Epidemiology Commons^™

Cancer Trends And Risk Factors In Cyprus, Evi A. Farazi

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Cyprus, a European Union member state, is a small island in the Mediterranean with a population approaching 900,000 people. Cancer is the second leading cause of death; more therapeutic options for any patient with the disease are available in a central oncology centre in the capital of the island (Nicosia) and fewer therapeutic options (e.g. chemotherapy and hormone therapy only) in a few other public hospitals. Palliative care is offered in several hospices and hospitals, although the field needs improvement. With regards to screening, a national breast cancer screening programme has been in place countrywide since 2007 and is offered …

Community Awareness Of Intestinal Parasites And The Prevalence Of Infection Among Community Members Of Rural Abaye Deneba Area, Ethiopia, Liza Nyantekyi, Mengistu Legesse, Girmay Medhin, Abebe Animut, Konjit Tadesse, Chanda Macias, Abraham Degarege, Berhanu Erko

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge of Abaye Deneba community members regarding intestinal parasites and prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections.

METHODS: Knowledge about intestinal parasites was assessed by administering a questionnaire to 345 randomly selected household heads. Parasitological stool examination of 491 randomly selected individuals was done using the formol ether concentration technique.

RESULTS: Knowledge of the Abaye Deneba community about parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis, amoebiasis, ascariasis and taeniasis was very low. However, 204 (59.3%) members correctly responded that the cause of giardiasis is related to contaminated water and 176 (51.2%) knew how to prevent it. In some cases, respondents …

Breast Cancer Susceptibility : An Education Intervention And Genetic Epidemiology Study, Nur Zeinomar

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer (aside from non-melanoma skin cancers) and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States. Our studies aimed to assess the effectiveness of a breast cancer educational intervention and to investigate genetic influences on the risk of post-menopausal breast cancer. The overarching theme and public health relevance of this dissertation was that our findings provided leads for breast cancer prevention.

Predictors Of Attrition Among Participants In A Worksite Wellness Program, Yvonne A. Johnston

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Objectives: The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to examine "stage of change" as a predictor of attrition among participants in a worksite wellness program. A Conceptual Model of Attrition was developed to examine health screening, health risk appraisal (HRA), and demographic predictors of attrition as well.

Influenza Hospitalizations In New York State 2007-2013 : Impact Of Vaccine And Antiviral Treatment Effectiveness In Reducing Severity Of Illness, Mary Dundas

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Background: Underlying medical conditions are known risk factors for increased severity of infectious diseases, including influenza. Although most studies on disease severity, underlying medical conditions, and prevention/treatment effectiveness occurred during the pandemic 2009-2010 season, data is also available for seasons when influenza virus B and influenza virus A subtypes pH1N1, seasonal H1N1, and H3N2 were circulating.

Disparities Among Hispanic Ethnicity And Stage At Diagnosis For Invasive Breast And Colorectal Cancer, Raquel Velazquez

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Objective: To assess the relationship between ethnicity and stage at diagnosis among invasive cases of breast and colorectal cancer.

An Evaluation Of Factors Leading To The Risk And Detection Of Thyroid Cancer, Thomas James O'Grady

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Abstract:

Paternal Occupational Pesticide Exposure And Neural Tube Defects In The National Birth Defects Prevention Study, Stacy Marie Pettigrew

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

ABSTRACT

Sex Work And Daily Alcohol Use May Increase Hiv Risks Of Women Who Inject Drugs In Ukraine, Tetyana Vasylyeva

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Background: Between 10 - 50% of female PWID in former USSR countries, where HIV epidemics are driven by injecting drug use, are reported to exchange sex for money, drugs or goods. Research in the region shows contradictory data on the association between exchange sex and HIV for PWID, and suggests that this association might be influenced by other factors. Since female PWID who exchange sex might be a bridge population between PWID and other people, it is important to monitor their risks and suggest timely interventions.

Sleep Duration And Diabetes In An Adult Population Of Rural Upstate New York, Tarak Shrestha

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Introduction: Within the past five decades, there has been a rapid increase in the number of diabetic cases in the US. The number of diabetic cases increased from 1.5 million in 1959 to 25.8 million in 2011. Around the same time period, the average sleep duration per night decreased from 8 hours to 6.9 hours.

Psychological Features Of Abstinent Heroin Users And Predictors Of Their Improvement During Rehabilitation In Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Timofey Galankin

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Objective: Find predictors of adherence to post-detoxification rehabilitation programs in opiate intravenous drug users (IDUs) in Russia. Assess whether longer-term rehabilitation programs improve participants' psychological profiles more than shorter-term ones.

Medication Use And Patients Co-Infected With Human Immunodeficiency Virus And Hepatitis C Virus : Quantifying The Prevalence And Identifying The Predictors Of Clinically Significant Drug-Drug Interactions Associated With Therapy Containing First Generation Non-Structural 3a Serine Protease Inhibitors, Nimish Patel

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This dissertation enhances our understanding of clinically significant drug-drug interactions (CSDDIs) and contraindicated drug interactions among patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection before and after the addition of HCV therapy including first generation non-structural (NS) 3A serine protease inhibitors. This is important to understand because the clinical sequelae of untreated chronic HCV infection are devastating yet drug-drug interactions greatly complicate treatment for these patients. The HIV/HCV coinfected population is a population that is particularly vulnerable because they are using a high volume of medications. Specifically, the standard of care for patients with HIV infection …

Atrazine In Maternal Drinking Water Supply Below The Federal Maximum Contaminant Level And Risk Of Preterm Birth, Small For Gestational Age, Cryptorchidism And Hypospadias, Daniel Rice

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The prevalence of preterm birth, small for gestational age (SGA), and hypospadias has been increasing for several decades in the U.S resulting in significant morbidity and mortality and direct costs to society. Drinking water provides a mechanism for prolonged chronic exposure to environmental contaminants but is one of the least assessed environmental exposures in pregnancy and birth outcomes. To test the hypothesis that maternal exposure to atrazine through drinking water during pregnancy, or one or more trimesters of gestation, is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, small for gestational age, cryptorchidism and hypospadias a retrospective cohort study was …

Novel Partner Notification Approaches In New York State, And Antibiotic Resistance In The Management Of Chlamydia Trachomatis Infections, Christopher Frank Davis

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia) is the most frequently reported notifiable disease in the United States. This dissertation provides an evaluation of chlamydia treatment and control through three different lenses: 1) patient views on a novel strategy to facilitate treatment, 2) student perceptions about materials to promote treatment of sexual partners, and 3) evidence regarding recurrent infection etiology.

Maternal Characteristics And Factors Associated With Hepatitis C (Hcv) Infection Among Hiv-Positive Pregnant Women In Ukraine, 2010-2011, Liudmyla Slobodianyk

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Objective: Determine the association between risk factors for Hepatitis C and hepatitis C (HCV) infection among HIV-positive pregnant women in Ukraine.

Social Support And Risky Sexual Behavior Among Male Migrant Market Workers From Central Asia In Almaty, Kazakhstan, Gaukhar Mergenova

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Background: Many studies have shown that risky sexual behavior leads to increased rates of HIV infection among labor migrants. However, little is known about the role of social support in risky sexual behavior among labor migrants in Kazakhstan. This study explores the potential association between social support and risky sexual behaviors among male migrant market vendors in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Perfluorinated Compounds, Thyroid Function, And Neuropsychological Status In Older Residents Of Upper Hudson River Communities, Srishti Shrestha

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are widespread in the environment. Minimal data exist regarding the neurotoxicity and thyroid disruptive property of PFCs in aging populations and the possible mediating effects of thyroid hormones (THs). In this study, we assessed associations among PFCs, thyroid function, and neuropsychological status, and determined if the neurotoxic effects of PFCs are mediated by changes in THs in an aging population. We measured perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total thyroxine (T4), free T4 (fT4), and total triiodothyronine (T3) in serum and performed neuropsychological tests in men and women aged 55-74 years and living …

A Population-Based Case-Control Study Of The Association Between Extreme Heat Events And Neural Tube Defects And Oral Clefts, Aida Soim

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

With climate change it is expected that extreme weather events will become more frequent and longer in duration. The health consequences of maternal exposure during pregnancy to extreme heat events are not well understood in spite of biological plausibility for adverse effects suggested by prior findings. There is very limited research that explores the relationship between extreme heat events and birth defects. The overall goal of this line of research was to determine whether heatwaves (HW) are associated with two major classes of birth defects: neural tube defects (NTDs) and oral clefts. One component of this project aimed to describe …

Initiation And Completion Of Adjuvant Chemotherapy Among Colorectal Cancer Patients, Ashar Ata

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Introduction: For regionally advanced colorectal cancers resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) is the recommended treatment. Despite consensus on benefits, studies have shown that a significant proportion of patients do not initiate it. Among those who initiate the survival benefits of chemotherapy cannot be fully realized without completed treatment. Without supplementing treatment information from insurance claims cancer registries are inadequate for assessment of ACT utilization. This study was aimed at measuring the initiation and completion of ACT among colorectal cancer patients and identifying the associated factors.

Dabigatran And Warfarin For Stroke Prevention In Atrial Fibrillation: Use, Switching, And Clinical Effects Following New Market Entry In Real-World Patients, Julie C. Lauffenburger '03

Doctoral Dissertations

Patients with atrial fibrillation frequently benefit from anticoagulation to prevent stroke and systemic embolism. For decades, warfarin was the primary oral anticoagulant option despite its narrow therapeutic index requiring monitoring and drug-drug interactions. Dabigatran’s recent availability provides practical advantages including no monitoring and fewer interactions; however, it lacks a convenient reversal agent for bleeding events. Currently, it is unclear what factors have driven anticoagulant utilization since dabigatran’s introduction, and little real-world evidence on the agents’ comparative effectiveness and safety is available. The objectives were to describe dabigatran and warfarin’s utilization and switching patterns and assess their comparative effectiveness and safety. …

Hepatitis B, C Virus And Hiv Co-Infection Among Reported Female Cases In South Carolina, 2004 - 2011: An Epidemiological Analysis Of Pregnancy Outcomes, Afiba Manza-Azele Agovi

Theses and Dissertations

HIV, hepatitis B and C virus (HBV, HCV) are three of the most common blood-borne infections and they continue to be a major public health problem in the United States (US) and globally. It is not well understood if maternal infection with either HBV or HCV has an adverse impact on pregnancy outcomes as findings from previous studies have provided some mixed results. The overall goal of this study was to assess the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA) and admission into neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for babies born to HBV- and …

Exploration Of The Genetic Epidemiology Of Asthma: A Review, With A Focus On Prevalence In Children And Adolescents In The Caribbean, A. Mohan, A. J. Roberto, B. C. Whitehill, A. Mohan, A. Kumar

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Asthma is a chronic disease caused by the inflammation of the main air passages of the lungs. This paper outlines a review of the published literature on asthma. While a few studies show a trend of rising asthma cases in the Caribbean region, even fewer have explored the genetic epidemiological factors of asthma. This is a literature review that seeks to sum the body of knowledge on the epidemiology of asthma. Specifically, the major objective of the literature review is to provide a unified information base on the current state of factors involved in the genetic epidemiology of asthma. The …

Primary And Secondary Prevention Of Hepatitis C Virus Among Rural Appalachian People Who Use Drugs, Dustin B. Stephens

Theses and Dissertations--Clinical and Translational Science

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with 3% of the global population chronically infected. Clinical impacts in the United States are projected to increase for two decades, and mortality attributed to HCV now exceeds HIV. Injection drug use (IDU) is the most common route of transmission in the developed world. Advances in treatment offer hope of mitigating HCV impacts, but substantial barriers obstruct people who inject drugs (PWID) from receiving care, particularly in medically underserved regions including Central Appalachia. This study assessed IDU paraphernalia sharing longitudinally over 24 months in a sample of …

Clinical Features, Proximate Causes, And Consequences Of Active Convulsive Epilepsy In Africa, Symon M. Kariuki, William Matuja, Albert Akpalu, Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige, Martin Chabi, Ryan G. Wagner, Myles Connor, Eddie Chengo, Anthony K. Ngugi, Rachael Odhiambo, Christian Bottomley, Steven White, Josemir W. Sander, Brian G. R. Neville, Charles R. J. C. Newton

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Purpose: Epilepsy is common in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but the clinical features and consequences are poorly characterized. Most studies are hospital-based, and few studies have compared different ecological sites in SSA. We described active convulsive epilepsy (ACE) identified in cross-sectional community-based surveys in SSA, to understand the proximate causes, features, and consequences.

Methods: We performed a detailed clinical and neurophysiologic description of ACE cases identified from a community survey of 584,586 people using medical history, neurologic examination, and electroencephalography (EEG) data from five sites in Africa: South Africa; Tanzania; Uganda; Kenya; and Ghana. The cases were examined by clinicians to …

The Associations Between Homa-Ir And Muscular Strengthening Activity In Euglycemic U.S. Adults, William Robert Boyer Ii

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Muscular strengthening activity (MSA) has been shown to be inversely associated with insulin resistance (IR). The associations between quartiles of the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and self-reported MSA in a nationally representative sample of euglycemic U.S. adults were examined.

Methods: Sample included adult participants (≥20 years of age [n=2,543]) from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). HOMA-IR was categorized into quartiles based on every 25^th percentile. No MSA was the dependent variable.

Results: Following adjustment for covariates, those with HOMA-IR values in third (p

Conclusions: Having a higher HOMA-IR value is associated …

Proximate And Evolutionary Insights Into The Epigenetics Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Levent Sipahi

Wayne State University Dissertations

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an important medical and social condition. Although the vast majority of individuals are exposed to traumatic events within their lifetime, a minority subsequently develop diagnosable PTSD. What underlies differential risk and resiliency in the face of trauma is an ongoing research and clinical question with implications for prevention and treatment. Recent work has revealed a putative role of epigenetic variation and modification - most notably DNA methylation - in the etiology of PTSD. That DNA methylation is stable, yet modifiable in response to lived experiences, makes it a strong candidate to mechanistically explain the ontogeny …

Using Quantitative Disease Dynamics As A Tool For Guiding Response To Avian Influenza In Poultry In The United States Of America, K. M. Pepin, E. Spackman, J. D. Brown, K. L. Pabilonia, Lindsey P. Garber, J. Todd Weaver, D. A. Kennedy, Kelly A. Patyk, K. P. Huyvaert, Ryan S. Miller, Alan B. Franklin, Kerri Pedersen, T. L. Bogich, P. Rohani, Susan A. Shriner, Colleen T. Webb, S. Riley

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Wild birds are the primary source of genetic diversity for influenza A viruses that eventually emerge in poultry and humans. Much progress has been made in the descriptive ecology of avian influenza viruses (AIVs), but contributions are less evident from quantitative studies (e.g., those including disease dynamic models). Transmission between host species, individuals and flocks has not been measured with sufficient accuracy to allow robust quantitative evaluation of alternate control protocols. We focused on the United States of America (USA) as a case study for determining the state of our quantitative knowledge of potential AIV emergence processes from wild hosts …

Tick-Bourne Pathogens Of Potential Zoonotic Importance In The Southern African Region, Simbarashe Chitanga, Holly Gaff, Samson Mukaratirwa

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The aim of this communication is to provide preliminary information on the tick-borne pathogens of potential zoonotic importance present in southern Africa, mainly focusing on their geographical distribution and host range, and to identify research gaps. The following tick-borne zoonoses have been reported to occur in southern Africa based mainly on case reports: Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever caused by Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever virus; ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia ruminantium, Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum; babesiosis caused by Babesia microti; relapsing fever caused by Borrelia duttonii and rickettsioses caused by Rickettsia africae, Rickettsia aeschlimannii and Rickettsia conorii. The …

Disparities In Adverse Childhood Experiences And Sexual Health In The Us: Results From A Nationally Representative Sample, Monique J. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a major public health problem in the US, and have been linked to risky sexual behavior and psychopathology. However, studies examining the link between the wide range of ACEs and sexual health outcomes and behaviors, and the associated mediational role of psychopathology are lacking.

Objectives: The main objectives of this dissertation project were: 1) To determine the association between ACEs and sexual health outcomes and behaviors (early sexual debut, intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, and HIV/STIs); 2) To examine the disparities among selected populations; and 3) To assess the mediational role of psychopathology in …

Prevalence Of Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Children Under Five Years Of Age With Emphasis On Schistosoma Mansoni In Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate, Ethiopia, Yirgalem G/Hiwot, Abraham Degarege, Berhanu Erko

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Intestinal parasite infections are major public health problems of children in developing countries causing undernutrition, anemia, intestinal obstruction and mental and physical growth retardation. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of intestinal helminthic infections among children under five years of age with emphasis on Schistosoma mansoni in Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional parasitological survey was conducted in under-five children living in Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate Ethiopia, April, 2013. Stool samples were collected and examined for intestinal parasites using single Kato-Katz and single Sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin (SAF) solution concentration methods. Out of 374 children examined using single …