Public Health Commons^™

Status Of Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights In Zambia: Contraception And Family Planning, Preventing Unsafe Abortion And Accessing Post Abortion Care, And Maternal Health, Population Council

Reproductive Health

In 1994, the International Conference on Population and Development affirmed that sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are human rights. The Government of the Republic of Zambia has fully committed to fulfilling the SRHR of all people by ratifying 11 international instruments of law. This brief is Part 1 of a three-part series entitled “Status of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Zambia,” reporting on progress, gaps, and existing challenges in SRHR. Using a human rights–based approach, the Government of Zambia and collaborators, with technical facilitation by the Population Council, conducted an assessment of the status of SRHR …

Opportunity And Life-Long Health Outcomes: A Review Of The Effects And Proposed Solutions Of Hypersegregation On Health Disparities, Christen D. Johnson

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Hypersegregation, the overrepresentation of a racial group in a metropolitan area, is defined by evenness, exposure, concentration, centralization, and clustering. Hypersegregated communities are subjected to bias and have few resources and opportunities, which compounds the negative impact on one’s health and socioeconomic outcomes. This study aims to describe the effects of hypersegregation on health risks, chronic disease, violence, and compare the differences between hypersegregated and non-hypersegregated cities. Data were collected for Montgomery County, Ohio (MC) for low birth weight, infant mortality, diabetes, heart disease, and violent crime, and compared with data from Summit County (SC). There is a larger Black …

The American Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic: Considerations For Targeted Diabetes Prevention Programs, Dolores Dodson

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Childhood obesity is an identified risk factor for several long-term health issues such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death within the United States. The CDC has implemented an evidence-based program, The National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), to prevent the development of T2DM among individuals with prediabetes. Prediabetes is defined as having elevated glucose levels glycated hemoglobin [A1C] levels between 5.7%-6.5%) that are not elevated enough to meet diabetes diagnosis criteria (A1C levels > 6.5%). The DPP is a lifestyle change program that has …

Analysis Of The 2017 Montgomery County Adult Risk Perception Of Prescription Opioid Misuse Survey Data, Lance Nussbaum

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Montgomery County, Ohio, has higher overdose rates than the national or state averages: approximately 50% are related to prescription opioid misuse. A community assessment was conducted to better understand Montgomery County’s adult population’s connection with, and opinions of, prescription opioid medications. Methods: Data for 284 anonymous internet surveys were compiled and subjected to a descriptive analysis of responses and trends. Response patterns were used to recommend appropriate interventions. Results: Respondents were well-educated (91.9%), employed (76.7%), Caucasian (89.8%), females (79.2%) who resided (82%) and worked (66.5%) in Montgomery County (82%). The risk from personal misuse of prescription opioids was perceived by …

Prospecting For An Hiv Vaccine, David Brett-Major, T. A. Crowell, N. L. Michael

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) sets several challenges for the development of a preventative HIV vaccine. Predictable, protective natural immunity against HIV does not occur and so unlike most other diseases for which vaccines exist, there are few guideposts from natural infection. Nonetheless, six vaccine efficacy trials have occurred. One in particular, the Thai trial called RV144, showed partial protective efficacy and potential ways ahead to a better vaccine approach. This coupled with other lessons from studies of acute infections as well as an increasingly complex knowledge of HIV-related vaccine immunology bring hope that a vaccine solution might be reached for …

Impact Of Simultaneous Exposure To Arboviruses On Infection And Transmission By Aedes Aegypti Mosquitoes, Claudia Rückert, James Weger-Lucarelli, Selene M. Garcia-Luna, Michael C. Young, Alex D. Byas, Reyes A. Murrieta, Joseph R. Fauver, Gregory D. Ebel

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

The recent emergence of both chikungunya and Zika viruses in the Americas has significantly expanded their distribution and has thus increased the possibility that individuals may become infected by more than one Aedes aegypti-borne virus at a time. Recent clinical data support an increase in the frequency of coinfection in human patients, raising the likelihood that mosquitoes could be exposed to multiple arboviruses during one feeding episode. The impact of coinfection on the ability of relevant vector species to transmit any of these viruses (that is, their vector competence) has not been determined. Thus, we here expose Ae. aegypti mosquitoes …

We Like Fried Things: Negotiating Health, Taste And Tradition Among Spanish Caribbean Communities In New York City, Melissa Fuster

Publications and Research

The study was conducted to understand fried-food (FF) consumption among Hispanic Caribbean (HC) communities in New York City. Data were collected through qualitative interviews with 23 adults self-identified as Cuban, Dominican, or Puerto Rican. Most informants considered FFs an important part of their traditional diet. Potential explanations included taste, cost, convenience, and the emotive values attached to FF. FF consumption was contextualized in local foodscapes. Results include strategies to diminish FF consumption and differences across HC groups and migratory generations. The relevance for future nutrition interventions addressing health disparities in this community is discussed

Frequently Endorsed Cognitive And Physical Activities Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Valdiva G. Da Silva, Tangeria R. Adams, Joshua Fogel, Mindy J. Katz, Krystal E. Mendez, Laura A. Rabin

Publications and Research

Background Despite the established benefits of cognitive and physical activity, a paucity of research examines the specific activities older adults favor, particularly those meeting the nationally recommended minimum duration of > 30 minutes per session.

Material/Methods 260 non-demented, community-dwelling participants aged 70 and above self-reported the duration of their participation in 26 cognitive and physical activities during a typical week. Overall activity engagement was investigated by sex and educational level.

Results The most endorsed physical activities were walking, stretching/yoga and gardening, while the most endorsed cognitive activities were reading magazines/newspapers, reading books, and doing crosswords. Walking (p = .048), swimming (p …

A Guide To The California Immunization Registry And Its Use To Enhance The Delivery Of Immunization Services, Albert Bach, Jeffery A. Goad, Steven P. Nickell

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Pharmacists in California are assuming a greater role as independent providers of immunizations for children and adults under Senate Bill 493 (SB 493). One of the requirements for pharmacists as independent providers of immunizations in California is that they must report their administered doses to the California immunization registry system (CAIR). The National Vaccine Advisory Committee Standards for Immunization Practice also supports this practice by recommending that all immunizing providers report vaccinations to their local and state immunization information systems (IIS). This document presents background and specific features of CAIR; best practice recommendations for the use of IIS lookup, forecasting, …

Screen Time And Sleep Condition Among Selected College Students, Angela Lynn Sargent

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

College students underestimate the value of adequate sleep. The purpose of this research was to measure the relationship between students’ sleep condition and screen time usage one hour prior to bed. The participants in this study were undergraduate students, from ages 18 to 25 years of age, enrolled in spring semester 2017 at a Midwestern University. A 15-item paper survey was distributed to participants for this research (55.7% female; 42.8% male). This research found that sampled undergraduate students’ amount of sleep each night ranged from 4 to 10 hours and averaged 6.9 hours of adequate sleep each night. This finding …

Complementary And Alternative Medicine: Current Mind-Body Practices And Perceptions Of Undergraduate Students, Julia Ann Marie Putz

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the practices and perceptions undergraduate students have of complementary and alternative medicine. This study also analyzed the purpose in which students use complementary and alternative medicine. A survey was distributed to 450 students attending undergraduate classes at a large Midwestern university. The survey was developed using A Complementary Alternative Medicine Questionnaire for Young Adults by Patterson and Arthur (2009). This survey consisted of 48 questions addressing demographic information, uses of complementary and alternative medicine, mind-body practices and beliefs of complementary and alternative medicine. There was a total of 307 responses; however,14 were …

Global Health Experience In Swaziland, Anik Patel

Posters

Describes a global health learning experience at the Baylor Center of Excellence in Swaziland, where diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS and TB, along with maternal health, women's health, and adolescent care are provided.

Effects Of Instrument Handle Design On Dental Hygienists' Forearm Muscle Activity During Scaling, Jessica R. Suedbeck, Susan L. Tolle, Gayle Mccombs, Martha L. Walker, Daniel M. Russell

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 4 different commercially available instrument handle designs (A. 16 grams and 12.7 mm diameter, B. 23 grams and 11.1 mm diameter, C. 21 grams and 7.9 mm diameter and D. 18 grams and 6.35 mm diameter) on the muscle activity of four forearm muscles during a simulated scaling experience.

Methods: A convenience sample of 27 (n=27) dental hygienists used a Columbia 13/14 curet with four different instrument handles to scale artificial calculus from typodont teeth. Each participant's muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography (sEMG).

Results: Similar muscle …

Universal Coverage In Developing Countries: A Summative Evaluation Of Maternal Policies In Ghana And Burkina Faso, Kiswendsida Aida Sawadogo

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The Word Health Organization (WHO) has declared health to be a fundamental human right, yet more than 400 million people around the world do not have access to essential health services. Millions of Africans are unable to access or afford needed services without sustaining economic hardship. Sub-Saharan Africa is behind the rest of the world on coverage of essential health services such as planning, immunization, and sanitation and continues to grapple with higher rates of child mortality, maternal death, and communicable diseases. Despite bearing 25 percent of the world’s disease burden, the region only retains 3 percent of its doctors. …

Why Is Education Important In Ems?, Adriana Goad

A with Honors Projects

In EMS, education is vital. As prehospital healthcare providers, we must constantly be educating ourselves on the advances and changes that are made within our protocols and by research. Frequent renewal deadlines for the licenses we hold are put in place so that we remain competent in our skills and are up to date to the most current of standards. There is another factor to our professional need for education, and that is community education. By educating those around us, we can be a means of prevention. While EMS is our career and passion, we want nothing more than to …

Exploring Job Satisfaction And Preceptorship Capacity Among Applied Epidemiologists, Jessica C. Arrazola

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Job satisfaction is important to consider when developing strategies for recruitment and retention. The Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) conducted in 2014 was the first nationally representative assessment of the state public health workforce. Prior to this assessment, the job satisfaction of state agency public health workers and preceptor capacity had not been measured. This study fills the current research gaps by studying the job satisfaction among the applied epidemiology workforce, identifying factors influencing job satisfaction, and the describing the preceptorship capacity among epidemiologists. This research is based on the 2014 PH WINS data. The analysis …

Examining Preference Of Home-Based Telemental Health Among Rural Veterans, Paige Dixon

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Rural veterans face significant disparities to health care that have resulted in lower physical and mental health related quality of life when compared to their urban counterparts (Weeks et al., 2006). Such disparities are further complicated by the six-fold increase in prevalence of mental health diagnoses among Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans (Seal et al., 2009). These rising rates are particularly relevant to rural veterans as they represent 41% of the overall Veteran Health Administration enrollees, but only 19% of the general population (U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs, 2012; U.S. Census Bureau, 2014). Rural veterans face three …

Application Of The Misclassification Simulation Extrapolation (Mc-Simex) Procedure To Log-Logistic Accelerated Failure Time (Aft) Models In Survival Analysis, Varadan Sevilimedu

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Survival analysis is the study of time to event outcomes. Accelerated Failure Time models (AFT) serve as a useful tool in survival analysis to study the time of occurrence of an event and its relation to the covariates of interest. The accuracy of estimation of parameters in a model depends upon the correct measurement of covariates. Considering that perfect measurement of covariates is highly unlikely, it is imperative that the performance of the existing bias-correction methods be analyzed in AFT models. However, certain areas of bias-correction in AFT models still remain unexplored. One of these unexplored areas, is a situation …

The Effect Of Religious Intervention On Depression And Quality Of Life Among Indonesian Elderly: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Bayu Anggileo Pramesona

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of religious intervention on depression and quality of life among Indonesian elderly in nursing homes (NHs). Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with repeated measures. Sixty elderly residents at three NHs in three districts in Yogyakarta, Indonesia with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score of 5 to 11 were recruited and purposively assigned to the religious intervention group (combining 36 sessions of listening to Qur'anic recital and three sessions of attending a sermon by a preacher), n=30) and the control group (treatment as usual/TAU, n=30). The primary outcome was depression, measured by …

Knowledge, Attitude, And Behavior Regarding Medical Social Work Among Health Care Professionals In Oncology Hospital- Ho Chi Minh City- Vietnam, Quynh Xuan Nguyen Truong

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Understanding the knowledge, attitude and behavior of healthcare providers about medical social work is very important to understand the challenges that social worker might face in multidiscipline teams or hospital settings; and the feasibility of adopting new policies. This study is designed to investigate knowledge attitude and behavior among healthcare professional towards medical social work in Oncology hospital in Ho Chi Minh city. The data of this cross-sectional study was collected by face - to face interviews with full-time medical staffs who have working in the Oncology hospital for more than one years. Based on the literature review and previous …

Knowledge Attitude And Practice Regarding Nipah Virus Infection In Nakhon Pathom Province In Thailand, Takahiro Agari

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: Nipah virus disease is a fatal disease with high mortality rate and can cause a serious impact on public health. Due to lack of a specific agent for vaccination and treatment, prevention is crucial. However, key information for health promotion were poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to figure out knowledge, attitude and practices in the context of Nipah virus disease and identify associated factors among people living close to a roost of flying foxes. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted among people living in the villages close to the flying fox roost in Ban Luang …

Integrating Behavioral Trigger Messages Into A Mhealth System Design For Chronic Disease Management, Scott Sittig

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Recent changes in health information technology have dramatically altered the face, delivery, and management of healthcare particularly as it relates to mHealth. With increases in smart phone ownership, mHealth potentially has the ability to provide far-reaching transformation of chronic disease management particularly when aligned with behavioral change theories and persuasive technology. MHealth applications have an advantage over computers and various print communications as the consumer can engage with the application at any time and at any location. The Interactive Health Communication Application (IHCA) states that by combining support mechanisms such as behavior change theories into electronic devices as a method …

An Analysis Of The Physiological And Psychological Wellbeing Of Irish Naval Service Personnel, Cliodhna Sargent

Theses

Whilst all military cohorts have been seen to experience both physiological and psychological stressors during occupational duties, the naval service experience different stressors due the prolonged periods of time spent at sea. Research has analysed some of these stressors however many them have focused on how individuals are affected because of time spent in combat zones. The Irish Naval Service (INS) is an organisation under the Irish Defence Forces organisation and as such many of its physiological and psychological assessment procedures have come from the Defenee Forces. Very limited researeh has been carried out in relation to the INS as …

Farm Deaths And Injuries: Changing Farmer Attitudes And Behaviour On Farm Safety, Kieran O'Connell

Theses

While the Irish agricultural sector accounts for just 6% of the working population of Ireland, it consistently has the highest proportion of fatal incidents of any sector - generally ranging from between 35% and 45% of all workplace fatalities in any given year (Health and Safety Authority, 2015). This was again evident in 2014 where 55% (30 of the 56) of the fatal workplace incidents were in the agricultural sector (Health and Safety Authority, 2015). Agriculture has an ageing workforce with the average age of an Irish farmer now standing at fifty-seven and farmers are eight times more likely to …

Physical Activity And Sedentary Behaviors In Urban Chinese Children: Grade Level Prevalence And Academic Burden Associations, Xihe Zhu, Justin A. Haegele, Yan Tang, Xueping Wu

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

The objectives of this study were (a) to report grade level prevalence in physical activity and sedentary behaviors and (b) to examine academic burden associations with these behaviors. School-aged children (n = 48,118) reported their physical activity, perception of physical activity sufficiency, factors for activity insufficiency, homework hours, and screen time in a typical week. Data were analyzed using general linear models and logistic regression models of Complex Samples. Prevalence results showed that children had lower physical activity and lower screen viewing time, but higher homework time during transition grades (6th, 9th, and 12th) and high school years. Academic burden …

A Neighborhood-Wide Association Study (Nwas): Example Of Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness, Shannon M. Lynch, Nandita Mitra, Michelle Ross, Craig Newcomb, Karl Dailey, Tara Jackson, Charnita M. Zeigler-Johnson, Harold Riethman

School of Medical Diagnostics & Translational Sciences Publications

Purpose

Cancer results from complex interactions of multiple variables at the biologic, individual, and social levels. Compared to other levels, social effects that occur geospatially in neighborhoods are not as well-studied, and empiric methods to assess these effects are limited. We propose a novel Neighborhood-Wide Association Study(NWAS), analogous to genome-wide association studies(GWAS), that utilizes high-dimensional computing approaches from biology to comprehensively and empirically identify neighborhood factors associated with disease.

Methods

Pennsylvania Cancer Registry data were linked to U.S. Census data. In a successively more stringent multiphase approach, we evaluated the association between neighborhood (n = 14,663 census variables) and prostate …

Workplace Violence And Hospital Security Programs: Regulatory Compliance, Program Benchmarks, Innovative Strategies, James D. Blando, Maryalice Nocera, Marilyn L. Ridenour, Daniel Hartley

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

The authors describe the issue of workplace violence in hospitals, a New Jersey state law and regulations regarding workplace violence in healthcare, and some innovative strategies that are being utilized to help reduce the occurrence and risk of violence. The authors also discuss compliance with the New Jersey regulations.

Sex Education In Montana Schools: An Assessment Of The Needs Of Sexual And Gender Minority Youth, Elizabeth A. Redinger, Annie Sondag

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Youth are particularly vulnerable to infection from HIV and STIs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, youth between the ages of 13 and 24 accounted for about 26% of all new HIV transmission cases in the United States in 2010, In young MSM specifically, there was a 22% increase in new infections from 2008 to 2010 (CDC, 2015). Education is one of the factors that plays a role in sexual health practices starting in high schools, yet in Montana there is no clear set of guidelines as to what is covered during sex education classes in the …

Lgbtq-Inclusive Sexuality Education In Montana Public High Schools: An Assessment Of The Needs Of Health Enhancement Teachers, Andrew G. Johnson

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

BACKGROUND

LGBTQ youth face many unique health challenges. Rates of depression and suicide are exponentially higher for LGBTQ youth than for their heterosexual, cisgender peers. Rates of HIV and STI infection are rising among this demographic. Comprehensive sexuality education has demonstrated the potential to address some of these health challenges. Specifically, it has been shown to delay the onset of sexual intercourse, and to reduce pregnancy and transmission rates of HIV and STIs among youth. Several studies have looked at LGBTQ-inclusive sexuality education from the perspective of LGBTQ students, but few have looked at this issue from the perspective of …

Self Reported Knowledge Of Concussion Symptoms And Management By Middle And High School Club Lacrosse Coaches, Logan Ellis

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

TITLE: Self-reported knowledge of concussion symptoms and management by middle and high school club lacrosse coaches

AUTHORS: Logan Ellis

BACKGROUND: With an increase in sport participation across all levels, concussion prevalence has increased as well as reliance on coaches to recognize a concussed player. Little research has been done investigating how effective our current educational materials are with Lacrosse coaches of grades 6-12.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross- Sectional

LEVEL of EVIDENCE: Level 4

METHODS: Self-administered, online survey that included closed ended questions regarding recognition of signs and symptoms, consequences of inappropriate care, perception of own knowledge, …