control Clinical Trial Data Analysis, Kao-Tai Tsai, Karl E. Peace

Biostatistics: Faculty Publications

It is a common practice to perform a separate analysis of efficacy and safety data from clinical trials to estimate the benefit and risk aspects of a particular treatment regimen. However, by doing so, one is likely to miss the complete picture of the treatment effect given that these data are generated from the same study subjects and therefore most likely will be correlated. Therefore, it is desirable to analyze these data jointly to obtain a more complete profile of the treatment regimen. A substantial number of statistical methodologies have been proposed in the last decade to model the time-to-event …

A Combination Sms And Transportation Reimbursement Intervention To Improve Hiv Care Following Abnormal Cd4 Test Results In Rural Uganda: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study, Mark J. Siedner, Data Santorino, Alexander J. Lankowski, Michael Kanyesigye, Mwebesa B. Bwana, Jessica E. Haberer, David R. Bangsberg

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Up to 50 % of HIV-infected persons in sub-Saharan Africa are lost from care between HIV diagnosis and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. Structural barriers, including cost of transportation to clinic and poor communication systems, are major contributors.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, pragmatic, before-and-after clinical trial to evaluate a combination mobile health and transportation reimbursement intervention to improve care at a publicly operated HIV clinic in Uganda. Patients undergoing CD4 count testing were enrolled, and clinicians selected a result threshold that would prompt early return for ART initiation or further care. Participants enrolled in the pre-intervention period (January – …

Development And Preliminary Validation Of A Nonmedical Prescription Drug Motives Questionnaire, Lauren Ashleigh Milner

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of nonmedical prescription drug (NMPD) use continues to increase among emerging adult populations; however, little is known about the motivations behind this use. The current study aimed to extend previous research by developing and validating the first known comprehensive NMPD motives measure. As such, the primary focus of the current study was to examine evidence for the reliability and validity of the NMPD Motives Questionnaire by assessing the factor structure, internal consistency, and construct validity of the motives scale. Participants were drawn from a larger study of college student substance use behaviors and attitudes (N = 1,427; Mage= …

Community-Based Participatory Research To Adapt Health Measures For Use By People With Developmental Disabilities, Christina Nicolaidis, Dora Raymaker, Marsha Katz, Mary Oschwald, Rebecca Goe, Sandra Leotti, Leah Grantham, Eddie Plourde, Janice Salomon, Rosemary B. Hughes, Laurie E. Powers, Partnering With People With Disabilities To Address Violence Consortium

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: People with developmental disabilities (DD) are often not included as participants in research owing to a variety of ethical and practical challenges. One major challenge is that traditional measurement instruments may not be accessible to people with DD. Participatory research approaches promise to increase the participation of marginalized communities in research, but few partnerships have successfully used such approaches to conduct quantitative studies people with DD.

Objective: To use a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to create an accessible, computer-assisted survey about violence and health in people with DD, and to psychometrically test adapted health instruments.

Methods …

Cancer In Louisiana: 2008-2012, Volume 30, Louisiana Tumor Registry, Lauren Maniscalco, Christina Lefante, Mei-Chin Hsieh, Patricia Andrews, Lisa Pareti, Lisa Pareti, Brent Mumphrey, Beth A. Schmidt, Xiangrong Li, Vivien W. Chen, Ian Landry, Xiao-Cheng Wu

Policy & Position Papers

Mission:

To collect and report complete, high-quality, and timely population-based cancer data in Louisiana to support cancer research, control, and prevention.

Vision:

To reduce suffering and death from cancer using information collected by the Louisiana Tumor Registry.

History:

Cancer registration in Louisiana began in 1947 at the Charity Hospital Tumor Registry in New Orleans. In 1974, as part of its Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program, the National Cancer Institute provided funds for a population-based cancer incidence and survival registry covering Jefferson, Orleans, and St. Bernard parishes. Five years later, the Louisiana Tumor Registry (LTR) was transferred to the …

Health Implications Of Adults’ Eating At And Living Near Fast Food Or Quick Service Restaurants, Junfeng Jiao, A. V. Moudon, S. Y. Kim, P. M. Hurvitz, A. Drewnowski

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

BACKGROUND: This paper examined whether the reported health impacts of frequent eating at a fast food or quick service restaurant on health were related to having such a restaurant near home. METHODS: Logistic regressions estimated associations between frequent fast food or quick service restaurant use and health status, being overweight or obese, having a cardiovascular disease or diabetes, as binary health outcomes. In all, 2001 participants in the 2008–2009 Seattle Obesity Study survey were included in the analyses. RESULTS: Results showed eating ⩾ 2 times a week at a fast food or quick service restaurant was associated with perceived poor …