Public Health Commons^™

Congenital Chagas Disease In The United States: The Effect Of Commercially Priced Benznidazole On Costs And Benefits Of Maternal Screening, Victoria Perez-Zetune, Stephanie R. Bialek, Susan P. Montgomery, Eileen Stillwaggon

Economics Faculty Publications

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is transmitted by insect vectors, and through transfusions, transplants, insect feces in food, and mother to child during gestation. An estimated 30% of infected persons will develop lifelong, potentially fatal cardiac or digestive complications. Treatment of infants with benznidazole is highly efficacious in eliminating infection. This work evaluates the costs of maternal screening and infant testing and treatment for Chagas disease in the United States, including the cost of commercially available benznidazole. We compare costs of testing and treatment for mothers and infants with the lifetime societal costs without testing and consequent morbidity and …

Shedding Light On Endometriosis: Patient And Provider Perspectives On A Challenging Disease, Madalene Zale, Emily Lambert, Marianna Lanoue, Amy E. Leader

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Background: Endometriosis is a serious yet understudied medical condition impacting millions of women worldwide.

Methods: This mixed methods study aimed to understand health care provider perceptions and patient experiences with endometriosis in the United States. Providers were surveyed to assess their understanding of disease prevalence. A subset of providers also participated in short, open-ended interviews about treating patients who have or are suspected to have endometriosis. Interviews were also conducted with women diagnosed with endometriosis to understand their experiences with the disease. Means and frequencies were calculated for survey data; interviews were transcribed and separately analyzed by two coders using …

Introduction Of Dmpa-Sc Self-Injection In Ghana: A Feasibility And Acceptability Study Using Sayana® Press, Dela Nai, Patrick Aboagye, Kamil Fuseini, Elizabeth Tobey, Aparna Jain, Nora Maresh, Rebecca Fertziger

Reproductive Health

This research report describes results from an implementation science study that explored the feasibility and acceptability of administering depot medroxyprogesterone acetate-subcutaneous (DMPA-SC) among health-care providers and family planning (FP) clients in Ghana. DMPA-SC is an injectable contraceptive method that can be self-administered. The study, conducted by the Population Council through the USAID-funded Evidence Project in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, was implemented in rural, peri-urban, and urban areas of the Ashanti and Volta regions. A total of 150 health-care providers were trained to administer DMPA-SC and to train clients on self-injection. Clients assessed as being competent self-injected under the …

Test–Retest Reliability And Minimal Detectable Change Of Corticospinal Tract Integrity In Chronic Stroke, Allison F. Lewis, Makenzie Myers, Jenny Heiser, Jessica F. Baird, Jill C. Stewart

Faculty Publications

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can be used to index white matter integrity of the corticospinal tract (CST) after stroke; however, the psychometric properties of DTI‐based measures of white matter integrity are unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine test–retest reliability as determined by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and calculate minimal detectable change (MDC) of DTI‐based measures of CST integrity using three different approaches: a Cerebral Peduncle approach, a Probabilistic Tract approach, and a Tract Template approach. Eighteen participants with chronic stroke underwent DTI on the same magnetic resonance imaging scanner 4 days apart. For the Cerebral Peduncle approach, …

Comparison Of The Id Now Influenza A & B 2, Cobas Influenza A/B, And Xpert Xpress Flu Point-Of-Care Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests For Influenza A/B Virus Detection In Children, Neena Kanwar, Jeff Michael, Kathryn Doran, Emily Montgomery, Rangaraj Selvarangan

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

© 2020 Kanwar et al. Early diagnosis of influenza (Flu) is critical for patient management and infection control. The ID Now influenza A & B 2 (ID Now) assay (Abbott Laboratories), Cobas influenza A/B nucleic acid test (LIAT; Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.), and Xpert Xpress Flu (Xpert; Cepheid) are rapid, point-of-care molecular assays for Flu virus detection. The study aim was to compare the performances of these three commercially available Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-waived Flu virus assays. We prospectively enrolled 201 children platforms, as per the manufacturers' instructions. CDC Flu A/B PCR was used as a reference method to …

Factors Associated With Referring Close Contacts To An App With Individually-Tailored Vaccine Information, Matthew Z. Dudley, Rupali J. Limaye, Saad B. Omer, Sean T. O'Leary, Mallory K. Ellingson, Christine I. Spina, Sarah E. Brewer, Allison T. Chamberlain, Robert A. Bednarczyk, Fauzia Malik, Paula M. Frew, Daniel A. Salmon

School of Public Health Faculty Research

Background: Infants too young to be fully vaccinated are vulnerable to potentially deadly influenza and pertussis infections. The cocooning strategy limits this risk by vaccinating those likely to interact with the infant and mother during this vulnerable time, such as close friends and family members. Distribution of accurate and accessible vaccine information through existing social networks could be an important tool in increasing vaccine confidence and coverage. Methods: We surveyed 1095 pregnant women from diverse prenatal care practices in Georgia and Colorado. These women were surveyed through a mobile app to assess vaccine intentions, attitudes, beliefs, norms, and levels of …

Surveillance Of Culex And Aedes Mosquitoes In Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, William Noundou

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In 2018, West Nile virus (WNV) was identified as the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. In response to this very serious problem, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Public Health Department (LLCHD) reinforced their mosquito surveillance program, which constitutes one of the best available tools to fight against this serious threat to human health. The objectives of this study were to 1) expand knowledge of the activity and relative abundance of mosquito communities in understudied areas and 2) evaluate differences in mosquito communities by urban and rural location, especially focusing on known vector species. A total of 6 …

Comparison Of Signaling Profiles In The Low Dose Range Following Low And High Let Radiation, Deepa M. Sridharan, Lung-Chang Chien, Francis A. Cucinotta, Janice M. Pluth

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

During space travel astronauts will be exposed to a very low, mixed field of radiation containing different high LET particles of varying energies, over an extended period. Thus, defining how human cells respond to these complex low dose exposures is important in ascertaining risk. In the current study, we have chosen to investigate how low doses of three different ion's at various energies uniquely change the kinetics of three different phospho-proteins. A normal hTERT immortalized fibroblast cell line, 82–6, was exposed to a range of lower doses (0.05–0.5 Gy) of radiation of different qualities and energies (Si 1000 MeV/u, Si …

Everyone Loves Gummi Bears! Removing The Intimidation Factor From Research Data Management With Yummy Fun., Dawn N. Cannon-Rech, Jeffrey M. Mortimore

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

How do you get students excited about research data management and attract over 70 participants to a voluntary workshop? How do you get Librarians excited about teaching a research data management workshop to undergraduates? With the promise of Gummi Bears and hands-on fun! During this workshop session, presenters will break down their experience overhauling a faculty workshop into an active learning session to expose students of all experience levels to basic research data management concepts and techniques. Presenters will walk participants through their design process from inception to delivery, highlighting how Gummi Bears lessened students’ intimidation with this complex topic …

Woodi Health Hub: Promoting Health Information Literacy To Students In The Atlanta University Center, Rosaline Y. Odom

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

“Health Literacy is defined as the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.” National initiatives call for improved health literacy as a means of addressing ongoing health disparities in the U.S. Low health literacy is linked to a poorer overall health status and higher risk of death among at-risk populations. Vulnerable populations include older adults, immigrant populations, minority populations and low income populations. College years are a time when young adults transition from parental control to independence and face new challenges, stressors and messages …

A Longitudinal, Randomized And Controlled Study Of App-Delivered Mindfulness In The Workplace, Jennifer S. Mascaro, Kathryn Wehrmeyer, Veronica Mahathre, Alana Darcher

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Workplace mindfulness meditation programs are of great interest for improving employee well-being and job performance, fueled in part by the apparent effectiveness of mindfulness meditation as well as by the recent proliferation of mobile mindfulness applications (apps) that can be incorporated into a workplace setting. It is critical to examine the facilitators and barriers to engaging with app-delivered mindfulness in the workplace to understand how biological, psychological, and socio-demographic variables impact practice time.

Methods: Using a longitudinal and randomized controlled design, we explored facilitators of and barriers to practicing app-delivered mindfulness in the workplace among predominately non-white call center …

Lack Of Food Access And Food Consumption Patterns Of Late Midlife Women In Southeast Michigan, Sarah S. Bassiouni, Ebony M. White, Carrie Karvonen-Gutierrez, Sioban D. Harlow

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Background: Food access is a key social determinant of health for older adults at high risk of chronic disease and physical disability.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis examined correlates of food access and the relationship between food access and food consumption characteristics in a sample of 316 late midlife women from Southeast Michigan in 2015-2016.

Results: Lack of food access, defined as access to self-perceived adequate grocery shopping resources in one’s neighborhood, was reported by 20.9% of women. Women who reported lack of food access were less likely to report making meals at home (p=0.02) and had less frequent consumption of …

Evaluating The Needs Of Cancer Survivors Through Focus Groups And Surveillance Data, Maria George Mph, Taylor Seaton Ms, Debbie Webster Bsn, Rn, Lmsw, Diana Haggerty Ms

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Abstract:

Introduction

As cancer prevention and treatment advances, cancer survival rates continue to increase. The growing population of cancer survivors have unique needs that must be addressed to improve quality of life throughout the cancer-care continuum.

Methods

Using data compiled from the 2015 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (MiBRFS), the Cancer Registry, and focus groups, several areas of need amongst cancer survivors were identified.

Results

In focus groups cancer survivors identified the 27 needs that fell into three categories: improving health-related behavior, utilizing health care services, and receiving emotional support. The MiBRFS provided population estimates for 10 of the 27 …

The Burden Of Chronic Health Conditions Among Iraqi Refugees In Michigan, Melissa M. Reznar Phd, Mph, Florence J. Dallo Phd, Mph, Andrew J. Kurecka Mph, Julie J. Ruterbusch Mph, Kendra Schwartz Md, Msph, Madiha Tariq Mph

Michigan Journal of Public Health

The vast majority of refugees in Michigan is from Iraq, and yet the health status of this population is not well defined. The purpose of this study was to describe chronic disease prevalence of Iraqi refugees and examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and chronic disease. This study reviewed medical charts of 613 Iraqi refugees to examine the association between demographic characteristics and chronic conditions. The dependent variables were body mass index, non-fasting blood glucose, and history of hypertension and diabetes. The independent variables were birth place, age, sex, and smoking history. Men were 3.99 times (95% CI=1.88, 8.48) as likely …

Medicaid Home Visitation And Maternal And Infant Care And Health: A Reassessment Of Program Effectiveness, Cristian Meghea, Zhiying You, Jennifer E. Raffo, Lee Anne Roman

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Introduction: The Maternal Infant Health Program, MIHP, is Michigan's largest home visiting program for Medicaid-eligible pregnant women and infants. Prior quasi-experimental propensity score matched MIHP evaluations were limited by the possibility of selection bias due to the limited available baseline characteristics. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of MIHP including previously unobserved baseline characteristics to mitigate the possibility of selection bias.

Methods: We analyzed health care and outcomes of mothers and their infants using linked administrative and screening data. All Medicaid pregnant women with a singleton birth in Michigan between 2009 and 2012 who were prenatally …

An Evaluation Of The Michigan State Loan Repayment Program, Dennis Tsilimingras, Wanda Gibson-Scipio, Ramona Benkert, Leon Hudson, Xuefeng Liu, Liying Zhang, Thomas Reed, Tsveti Markova

Michigan Journal of Public Health

No abstract provided.

Preventive Primary Care Screening Patterns After Provider Ehr Adoption For Michigan Medicaid Adults, William D. Corser 9183470, Zhiying You, John Hazewinkel

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Introduction

It remains largely unknown how use of electronic health records (EHR) impacts ordering of preventive/screening services (PSS). These analyses examined the influence of confirmed Medicaid provider EHR adoption on primary care ordering rates of five major PSS. Sample was comprised of 10,149 continuously enrolled Michigan Medicaid adults linked to 6,587 providers.

Methods

The authors obtained complete office-based billing claims data from the Michigan Medicaid Data Warehouse for adults with 29 or more months of continuous state Medicaid coverage. PSS claims data were linked to patients’ Medicaid-assigned providers who either had, or had not, EHR-attested during the 60-month analytic window. …

Letter From The President, Roger Racine

Michigan Journal of Public Health

No abstract provided.

Letter From The Editor, Greg Cline

Michigan Journal of Public Health

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Models For Evaluation And Transfer Of Patients With Suspected Large Vessel Occlusions, Edward Jauch, Parita Bhuva, Alex Schneider, Jason Thurman, Josh Lewis, Kathryn Mccarthy, Debra Philpot, Robin Jones, Albert Yoo, Don Frei

Neurology

Introduction: Mechanisms for the hospital identification of patients with suspected large vessel occlusions (LVO) vary widely based on referring and receiving stroke center resources. We compared processes for identifying patients with suspected LVO who may be candidates for endovascular therapy (EVT) at non-EVT hospitals and the criteria for interfacility transport to Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSC) for potential EVT. Methods: Data were obtained from 4 CSC which serve distinct geographic regions, ranging from rural to urban environments, over a continuous 12 month period of time beginning year 2018. Patients transferred from all referring hospitals to these facilities were considered regardless of …

Reflections From Five Years Of Research On Fgm/C, Lori S. Ashford, Reshma Naik, Charlotte Greenbaum

Reproductive Health

From 2015 to 2019, the Evidence to End FGM/C research consortium took a fresh approach to examining the longstanding practice of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). The African-led program developed innovative research methods and uncovered new evidence about the practice and how it is changing—focusing on families and communities, and health and legal systems. This report documents the consortium’s research methods, the key lessons learned, capacity strengthening efforts, enhanced advocacy for research uptake, and recommendations. The research sheds light on key areas for future investments that would ensure that FGM/C policies and programs are informed by rigorous evidence. The recommendations stem …

Understanding Local Variation In How Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Declines, Changes, Or Persists: Analysis Of Household Survey Data For Kenya, Nigeria, And Senegal, Population Reference Bureau

Reproductive Health

Efforts to eliminate female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) intensified in many parts of Africa following a 2012 United Nations General Assembly Resolution, but change has been uneven. Important evidence gaps remain in our understanding of why the practice declines, changes, or persists in specific locations. Policymakers and program planners need such information to better tailor interventions to address local patterns and focus resources on abandonment efforts in areas with the greatest needs. To fill these gaps, researchers with the Evidence to End FGM/C consortium analyzed nationally representative household survey data for Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal. The results of their research identify …

Characterizing The Vaccine Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, And Intentions Of Pregnant Women In Georgia And Colorado, Matthew Z. Dudley, Rupali J. Limaye, Saad B. Omer, Sean T. O’Leary, Mallory K. Ellingson, Christine I. Spina, Sarah E. Brewer, Allison T. Chamberlain, Robert A. Bednarczyk, Fauzia Malik, Paula M. Frew, Daniel A. Salmon

School of Public Health Faculty Research

Vaccine coverage for maternal vaccines is suboptimal; only about half of pregnant women received influenza and Tdap vaccines in 2018. We explored knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, intentions, and trust regarding maternal and infant vaccines among pregnant women. Between June 2017 and July 2018, we surveyed 2196 pregnant women recruited from geographically and socio-demographically diverse prenatal care practices in Georgia and Colorado (56% response rate). Fifty-six percent of pregnant women intended to receive both influenza and Tdap vaccines during pregnancy and 68% intended to vaccinate their baby with all recommended vaccines on time. Attitudinal constructs associated with intention to vaccinate include confidence …

Identifying Behavioral Differences Between People With And Without Previous Cancer Diagnosis, Kyle Anderson, Lisa Sparks, Jianwei Zhang, Cyril Rakovski

Communication Faculty Articles and Research

We undertake a study to determine and assess the effects of the statistically significant predictors of the behaviors and notions that are associated with a cancer diagnosis using the 2014 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) data. We implemented a new and extensive logistic regression modeling using stepwise variable selection and jackknife parameter estimation that identified the best explanatory model. Our results show that age, average time spent watching TV or playing games, usage of sunscreen, fruit intake intent, and the opinion-based variables for behaviors affecting high blood pressure, as well as the participant preference of not knowing the chance …

Icope A Multi-Level, Cluster Randomized, 36-Month, Parallel-Group Study To Assess The Efficacy Of Hiv Disclosure Intervention In Hiv Parental Disclosure Among Parents Living With Hiv In China, Xiaoming Li Ph.D., Shan Qiao Ph.D., Yuejiao Zhou

Faculty Publications

Objectives: Parents living with HIV who disclose their HIV status to their children could benefit from the parental HIV disclosure. However, it is also very challenging because of persistent stigma and discrimination against HIV. This report describes the study design and protocol of the “Interactive Communication with Openness, Passion, and Empowerment (iCOPE)” randomized controlled trial aimed at assisting parents living with HIV in conducting culturally and developmentally appropriate disclosure to their uninfected children in China through trainings among both parents living with HIV and healthcare providers.

Methods: A total of 791 parents living with HIV with children aged between 6 …

Does Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Increases The Risk Of Preeclampsia Among Primigravid Women?, Astha Kakkad

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia are serious complications of pregnancy which are associated with both short- and long-term adverse health outcomes for the mother as well as the fetus. The increase in prevalence of these conditions has become a major public health concern. The purpose of this study is to examine the association and risk imposed by GDM for preeclampsia in primigravid women. This descriptive study was conducted using data retrieved from the electronic medical records of a large integrated health system in Florida. The data for this analysis included pregnancy records for patients at least 18 years of …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 95, No. 18, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. This issue contains articles:

• Lamb, Cassady. Posted Up: Local Apartment Complexes Are Suing the United States Post Office
• Williams, Matthew. WKU to be Evaluated by Higher Education Consulting Firm
• Collins, Michael. Strategic Sustainability Plan to be Developed
• Stack, Madalyn. Editorial Cartoon re: Racism
• Black History Month: Past & Present
• Warner, Casey. Kentucky Canabis Laws Are Behind the Times – Marijuana
• Dobbs, Jack. Bitter Sweet – Chocolate Festival, Hospice of Southern Kentucky
• Metcalf, Taylor. Fast Fashion
• Lowe, Julianna. Sustainable On-campus Bathroom Practices, In Public or Private
• Gaylord, Kaden. WKU Softball …

Insights Into Novel Infant Milk Formula Bioactives, Jordan Skolnick, Claire Chou, John Miklavcic

Food Science Faculty Articles and Research

Human milk provides optimal infant nutrition for early life development. However, there are situations in which human milk feeding is not the most viable option for infant nutrition. Some factors include maternal illness, lactation insufficiency, storage complications, and time constraints. As a result, modern infant formula has become a substitute or alternative when breastfeeding is not possible or is inadequate for infants. In the optimal design of formula, many factors are considered in creating a product that is safe and provides a nutritional profile either equivalent to human milk or in optimal alignment with infant needs. Human milk composition serves …

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting In Nigeria: Is The Practice Declining? A Descriptive Analysis Of Successive Demographic And Health Surveys And Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (2003–2017), Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala, Glory Atilola, Chibuzor Christopher Nnanatu, Emmanuel Ogundimu, Lubanzadio Mavatikua, Paul Komba, Zhuzhi Moore, Dennis Matanda

Reproductive Health

This report gives insight into the scale and scope of the practice of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) among women aged 15–49 years and girls younger than 15 years in Nigeria. It also presents evidence on where FGM/C occurs and highlights the dynamics of change as well as the context surrounding the practice. The report explores in detail the practice of FGM/C from all available sources of nationally representative survey data from 2003 to 2017 and the most relevant contextual information on key factors associated over time with FGM/C. The ultimate objective of the report is to generate evidence to inform …

Application Of Rigour And Credibility In Qualitative Document Analysis: Lessons Learnt From A Case Study, Leanne M. Wood, Bernadette Sebar, Nerina Vecchio

The Qualitative Report

This paper probes functions and processes of qualitative document analysis (QDA), a method widely used in case study research. It firstly demonstrates the application of a QDA framework to inform a case study of women entrepreneurs in rural Australia; and provides insights into the lessons learnt, including strengths and limitations of QDA. Secondly, the paper provides guidelines for novice researchers seeking to use thematic analysis in a QDA process, arguing for rigour in naming assumptions and explicitness about the procedures employed. The paper contributes to discussion in the literature that positions QDA not only as a convenient tool, but as …