Public Health Commons^™

Climate Change And Resulting Floods: Using Social Capital To Strengthen Community Resilience In Eastwick, Philadelphia A Known Floodplain, Natasha Bagwe, Md, Mph, Richard Pepino, Phd, Mss, Erin Johnson, Mph, Msn, Rn, Julie Becker, Phd, Mph

College of Population Health Posters

• Climate change will produce intense weather events like increased precipitation and flooding

• Based on climate projections, Philadelphia will be hotter and wetter, and will experience more frequent and intense weather events (OOS, 2016)

•Floods are the second most common hazards in our city (OEM, 2017)

• Vulnerable population such as children, people of color, elderly population and people with disability are severely impacted by climate change

Poster presented at AHPA conference in Atlanta Georgia, United States.

Environmental Health News, Georgia Southern University

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Student Wins Presentation Award at Southeast SETAC
• Georgia Southern Examines Aerosolized Bacteria and Microbial Activity in Dental Clinics

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Georgia Southern Assesses Training Needs and Competency Gaps In Food Protection Staff
• Georgia Southern Student Wins Presentation Award at Southeast SETAC
• Georgia Southern Examines Aerosolized Bacteria and Microbial Activity in Dental Clinics

Health Policy & Management News, Georgia Southern University

Health Policy & Community Health: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Assesses Training Needs and Competency Gaps in Food Protection Staff

Predicting Hand Surface Area From A Two-Dimensional Hand Tracing, Myles O'Mara

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Recent occupational health studies have focused on dermal exposure at the hands, but have been unable to accurately express dose without knowing the HSA. There is no standard method to calculate HSA, though some researchers have derived HSA formulas based on dimensions from a Taiwanese population. This research paper describes a shortcut method to estimate the hand surface area (HSA) of a human hand from a two-dimensional hand tracing, and repeated a Taiwanese HSA study in order to explore the viability of its HSA formula in an American university population. A sample of nine adult men and nine adult women, …

An Exploration Of Social Determinants Of Health Constructs As Potential Mediators Between Disability And Condom Usage, Karina Pineda

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

There is limited knowledge on the sexual health behaviors of young adults with physical disabilities, as people with disabilities have traditionally been treated homogenously without acknowledgement of the potential differences between disability types. The objective of this study was twofold. The first goal was to take a novel approach by guidance of the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) framework to compare how young adults with physical disabilities compare against those without physical disabilities in: 1) vaginal sexual activity, 2) condom usage, and 3) the effect of SDOH factors as potential mediators in predicting unprotected vaginal sex. Relatedly, the second goal …

College Students, Experiences On Smart Phone Technology Usage: A Qualitative Content Analysis Study, Fatemeh Jafarzadeh-Kenarsari, Parand Pourghane

The Qualitative Report

Besides many benefits of the cell phone technology, numerous arguments are raised on the different and important negative effects of such a technology. This qualitative content analysis study explored the common usages of smart phone technology, its challenges, and benefits among Iranian college students. Participants were 32 bachelor degree students who were recruited using purposive sampling method with maximum variation. Data were collected through 11 individual semi-structured interviews and 3 focus group discussions (5-8 students in each group). Data analysis was done based on a conventional content analysis approach. Data analysis resulted in 3 main themes and 12 sub-themes. The …

"Active Team" A Social And Gamified App-Based Physical Activity Intervention: Randomised Controlled Trial Study Protocol, Sarah Edney, Ronald Plotnikoff, Corneel Vandelanotte, Tim Olds, Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij, Jillian Ryan, Carol Maher

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

Physical inactivity is a leading preventable cause of chronic disease and premature death globally, yet over half of the adult Australian population is inactive. To address this, web-based physical activity interventions, which have the potential to reach large numbers of users at low costs, have received considerable attention. To fully realise the potential of such interventions, there is a need to further increase their appeal to boost engagement and retention, and sustain intervention effects over longer periods of time. This randomised controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a gamified physical activity intervention that connects users to each …

Hospice Utilization Of Medicare Beneficiaries In Hawai‘I Compared To Other States, Deborah Taira, Merle Kataoka-Yahiro, Angela Sy

Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal

The objective is to examine hospice utilization among Medicare beneficiaries in Hawai‘i compared to other states. Data were from the 2014 Medicare Hospice Utilization and Payment Public Use File, which included information on 4,025 hospice providers, more than 1.3 million hospice beneficiaries, and over $15 billion in Medicare payments. Multivariable linear regression models were estimated to compare hospice utilization in Hawai‘i to that of other states. Control variables included age, gender, and type of Medicare coverage. Medicare beneficiaries using hospice in Hawai‘i differed significantly from beneficiaries in other states in several ways. Hawai‘i beneficiaries were more likely to be Asian …

Guide Lines Vol. I, Issue 11 - November 2017, College Of Health And Human Services

GUIDE Lines

Periodic Newsletter of the Governors State University - University of Illinois, Chicago - Disparities Education Cancer research training and education project (The GUIDE Project).

Pilot Test Results Of A Video-Based Hiv Intervention For Chinese College Students In The United States, Wei-Chen Tung, Minggen Lu, Rudolph Rull, Wei Yang

Faculty Publications

Background: No culturally relevant and appropriate HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) programs are available to Chinese college students in the United States. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a translated Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) intervention, Video Opportunities for Innovative Condom Education and Safer Sex (VOICES), to change condom use intention and self-efficacy, perceived benefits and barriers, and HIV/AIDS knowledge among Chinese students in a U.S. university. The VOICES program includes video viewing and a facilitated small-group discussion.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design with single-group pretest-posttest was conducted in Chinese. Chinese students (N=67) from a local university were recruited to …

Assessing The Public Health Impact Of The Mhealth App Business, Nicholas Freudenberg

Publications and Research

Do mobile health applications (mHealth apps) promise solutions to such pressing public health problems as increasing access to care, reducing inequalities in health, lowering health care costs, and providing people with new tools to reduce risky behavior and manage chronic diseases? To answer this question, public health professionals and researchers need to examine how the more than 259 000 mHealth apps now available in the US market contribute to improved population health now and will in the future.

In this issue of AJPH, Grundy et al. (p. 1783) provide evidence that may temper the often uncritically enthusiastic response to …

Combustion-Derived Nanoparticles, The Neuroenteric System, Cervical Vagus, Hyperphosphorylated Alpha Synuclein And Tau In Young Mexico City Residents, Lilian Calderón-Garcidueñas, Rafael Reynoso-Robles, Beatriz Pérez-Guillé, Partha S. Mukherjee, Angélica Gónzalez-Maciel

Mathematics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mexico City (MC) young residents are exposed to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), have high frontal concentrations of combustion-derived nanoparticles (CDNPs), accumulation of hyperphosphorylated aggregated α-synuclein (α-Syn) and early Parkinson's disease (PD). Swallowed CDNPs have easy access to epithelium and submucosa, damaging gastrointestinal (GI) barrier integrity and accessing the enteric nervous system (ENS). This study is focused on the ENS, vagus nerves and GI barrier in young MC v clean air controls. Electron microscopy of epithelial, endothelial and neural cells and immunoreactivity of stomach and vagus to phosphorylated ɑ-synuclein Ser129 and Hyperphosphorylated-Tau (Htau) …

Hospitalization Rates And Predictors Of Rehospitalization Among Individuals With Advanced Cancer In The Year After Diagnosis, Robin Whitney, Janice Bell, Daniel Tancredi, Patrick Romano, Richard Bold, Jill Joseph

Faculty Publications

PurposeAmong individuals with advanced cancer, frequent hospitalization increasingly is viewed as a hallmark of poor-quality care. We examined hospitalization rates and individual- and hospital-level predictors of rehospitalization among individuals with advanced cancer in the year after diagnosis.MethodsIndividuals diagnosed with advanced breast, colorectal, non–small-cell lung, or pancreatic cancer from 2009 to 2012 (N = 25,032) were identified with data from the California Cancer Registry (CCR). After linkage with inpatient discharge data, multistate and log-linear Poisson regression models were used to calculate hospitalization rates and to model rehospitalization in the year after diagnosis, accounting for survival.ResultsIn the year after diagnosis, 71% of …

Evaluating Patient Preferences For Different Incentive Programs To Optimize Pharmacist-Provided Patient Care Program Enrollment, Daniel M. Tomaszewski, Tim Cernohaus, Rajiv Vaidyanathan

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

BACKGROUND: Employers have increased efforts to engage employees in health and wellness programs. Providing employees with incentives to participate in these programs has been shown to improve overall enrollment and engagement. One program that has had challenges with enrollment and engagement is medication therapy management (MTM).

OBJECTIVES: To (a) determine how individuals evaluate different financial incentives to improve participation in an MTM program and (b) measure the effect of participant characteristics on incentive preference.

METHODS: This study was composed of a paper-based survey administered to participants after focus group sessions. Participants included MTMeligible beneficiaries from 2 employer groups and included …

Factors Associated With Fatalities In Production Agriculture, Moses New-Aaron, Jessica Semin, Risto Rautiainen, Murray Madsen

Posters and Presentations: College of Public Health

Background: Studying the work environment and demographics of agricultural workers involved in fatal incidents can provide valuable information on the cause of fatalities and lead to better prevention measures.

Objectives: To determine populations at risk of fatalities and the determinants of fatalities in production agriculture.

Method: Agricultural injury and fatality data were obtained from Press clippings and Google alerts covering seven Midwest States (SD, ND, MN, IA, NE, KS and MO). Google Alerts were collected based on key words including: “farm accident”, “farm incident”, “farm death”, “ranch accident”, ”ranch incident”, “ranch death”, “ATV farm death”, “ATV ranch death”, “livestock death”, …

Organic Solvent Exposure And Depressive Symptoms Among Licensed Pesticide Applicators In The Agricultural Health Study, Miriam Siegel, Sarah E. Starks, Wayne T. Sanderson, Freya Kamel, Jane A. Hoppin, Fred Gerr

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Purpose

Although organic solvents are often used in agricultural operations, neurotoxic effects of solvent exposure have not been extensively studied among farmers. The current analysis examined associations between questionnaire-based metrics of organic solvent exposure and depressive symptoms among farmers.

Methods

Results from 692 male Agricultural Health Study participants were analyzed. Solvent type and exposure duration were assessed by questionnaire. An “ever-use” variable and years of use categories were constructed for exposure to gasoline, paint/lacquer thinner, petroleum distillates, and any solvent. Depressive symptoms were ascertained with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D); scores were analyzed separately as continuous (0–60) …

A Rural/Urban Comparison Of Privacy And Confidentiality Concerns Associated With Providing Sensitive Location Information In Epidemiologic Research Involving Persons Who Use Drugs, Abby E. Rudolph, April M. Young, Jennifer R. Havens

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background—Analyses that link contextual factors with individual-level data can improve our understanding of the "risk environment"; however, the accuracy of information provided by participants about locations where illegal/stigmatized behaviors occur may be influenced by privacy/confidentiality concerns that may vary by setting and/or data collection approach.

Methods—We recruited thirty-five persons who use drugs from a rural Appalachian town and a Mid-Atlantic city to participate in in-depth interviews. Through thematic analyses, we identified and compared privacy/confidentiality concerns associated with two survey methods that (1) collect self-reported addresses/cross-streets and (2) use an interactive web-based map to find/confirm locations in rural and …

Evaluation Of A Horizontal Lifeline System, Anchorage Connectors And Braced Trusses As Hos Structure For Residential Roofing Work, André Lan, Bertrand Galy

Rapports de recherche scientifique

La pose de fermes de toit présente particulièrement des risques et des dangers de chute pour les travailleurs de la construction parce qu’elle se fait en hauteur et dans des conditions difficiles. Les travailleurs, en équilibre précaire sur la charpente, risquent de perdre l’équilibre et/ou de chuter lors de la pose des fermes. Pour protéger ses travailleurs contre les chutes de hauteur lors de la pose de fermes, de contreplaqués et de bardeaux, un entrepreneur de construction domiciliaire a récemment développé un système de corde d’assurance horizontale (SCAH) constitué de deux potelets en aluminium et d’un câble en acier en …

Examining The Need & Potential For Biomedical Engineering To Strengthen Health Care Delivery For Displaced Populations & Victims Of Conflict, Devika Nadkarni, Imad Elhajj, Zaher Dawy, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Muhammad H. Zaman

Faculty Publications

Conflict and the subsequent displacement of populations creates unique challenges in the delivery of quality health care to the affected population. Equitable access to quality care demands a multi-pronged strategy with a growing need, and role, for technological innovation to address these challenges. While there have been significant contributions towards alleviating the burden of conflict via data informatics and analytics, communication technology, and geographic information systems, little has been done within biomedical engineering. This article elaborates on the causes for gaps in biomedical innovation for refugee populations affected by conflict, tackles preconceived notions, takes stock of recent developments in promising …

Association Of Vitamin D Binding Protein Polymorphism With Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In A Pakistani Urban Population: A Case Control Study, Khalida Iqbal, Najmul Islam, Iqbal Azam, Ali Asghar, Naseema Mehboobali, Mohammad Perwaiz Iqbal

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: To assess if genotypes/diplotypes of vitamin D binding protein have any association with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted from January 2013 to July 2015 at the endocrinology clinics of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised adult patients with type 2 diabetes and their age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Venous blood was obtained and assessed for serum/plasma 25 hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, alkaline phosphatase and creatinine. Deoxyribonucleic acid was isolated and genotyping was done by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphismprocedures.
Results: Of the 330 participants, there were 165(50%) …

Partner Relationships And Injection Sharing Practices Among Rural Appalachian Women, Michele Staton, Justin C. Strickland, Martha Tillson, Carl Leukefeld, J. Matthew Webster, Carrie B. Oser

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Background—The role of relationships in initiating and maintaining women’s risk behaviors has been established. However, understanding factors that may underlie partner relationships and women’s risky drug use, particularly in rural contexts, is limited. This study is the first to examine the association between injecting partners and women’s risky injection practices as a function of relationship power perception.

Methods—Female participants were recruited from three rural jails in the Appalachian region. Women were randomly selected, provided informed consent, and screened for study eligibility criteria. This cross-sectional analysis focuses on women who inject drugs (WWID) during the year before entering jail …

Reducing The Rate Of Cesarean Delivery On Maternal Request Through Institutional And Policy Interventions In Wenzhou, China, Yushan Yu, Xiangyang Zhang, Caixia Sun, Huijie Zhou, Qi Zhang, Chun Chen

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of institutional and policy interventions on reducing the rate of cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR) in Wenzhou, China. Institutional interventions included health education, painless delivery introduction, and doula care. Additionally, a series of health policies were developed by the Chinese central and local governments to control cesarean section rates, mostly through controlling CDMR rates. We conducted a pre-/post-intervention study using 131,312 deliveries between 2006 and 2014 in three tertiary-level public hospitals in Wenzhou, China. Chi-square tests and predictive models were used to examine changes in the CDMR rate before …

Demystifying Research: Accessing & Understanding Evidence For Clinical Practice, Kimberly A. Murphy, Meredith Poore Harold, Mary Huston

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

The demands on clinicians for evidence-based practice (EBP) are great. However, many speech-language pathologists have received little to no training in how to ‘do’ EBP. In this presentation, we aim to describe and provide practical suggestions for two of the steps in EBP—accessing, then reading and interpreting research to inform clinical decision-making. Our goal is to give clinicians the tools and confidence they need to grow into expert clinicians.

Learner Outcome 1: Describe the components of evidence-based practice (EBP)

Learner Outcome 2: Identify ways to access research

Learner Outcome 3: Identify steps in reading and evaluating the …

Comparison Of Respondent-Reported And Sensor-Recorded Latrine Utilization Measures In Rural Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study, Maryann G. Delea, Corey L. Nagel, Evan A. Thomas, Amal K. Halder, Nuhu Amin, Abul K. Shoab, Matthew C. Freeman, Leanne Unicomb, Thomas F. Clasen

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Health improvements realized through sanitation are likely achieved through high levels of facilities utilization by all household members. However, measurements of sanitation often rely on either the presence of latrines, which does not guarantee use, or respondent-reported utilization of sanitation facilities, which is prone to response bias. Overstatement of sanitation metrics limits the accuracy of program outcome measures, and has implications for the interpretation of related health impact data.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 213 households in 14 village water, sanitation and hygiene committee clusters throughout rural Bangladesh and used a combined data- and relationship-scale approach …

Teaching Undergraduate Students To Visualize And Communicate Public Health Data With Infographics, Justin D. Shanks, Betty Izumi, Christina J. Sun, Allea Martin, Carmen Byker Shanks

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

The purpose of this study was to explore the degree to which an infographic assignment facilitated student learning around health science issues, as well as the ways in which the assignment was an effective teaching tool. The objectives of the assignment were to (1) understand the purposes of and potential uses for infographics, (2) cultivate creative visual communication skills, and (3) disseminate a complex health topic to diverse audiences. The infographic assignment was developed at Montana State University and piloted at Portland State University. Students were assigned to small groups of three or four to create an infographic focused on …

Factors Associated With Hiv Testing Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men In Myanmar: A Cross-Sectional Study, Minh D. Pham, Poe Poe Aung, Aye Kyawt Paing, Naanki Pasricha, Paul A. Agius, Waimar Tun, Ashish Bajracharya, Stanley Luchters

Population Health, East Africa

Introduction: In Myanmar, men who have sex with men (MSM) experience high risk of HIV infection. However, access to HIV testing and prevention services remains a challenge among this marginalized population. The objective of this study was to estimate population prevalence and correlates of prior HIV testing among young MSM (YMSM) and informs the development of HIV testing and intervention programmes that respond to the specific needs of this population.

Methods: Five hundred and eighty-five YMSM aged 18 to 24 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in a cross-sectional survey conducted in six townships of Myanmar. RDS-adjusted population estimates …

A Nationwide Study On The Prevalence Of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders In School-Children., Miguel Saps, Jairo Enrique Moreno-Gomez, Carmen Rossy Ramírez-Hernández, John M. Rosen, C A. Velasco-Benitez

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Introduction: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are highly prevalent worldwide and are thought to result from the interplay of multiple factors that can vary from region to region. Nationwide studies can help understand the regional epidemiology and the pathogenesis of FGIDs. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of FGIDs in school-children of Colombia and assess associated factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at twelve private and public schools in ten cities distributed through the four main geographic regions of Colombia. School-children completed a validated questionnaire to assess functional gastrointestinal disorders according to Rome III criteria. …

Modifiers Of The Effect Of Maternal Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation On Stillbirth, Birth Outcomes, And Infant Mortality: A Meta-Analysis Of Individual Patient Data From 17 Randomised Trials In Low-Income And Middle-Income Countries, Emily R. Smith, Anuraj H. Shankar, Lee S-F Wu, Said Aboud, Seth Adu Afarwuah, Hasmot Ali, Rina Agustina, Shams Arifeen, Per Ashorn, Arjumand Rizvi

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies are common among women in low-income and middle-income countries. Data from randomised trials suggest that maternal multiple micronutrient supplementation decreases the risk of low birthweight and potentially improves other infant health outcomes. However, heterogeneity across studies suggests influence from effect modifiers. We aimed to identify individual-level modifiers of the effect of multiple micronutrient supplements on stillbirth, birth outcomes, and infant mortality in low-income and middle-income countries.
Methods: This two-stage meta-analysis of individual patient included data from 17 randomised controlled trials done in 14 low-income and middle-income countries, which compared multiple micronutrient supplements containing iron-folic acid versus iron-folic …

Health Nutrition In Murray, Ky, Tiya-Toonse Muuka

Scholars Week

Health nutrition in Murray KY

There are many health related issues that affect a community. One of those issues that affect Murray, KY is the poor nutrition. People are uneducated or ignorant to some of the health issues in their community because they do not take the time to find out. Learning more about health nutrition could be easier for all age groups. Some people are not equipped with the best education, but are still able to get educated by using local resources. In Murray, there are three places someone could find more information about nutrition. Those places include the …