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Articles 91 - 120 of 148

Full-Text Articles in Epidemiology

Is Volunteering During Adolescence Associated With A Delay In Pregnancy Until Adulthood?, Diane Bishop May 2009

Is Volunteering During Adolescence Associated With A Delay In Pregnancy Until Adulthood?, Diane Bishop

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine if regular volunteering during adolescence was associated with a delay in first pregnancy until adulthood. Method: Data for this analysis were drawn from Wave III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Logistic regression was used, controlling for demographic characteristics and pregnancy intention, to estimate the independent contribution of volunteering during adolescence to a delay in first pregnancy until after age 18. Results: One-third of respondents reported regularly volunteering during adolescence. Volunteering significantly differed among those who had a teen pregnancy compared to those who delayed pregnancy until …


Patients Evaluated For Liver Transplant: Transplant List Denial And Subsequent Outcomes, Kara Elam May 2009

Patients Evaluated For Liver Transplant: Transplant List Denial And Subsequent Outcomes, Kara Elam

Theses and Dissertations

Background: The evaluation process for listing a patient on the liver transplant list is complicated and involves multiple consultations from various specialists, as well as extensive imaging and physiological studies. Although there are data on the outcomes of those listed, we know little about those that are denied listing. This research project will identify the reasons for liver transplant listing denial and predictors of death following denial for this challenging group of patients. Methods: Data from all patients (n=1,500) evaluated for a liver transplant from 1997 to 2007 by the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition located at Virginia Commonwealth …


Physical Activity Among Diabetic Individuals According To Diabetic Treatment Type, Tammie Thompson May 2009

Physical Activity Among Diabetic Individuals According To Diabetic Treatment Type, Tammie Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To evaluate the physical activity patterns of diabetic adults by the type of treatment they received Method: The study used secondary data collected by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2001 to 2006. NHANES is a continuous study which measures the health and nutritional status of non-institutionalized citizens in the United States. To be eligible for the study, participants had to be an adult 18 years or older who responded during the interview phase of the survey that they had diabetes. Participants with any missing data pertaining to the variables were excluded. After exclusions, the final …


Determinants Of Hepatitis B Vaccination Among Adults In The United States: Nhanes 1999-2006, Conschetta Wright May 2009

Determinants Of Hepatitis B Vaccination Among Adults In The United States: Nhanes 1999-2006, Conschetta Wright

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of vaccination and HBV infection status of adults and to evaluate the trend in self reported vaccination and seroprevalence for Hepatitis B for this population. Additionally, this study sought to assess the association between vaccination rates, seroprevalence (HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs), demographic (age, gender, location of birth, race/ethnicity), and socioeconomic (annual household income, education level, insurance coverage and access to care, marital status) characteristics. Methods: Eight years, 1999-2006, of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data were used. NHANES participants aged 20-59 years who contributed data …


Weight Perception And The Use Of Unhealthy Weight Loss Tactics Among Adults In The United States: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Nhanes Data, 2000-2006., Laura King May 2009

Weight Perception And The Use Of Unhealthy Weight Loss Tactics Among Adults In The United States: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Nhanes Data, 2000-2006., Laura King

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Weight dissatisfaction and misperception are widespread problems in the United States as are unhealthy weight loss practices. These negative body image issues can lead to eating disorders which have serious health and quality of life consequences. Objective: To evaluate the extent to which the prevalence of distorted body image and unhealthy dieting tactics exist in adults in the US and how these are related. Methods: Data from NHANES 2000-20006 on adults aged 20-59 was used. Weight perception was assessed with the physical exam measurements of weight status and the weight history questionnaire item asking if the person considered him …


Evaluation Of The Program Delivery Of Every Women's Life In Virginia, Landolt Susan Kenney May 2009

Evaluation Of The Program Delivery Of Every Women's Life In Virginia, Landolt Susan Kenney

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Among women, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death. Although technology advances have improved survival rates for breast cancer overall, improvements have not been universally experienced by all socioeconomic and racial groups. Known determinants of breast cancer care disparities include socioeconomic status, race, age, and social support. As a part of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 1990 and with the help of CDC funding, the Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (BCCEDP) or Every Woman’s Life (EWL) was created. EWL provides breast cancer screening to …


Relationship Between Parental Role-Modeling Of Physical Activity And Child's Physical Activity, Katherine Culver May 2009

Relationship Between Parental Role-Modeling Of Physical Activity And Child's Physical Activity, Katherine Culver

Theses and Dissertations

Trends in childhood obesity have lead to a generation that has a shortened lifespan, where excessive weight may decrease life expectancy by as much as five years. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for childhood obesity as well as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cancer. Addressing inactivity in children could help keep the obesity epidemic from continuing to grow as well as help address other health concerns. The specific aims of this study are 1) To examine the effect of parental role-modeling of exercise on children’s activity level by specifically looking at the role of the mother and the father, …


History Of Pregnancy Termination As A Risk Factor For Preterm Birth, Virginia 2000-20007, Jennifer Macdonald May 2009

History Of Pregnancy Termination As A Risk Factor For Preterm Birth, Virginia 2000-20007, Jennifer Macdonald

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine if an association exists between prior induced and prior spontaneous pregnancy termination (PIPT and PSPT) and preterm birth (PTB) of first live births in Virginia. Methods: Data was collected by linking maternal data from Virginia’s live birth and fetal death registries. All first live, singleton births occurring in Virginia from 2000-2007 were analyzed. Logistic regression models that controlled for various demographic, medical and obstetric history factors were used to determine associations among prior pregnancy termination types. Results: Compared with women who had no history of previous pregnancy terminations, women who …


Delayed And Forgone Care For Children With Special Health Care Needs In Virginia: A Cross-Sectional Study Using 2005-2006 Ns-Cshcn, Nevena Skoro May 2009

Delayed And Forgone Care For Children With Special Health Care Needs In Virginia: A Cross-Sectional Study Using 2005-2006 Ns-Cshcn, Nevena Skoro

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives The objectives of our study were to: 1) summarize illness characteristics and functional ability difficulties among Children With Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) in Virginia, 2) examine the distribution of socio-demographic, health insurance, and health-related factors among Virginia’s CSHCN, 3) quantify the influence of these socio-demographic, health insurance, and health-related factors on delayed and forgone care of CSHNC in Virginia, and 4) analyze reasons for delayed and forgone care among Virginia’s CSHCN. Methods Data from the 2005-2006 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (NS-CSHCN) were used for this study. Three categories of predictor variables were studied: …


Perception Of Power Dynamics And Risky Sexual Behavior In Indian Men, Amber Haley May 2009

Perception Of Power Dynamics And Risky Sexual Behavior In Indian Men, Amber Haley

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Women account for about a third of all new cases of HIV in India. Based on research examining trends of HIV infection in women, male perception and behaviors have emerged as strong potential risk factors. However, there has been limited research examining the relationship between male’s attitudes toward women and their sexual risk-taking behaviors. This study examined the degree to which men’s beliefs about power dynamics in heterosexual relationships are related to risky sexual behaviors in Indian men. Methods: Data on Indian men from the 2005-2006 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) was analyzed (N= 44,727). The outcome variable, risky …


A Culturally-Relevant, Emergent Approach To Exploring The Needs, Strengths, And Priorities Of Tribal Communities In Virginia, Amy Prorock-Ernest May 2009

A Culturally-Relevant, Emergent Approach To Exploring The Needs, Strengths, And Priorities Of Tribal Communities In Virginia, Amy Prorock-Ernest

Theses and Dissertations

Little is known about the health of the indigenous peoples in Virginia. When compared to the total U.S. population, indigenous peoples nationwide disproportionately experience disparities in health status across multiple health indicators. Research shows that these disparities are largely due to the inequitable distribution of social and economic determinants present within indigenous communities. Because the indigenous peoples of Virginia are affected by inequitable social and economic conditions, there is reason to believe that health indicators may mirror that of the indigenous population at-large. Outlined in this paper is a framework for exploring the needs, strengths, and priorities of indigenous communities …


Meta-Analysis: Racial Disparities In Prostate Cancer Survival And Case-Control Study: Association Between Family History Of Cancers, Obesity And Prostate Cancer, Gayathri Sridhar Apr 2009

Meta-Analysis: Racial Disparities In Prostate Cancer Survival And Case-Control Study: Association Between Family History Of Cancers, Obesity And Prostate Cancer, Gayathri Sridhar

Theses and Dissertations

This is a compilation of 3 abstracts for the three manuscripts included in this dissertation. I. Meta-Analysis: Racial Disparities in Prostate Cancer Survival: Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men. Previous studies have drawn inconsistent conclusions on racial differences in prostate cancer survival. This meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between race and survival from prostate cancer. A systematic review of published articles from 1968 to 2007 assessing survival from prostate cancer among African American and White men was conducted. The search yielded 20 eligible published manuscripts. Analysis of unadjusted studies showed African American …


Social Support, Weight Loss Attempts And Satisfaction, Allison Drew Dec 2008

Social Support, Weight Loss Attempts And Satisfaction, Allison Drew

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the presence of social support correlates with attempts at weight loss in the past 12 months, attempts not to gain weight in the past 12 months, and participants’ satisfaction with their weight status. Methods: We used a cross-sectional study design using data collected by the 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) (CDC). For this study we included males and females, of multiple ethnicities, and a range of ages from 40 to 70 + years. Participants with missing data on height and weight were …


Season Of Birth And Risk For Schizophrenia, Seth Roberts Dec 2008

Season Of Birth And Risk For Schizophrenia, Seth Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic, debilitating mental disorder characterized by positive (e.g., hallucinations, delusions) and negative (e.g., catatonia, flat affect) signs and symptoms. Many studies suggest that individuals born in winter or spring months are at increased risk for schizophrenia. Study Objectives: 1) To determine whether season of birth affects risk for schizophrenia in the Irish Study of High Density Schizophrenia Families (ISHDSF). 2) To examine, by computer simulation, power to detect genetic associations with schizophrenia under a variety of conditions and using different analytic strategies. 3) To test whether specific genes are associated with schizophrenia in the Irish Case …


Fetal And Early Neonatal Death: Do The Determinants Vary?, Ashley Carter Dec 2008

Fetal And Early Neonatal Death: Do The Determinants Vary?, Ashley Carter

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To compare the determinants and distribution of fetal and early neonatal deaths in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Background: Much attention is devoted to reducing the infant mortality rate which was declining up until 2002. The recent rise was parsed and found to stem from an increase in deaths during the early neonatal period. Fetal deaths are not well understood and are not routinely included when evaluating infant mortality. Methods: Using data collected from 2001 to 2006 fetal death and linked infant birth and death certificates by the Virginia Department of Health, crude mortality rates and leading causes of death …


Effect Of Metro Living On Oral Cancers In Virginia: 2001-2005, Preeti Sastry Dec 2008

Effect Of Metro Living On Oral Cancers In Virginia: 2001-2005, Preeti Sastry

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Forty percent of all head and neck cancers occur in the oral cavity. According to ICD-O (International classification of diseases for oncology) C00-C14 includes cancers of the lip, oral cavity and pharynx. Studies have indicated that increased population density or Metro living have increased oral cancer incidence. The objectives of this study are to look at the distribution of Oral and Oro pharyngeal Cancers in Virginia from 2001-2005 The study aims to determine if there is an association between metro living (beale code 3) and advanced Oral Cancers. This study is also being done to determine if Metro living …


Do Black Msm Have More Idu And Hiv Positive Partners Compared To White Men Having Sex With Men ?, Shankar Krishnappa Dec 2008

Do Black Msm Have More Idu And Hiv Positive Partners Compared To White Men Having Sex With Men ?, Shankar Krishnappa

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: This study estimates the proportion of intravenous drug use (IDU) partners and HIV positive sexual partners among black and white and examine the association between repeat HIV testing and sex with high risk partners. Methods: A cross-sectional study of MSM was conducted by using pooled data from counseling, Testing, Referral services in Virginia, USA 2002-2007. Results: We obtained a sample of 19679 MSM out of which 10924(56%) and 6739(34%) were white and black MSM respectively. The proportion of IDU partners and HIV positive partners were among white MSM (5% and 11%) and black MSM (3% and 9%) respectively. Age …


Medicare Managed Care Penetration And Prevalence Of Older Adult Disability, Christine Moe Dec 2008

Medicare Managed Care Penetration And Prevalence Of Older Adult Disability, Christine Moe

Theses and Dissertations

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between Medicare Managed Care (MMC) penetration and percentage of disability in older adults (individuals age 65 and older). Considering disability as an indicator of one or more unsuccessfully managed chronic diseases, this study investigates the assumption that managed care improves coordination of care, as well as access to preventive care. If managed care’s mandate is being met, then it should be evidenced in decreased prevalence of older adult disability. METHOD: Taking an ecological approach, this study used data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ, 2003) to compare the percentage of older adult …


The Relationship Between Perceived Personal Risk Of Getting Prostate Cancer And Prostate-Specific Antigen (Psa) Screening, Yeatoe G. Mcintosh Aug 2008

The Relationship Between Perceived Personal Risk Of Getting Prostate Cancer And Prostate-Specific Antigen (Psa) Screening, Yeatoe G. Mcintosh

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Title: The Relationship between Perceived Personal Risk of getting Prostate cancer and Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Screening Yeatoe G. McIntosh, MPH Candidate Advisor: Emmanuel Anum, MBChB, MPH, PHD Preceptor: Emmanuel Anum, MBChB, MPH, PHD Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancer diagnoses in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2008 28,660 deaths would be attributed to prostate cancer, projecting it to be the leading cause of cancer deaths in U.S. men. Despite the potential threat this cancer presents to men and the potential for improved disease outcomes from early detection, guidelines for screening …


Assessment Of Seminary Education On End Of Life Issues, Stefan Hakon Pomrenke Jan 2008

Assessment Of Seminary Education On End Of Life Issues, Stefan Hakon Pomrenke

Theses and Dissertations

Background: The US health care system faces increased costs from end of life (EOL) care. The intensive approach to EOL treatment with greater use of procedures in ICUs has led to decedent spending six times greater than that of survivors in the hospital. Experts in ICU and Palliative care fields have called for greater utilization of end of life planning and education. To date, EOL education has been dominated by the technologically driven medical field and the church has been under-utilized. The US population relies on clergy support for many mental health and EOL issues. Clergy report feeling uncomfortable in …


The Utility Of Depression Screening Measures After Traumatic Brain Injury, Amy H. Riddick Jan 2007

The Utility Of Depression Screening Measures After Traumatic Brain Injury, Amy H. Riddick

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: Identifying reliable, practical and easy to use tools to assess depression in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), is a necessary first step to addressing a high incidence problem. The intention of this study is to validate depression screening measures with a criterion-based structured interview among people with TBI. The final outcome will identify which measure is the best indicator of depression diagnosis in this population. Methods: 112 participants with TBI were administered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Neurobehavioral Functioning Inventory (NFI), The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (Ham-D), and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV TR Axis I …


Determinants Of Obesity: Racial Differences, Nikkia L. Goforth Jan 2007

Determinants Of Obesity: Racial Differences, Nikkia L. Goforth

Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major public health problem. Studies have shown that there are racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence of obesity. However, there is limited research that examines the effects of sedentary and poor lifestyle behaviors and obesity among different racial and ethnic groups. Furthermore, most studies focus on the problem of obesity among children. This study was conducted to examine racial differences in determinants of obesity in adults in the United States. METHODS: Data from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System was used for this analysis. Demographics, lifestyle behaviors, and existence of chronic diseases were assessed. …


Analgesic Use In U.S. Emergency Departments For Patients Reporting Moderate To Severe Pain: Diagnosis And Select Patient Characteristics Influencing Narcotic Analgesic Prescribing Practices, Hassan Zakaria Jan 2007

Analgesic Use In U.S. Emergency Departments For Patients Reporting Moderate To Severe Pain: Diagnosis And Select Patient Characteristics Influencing Narcotic Analgesic Prescribing Practices, Hassan Zakaria

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: This study aims to examine the relationship between emergency department patient encounter characteristics and narcotic analgesic prescribing practices in order to determine what patient characteristics, if any, influence the decision to prescribe narcotics.Methods: Cross sectional data on patients presenting to U.S. emergency departments from the 2003 and 2004 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were analyzed. Patients reporting moderate to severe pain were included in the sample and analysis. Chi square tests of significance were used to assess the association between individual demographic and encounter characteristics to narcotic prescription or administration. Separate multiple logistic regressions were then performed on …


Impact Of Combat Stress On Mental Health Outcomes: Brfss Survey Data 2006, Emily Pedneau Jan 2007

Impact Of Combat Stress On Mental Health Outcomes: Brfss Survey Data 2006, Emily Pedneau

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: This study sought to determine the relationship between combat experience and mental health outcomes. The study sought to determine whether age was a significant factor in poor mental health outcomes. Methods: Multiple logistic regression (n = 195,048) and multiple linear regression (n = 264,154) were performed on the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. Veteran status and a host of demographic and health status questions were analyzed in relation to diagnosis of anxiety or depressive disorder (multiple logistic regression) and to number of days poor mental health (multiple linear regression). Results: Diagnosis of anxiety or depression was …


Trend Analysis Of Automobile Collision Amongst 15-19 Year Olds In Virginia, 2000-2004, Imo F. Ndem Jan 2007

Trend Analysis Of Automobile Collision Amongst 15-19 Year Olds In Virginia, 2000-2004, Imo F. Ndem

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose. This research study on automobile collision in Virginia amongst fifteen to nineteen (15-19) year olds looked into the trend analysis over a five (5) year period of 2000 to 2004. Trend analysis is usually done for aggregates of all injuries—either intentional or unintentional injuries, or both. The primary objective of this research study was to examine the trend in hospitalization rates and mortality rates for males and females independently. It further looked into the trend, if any, in hospitalization rates, mortality rates, and case-fatality rates, for both males and females combined. The different Tables illustrate the extent and the …


Examination Of Birth Outcomes With Mode Of Delivery For Breech Presentation, Kelly Marie Arey Jan 2007

Examination Of Birth Outcomes With Mode Of Delivery For Breech Presentation, Kelly Marie Arey

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Approximately 3% to 4% of all pregnancies at term will have a fetus with a breech presentation. Studies have shown that the US has almost completely abandoned vaginal delivery for breech presentation through the influence of the "Term Breech Trial" (TBT) which concluded that a policy of planned caesarian section would reduce perinatal mortality, late neonatal mortality, and serious neonatal morbidity by approximately two-thirds for term fetuses. However, the recommendations are still being challenged by others.Objectives: The purpose of the study was to describe who in Virginia is having a vaginal delivery for a breech presentation and to determine …


Has Richmond, Virginia Become Safer In The Past Five Years (2002-2006)?: An Analysis Of Ambulance Data Regarding Penetrating Trauma Incidents, Ashleigh K. Mccabe Jan 2007

Has Richmond, Virginia Become Safer In The Past Five Years (2002-2006)?: An Analysis Of Ambulance Data Regarding Penetrating Trauma Incidents, Ashleigh K. Mccabe

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: The World Health Assembly declared violence as a worldwide public health problem. Homicides have been identified as a leading cause of death in the United States across all age groups. The national homicide rate for 2004 and 2005 are 5.5 and 5.6 per 100,000 population, respectively. The reported rates for Virginia are 5.2 (2004) and 5.6 (2005) per 100,000 population, showing a 16.9% increase. Richmond has been ranked as high as the sixth most dangerous among similar cities in the United States. This study examines penetrating trauma injuries identified through 9-1-1 calls as an indicator of the incidence of …


Breast And Cervical Cancer Screening In Virginia: The Impact Of Insurance Coverage And The Every Woman's Life Screening Program, Kamila Somayaji Jan 2007

Breast And Cervical Cancer Screening In Virginia: The Impact Of Insurance Coverage And The Every Woman's Life Screening Program, Kamila Somayaji

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Screening for breast and cervical cancers is important because early detection increases cancer survival. Since 1991, the U.S. government has helped finance a national early detection program for breast and cervical cancer among uninsured low-income women, known in Virginia (VA) as Every Woman's Life (EWL).Objectives: This study aims to determine whether there are differences in the prevalence of breast and cervical cancer screening based on insurance coverage, assess the prevalence of screening by health district, and evaluate the ability of EWL to effectively reach its target population.Methods: Cross-sectional data from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey were …


The Association Between Adult Self-Reported Asthma & Potential Exposures To Asthma Triggers In Virginia Workplaces: An Ecological Study, Jeanette R. Bowman Jan 2007

The Association Between Adult Self-Reported Asthma & Potential Exposures To Asthma Triggers In Virginia Workplaces: An Ecological Study, Jeanette R. Bowman

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Work-related asthma (WRA) is thought to be the most common occupational lung disease in the U.S., but there is no standard case definition of WRA. Most states, including Virginia, do not require WRA diagnoses to be reported to health departments. At present, there is too little epidemiological data on WRA in Virginia to direct public health planning efforts. Objectives: The first objective of this study was to estimate potential exposure to workplace asthma triggers in each of Virginia's 35 health districts. The second objective was to examine associations at the health district level between workplace asthma triggers, other asthma …


Disparities In The Use Of Emergency Contraceptives, Rebecca Dallman Jan 2007

Disparities In The Use Of Emergency Contraceptives, Rebecca Dallman

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Unintended pregnancies are often a burden to pregnant women and to the health care system. The rates of unintended pregnancies have decreased since the wide use of contraceptives has increased; however, young women, women with low income, and racial/ethnic minorities are more likely to use contraceptives inconsistently, which increases the risk of an unintended pregnancy. This risk could be reduced with the proper use of emergency contraceptives (ECs).Methods and Analysis: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the data from the female respondents of the 2002 Cycle 6 NSFG. Logistic regression was used to determine rates of use of ECs …