Public Health Commons^™

Educating Providers And Nurses On Human Trafficking, Valerie Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human trafficking is a global public health problem. Victims of human trafficking experience higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases, reproductive damage, sexual violence, infertility, and mental and behavioral issues. To help end human trafficking, which is potentially deadly, raising awareness about this topic is essential for victim survival. A gap in practice among staff at a community health center regarding recognition of victims of human trafficking and procedures for potential victims was identified. An education program focused on increasing knowledge and awareness was developed to close this gap. Guided by Watson’s theory of human caring, a 30-minute educational session followed …

Maternal Folate Status And Risk Factors For Autism Spectrum Disorders, Michael M. Haniff

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are thought to be influenced by environmental, genetic, and maternal factors, including potential links to periconceptional folic acid. This quantitative case-control study, guided by the life course theory, explored the association of maternal risk factors (age, race, education, income, folate status, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, and MTHFR mutation) on the precipitation of ASD in offspring. The sample comprised 96 mothers of children with ASD and 143 mothers of children without ASD. Logistic regression analysis indicated no significant association between maternal folate status and ASD (OR = 1.00, 95% CI [1.000, 0.001], p = .755). Mothers with …

The Court Experiences Of Survivors Of Interpersonal Violence, Angela Cartwright

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractInterpersonal violence (IPV) is a complicated public problem that requires collaborative and coordinated strategies in order to address this issue effectively and appropriately. Although the court system has a significant role in their response, IPV is a complex issue for the justice system to address alone. Court system experiences may significantly impact survivors’ outcomes overall health and well-being. There are a limited number of studies showing that survivor experiences in the court have a significant impact on victim outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experiences of female IPV survivors who have encountered IPV, highlighting their …

Relationship Between Homelessness, Substance Use, Employment, Living On A Reservation And Tuberculosis Among Northern Plains Native Americans, Darla Mccloskey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Native Americans in the Northern Plains have a long history of tuberculosis (TB) infections. There is limited research on the causes of latent TB infections (LTBI) and TB in this population. The purpose of this quantitative study was to assess the relationship between latent TB and factors of homelessness, substance use, employment, living on a reservation, and active or latent TB among this population using the eco-social theory as the theoretical framework. Data from 146 TB cases of Native Americans living in the Northern Plains and diagnosed with TB from 1999 to 2019 were analyzed using chi-square tests that showed …

The Relationship Between Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis And Race, Gender, And Age, Johnny James Mcgrew

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this quantitative correlational design using secondary data from Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment was to examine the relationship between different types of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), specifically, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, and race, gender, and age in the United States. This study is significant because it could assist medical personnel to focus on more personally-based STI treatments. This study could also lead to a call for more research regarding sexual health programs across the nation, individuals’ willingness to share personal information regarding STIs, and how sexual health programs could increase testing for STIs. The study …

Pancreatic Cancer: Quantitative Study Investigating The Regional Risk Factors In North Carolina, Holly Marie Myers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, killing more than 90% of individuals diagnosed within 5 years. Due to the lack of signs and symptoms, 82% of all pancreatic cancer cases are diagnosed in terminal stages. As such, the most powerful method to reducing the morbidity and mortality of pancreatic cancer is to further investigate the risk factors. According to the theoretical framework of the ecosocial theory, long-term exposure to exposures to unfavorable socioecological and environmental factors serve as a “web of causation” for adverse health outcomes. Using data from the North Carolina Department …

Food Environment As A Moderator In The Relationship Between Ultra-Processed Food Intake And Mortality In The United States, Brandon Jerod Grandy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

According to recent studies, the consumption of ultra-processed food is a major issue that leads to fatal outcomes within the United States, which is relevant because this type of food has become more accessible over the years. Using data from the National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III), previous researchers found that frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with greater chances of all-cause mortality in U.S. adults, but little research has focused on factors that can impact ultra-processed food consumption, such as food environment. The purpose of this quantitative longitudinal study was to examine the effect of …

Addressing Sexual Violence On College Campuses—A Brief Review Of Existing Policies, Naa-Amy Wayne, Jackie Mesenbrink, Bettye Apenteng

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Hospitalizations And Mortality ​With Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias Diagnosis In Georgia, 2020, Chloe Hale

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Conference

More than 6 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with an Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia diagnosis (ADRD) in 2022. Data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System report that in Georgia, 1 in 9 people aged 45 and older experienced confusion or memory problems that have been getting worse over the past year.

Georgia Department of Public Health Injury Prevention Program creates a healthy Georgia through conversations and collaborations for change using data driven program building. The programs utilize Georgia’s established infrastructure, clear priorities, and the dynamic network of partnerships guided by a robust network of …

Expanding Reach Of Public Health: Lessons From A Pilot Project To Develop Remote Dementia Diagnostic Processes., Chloe Hale, Jennifer Harrison

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Conference

Georgia Department of Public Health Injury Prevention Program works to create a healthy Georgia by leveraging resources, addressing systems change, and fortifying a robust person-centered public health response to dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. The response utilizes Georgia’s established infrastructure, clear priorities, and the dynamic network of partnerships guided by a regularly updated state plan to increase capacity and access to quality care. Systemic change through collaboration and communication can empower people living with dementia, their care partners, professionals, and communities.

The pilot remote dementia diagnostic process and procedure engages long-term plans for increasing annual wellness visits, dementia risk reduction, early …

The Daily Patterns Of Emergency Medical Events, Mary Elizabeth Helander, Margaret K. Formica, Dessa K. Bergen-Cico

Social Science - All Scholarship

This study examines population level daily patterns of time-stamped emergency medical service (EMS) dispatches to establish their situational predictability. Using visualization, sinusoidal regression, and statistical tests to compare empirical cumulative distributions, we analyzed 311,848,450 emergency medical call records from the U.S. National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS) for years 2010 through 2022. The analysis revealed a robust daily pattern in the hourly distribution of distress calls across 33 major categories of medical emergency dispatch types. Sinusoidal regression coefficients for all types were statistically significant, mostly at the p < 0.0001 level. The coefficient of determination ($R^2$) ranged from 0.84 and 0.99 for all models, with most falling in the 0.94 to 0.99 range. The common sinusoidal pattern, peaking in mid-afternoon, demonstrates that all major categories of medical emergency dispatch types appear to be influenced by an underlying daily rhythm that is aligned with daylight hours and common sleep/wake cycles. A comparison of results with previous landmark studies revealed new and contrasting EMS patterns for several long-established peak occurrence hours--specifically for chest pain, heart problems, stroke, convulsions and seizures, and sudden cardiac arrest/death. Upon closer examination, we also found that heart attacks, diagnosed by paramedics in the field via 12-lead cardiac monitoring, followed the identified common daily pattern of a mid-afternoon peak, departing from prior generally accepted morning tendencies. Extended analysis revealed that the normative pattern prevailed across the NEMSIS data when re-organized to consider monthly, seasonal, daylight-savings vs civil time, and pre-/post- COVID-19 periods. The predictable daily EMS patterns provide impetus for more research that links daily variation with causal risk and protective factors. Our methods are straightforward and presented with detail to provide accessible and replicable implementation for researchers and practitioners.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Smoking And Non-Smoking Public Housing Residents In Georgia, Shakirah Clarke

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Conference

Background: Tobacco use doubles the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Early detection screening for CRC should begin at 50y of age and be repeated at least every 10y. African Americans have a higher incidence of colorectal cancer when compared to Georgia and national rates.

Methods: Anonymous surveys were given to public housing residents (majority AA, low-income, n=155) at five sites from the Augusta Housing Authority, with questions about smoking status and when their last colonoscopy was performed. Results from residents 50 years and older (n=91) were selected. Descriptive analysis and a chi-square test of independence was performed to examine …

Evolving Roles And Responsibilities Of Public Health, Allison Foster

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Conference

Since 2008, over 10,000 public health professionals have become Certified in Public Health (CPH). Periodically, the NBPHE conducts a Job Task Analysis survey to gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the public health workforce. With that information, the main areas of focus on the CPH exam are updated.

In the summer of 2022, the National Board of Public Health Examiners launched a newJob Task Analysis process. The comprehensive set of responses will demonstrate the scope of public health responsibilities on a region-by-region basis.

Current domains of the CPH exam are: Communications, Leadership, Law and Ethics, Public Health …

Using Telemedicine And Telehealth To Extend Services In Hiv Care, Jeffery Dockery Mr., Heather G. Peebles Ms.

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Conference

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic posed many barriers to healthcare but especially for HIV Public Health clients who struggle to meet basic socioeconomic needs. Southeast Health District (SEHD) Ryan White clients are immunocompromised increasing isolation and fear. In addition to client barriers, the pandemic resulted in a staffing shortage. The shortages were due to COVID diagnosis and subsequent isolation, staffing turnover, and unfillable vacancies.

Method

A dedicated schedule is utilized for Telehealth/Telemedicine. A patient is scheduled at a remote site and connected with a practitioner at another location. The SEHD Ryan White Program currently has 4 clinics located in Bulloch, Coffee, …

The Learning Agenda 2.0: An Approach To Facilitate Systems Change, Laura M. Lloyd, Melissa Alperin

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Conference

Background: The public health (PH) workforce is currently facing many complex challenges that stand at the root of community health issues (e.g., racism, poverty, mental health). Existing PH workforce development models focus largely on improving individual competency, but individual competency alone cannot address these complex challenges at the individual, organizational, community, and systems levels. Developing the necessary cross-cutting skills (e.g., systems thinking, persuasive communication, problem solving) requires a new approach to training and learning.

Method: The Public Health Learning Agenda for Systems Change (PHLASC) helps public health organizations and their partners use transformative, collective learning as a driver for systems …

Examining The Impact Of Teenage Pregnancy And Its Associated Factors On High School Graduation Rates In Ohio, Eshita Garg, Empress James

Scholarship in Medicine - All Papers

Objective: Our objective is to determine the impact of teen pregnancy, and its associated factors (e.g., child poverty, single-parent households, disconnected youth) on high school graduation rates in Ohio. Introduction: Failure to complete high school often results due to a process known as educational disengagement. This process has been studied to include such factors like teenage pregnancy, which is often linked to increased absences and decreased participation in class. While studies indicate that programs should emphasize attendance and engagement, rather than teenage pregnancy prevention, we also examine factors that are commonly associated with teenage pregnancy. Such variables that contribute to …

The Impact Of Healthcare Disparities In Rural Ohio, Bailey Stammen, Sara Curtis

Scholarship in Medicine - All Papers

Rural communities in the state of Ohio face barriers to care that affect the health of the population. This paper investigates the extent to which the general state of health, life expectancy, uninsured rates, and access to primary care providers can be affected by living in a rural community and how these variables have changed over time. Data from urban and rural counties in Ohio, taken from 2016 to 2022 via the 2022 County Health Rankings, will be used to explore health-related concerns. There were significant findings of decreased general health and access to primary care providers for rural communities …

Health Disparities In Rural Kentucky Counties: Mortality Outcomes And The “Rural Penalty”, Aaron R. Tims

Scholarship in Medicine - All Papers

Objective: The object of this paper is to investigate the relationship between rurality and the national top five causes of death in Kentucky counties.

Methods: We used Spearman correlations to quantify the relationship between percent rurality and the crude death rate for heart disease, malignant neoplasia, unintentional injury, chronic lower respiratory disease, and cerebrovascular disease for each Kentucky county. We also used a Spearman correlation to compare and correlate percent rurality and mortality due to heart disease as these two factors changed between data from 2000 and 2010.

Results: Our research demonstrated statistically significant correlations between percent rurality and the …

Prevalence Of Multimorbidity In The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study At Baseline, Katie Highfill

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

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of multimorbidity among middle-aged adults in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study at baseline by examining the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the participants.

Methods

I included 15,698 participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) baseline visit. Participants were randomly selected from 4 different locations in the United States. Multimorbidity was defined as the prevalence of 2 or more chronic conditions in an individual. Three different multimorbidity definitions (MM1, MM2, and MM3) were created with different inclusion criterion. Prevalence of each multimorbidity definition was analyzed among participants using …

Real-Time Surveillance Of The Drug Epidemic: An Assessment And Comparative Visualization Of Substance Abuse In The Commonwealth Of Kentucky, Julia Van Hosen

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

The purpose of this study was to implement and examine a new surveillance system for Kentucky State Police’s forensics unit to track trends of illicit drugs and drug trafficking, and to see if the implementation of this new system was associated with a decrease in overall drug counts over a period of five months. An extensive review of the literature showed that the drug epidemic in the United States continues to worsen, with public health and law enforcement institutions leading the fight in attempting to end the epidemic, but little evidence showing these two joining forces to work together.

Results …

"Disparities In Suicide Mortality Among Healthcare Support Workers In The United States, 2003-2019", Sol Ngam

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

Objectives: To identify differences in demographic and contextual characteristics of suicide mortality among healthcare support workers (HCSWs) and to estimate annual suicide rates among HCSW in the United States from 2003-2019 using the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) and the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Methods: Demographic variables of healthcare support worker suicide decedents were collected using the NVDRS. Odds ratios for circumstantial risk factors by sex were calculated. Crude rates for healthcare support worker suicide decedents were calculated and compared to the U.S. general population suicide crude rates.

Results: Male HCSW were more likely to have …

Gender Differences In Barriers To Entering Substance Use Treatment, Casey A. Baker

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

Background

Nationally representative data have indicated that less than one in ten individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) have received recent treatment, suggesting a need for research to examine potential barriers to SUD services. Although research has been conducted to identify some barriers to treatment, there is little research focused on gender differences. To address this gap in research, the present study aimed to examine gender differences in barriers to entering SUD treatment, as well as differences in factors that may impact decisions to enter treatment.

Methods

Participants (N = 62) were recruited from the community as part of …

Public Health Law’S Digital Frontier: Addictive Design, Section 230, And The Freedom Of Speech, Matthew B. Lawrence

Faculty Articles

This Article argues that, even if courts are unpersuaded by the broadest arguments in favor of a public health approach to regulation of addictive design, they should nonetheless reject the platforms’ efforts to make addictive design a public-health-law-free zone. The public health and internet paradigms can be reconciled as a policy matter because addictive design threatens both public health and innovation online. The public health and internet paradigms can also be reconciled as a legal matter be-cause even strong theories of section 230 and the First Amendment, properly understood, leave states a safe harbor in which to regulate much addictive …

Climate Change And The Law Of National Security Adaptation, Mark P. Nevitt

Faculty Articles

The Department of Defense (DoD) is the largest employer in the world, owns and operates an enormous global real estate portfolio, and emits more Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) than many nations. Entrusted with the national security, the DoD is now threatened by a new enemy—climate change. Climate change imperils national security infrastructure while undermining the military’s capacity to respond to climate-driven disasters at home and abroad. However, legal scholarship has yet to address what I call “the law of national security adaptation” and related questions. For example, how do environmental and climate change laws apply to the U.S. military? What laws …

Thinly Rooted: Dobbs, Tradition, And Reproductive Justice, Darren L. Hutchinson

Faculty Articles

In Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey. These two cases held that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment encompassed a right of women to terminate a pregnancy. Roe reflected over 60 years of substantive due process precedent finding and reaffirming a constitutional right of privacy with several animating themes, including bodily integrity, equality, and dignity. The Court’s substantive due process doctrine had established that the analysis in such cases would involve multiple points of inquiry, such as tradition, contemporary practices, and …

Effects Of Crypto Bear Market On Mental Health Of Pakistani Crypto Traders, Muhammad Umar Iftikhar

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Introduction: The proliferation of Cryptocurrency trading has introduced significant volatility and stress into the lives of investors. With the high-pressure environment of trading, especially during bear markets, traders are frequently subjected to intense emotional strain. The psychological impact of trading, including anxiety, depression, and stress, has emerged as a growing concern, particularly in rapidly adopting markets such as Pakistan. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and implications of depression, anxiety, and stress among Pakistani crypto traders in the context of a crypto bear market. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was adopted to collect quantitative data …

Factors Affecting The Decision Making To Use Thai Traditional Medical Postpartum Care Services Among Pregnant And Postpartum Women In Bangkok, Thailand, Lunlalin Sirichai

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

After giving birth, there will be changes in the body during the postpartum period to return to the normal state as before pregnancy. Postpartum women often have common problems, such as lower back pain, breast engorgement, plugged milk ducts, mastitis, and not having enough breast milk. In Thai traditional medicine, there has been postpartum care for a long time. Thai traditional medicine postpartum care services, also referred to as Yu-Fai, can assist in easing postpartum discomfort. But at present, the number of people receiving postpartum care services with Thai traditional medicine is still low. Therefore, this study aimed to determine …

Association Between Oral Health Behavior,Oral Hygiene Status, And Oral Health Status Among Primary School Children In Bangkok, Thailand : A Latent Class Analysis, Pemmika Intato

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Oral health affects both the overall health and quality of life of children. Dental caries and gingivitis are one of the most common global oral health problems among school children, including those in Thailand. Both problems are diet- and behavioral-related diseases, with various risk factors contribute to dental caries and gingivitis. This study aims to classify the clusters of oral health status among primary school children in Bangkok, Thailand, and identify association between the identified classes, oral health behavior, and oral hygiene status. The study utilized secondary data from dental chart records in the School Oral Health Promotion Program, Department …

The Effectiveness Of Using Facebook And Instant Communications Application (Line) To Reduce Alcohol Consumption Of Alcohol Promoters And Entertainers (Pretty Or Pr) In Bangkok, Thailand, Paladd Sakulthanit

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The deleterious health consequences associated with alcohol consumption, ranging from addiction and liver disease to accidents and mental health disorders, have been extensively documented. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of an educational program utilizing Facebook and Line platforms in mitigating alcohol consumption intentions among such workers in Bangkok. Utilizing a randomized controlled trial methodology, the study focused in Bangkok. A total of forty-four participants were allocated into either the intervention (n=22) or control (n=22) groups. The intervention group received health education sessions and live video broadcasts on Facebook, while the control group received standard care messages. Outcome measures …

Association Between Related Factors And Communication Channels Among Women With Abortion Service At Private Clinics In Thailand, Xiao Wang

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

In February 2021, abortion was officially permitted in Thailand. In the delivery of abortion services, communication channel is a key factor in assisting clients to access services. Research on clients' choices of communication channels is important for increasing clients' access to legal abortion services. This secondary data cross-sectional study aims to identify the association between factors related to communication channels among the clients who receive abortion services at The Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand (PPAT)’s clinic. The study samples covered 3,734 clients who get abortion service at PPAT’s clinic from February 2021 to December 2022. The researcher employed socio-demographic characteristic, …