Public Health Commons^™

Colon Cancer Knowledge, Screening Barriers, And Information Seeking In Northeastern Georgia, Jeffrey K. Springston, Su-I Hou

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The present study assessed utilization of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and knowledge, barriers, and information-seeking among adults in northeastern Georgia.

Methods: A total of 245 people aged 40 years and older from selected rural, suburban, and small towns in northeastern Georgia participated in this cross-sectional survey.

Results: Respondents aged 50 years and older were more likely to think that they “don’t need screening at their current age” as compared with those in their 40s. Higher information-seeking correlated with lower screening barriers (p

Discussion: Respondents generally had a low level of knowledge about CRC. Individuals with lower perceived screening barriers …

A Preliminary Examination Of Elevated Blood Lead Levels In A Rural Georgia County, R. Christopher Rustin, Yu Sun, Chris Calhoun, Christy Kuriantnyk

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Rural areas are often viewed as lower risk for lead poisoning and toxic exposures seriously impacting development of the brain and central nervous system; this report examines the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels for childrenCounty, GA.

Methods: Lead surveillance data from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) were analyzed using SAS®v-9.3 to calculate the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (≥5ug/dL) among those children in Ben Hill County who had been tested for lead; the results were compared to Georgia and national data.

Results: A preliminary analysis of 2010-2015 screening data for Ben Hill County indicates that …

Assessment Of Medical Needs Of The Hispanic Community In Macon-Bibb County, Georgia, Kim Bélanger-Giguère, Jose Pino, Brad Lian

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Little is known about the health concerns and issues among the Hispanic community in growing, mid-sized cities, such as Macon, Georgia.

Methods: A questionnaire on general health-related issues was given to a sample of 125 Hispanic participants.

Results: The top health concerns of the Hispanic community were diabetes, obesity, and dental hygiene; the most common factors preventing Hispanics from receiving medical treatment were the lack of insurance, language barriers, and copayments or deductibles being too high.

Conclusions: Lack of higher education and the inability to communicate effectively in English may be manifested as difficulties in finding proper information about …

Exploration Of Barriers And Facilitators To Publishing Local Public Health Findings: A Mixed Methods Protocol, Selina A. Smith, Nancy C. Webb, Daniel S. Blumenthal, Bobbie Willcox, Darra Ballance, Faith Kinard, Madison L. Gates

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Worldwide, the US accounts for a large proportion of journals related to public health. Although the American Public Health Association (APHA) includes 54 affiliated regional and state associations, little is known about their capacity to support public health scholarship. The aim of this study is to assess barriers and facilitators to operation of state journals for the dissemination of local public health research and practices.

Methods: A mixed methods approach will be used to complete the 12-month study. Affiliate websites will be accessed through the APHA membership portal to evaluate organizational infrastructure and ascertain the presence/absence of a journal. …

The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model: An Examination Of Obesity Prevention Behavioral Change In Children Who Participated In The Afterschool Program Virginia Beach Let’S Move, Marilyn Miroshlava Bartholmae

Health Services Research Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model (IMB) as a foundation to design childhood obesity prevention afterschool programs. This study employed a secondary analysis of pre (n=172), post (n=170), and 1-year follow-up (n=32) evaluations of the obesity prevention afterschool program Virginia Beach Let’s Move for children ages 5-11 years. Independent variables included demographic characteristics for the participating children and their parents. Dependent variables used in this study were the IMB constructs information and motivation. Motivation was measured by the attitudes of the children and information was measured by the children’s knowledge.

The …

Improved Estimation Of Optimal Cut-Off Point Associated With Youden Index Using Ranked Set Sampling, Jingjing Yin, Hani M. Samawi, Daniel Linder

Biostatistics: Faculty Publications

A diagnostic cut-off point of a biomarker measurement is needed for classifying a random subject to be either diseased or healthy. However, the cut-off point is usually unknown and needs to be estimated by some optimization criteria. One important criterion is the Youden index, which has been widely adopted in practice. The Youden index, which is defined as the maximum of (sensitivity + specificity −1), directly measures the largest total diagnostic accuracy a biomarker can achieve. Therefore, it is desirable to estimate the optimal cut-off point associated with the Youden index. Sometimes, taking the actual measurements of a biomarker is …

Engaging African Americans In Developing An Intervention To Reduce Breast Cancer Recurrence: A Brief Report, Selina A. Smith, Mary S. Whitehead, Joyce Q. Sheats, Brittney Fontenot, Ernest Alema-Mensah, Benjamin Ansa

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: To develop a culturally appropriate lifestyle intervention, involvement of its intended users is needed.

Methods: Members of an African American (AA) breast cancer support group participated in two 4-hour guided discussions, which were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed to guide the content.

Results: The support group collaborated with researchers to develop 24 experiential nutrition education sessions using a social cognitive framework and incorporating self-regulation skills (goal-setting, self-monitoring, problem-solving, stimulus control) and social support to enhance self-efficacy for changes in dietary intake.

Conclusions: Community engagement fostered autonomy, built collaboration, and enhanced the capacity of AA breast cancer survivors to participate in …

Assessment Of Distress, Unmet Needs, And Receipt Of Care Plans Among Cancer Survivors In Georgia, Cam Escoffery, Angie Patterson, Nancy M. Paris, Logan Kirsch, Cassiopeia Frank, Jean O'Connor

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Cancer survivors have distinctive healthcare needs. The Survivorship Working Group of the Georgia Cancer Control Consortium conducted an assessment to understand the physical, psychological, practical, and spiritual needs of adult cancer survivors; patient perceptions regarding patient-provider communications; and their perceived need for services.

Methods: In 2014, a convenience sample of Georgia cancer survivors completed a paper or online survey about the presence of and distress associated with unmet physical, emotional, spiritual, and practical needs, and receipt of assistance in those areas. They were also asked about receipt of cancer treatment and survivorship care plans.

Results: Survivors were primarily female, …

Integrating Food And Language Nutrition To Reach Georgia’S Children In Early Care And Education Environments, Jean O'Connor, Chinwe Ejikeme, Maria Fernandez, Kia Powell-Threets, Audrey Idaikkadar, Christi Kay, Emily Anne Vall, Kimberly Ross, Brenda Fitzgerald

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Educational attainment and health are mutually reinforcing outcomes. Good health supports children in the achievement of academic milestones, such as grade-level reading, and is associated with higher socio-economic status, longer life expectancy, and lower lifelong chronic disease. Improving health outcomes and increasing the potential for high educational attainment is necessary for reducing disparities, improving population health, and reducing morbidity. Early childhood and associated settings present opportunities to address lifelong health.

Methods: To guide the development of programs to reach large numbers of children, we reviewed the literature associated with interventions during early childhood to promote healthy food consumption patterns …

A Region-Wide Field Placement Program Built On The Foundation Of Mentorship And Professionalism, Carvalho L. Michelle, Laura M. Lloyd, Melissa Alperin, Kathleen R. Miner

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The Region IV Public Health Training Center (R-IV PHTC) provides public health students from the eight states of HHS Region IV with essential practice experiences that demonstrate the value of working with underserved populations. The Pathways to Practice Scholars field placement program is built on a foundation of mentorship, professionalism, and community.

Methods: Sixteen student scholars (13 graduate; 3 undergraduate) were selected to work during May-August 2015 in practiceoriented agencies serving underserved populations. Each scholar received a $1500 living allowance. Seven of 16 accepted an internship outside the state of their university. In conjunction with mentors, Scholars developed work …

Syphilis In Georgia, 2009-2014, Kathryn Moore, Leonardo Parker, Joy Wells

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: In the period of 2002-2014, Georgia has ranked among the top three states in the United States for rates of primary and secondary syphilis cases, creating a continuing need to analyze the data and to plan and implement disease prevention efforts.

Methods: The present effort involved analysis of data from Georgia’s electronic disease reporting system, State Electronic Disease Surveillance System (SendSS), including demographic characteristics by year for the period of 2009-2014 and behavioral data obtained from interviews with communicable disease specialists.

Results: In Georgia, from 2009-2014, primary and secondary syphilis, the infectious stages of the disease, were seen most …

Physical Activity And Risk Of Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer, Diabetes, Ischemic Heart Disease, And Ischemic Stroke Events: Systematic Review And Dose-Response Meta-Analysis For The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2013, Hmwe H. Kyu, Victoria F. Bachman, Lily T. Alexander, John E. Mumford, Ashkan Afshin, Kara Estep, J. Lennert Veerman, Kristen Delwiche

Dartmouth Scholarship

Objective: To quantify the dose-response associations between total physical activity and risk of breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and ischemic stroke events.

The Evidence For And From Accreditation, Kaye Bender

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Public health department accreditation administered by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) began in 2007 after a series of policy briefs, field demonstration initiatives, and completion of a national feasibility study.

Methods: Evidence for accreditation was gathered from both national and state-based standards that had been tested and evaluated. Evidence from accreditation was obtained from surveys and focus groups.

Results: Preliminary analyses have indicated that the accreditation program is having its intended impact, although longitudinal analyses are planned for the future when a larger number of health departments can respond to surveys over time.

Conclusions: PHAB will continue to …

The Importance Of Early Brain Development, Brenda Fitzgerald

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

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Challenges In Building Systematic Search Strategies To Recognize The Complexities Of Public Health Reviews, Preethy D'Souza Dr, Judith A. Noronha Dr, Baby S. Nayak Dr, Sreekumaran Nair Dr

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Evidence in public health has been distributed in heterogeneous sources ranging from well-controlled studies to qualitative researches. Conducting searches in public health reviews is exhaustive than the clinical reviews. Public health interventions uses a wider framework in defining the effectiveness of any strategies that are used. Hence evidence based decision making becomes more complex and to have a better understanding of the literature wider use of search strategy is essential which makes it more complex. This paper aims at describing the challenges and steps involved in developing effective search strategies in identifying the complexities of public health reviews.

Maternal Healthcare In Eastern Uganda: The Three Delays, Mothers Making Empowered Choices, And Combatting Maternal Mortality, Emma Gier

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Maternal and child health has been noted as an international concern and issue. While access to maternal healthcare has improved in Uganda since 2000, maternal mortality rates have remained high in the country as of 2015. However, maternal and child healthcare are inherently important in promoting sustainable and positive development. For that reason, I have explored maternal healthcare in Uganda’s Eastern region, specifically in Mbale Town and surrounding rural areas including Kween and Manafwa districts. Specifically I have looked at what factors influence women’s decision to give birth in a health centre or hospital, versus at home. I have also …

87th Annual Georgia Public Health Association Meeting & Conference Report, Dianne Mcwethy, Regina Abbott, Christy Sims, Brian Morgan, Nicholle Harrison, Angela Peden, David Gowan

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

The 87th Annual Meeting of the Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) was held in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 22-23, 2016, with pre-conference (March 21st) and post-conference (March 23rd) Executive Board meetings. As Georgia’s leading forum for public health researchers, practitioners, and students, the annual meeting of the GPHA brings together participants from across the state to explore recent developments in the field and to exchange techniques, tools, and experiences. In recent years the venue for the GPHA annual conference has been Atlanta, with the 2017 GPHA Annual Meeting and Conference also scheduled to be held in Atlanta. Several new initiatives …

Partnership Approach To Establishing Tobacco-Free Colleges And Universities In Georgia, Anne-Marie L. Coleman, Kenneth Ray, Kia Toodle, Alina Chung, Jean O'Connor

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Smoking rates in young adults ages 18-24 have been steadily declining since 2011 (2011:25.0%, 2012:22.3%, 2013:16.5% (BRFSS). The Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) partnered with the Georgia Board of Regents to adopt the 100% Tobacco Free Colleges/Universities policy.

Methods: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is a state-based surveillance system, administered by the GDPH in collaboration with the CDC. The survey began in 1984 with 15 states participating, including Georgia. The data from this survey were used to inform key shareholders of smoking prevalence to encourage policy adoption as a method of decreasing tobacco use. The GDPH …

Local Youth Groups In Georgia Working Towards Policy, Systems, And Environmental Changes, Anne-Marie L. Coleman, Kenneth Ray, Kia Toodle, Alina Chung, Jean O'Connor

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The Georgia Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS) is a survey of public middle school (MS) and high school (HS) students. The Georgia YTS was first conducted in 2001. According to YTS, students who attended a tobacco free schools’ youth summit were significantly more likely to be aware of students who use tobacco products (MS: 21% for smoking and 20% for smokeless tobacco; HS: 42% for smoking and 39% for smokeless tobacco) on school property than students who did not attend a tobacco free schools’ youth summit (MS: 10 % for smoking and 9 % for smokeless tobacco; HS: 32 % …

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Regarding Smoke-Free Policies In Multi-Unit Housing In Georgia, Adrienne Lefevre, Michelle C. Kegler, Bennett Mcdonald, Lily Liang, Regine Haardöerfer

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Nonsmokers living in multi-unit housing (MUH) without a smoke-free (SF) policy are vulnerable to secondhand and thirdhand smoke exposure. This study aimed to investigate the presence and type of SF policies in MUH in Georgia. Another aim was to explore knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes of property managers and owners (PM/Os) regarding SF MUH policies, including e-cigarettes.

Methods: Throughout 2015 PM/Os of MUH in Savannah and Atlanta were surveyed regarding SF policies in MUH. A list with contact information of PM/Os was obtained from the ASDE Survey Sampler. The participants were mailed an invitation letter and were called one week …

Public Health For Young Adults Day: Recruiting The Next Generation, Mary-Kate Pung, Nicholas Williams, Rachel Kirkland, Angela Peden, Ashley Walker

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Public Health for Young Adults Day (PHYA Day) is a one-day program designed to educate high school-age students about the principles and values of the five core areas of public health. The goal of PHYA Day is to foster interest and ultimately increase recruitment into the field of public health. This goal is essential due to the impact of the economic recession of 2008. It was estimated that the local public health workforce decreased from 191,000 to 168,000 across the nation between 2008 and 2013. In spite of 2008’s recession, a well-trained, competent public health workforce remains an imperative …

Assessing The Cultural Appropriateness Of Uplift For African Americans With Epilepsy: A Community Engaged Approach, Josalin J. Hunter-Jones, April L. Nellum, Elizabeth I. Olorundare, Candace C. Mccloud, Matthew D. Mccurdy, Robin E. Mcgee, Contessa M. Davis, Nancy J. Thompson, Rakale C. Quarells

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: In trials of Project UPLIFT, a distance-delivered, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention, there was improvement in the mental health of people with epilepsy/seizure disorder. In these trials, however, African Americans have been few. Thus, as this program is disseminated, it is desirable to ensure that it is culturally appropriate for minority populations.

Methods: To determine the appropriateness of Project UPLIFT for African Americans, we engaged in three main research activities: 1) the formation and involvement of an epilepsy community advisory board; 2) qualitative interviews with healthcare providers who serve this community; and 3) focus groups with African American adults living …

New Recreational Water Quality Criteria And Their Impact On Beach Advisories In Coastal Georgia, Asli Aslan, Sara Benevente

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: To monitor pollution of marine beaches in Georgia, enterococci have been used as indicators of fecal contamination. For the 1986 Recreational Water Quality Criteria (RWQC), the beach action value (BAV) was 104 colonyforming units (CFU)/100 ml; the new RWQC, instituted in 2012, is 70 CFU/mL, a 32.6% decrease. When the beach action value is reached, authorities are to issue a beach advisory for protection of swimmer health. The present study investigated changes in compliance with the 2012 RWQC at five high-use beaches in Georgia.

Methods: In the summer of 2015, samples of water were collected from five beaches at …

Assessment Of The Building Collaborative Research Capacity Model: Bridging The Community-Academic Researcher Divide, Tabia Henry Akintobi, Donoria Evans Wilkerson, Kirsten Rodgers, Cam Escoffery, Regine Haardörfer, Michelle Kegler

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Community–based Participatory Research (CBPR) can be challenging when community leaders and academic researchers have not previously co-led research or worked together with established rules guiding their relationships, roles, and respective functions. The objective of this investigation was to assess the processes and outcomes of the Building Collaborative Research Capacity Grant Program, sponsored by the Community Engagement Research Program of The Atlanta Clinical and Translational Science Institute and designed to foster CBPR.

Methods: Four competitively selected community-based organizations (CBOs) participated in capacity-building workshops designed to build research skills and receive technical assistance to plan a pilot study with academic researchers. …

Disparities In Health Insurance Coverage Among Children And Young Adults In Georgia And The U.S., Brandon K. Attell

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: In this brief report, I compare rates of health insurance coverage for children and young adults in Georgia and the United States.

Methods: Utilizing data from the 2014 American Community Survey, I performed two-sample tests of weighted proportions for a variety of health insurance coverage indicators.

Results: Although there is little difference between Georgia and the United States in the proportion of those covered by Medicare and Medicaid, in Georgia there are fewer individuals with private health insurance and more uninsured individuals.

Conclusions: Progress toward universal coverage will require continued examination of insurance status at both the state and …

Male Involvement In Reproductive, Maternal And Child Health: A Qualitative Study Of Policymaker And Practitioner Perspectives In The Pacific, Jessica Davis, Joseph Vyankandondera, Stanley Luchters, David Simon, Wendy Holmes

Population Health, East Africa

Background: The importance of involving men in reproductive, maternal and child health programs is increasingly recognised globally. In the Pacific region, most maternal and child health services do not actively engage expectant fathers and fathers of young children and few studies have been conducted on the challenges, benefits and opportunities for involving fathers. This study explores the attitudes and beliefs of maternal and child health policymakers and practitioners regarding the benefits, challenges, risks and approaches to increasing men's involvement in maternal and child health education and clinical services in the Pacific.

Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 senior maternal …

What Percentage Of The Security Forces At Macdill Afb Experience Exposure To Noise In Excess Of The Osha Pel And The Air Force Oeel?, Julian Joseph Krusely

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Noise-related hearing loss has been listed as one of the most prevalent occupational health concerns in the United States for more than 25 years with approximately 30 million people in the US alone occupationally exposed to hazardous noise according to the Occupational Safety and Health Organization. Many people are aware of some risks the military members take every day being at war, but very few think about the risks of the members on a base located stateside. To this point, not much research has been done on these risks, and even less has been done on the hazardous noise risks …

Development Of A Rt-Pcr-Elisa Wuchereria Bancrofti Detection Assay For The Monitoring Of Mosquito Vector Infection And Infectivity, Nompumelelo Mzizi Mzizi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is an incapacitating disease caused by three filarial nematodes belonging to the family Onchocercidae, namely Brugia timori, Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia timori. An estimated 90% of lymphatic filariasis cases globally are caused by Wuchereria bancrofti. To evaluate the success of the Global Program to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis it is essential to monitor the frequency of larval infection in the mosquito vector. Molecular methods to detect Wuchereria bancrofti DNA in mosquitoes have been in existence since 1996. However these methods have not been widely adopted due to the high cost associated with them and the inability …

Frequency Of Colonoscopy Surveillance In Average-Risk Adults Relative To Guideline Recommendations, Meng-Han Tsai

Theses and Dissertations

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cancer in the United States with an estimated 132,700 new cases and 49,700 deaths in 2015. Well-performed screening colonoscopies prevent cancer by allowing visualization of the entire colon and removal of precancerous polyps (adenomas). Persons with high-risk polyps at screening are therefore advised to undergo periodic surveillance colonoscopy. Screening and surveillance colonoscopy guidelines were updated by the U.S. Multi-society Task Force (USMSTF) in 2006, which emphasized risk stratification by polyp features at screening colonoscopy.

This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with screening colonoscopy at an endoscopy center in South Carolina between …

Examining Crowdsourced Social Media Platforms And Their Association With College Students' Alcohol Consumption, Perceived Risk, And Behaviors, Danielle Gentile

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: High-risk alcohol use by U.S. college students remains a significant threat to individual health and community well-being. Newly-emerging social media platforms and apps which relay information about alcohol-related law enforcement serve as an intriguing addition to college alcohol-use environments. The purpose of this study was to examine the information delivered to users by the local social media platform @Drinking Ticket (DT), determine which types of information were then relayed to others, and clarify how this information influences alcohol use, perceived risk, and alcohol-related risk behaviors among college students. Methods: One year of DT tweets (n=854 tweets) were qualitatively coded …