Public Health Commons^™

Leveraging Technology To Blend Large-Scale Epidemiologic Surveillance With Social And Behavioral Science Methods: Successes, Challenges, And Lessons Learned Implementing The Unite Longitudinal Cohort Study Of Hiv Risk Factors Among Sexual Minority Men In The United States, H. Jonathon Rendina, Ali J. Talan, Nicola F. Tavella, Jonathan Lopez Matos, Ruben H. Jimenez, S. Scott Jones, Brian Salfas, Drew Westmoreland

Publications and Research

The use of digital technologies to conduct large-scale research with limited interaction (i.e., no in-person contact) and objective endpoints (i.e., biological testing) has significant potential for the field of epidemiology, but limited research to date has been published on the successes and challenges of such approaches. We analyzed data from a cohort study of sexual minority men across the United States, collected using digital strategies during a 10-month period from 2017 to 2018. Overall, 113,874 individuals were screened, of whom 26,000 were invited to the study, 10,691 joined the study, and 7,957 completed all enrollment steps, including return of a …

Effects Of A Single Mutation In Chikungunya Virus Non-Structural Protein On Virus Infection In Aedes Albopictus And Mammalian Cell Lines, Yin Ling Jolene Fu

Student Works (2020-2029)

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has caused large-scale epidemics of fever, rash and arthritis since 2004. This unprecedented re-emergence has been mainly associated with mutations in genes encoding structural envelope proteins, providing increased fitness in the secondary vector Aedes (Ae.) albopictus. In the 2008-2013 CHIKV outbreaks across Southeast Asia, an R82S mutation in non-structural protein 4 (nsP4) emerged early in Malaysia or Singapore and quickly became predominant. To determine whether this nsP4-R82S mutation provides a selective advantage in host cells which may have contributed to the epidemic, the fitness of infectious clone-derived CHIKV with nsP4- 82R and nsP4-82S were compared in Ae. …

Occupational Burnout Among Healthcare Professionals In Obstetrics And Gynecology Department Of A Public Hospital In Islamabad, Pakistan, Kashif Sabin

Student Works (2020-2029)

The general purpose of this study was to investigate the extent of burnout experienced by healthcare professionals working in obstetrics & gynaecology units in public hospital of Islamabad, Pakistan. Specifically, this research attempted to explore the contributing factors of burnout, by correlating the burnout scores of exhaustion and disengagement, with the sociodemographic variables. The main objectives of the study were: (i) to assess the levels of burnout as determined by the extent of exhaustion and disengagement among the study participants, and (ii) to compare the mean scores of exhaustion and disengagement among healthcare professionals based on different demographic characteristics: (a) …

Psychiatric Morbidity Among Orang Asli In Bukit Lanjan, Iberahim Muhammad Ilham

Student Works (2020-2029)

Prevalence of Psychiatric Morbidity Among Orang Asli In Bukit Lanjan, Selangor, Malaysia Introduction Orang Asli, the indigenous people of peninsular Malaysia, are those peoples who were born among Orang Asli, lives according to their distinguished culture and beliefs, and spoke their native languages. Malaysia has evolved rapidly over the years in the socioeconomic development especially in the rural areas. More jungle areas are open up for land development scheme such as Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), housing projects, commercial farms and many more. Indigenous people are forced to face this rapid urbanization. The questions arise whether they are able to …

Association Between Stigma, Psychological Distress, And Quality Of Life Among People Living With Hiv In Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur, Ibrahim Khairiah

Student Works (2020-2029)

Quality of life is an important component in the evaluation of the well-being of PLHIV. However, HIV stigma and psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress) continue to be a barrier to obtain a good quality of life among PLHIV globally. This study assesses the level of QOL, stigma and psychological distress among PLHIV in Kuala Lumpur by determining the association between QOL, stigma and psychological distress. A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 305 PLHIV attendees of the infectious disease clinic in a teaching hospital, primary health clinic and three Community-Based Organisations (CBOs). The sampled respondents completed face to face interviews …

Prevalence And Determinants Of Tabacco Use Among Adolescents In Khartoum - Sudan, Mohammed Alshaikh Mohammed Othman

Student Works (2020-2029)

Globally, 25 million adolescents aged 13-15 years, smoke cigarettes while 13 million use smokeless tobacco. In 2014, 22.8% of adolescents had ever smoked cigarette in Sudan while current cigarette smokers were 4.5%; moreover, studies about shisha smoking and smokeless tobacco were limited in Sudan. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of tobacco use among adolescents and to describe determinant factors associated with tobacco use. Descriptive school based cross-sectional study was conducted, and multistage random sampling was used to recruit participants from secondary schools in Khartoum State, Sudan. Self-administered questionnaire of Arabic version of Global Youth Tobacco …

The Association Between Connectedness Towards Religion, Family, And School, And The Symptoms Of Depression, Anxiety, And Stress Among Malaysian Adolescents, Samian Siti Sabariah

Student Works (2020-2029)

The unmet alignment between reality and expectation in addition to immaturity in the development of the prefrontal area means adolescents have tendencies to embark on poor decisions, making them vulnerable to acquiring mental health problems. Abiding by their religion and strong connections with family and school has been proven in European/Western nations to promote adolescent mental well-being, provide ventilation to release stress and protect the youngsters from acquiring anxiety and depression. Given the vast differences between European/Western social norms and Eastern culture, this study was conducted to examine the association between adolescent connectedness towards religion, family and school on the …

Patient Concerns Inventory Head And Neck As An Individualised Approach To Assess Post-Treatment Outcomes Among Oral Cancer Patients In Malaysia, Aminnudin Ainon Natrah

Student Works (2020-2029)

Background: Oral cancer and its treatment undisputedly impacts patients‘ quality of life, posing a challenge to clinicians in managing them optimally. Identifying patients‘ concerns is central to holistic patient care; as such time constraints faced by clinicians during consultation sessions may pose a barrier in identifying such concerns effectively. The use of PCI-H&N during post-treatment oral cancer consultation sessions has previously shown to be beneficial, simultaneously promoting effective patient- clinician communication during consultations. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the feasibility of the PCI-H&N in assessing post- treatment oral cancer patients concerns and its relationship with patients‘ HRQoL, psychological distress …

Tubular Adenoma Of Breast, Diksha Dadlani

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease, Rohan Karkra

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

Macular And Optic Disc Drusenoid Deposits With Hemifield Defects In A Patient With Iga Nephropathy: New Findings, Dr. Prabhakar S K

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

A Case Of Megaloblastic Anemia With Suspected Gilbert Syndrome, Nair A, Prasad R, Dr. Ravikumar S, Dr. Prasanna Kumar

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

A Case Of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Due To Bicornuate Uterus, Chandran S

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

A Case Of Right Lower Lobe Lung Abscess With Stage Iii Empyema, Dey Sauparna, Dr. Ravi M D

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

Uterine Prolapse, Nimisha Sinha, Sakshi Anurika, Dr. Anu Prerana

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

Ataxia Telangiectasia- A Case Report, Pooja Pallavi, Dr. Rajani H.S

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

A Case Of Sjogren’S Syndrome With Leucocytoclastic Vasculitis With Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis, Dr. Pranay Penmetsa, Dr. Subramanian R

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

“Hunting” A Case Of External Ophthalmoplegia: Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome, Dr Vaishnavi S.G, Dr Shasthara P

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

A Case Of Tenofovir Induced Osteopenia, Dr Kruthi M, Dr Rajendra Prasad S

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

Disparities In Health Behavior Risks Among Employed And Disparities In Health Behavior Risks Among Employed And Unemployed Black And White Older Adults, M. Courtney Hughes, Tamara A. Baker, Hansol Kim

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

Objective: Examine health behavior risk rates and disparities in health behavior risks related to race and employment among older adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of a representative sample of noninstitutionalized adults aged 65 and older (150,669 in 2015 and 168,011 in 2016) from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Self-reported health behavior risks were measured as well as multiple logistic regression analyses assessing the independent effects of demographic variables on health behavior risks.

Results: Employed older adults have greater health behavior risks than unemployed older adults. Black employed older adults have greater health behavior risks than Black unemployed older adults …

Exploring Young Acb Women’S Experiences Of Navigating Sexual Health In The Greater Toronto Area., Natasha Afua Darko

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This thesis explores the experiences of young African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) women in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) regarding how they navigate sexual health. Young ACB women face challenges that put them at increased risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Despite this, few studies have focused on the social contexts that affect sexual health for ACB women in Canada. This Community Based Participatory Research ( CBPR) study (N = 24) utilized focus groups to examine young ACB women's experiences navigating sexual health. In the following thesis document, I present two manuscripts where I share a) a reflection …

Diabetes Risk Status And Physical Activity In Pregnant Women: U.S. Brfss 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, Bethany Rand

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Objective: We sought to examine differences in aerobic activity (AA) and muscle-strengthening activity (MSA) by diabetes risk status (DRS) among pregnant women in the United States.

Background: Pregnant women without complications are advised to engage in physical activity (PA) to mitigate adverse outcomes. Differences may exist among pregnant women of diverging diabetes status in meeting national PA recommendations.

Methods: The sample (n=9,597) included pregnant women ages 18-44, who participated in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Levels of DRS were: no diabetes (ND), high risk for diabetes (HRD) due to self-reported gestational diabetes or …

Covid-19: A Simple Curve Approximation Tool, Jane Courtney

Articles

In the current COVID-19 pandemic, much focus is put on ‘flattening the curve’. This ‘curve’ refers to the cases versus time graph, which shows the rise of a disease to its peak before descending. The aim in a pandemic is to flatten this curve by reducing the peak and spreading out the timeline. However, the models used to predict this curve are often not clearly outlined, no model parameters are given, and models are not tested against real data. This lack of detail makes it difficult to recreate the curve from these models. What is much needed is a simple …

Maternal Mortality Among African American Women In The State Of Georgia, Causes, Policy, And Ethical Considerations, Zahra Shahin, Isabella M. Hardwick, Nancy Jeffery, Jalisa Jordan, William Mase

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

Background

The U.S. is currently one of thirteen countries where maternal mortality rates (MMR) is worse now than it was fifteen years ago. Reducing maternal mortality is one of the significant challenges facing the health system in the United States, especially in the State of Georgia, which has one of the highest MMR in the nation. The purpose of this review is to explore the causes, policy, and ethical contextual factors contributing to increased maternal mortality rates among African American women in the State of Georgia. Also, identifying and addressing weaknesses and gaps that exist in the healthcare system and …

The Prevalence Of Overweight And Obesity In Irish Children Between 1990 And 2019, Aisling O'Donnell, Maria Buffini, Laura Kehoe, Ann Nugent, John Kearney, Janette Walton, Albert Flynn, Breige Mcnulty

Articles

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the temporal prevalence of overweight and obesity in Irish children through different methodologies and evaluate the change in rates between 1990 and 2019.

Cost-Effectiveness Of A Mobile Health-Supported Lifestyle Intervention For Pregnant Women With An Elevated Body Mass Index, Elizabeth O'Sullivan, Salwa Rokicki, Maria Kennelly, Kate Ainscough, Fionnuala M. Mcauliffe

Articles

Objective To assess the cost-effectiveness of a mobile health-supported lifestyle intervention compared with usual care.

Methods We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis from the perspective of the publicly-funded health care system. We estimated costs associated with the intervention and health care utilisation from first antenatal care appointment through delivery. We used bootstrap methods to quantify the uncertainty around cost‐effectiveness estimates. Health outcomes assessed in this analysis were gestational weight gain (GWG; kg), incidence of excessive GWG, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and incidence of large-for-gestational-age (LGA). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated as cost per QALY gained, cost per kg of GWG …

Reconciling Environmental Justice With Climate Change Mitigation: A Case Study Of Nc Swine Cafos, D. Lee Miller, Ryke Longest

Faculty Scholarship

For thirty years, the swine industry has externalized severe environmental and health harms onto poor communities of color in Eastern North Carolina. This “Big Pig” problem is caused by the confinement, consolidation, and concentration of industrial hog operations within the low, flat, and economically marginalized Coastal Plain. Big Pig’s rise was not inevitable. As recently as 1982, more than 11,000 small swine farms freckled nearly all of North Carolina’s 100 counties. Then came the “boom” of consolidation and industrialization that transformed hog production into a highly consolidated and vertically integrated industry.

Sex And Age Differences In Prevalence And Risk Factors For Prediabetes In Mexican-Americans, Kristina Vatcheva, Belinda M. Reininger, Susan P. Fisher-Hoch, Joseph B. Mccormick

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

AIMS:

Over 1/3 of Americans have prediabetes, while 9.4% have type 2 diabetes. The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of prediabetes in Mexican Americans, with known 28.2% prevalence of type 2 diabetes, by age and sex and to identify critical socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with prediabetes.

METHODS:

Data were collected between 2004 and 2017 from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort in Texas. Weighted crude and sex- and age- stratified prevalences were calculated. Survey weighted logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for prediabetes.

RESULTS:

The prevalence of prediabetes (32%) was slightly higher than …

Ailing In Place: Environmental Inequities And Health Disparities In Appalachia, Michele Morrone

Ohio University Press Open Access Books

In Ailing in Place, Michele Morrone explores the relationship between environmental conditions in Appalachia and health outcomes that are too often ascribed to individual choices only. She applies quantitative data to observations from environmental health professionals to frame the ways in which the environment, as a social determinant of health, leads to health disparities in Appalachian communities. These examples—these stories of place—trace the impacts of water quality, waste disposal, and natural resource extraction on the health and quality of life of Appalachian people.

Public health is inextricably linked to place. Environmental conditions such as contaminated water, unsafe food, and polluted …

Causal Discovery In Radiographic Markers Of Knee Osteoarthritis And Prediction For Knee Osteoarthritis Severity With Attention-Long Short-Term Memory, Yanfei Wang, Lei You, Jacqueline Chyr, Lan Lan, Weiling Zhao, Yujia Zhou, Hua Xu, Philip Noble, Xiaobo Zhou

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The goal of this study is to build a prognostic model to predict the severity of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and to identify long-term disease progression risk factors for early intervention and treatment. We designed a long short-term memory (LSTM) model with an attention mechanism to predict Kellgren/Lawrence (KL) grade for knee osteoarthritis patients. The attention scores reveal a time-associated impact of different variables on KL grades. We also employed a fast causal inference (FCI) algorithm to estimate the causal relation of key variables, which will aid in clinical interpretability. Based on the clinical information of current visits, we accurately …