Public Health Commons^™

Jiann-Ping Hsu College Of Public Health Magazine, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Message from the Dean: Stuart H. Tedders, PhD
• One-On-One: Marshall in Conversation with Aslan
• Alumni Feature: Improving the Body Art Industry
• Truth is Better than Fiction
• An Invisible Danger
• New Development Council
• The Period Equity Movement
• Averitt Award Winner and Together United
• Our Students Around the World
• Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
• Center for Addiction Recovery Making an impact: Scholarship recipient named
• Karl E. Peace Center for Biostatistics and Survey Research Working together: Biostatistics collaborations
• Center for Public Health Practice and Research Improving Health Outcomes
• Faculty and Students
• Office of Practice and Research
• College
• Photos

Asian Long-Horned Tick Haemaphysalis Longicornis: What Happens In Asia Does Not Stay In Asia, Shobhan Das, Marina Eremeeva

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Policy Implication: Improving Perinatal Mental Health Care In Georgia, Tobi F. Oloyede, Joanne Chopak-Foss

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Maternal Occupational Exposure To Organic Solvents And Noise: Maternal Effects And Infant Outcomes, Kristen Van Buren

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Introduction: Several maternal occupational exposures have not yet been studied for potential reproductive harm or have inconsistent findings in the literature. Despite the challenges, identification of potential risk factors, specifically reproductive toxicants, is necessary to mitigate and prevent adverse health outcomes for working mothers and their infants. The purpose of this study was to examine maternal occupational exposure to organic solvents and noise to small-for-gestational age (SGA) and preterm birth (PTB) among infants. Additionally, the study sought to examine maternal occupational exposure to noise and presence of gestational diabetes (GDM) and pregnancy-related hypertension among participant mothers.

Methods: The study population …

Potential Impact Of Socioeconomic Status On Complications Associated With Obesity In Adult Women In The United States., Cassidy Taylor

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to determine whether there is an association between socioeconomic factors and complications of obesity in adult women in the United States based on the national 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data.

Dependent variables were categorized as complications associated with obesity in adult, obese women. BRFSS items that referenced objective measures regarding chronic obesity-related complications included items such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and breast cancer diagnosis. Two measures relating to participants’ socioeconomic status were also used as independent variables. BRFSS items that referenced objective measures regarding socioeconomic status are educational attainment, …

Attitudes Towards Fentanyl Test Strips Among A Cohort Of People Who Use Drugs In Rural Kentucky, Alaina Murphy

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Background and aims Fentanyl-related overdoses have largely contributed to the nearly 500,000 opioid overdose deaths in the United States since 1999. Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a new technology that is designed to help prevent these overdoses. People who use drugs (PWUD) can test their drug supply for fentanyl by placing the strip in a sample of the drug. However, access to FTS varies across the country. This variance is largely due to rural PWUD not having the same access to harm reduction programs, compared to urban settings. This study uses data on PWUD in rural Kentucky to evaluate attitudes …

Local Public Health System Comprehensiveness And Opioid Overdose Mortality, 2012-2018, Stephanie Courtney

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Background: Deaths due to opioid overdose are a significant public health burden in the United States. Studies suggest that local public health systems that perform a high number of essential activities where local health departments contribute to the delivery of the activities and promote increased partnership may positively influence population health outcomes such as overdose mortality. Studies have shown that comprehensive public health systems are associated with improved health outcomes, but this association has not been addressed in the context of opioid overdose deaths. Study Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the associations between local public health …

Can Environmental Law Solve The "Forever Chemical" Problem?, Mark P. Nevitt, Robert V. Percival

Faculty Articles

Although federal environmental law purports to provide the public with comprehensive protection against chemical risks, the U.S. chemical industry is characterized by self­ regulation. This self-regulation is exemplified by the dangers posed by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (''PFAS'')­ broad classes of persistent toxic substances that have now entered nearly every American's bloodstream and hundreds of public drinking water systems. Despite data linking exposure to these "forever chemicals" to cancer, infertility, and a host of other public health harms, environmental law has failed to safeguard the American people from PFAS' toxic legacy. How did this occur? And what should be done …

Coping, Affirmation, Resilience, And Empowerment (Care) Program And Its Impact On Depression And Quality Of Life Among Youth Living With Depression In Banjarmasin City, Indonesia : A Mixed-Method Study, Lafi Munira

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: The national prevalence of depression among young adults in Indonesia was 29.3% for moderate and 8.0% for severe depression. There are few intervention studies on coping skills training and group cognitive therapy through internet-based intervention for youth living with depression in Indonesia. Objectives: 1) To explore participants’ perception, experience, and cope with depression before and after CARE Program; 2) To investigate effects CARE Program on depression and quality of life among youth living with depression in Banjarmasin City, Indonesia. Method: This study used a convergent parallel mixed method. A qualitative and quasi experimental with two groups pre-post tests among …

Assessment Of Psychological Impact Of Covid-19 Among Healthcare Professionals In Yangon, Myanmar, Nyein Chan Aung

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: Millions of people worldwide have been infected by the Covid-19 pandemic, devastatingly affecting their physical and mental health. During the covid-19 outbreak with the delta variant in 2021, Myanmar experienced its worst healthcare crisis, resulting in work burden, exhaustion, and psychological distress among healthcare professionals. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the psychological impacts of Covid-19 on healthcare professionals in Yangon, Myanmar. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was employed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among healthcare professionals, who aged 18 and older with at least two years of experience …

Factors Associated With The Utilization Of Preventive Dental Treatments Among Elderly Patients In Faculty Of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University: A Secondary Data Analysis, Weerachon Panthueng

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Objective: This study aimed to explore the potential factors associated with utilization of preventive dentistry among elderly patients attending a university dental hospital in Thailand. Materials and methods: The research design of this study was a cross-sectional study. This study used secondary data from a cross-sectional study from undergraduate project, conducted completely during July 2021- January 2022 for independent data and dependent variable from dental hospital resource system. The participants were 363 elderly patients who were both males and females in Faculty of Dentistry Chulalongkorn University. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression were performed to analyze the data. …

Occupational Hazards And Mental Health Among Myanmar Migrant Workers In Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand, Myo Myint Kyaw

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: Myanmar migrant workers play a crucial role in the local workforce, especially in industries like seafood processing and manufacturing. These workers frequently encounter difficult working conditions and are exposed to various occupational hazards, which can negatively affect both their physical and mental well-being. Despite the significance of this issue, only limited research has been conducted to explore the connection between occupational hazards and mental health among this vulnerable population. Objective: To study an association between occupational hazards and levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among Myanmar migrant workers in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted …

Factors Associated With The Dental Attendance Among Elderly Patients In Faculty Of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University: A Secondary Data Analysis, Narongrit Nampikul

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Objective: To identify the predisposing factors, enabling factors, and need factors related to dental attendance of elderly patients at dental hospitals, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University using the conceptual framework of the Anderson model. Materials and methods: this study was a secondary analysis study. The participants were 402 elderly patients who were both males and females. Data was collected from telephone questionnaires and dental records of dental hospitals. Faculty of Dentistry Chulalongkorn University. Data were analyzed using chi-square statistics and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: age was the only predisposing factor that was statistically significantly associated with dental attendance among …

Medical Service Utilization Among International Tourists In Bangkok, Thailand, Ken Lin

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Medical service utilization is an important concern for international travelers during their trip, especially after the serious COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. In this study, we aim to investigate the medical service utilization and satisfaction among international tourist in Bangkok after the country reopening for international tourist in October 2022.The international tourist in Bangkok was interviewed using the validated questionnaire related to travel information, medical services utilization, and satisfaction. Google form was sent out through social medica platforms, as well as face-to-face interviews at tourist gathering places. In total, 422 participants answered the questionnaire. Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea were …

Treatment-Seeking Time Of Patients With Malaria At Private General Practitioners In Myanmar: A Secondary Data Analysis Of Routine Surveillance Data (2018-2022), Pyi Thein Khine

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Malaria is a significant global health burden, and prompt treatment is essential for optimum results. Due to their accessibility and convenience, populations in high-risk areas of malaria commonly seek treatment in the private health sector. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with the delayed treatment-seeking time of patients with malaria at private general practitioners in Myanmar. The secondary data analysis of routine surveillance data included a sample of 4,939 patients with malaria who sought treatment from private quality general practitioners under the Myanmar Medical Association Malaria Project. Nearly 80% of patients sought treatment later than 24 hours and …

Dental Health Expenditure And Associated Factors Among Elderly Patients In Faculty Of Dentistry, Chulalaongkorn University, Rawitsara Suwannimit

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The affordability has been one of the barriers to access dental care for elderly. However, In Thailand and among the elderly, there were very few studies about dental health expenditure and the factors related to it. This study aimed to investigate and identify the factors that are related to dental health expenditure for patients who are over 60 years old and receive treatment at the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University. This study used secondary data from an initial survey and the Medical Record System for oral treatments, among the patients who were over 60 years and received treatments at the …

The Utilization Of Physical Literacy To Understand Physical Activity In Individuals With A History Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Rachel Renee Kleis

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is common in physically active populations. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is commonly performed after injury in order to restore joint stability and knee function and return patients to desired levels of physical activity. However, not everyone will return to their pre-injury levels of sport after surgery and recent evidence reveals that individuals with a history of ACLR are less likely to meet the recommended physical activity guidelines. Specifically, previous literature has reported that individuals with a history of ACLR take fewer daily steps and participate in less moderate-to-vigorous physical activity compared to …

Implementation Of Physical Activity In Kentucky Public Schools: From Theory To Policy, Nancy Kearns

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Physical activity in schools improves academic performance and fitness measures in children. However, state policy supporting implementation of physical activity remains poor. Identifying specific barriers to implementing physical activity minutes in Kentucky public schools is pivotal in preserving the cognitive and physical health of our children. This is of particular interest as physical activity minutes remain low despite the positive effects of exercise on cognition. The purpose of this dissertation is to provide policymakers and school administrators a method of identifying current policies, attitudes and infrastructure that inhibit the implementation of physical activity minutes in public schools. Thus, the findings, …

Stemming The Shadow Pandemic: Integrating Sociolegal Services In Contact Tracing And Beyond, Medha D. Makhlouf

Faculty Scholarly Works

The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the challenges of complying with public health guidance to isolate or quarantine without access to adequate income, housing, food, and other resources. When people cannot safely isolate or quarantine during an outbreak of infectious disease, a critical public health strategy fails. This article proposes integrating sociolegal needs screening and services into contact tracing as a way to mitigate public health harms and pandemic-related health inequities.

A Game Theoretical Model Of Radiological Terrorism Defense, Shraddha Rane, Jason Timothy Harris

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Radiological dispersal devices (RDD) pose a threat to the United States. Healthcare facilities housing high-risk radioactive materials and devices are potentially easy targets for unauthorized access and are vulnerable to malevolent acts of theft or sabotage. The three most attractive candidates for use in RDD considered in this study are: ⁶⁰Co (radiosurgery devices), ¹³⁷Cs (blood irradiators) and ¹⁹²Ir (brachytherapy high dose radiation device). The threat posed by RDDs has led to evaluating the security risk of radioactive materials and defending against attacks. The concepts of risk analysis used in conjunction with game theory lay the foundations of …

Nuclear Security Awareness Survey At A University, Marcia P. Robinson, Naomi German, Destiny B. White, Shraddha V. Rane, Jason Timothy Harris

International Journal of Nuclear Security

The concept of assessing safety culture in an organization emerged with its application at the nuclear power industry and has expanded since then. An assessment of nuclear security, on the contrary, is still under-developed, especially at non-nuclear facilities, such as academic institutions and medical facilities. To identify the level of the awareness and understanding of credible nuclear and radiological threats, response preparedness, security culture, and the integrity of nuclear security systems among non-radioactive material users at a university setting; a campus-wide survey was deployed. A total of 3,336 non-radioactive material users, including students, faculty, and staff participated in the survey. …

Macro-Level Factors Impacting Colorectal Cancer Screening Behavior Among Church-Going Chinese Immigrants In The U.S.: A Convergent Mixed-Method Study, Xian Cao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Chinese immigrants (CIs) had low colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates. Macro-level health determinants may affect CIs' CRC screening; however, this is not well established. Thus, this research looked at the macro-level social factors of CRC screening among CIs. The POET theoretical framework guided this study, which includes four components: population (P), organization (O), environment (E), and technology (T). A convergent mixed method was used to investigate whether sociodemographic, acculturation, religious social capital, and mobile media-based cancer information seeking may predict CIs' endoscopic screening, and how these variables impact it. A validated survey and an interview covering the same factors were …

Essential Factors For A Healthy Microbiome: A Scoping Review, Patricia Grace-Farfaglia, Heather Frazier, Maura D. Iversen

Health Science Faculty Publications

Recent discoveries of the purpose and potential of microbial interactions with humans have broad implications for our understanding of metabolism, immunity, the host–microbe genetic interactions. Bioavailability and bioaccessibility of phytonutrients in foods not only enrich microbial diversity in the lower human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) but also direct the functioning of the metagenome of the microbiota. Thus, healthy choices must include foods that contain nutrients that satisfy both the needs of humans and their microbes. Physical activity interventions at a moderate level of intensity have shown positive effects on metabolism and the microbiome, while intense training (>70% VO₂max) …

Cannabis Use Rates And Modes Of Use In Kentucky, Gunnar Kennedy

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

ABSTRACT:

Background and Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to assess cannabis use rates and modes among people who use cannabis (PWUC) in the state of Kentucky in relation to socioeconomic, demographic, and geographic factors. Furthermore, this study compared Kentucky’s rates of use to other states and built a multivariable regression model to identify characteristics of individuals who use cannabis in Kentucky.

Methods:

For this cross-sectional descriptive analysis, we used 2020 data from the Kentucky Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). We tabulated weighted responses to questions asking about frequency of cannabis use over the past 30 days, primary …

A Scoping Review Comparing Sustainable Diet Indices, Natalie Henning

Public Health Theses

Interest in environmentally sustainable diets (i.e., diets beneficial for both human and planetary health) has increased as the role of food systems in climate change and population health has become better understood. Sustainable diet indices have been proposed as a holistic approach to assessing diets around the world with regards to human and planetary outcomes. The aim of this scoping review was to summarize and compare sustainable diet indices and their applicability to various populations.A literature search of three databases (Scopus, PubMed, and the Climate Change and Human Health Literature Search Portal) was conducted to identify articles that developed, validated, …

Melissa: Monitoring The Environment With Living Investigatory Sentinel Species Apis Mellifera, Brady Rowe

Public Health Theses

Without the ability to meaningfully detect an environmental contaminant, public health efforts can get behind the curve, and people suffer for it. Industrial polluters are the major source of environmental contamination. Despite regulation, industrial compliance efforts are often limited by the difficulty of getting samples to analyze due to cost and logistical challenges. The current method requires a compliance officer to gather a sample or rely on self-reported measures from the potential polluters. This process can be remarkably costly both in capital and human labor. These issues can be remedied by relying on the domesticated honeybee to gather the “samples.” …

The Joint Effects Of Pre-Pregnancy Bmi, Race/Ethnicity On Infants’ Birth Weights, Mei Wang

Public Health Theses

AbstractObjective: We characterized the joint impacts of maternal race/ethnicity and pre-pregnancy BMI on adverse birth weight outcomes including low birth weight (LBW), and macrosomia. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of linked birth data for the years 2016-2020. Maternal race/ethnicity and maternal BMI were the key exposures; we analyzed their joint impact on outcomes using Poisson regression models. Results: When using race-specific reference groups, the difference in risk between NHB and NHW decreased as pre-pregnancy BMI increased and additionally, the difference in risk of macrosomia between the two groups increased with increasing BMI. NHB women generally had higher risk of low birth …

Family Structure And Maternal Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-National Comparison Of Australia, The United Kingdom, And The United States, Kirsten Rasmussen, Elizabeth K. Sigler, Sadie A. Slighting, Jonathan A. Jarvis, Mikaela J. Dufur, Shana Pribesh

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between family structure and maternal depressive symptoms (MDS) in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Family structures that involve transitions across life's course, such as divorce, can alter access to resources and introduce new stressors into family systems. Using the stress process model, we examine the links between family structure, stress, resources, and MDS. Using nationally representative data from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States and cross-sectional models for each country, we find that family structure may influence MDS differently in the UK than it does …

Factors Associated With Unsafe Children's Stool Disposal: An Analysis From 2015-2016 Myanmar Demographic And Health Survey, Naw Lah Say Wah

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Introduction: Safe sanitation is essential for preventing the transmission of diarrhoeal diseases and other infections. Sanitation projects and programs targeted at household sanitation have paid little focus to the disposal of children's stools. Due to the common misconception of children’s stool as less infectious, parents improperly manage children's stools for disposal. Unsafe disposal of children's stools has become an unhindered part of public health problems primarily in low and middle-income countries. Objective: To identify the association between children's stool disposal methods and factors associated with unsafe children’s stool disposal methods in Myanmar Method: This study is the cross-sectional secondary data …

Perceptions Of Contraceptive Practice Among Arab American Victims Of Intimate Partner Violence, Linda Humaidan-Zayed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There has been limited research on Arab Americans as they are an unidentified minority population. The specific research problem addressed through this study is that there is little research pertaining to the role of intimate partner violence (IPV) in poor contraceptive practice among Arab Americans, contributing to the larger problem of unwanted pregnancies, reproductive coercion, and other aspects of reproductive health. The problem with a high prevalence rate of IPV among Arab American women is that they are more susceptible to becoming pregnant and not accessing the reproductive health services that they may need. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative …