Public Health Commons^™

Pain Management And Telemedicine: A Look At The Covid Experience And Beyond, Jamal Hasoon, Ivan Urits, Omar Viswanath, Alan D Kaye

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

COVID-19 caused a drastic change in clinical medicine around the globe. In the United States, telemedicine was rapidly adopted on a wide scale to minimize direct patient interaction and to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Telemedicine also went hand in hand with the rapid movement of working remotely. This has provided several challenges to chronic pain management clinics along with other subspecialties. Telemedicine has also opened opportunities for providing valuable care for patients with significant barriers to healthcare professionals. Given the benefits and downfalls of telemedicine, it is ultimately up to the provider who has an established patient-physician …

Expanding Our Knowledge Of Menstrual Irregularities Reported By Females With Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Kate Mowrey, Hope Northrup, Syed Shahrukh Hashmi, David Rodriguez-Buritica

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study is to expand the knowledge regarding intrinsic reproductive dysfunction in females with TSC and to explore the impact of mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) on menstrual irregularity in the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) community.

METHODS: An electronic survey composed of author-designed questions set out to evaluate reproductive history, presence of menstrual irregularities, mTORi use, as well as maternal reproductive history among females with TSC.

RESULTS: Of the 68 responses from females with TSC regarding age of menarche, the average age was 12.3 years. 56.5% (

CONCLUSIONS: Our data expands the knowledge regarding intrinsic menstrual dysregulation present …

Use Of Modeling To Inform Decision Making In North Carolina During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study, Karl Johnson, Caitlin B Biddell, Kristen Hassmiller Lich, Julie Swann, Paul Delamater, Maria Mayorga, Julie Ivy, Raymond L Smith, Mehul D Patel

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has popularized computer-based decision-support models, which are commonly used to inform decision making amidst complexity. Understanding what organizational decision makers prefer from these models is needed to inform model development during this and future crises. Methods. We recruited and interviewed decision makers from North Carolina across 9 sectors to understand organizational decision-making processes during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 44). For this study, we identified and analyzed a subset of responses from interviewees (n = 19) who reported using modeling to inform decision making. We used conventional content analysis to …

Cerebral Infarctions In An Infant With Covid-19 Delta Variant Infection And Disseminated Tuberculosis, Stuart Fraser, Misti Ellsworth, Norma Perez, Hunter Hamilton, Stephen Fletcher, Deborah Brown, Lakshmi Srivaths

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Decontamination Of Geobacillus Stearothermophilus Using The Arca Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide Decontamination System, Loren Benjamin Mead, Tanner Mathison, Garry Osborne, Anne Marie Richards

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: In response to the limited supply of personal protective equipment during the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, recent studies demonstrate that gaseous H2O2 is an effective decontaminant of N95 filtering facepiece respirators to enable reuse of these items in a clinical setting. This paper evaluates the efficacy of the Arca Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide Decontamination System (Arca), a novel aerosolized H2O2 decontamination system, using biologic indicator testing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Arca produces and circulates H2O2 aerosol inside of a sealed stainless steel chamber. The Arca's decontamination efficacy was evaluated in 8 decontamination trials with 2 H2O2 concentrations (3% and 12%) …

Radiographic Findings And Association With Clinical Severity And Outcomes In Critically Ill Patients With Covid-19, Wei Wu, Pavan K Bhatraju, Natalie Cobb, Neha A Sathe, Kevin I Duan, Kevin P Seitz, Matthew R Thau, Clifford C Sung, Daniel S Hippe, Gautham Reddy, Sudhakar Pipavath

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: To describe evolution and severity of radiographic findings and assess association with disease severity and outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 62 COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Clinical data was obtained from electronic medical records. A total of 270 chest radiographs were reviewed and qualitatively scored (CXR score) using a severity scale of 0-30. Radiographic findings were correlated with clinical severity and outcome.

RESULTS: The CXR score increases from a median initial score of 10 at hospital presentation to the median peak CXR score of 18 within a …

High-Resolution Metabolomics Of Exposure To Tobacco Smoke During Pregnancy And Adverse Birth Outcomes In The Atlanta African American Maternal-Child Cohort, Youran Tan, Dana Boyd Barr, P Barry Ryan, Veronika Fedirko, Jeremy A Sarnat, Audrey J Gaskins, Che-Jung Chang, Ziyin Tang, Carmen J Marsit, Elizabeth J Corwin, Dean P Jones, Anne L Dunlop, Donghai Liang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy has been associated with a series of adverse reproductive outcomes; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well-established. We conducted an untargeted metabolome-wide association study to identify the metabolic perturbations and molecular mechanisms underlying the association between cotinine, a widely used biomarker of tobacco exposure, and adverse birth outcomes. We collected early and late pregnancy urine samples for cotinine measurement and serum samples for high-resolution metabolomics (HRM) profiling from 105 pregnant women from the Atlanta African American Maternal-Child cohort (2014-2016). Maternal metabolome perturbations mediating prenatal tobacco smoke exposure and adverse birth outcomes were assessed …

A Message From The Trench: A Day In The Hospital During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Gabriel M Aisenberg

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Global “Flu-Ization” Of Covid-19: A Perspective From Vietnam, Khoi Quan Nguyen, Le My Anh Nguyen, Andrew W Taylor-Robinson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Immune Response To Sars-Cov-2 Vaccine Among Heart Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review, Saeed Shoar, Adriana C Carolina Prada-Ruiz, Gabriel Patarroyo-Aponte, Ashok Chaudhary, Mohammad Sadegh Asadi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Heart transplant (HTX) recipients are at a significantly higher risk of adverse clinical outcomes, due to chronic immunosuppression and co-existence of other chronic conditions, when contracting the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is currently the most promising measure for the prevention of severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among solid organ transplant recipients, the extent of immune response and its protective efficacy among patients receiving HTX has not been sufficiently studied.

METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the literature by inquiring PubMed/Medline to identify original studies among HTX recipients, who had received at least one dose of the …

Hispanic Ethnicity And Mortality Among Critically Ill Patients With Covid-19, Ana C Ricardo, Jinsong Chen, Stephanie M Toth-Manikowski, Natalie Meza, Min Joo, Shruti Gupta, Deepa G Lazarous, David E Leaf, James P Lash

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Hispanic persons living in the United States (U.S.) are at higher risk of infection and death from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared with non-Hispanic persons. Whether this disparity exists among critically ill patients with COVID-19 is unknown.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate ethnic disparities in mortality among critically ill adults with COVID-19 enrolled in the Study of the Treatment and Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 (STOP-COVID).

METHODS: Multicenter cohort study of adults with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to intensive care units (ICU) at 67 U.S. hospitals from March 4 to May 9, 2020. Multilevel logistic regression was used to evaluate …

Implementing A Robust Process Improvement Program In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit To Reduce Harm, Klaus G Nether, Eric J Thomas, Amir Khan, Madelene J Ottosen, Lauren Yager

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Preventable harm continues to occur with critically ill neonates despite efforts by hospital neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to improve processes and reduce harm. Attaining significant and sustainable improvements will require training including leadership support, mentoring, and patient family engagement to improve care processes. This paper describes the implementation of a robust process improvement (RPI) program in the NICU to reduce harm.

METHODS: Leaders, staff, and parents were trained in RPI concepts and tools. Multidisciplinary teams including parent members applied the training and received regular mentorship for their improvement initiatives.

RESULTS: Participants (N = 67) completed pretraining and post-training …

Online Dermatology Curriculum Experiences Among Us Dermatology Residents And Faculty, Quoc-Bao D Nguyen, Caroline T Starling, Imran T Baig, Misha V Koshelev, Kelly C Nelson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Many dermatology residency programs adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by transitioning to online teaching methods. This may impact the quality of education and the satisfaction of residents. Dermatology faculty and residents nationwide were surveyed regarding their experiences with the novel online curricula. A total of 65 individuals representing at least 20 ACGME-accredited dermatology programs responded. Many programs implemented a predominantly online curriculum (78%). Most participants reported that both clinical dermatology and dermatopathology were online during the pandemic's peak (90%). Among those who had experienced a live curriculum prior to the pandemic, 49% reported that a virtual curriculum had similar effectiveness, …

Erythema Multiforme After Third Covid-19 Vaccination (Pfizer-Biontech), Sonali Batta, Austinn C Miller, Susuana Adjei, Laurie A Temiz, Stephen K Tyring

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

We present a case of erythema multiforme (EM) associated with a third (booster) dose of COVID-19 vaccination in a patient who had no cutaneous reactions to previous doses. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of vaccine-associated EM occurring after a third/booster vaccination. Furthermore, our case emphasizes the need to remain vigilant for vaccine-associated EM in any patient recently vaccinated, regardless of whether previous vaccinations were administered without cutaneous reactions.

Toward A Topology-Based Therapeutic Design Of Membrane Proteins: Validation Of Napi2b Topology In Live Ovarian Cancer Cells, Leisan Bulatova, Daria Savenkova, Alsina Nurgalieva, Daria Reshetnikova, Arina Timonina, Vera Skripova, Mikhail Bogdanov, Ramziya Kiyamova

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

NaPi2b is a sodium-dependent phosphate transporter that belongs to the SLC34 family of transporters which is mainly responsible for phosphate homeostasis in humans. Although NaPi2b is widely expressed in normal tissues, its overexpression has been demonstrated in ovarian, lung, and other cancers. A valuable set of antibodies, including L2 (20/3) and MX35, and its humanized versions react strongly with an antigen on the surface of ovarian and other carcinoma cells. Although the topology of NaPi2b was predicted

Evaluation Of Medical Services From The Perspective Of Covid-19 Vaccine Demand Satisfaction In Hangzhou, China, Mingjun Cheng, Yunchen Zhu, Peili Cen, Shan Huang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a huge global impact, and it continues to test the resilience of medical services to emergencies worldwide. In the current post-epidemic era, vaccination has become a highly effective strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, using conventional mathematical models to evaluate the spatial distribution of medical resources, including vaccination, ignore people's behaviors and choices and make simplifications to the real world. In this study, we use an enhanced model based on the Theory of People Behavior (TPB) to perform a macro analysis of the satisfaction ability of medical resources for vaccination in Hangzhou, …

Improving Egypt’S Access To Vaccines And Medicines: Communication During Covid-19 / تحسين إتاحة الوصول إلى اللقاحات والأدوية في مصر: سياسة توعية الجمهور خلال أزمة فيروس كورونا, Alaa Abdel-Rahman, Sarah Attef, Helen Gabrah, Reem El-Sayed, Sarah El-Lithy

Papers, Posters, and Presentations

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Egyptian government has been following protocol as best as possible when it comes to responding to the needs of the health and economic sectors amid difficult times. From lockdown measures to the WHO’s recommended practices in terms of isolation of cases and treatments, Egypt has been lauded as one of the fastest and most effective countries in terms of COVID-19 emergency response. Authorities have implemented several awareness campaigns directed at citizens to inform them about the pandemic, how to prevent infection, what to do if infected and how to act accordingly. Authorities …

Effectiveness Of Comprehensive Palliative Care In Quality Of Life Among Cancer Patients In Vietnam: A Randomized Control Trial, Quynh Xuan Nguyen Truong

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: Palliative care and medical social work are emerging fields in Vietnam, but there is a significant gap between the psychosocial care needs of patients with serious illnesses and the availability of social work services, particularly in palliative care. This study aimed to develop and implement a comprehensive palliative care (CPC) program using a multidisciplinary approach to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients, and to assess its effectiveness.Method: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with patients recruited from the palliative care department of a university hospital. Participants were randomly assigned to either receive usual care or CPC. Data …

Substance Use Pattern Among Undergraduate College Students In Bandung, Indonesia, Nafisah Putri Wyangsari

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Substance use is still one of the major concerns of public health challenges, due to ranging consequences such as physical health, mental health, social, and economy affecting both individual and other people. Youth are a major human resource for country’s development. Findings reported substance use among youth kept increasing over the period, putting youth in a greater risk of developing physical disease, disabilities, and even death. To plan better intervention, study about substance use pattern among youth is required. Study aims to explore substance use pattern among undergraduate college students in Bandung. A cross-sectional study was conducted on May - …

Effect Of Indoor Air Quality In Residential Environment On Depression, Anxiey, And Stress Among Chronic Respiratory Disease Patients: A Longitudinal Study In Bangkok, Thailand, Wee Mekwilai

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This one-year longitudinal study in Bangkok assessed the impact of indoor air quality on psychological symptoms among respiratory patients from Chulalongkorn Hospital. Data collection involved 12-month follow-ups (January to December 2022), using the ChulaAir mobile application to retrieve background characteristics, respiratory health, and psychological symptoms. Home IAQ sensors measured indoor air quality factors. Off 100 eligible respiratory patients, 98 completed baseline data. However, 29 homes were ultimately counted into the final analysis for indoor air quality.Psychological problems were prevalent, with stress at 22.2%, depression, anxiety at 19.0%. The averages PM2.5, PM10, CO2, VOCs, temperature, and relative humidity were respectively 14.61 …

Mother’S Parenting Behavior On Children’S Dental Care During Covid-19 Pandemic In East Surabaya, Indonesia, Revian Gigih Laksono

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Introduction: Early Childhood Caries is one of the common dental health problems on children under 5 years old in Indonesia. Children at this range of age spend most of their time with mothers and the oral health behavior of the mothers can form children’s behavior. Particularly because of Covid-19, parenting behavior may change. Mother’s parenting behavior on their children’s dental care during Covid-19 pandemic can determine dental health status of the children in the future. Aim: To assess mother’s parenting behavior on children’s dental care during Covid-19 pandemic in east Surabaya.Methods: A cross sectional study with purposive sampling technique was …

Associated Factors Of Completed Suicide Among Attempted Suicide Cases In Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand During 2018 – 2021: A Secondary Data Analysis, Pattarachai Simaroj

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Suicide is a cause of death with impact emotional and societal costs, although it is a generally preventable cause of death and a critical global public health issue. In Thailand, the suicide rate is on the uptrend, and Chaiyaphum province is also one of the provinces that face this lethal phenomenon. However, there are very few studies about suicide cases in Chaiyaphum province. Therefore, this current study aimed to evaluate the associated factors with completed suicide cases in Chaiyaphum province. This study used the registry-based data of completed suicide and attempted suicide cases in the self-harm surveillance database of Thailand …

Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice Towards Menstrual Hygiene Management Among Junior High School Female Students In Tangerang District, Indonesia, Wihdaturrahmah Mah

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Menstrual Hygiene Management still become public health challenges in Low-Middle Income Countries, including Indonesia. It is an essential issue for girls and women in order to fulfil their rights and it is part of Sustainable Development Goals. Indonesia have reached a large proportion of water service in all kinds of schools, but sanitation and hygiene services are still problem. Inaccurate information, social cultural norms (myth/misconception) and beliefs are still widespread in the midst of female students. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of the practice on Menstrual Hygiene Management and its factors associated such sociodemographic characteristics, source of information …

Assessing Impacts Of Government Financial Support Program During Covid-19 (Thai Government’S 50:50 Co-Payment Scheme) On Suicide Ideation: A Secondary Data Analysis Of Pre-Post Study Design In 2022, Boonyawee Yeeluk

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Introduction: Suicide is a leading course of mortality worldwide including Thailand. Economic crisis leads to the mental health disorder including suicide ideation in general population. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered global and country economic crisis which worsen individual income. Thai government launched the government financial support namely Thai government's 50:50 co-payment scheme to not only unburden the expenditure but also reduce the economic stressor of Thai population. However, few studies have assessed the mental health disorder including suicide ideation among the government financial support recipients.Objective: To compare suicide ideation scores between before and after the fourth phase of Thai government’s 50:50 …

Associated Factors Among Confirmed Covid-19 Cases And Telemedicine Treatment Outcome During The Third Wave Of Covid-19 In Myanmar: A Secondary Data Analysis, Hein Thu

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background - COVID-19 pandemic effects on the health, economy, and society - worldwide. Millions of people around the world have been infected by the virus, which has killed hundreds of, thousands of people. COVID-19 has a wide range of clinical manifestations and progression. Fever, dry cough, fatigue, myalgia, headache, sore throat, abdominal pain, and diarrhea are common symptoms reported. Hospitalization and severity of COVID-19 were strongly correlated with the presence of certain co-morbidities. Telemedicine has emerged as a vital tool in the COVID-19 era, addressing several pressing challenges faced by healthcare systems. The widespread adoption of telemedicine during the COVID-19 …

Human Health Risk Assessment Related With Heavy Metals Contamination In Rice: A Case Study In Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia, Dian Islamiati

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Heavy metal pollution is still one of the environmental problems globally, including Indonesia. One of these contaminations comes from agricultural products such as rice. Heavy metal contamination in rice is known to cause various health problems. This study aimed (1) To find Heavy metals concentration in Indonesian local rice (2) To find Non-cancer risk related to heavy metals contaminations in rice (3) To find cancer risk related to heavy metals contaminations in rice (4) To find association between associated factors with risk related to heavy metals contaminations in rice. The rice was collected from the 3 biggest local markets in …

An Exploratory Study Of Online Socialising And Hiv-Related High-Risk Sexual Behavior Among University Students In Chengdu, People’ S Republic Of China, Qin Bo

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Young students in China have emerged as a high-risk demographic for HIV infection. Recent research findings confirm that engaging in unprotected sex with multiple partners remains the primary contributor to HIV transmission. However, in light of the ever-evolving landscape of network socialization and the deepening comprehension of HIV among young students, their attitudes and behaviors towards the virus have exhibited distinct characteristics. This study focuses on university and college students in Chengdu as the target population, aiming to comprehensively comprehend the present state and distinctive patterns of their sexual conduct, particularly high-risk sexual behavior. Moreover, it investigates the influence of …

Predictors Of Fertility Quality Of Life In Infertile Patients Visiting Infertility Center In Kathmandu, Nepal : A Cross-Sectional Study., Shital Shakya

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

In Nepal, infertility is a rising reproductive health issue with an estimated prevalence of 15%. There are few studies on quality of life in infertile women, but none on quality of life in infertile men and women although infertility is a shared condition and has effects on couples. The study objective is to describe the various predictors of infertile patients seeking infertility treatment and find association between these predictors and the quality of life. A cross-sectional study using a self-administered disease specific FertiQoL questionnaire was conducted among 409 infertile men and women seeking infertility treatment in an infertility center in …

Prevalence Of Betel Or Areca Nut (An) Use And Its Associated Factors Among Bhutanese Population Aged 15-69 Years Old : An Analysis Of National Health Data Of Non-Communicable Disease (Ncd) Survey In 2019, Tashi Penjor

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: Although betel or areca nut use has less global attention and public health concern than smoked tobacco uses, but it is particularly one of a neglected public health problem in Bhutan in which the masticatory use of betel is rampant and epidemic. Its use is also directly infused in Bhutanese tradition and social fabric. There are currently no policies that specifically target the regulation and consumption of areca nut use and trade in Bhutan, while it is classified as carcinogenic to human by the WHO (International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC) in 2004. Series of national surveys have …

Effectiveness Of Urban Childcare Center Indoor Air Quality Management Program (Ucc-Iaq) On Building Related Symptoms Among Care Takes :A Quasi Experimental Study, Sudkhed Detpetukyon

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigates the effectiveness of the UCC-IAQ program in Thai childcare centers, focusing on BRS and indoor air pollution. It involves 81 childcare workers in Nonthaburi and Saraburi provinces, Over eight hours, air quality measurements were taken at ten settings. Data on BRS and building-related factors were collected via surveys. Statistically significant differences in pollution levels were not observed between the UCC-IAQ program's intervention and comparison groups. However, the intervention group experienced a significant decrease in BRS compared to the comparison group. Caretakers in rooms with rapid temperature variations had a 10.72 times higher likelihood of experiencing BRS (Adjusted …