International Public Health Commons^™

Mers-Cov Infection In South Korea And Strategies For Possible Future Outbreak: Narrative Review, Chulwoo Park

Faculty Publications

Although there were some positive viewpoints from international press and academia that the Republic of Korea (hereafter South Korea) successfully controlled the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in 2015, the domestic point of view towards the MERS response in South Korea was critical. As people in the world’s 11th largest economy, South Koreans criticized the failure of hospitals’ initial response to the MERS index case and the lack of a proper control strategy for secondary and tertiary cases. To contain the MERS outbreak, South Korea implemented mainly three MERS control and intervention strategies: quarantine and isolation system, temporary closure …

The Impact Of Income On Nutrition. A Case Study Of Northern Mozambique, Hunter Swanigan

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

In 2017, Mozambique ranked as one of the least-developed countries in the world by measures of health, education, and income, and had one of the lowest GDP per capita at $1,300. With a minimal income, purchasing adequate food to meet recommended levels of nutrients for a healthy diet is difficult, leaving almost half of the country’s population undernourished. This study researched what foods are available during the dry months (hungry season) of May through October in the Nampula province of Mozambique to analyze if it is possible to meet the National Institutes of Health’s recommended levels of nutrients from purchasing …

Les Pharmacies Privées Dans L’Offre De Services De Planification Familiale Au Sénégal : Une Étude Pilote, Fatou Mbow, Dela Nai, Sara Chace Dwyer, Aparna Jain, Babacar Mane

Reproductive Health

Sur la base de l'étude exploratoire menée par le Projet Evidence au Sénégal entre 2015 et 2016, avec un soutien financier supplémentaire de la Fondation William et Flora Hewlett, ce rapport technique documente les résultats d'une étude pilote sur l’offre des services de planification familiale (FP) par les pharmacies privées dans la région de Dakar. Le rapport détaille également les enseignements de valeur tirés de la mise en œuvre de l’étude dans le contexte du Sénégal. Ces résultats contribuent aux discussions politiques en cours au Sénégal concernant l'intégration des pharmacies privées dans la prestation des services de PF.

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Building …

Community-Acquired Pneumonia Pathogenesis In Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Julio A. Ramirez, Rodrigo Cavallazzi

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

No abstract provided.

Plasma Cysteine/Cystine And Glutathione/Glutathione Disulfide Redox Potentials In Hiv And Copd Patients., Walter H. Watson, Jeffrey D. Ritzenthaler, Paula Peyrani, Timothy L. Wiemken, Stephen P. Furmanek, Andrea Reyes-Vega, Tom J. Burke, Yuxuan Zheng, Julio A. Ramirez, Jesse Roman

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prevalent in patients infected with HIV. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that systemic oxidation correlates with loss of lung function in subjects with COPD, and that HIV infection can contribute to creating such an environment. Subjects were recruited at the University of Louisville in the following groups: HIV-infected (n = 36), COPD (n = 32), HIV and COPD (n = 28), and uninfected controls with normal lung function (n = 34). HIV infection was assessed by viral load and CD4 cell counts. Pulmonary function was determined by spirometry …

Patient And Provider Perspectives On How Trust Influences Maternal Vaccine Acceptance Among Pregnant Women In Kenya, Stacy W. Nganga, Nancy A. Otieno, Maxwell Adero, Dominic Ouma, Sandra S. Chaves, Jennifer R. Verani, Marc-Alain Widdowson, Andrew Wilson, Irina Bergenfeld, Courtni Andrews, Vincent L. Fenimore, Ines Gonzalez-Casanova, Paula M. Frew, Saad B. Omer, Fauzia A. Malik

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

Background Pregnant women and newborns are at high risk for infectious diseases. Altered immunity status during pregnancy and challenges fully vaccinating newborns contribute to this medical reality. Maternal immunization is a strategy to protect pregnant women and their newborns. This study aimed to find out how patient-provider relationships affect maternal vaccine uptake, particularly in the context of a lower middle- income country where limited research in this area exists. Methods We conducted semi-structured, in-depth narrative interviews of both providers and pregnant women from four sites in Kenya: Siaya, Nairobi, Mombasa, and Marsabit. Interviews were conducted in either English or one …

Association Of Urine Levels Of C-Reactive Protein With Clinical Outcomes In Patients With Pneumonia: A Pilot Study, Subathra Marimuthu, Vidyulata Salunkhe, Stephen P. Furmanek, Leslie A Wolf

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Finding relevant biomarkers as a potential predictor of severity for patients hospitalized with community acquired pneumonia (CAP), in addition to the clinical scoring system, could advance progress towards more effective patient management. The inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein (CRP), which is elevated in the pathogenesis of many infectious diseases, may be a key biomarker target for CAP. Previous studies have shown that serum CRP may be a useful diagnostic marker for pneumonia in hospitalized patients with acute respiratory symptoms. The main aims of this study were to determine the correlation between serum and urine CRP levels in hospitalized patients with CAP, …

La Comunicación Intercultural Entre Pacientes Bolivianos Y Trabajadores De Salud En Buenos Aires, Argentina / Intercultural Communication Between Bolivian Patients And Health-Care Workers In Buenos Aires, Argentina, Lilly Snellman

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Según la Ley de Migraciones 25.871 de 2004, los inmigrantes en Argentina tienen el mismo derecho a la atención médica que los argentinos nativos. El sistema de salud argentina es uno de los más inclusivos en el mundo, pero todavía hay barreras al acceso para comunidades e individuos marginados. Muchas veces los migrantes bolivianos son discriminados en la sociedad argentina por sus rasgos raciales, bajo nivel socioeconómico y diferencias culturales. Tres clases importantes de barreras para el acceso a la atención médica para los migrantes son las económicas, estructurales y comunicativas. En este estudio, decidí enfocarme en las brechas de …

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome On Health Information Websites: How Much Credible They Are?, Shahabedin Rahmatizadeh, Saeideh Valizadeh-Haghi, Arefeh Kalavani, Nadereh Fakhimi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Background: The most recent MERS outbreak has raised questions about prevention and symptoms since there is currently no vaccine to prevent MERS. People can help protect themselves from this illness by taking everyday preventive actions. To do so, it is helpful to get medical information on the Internet about this illness. Regarding the importance of ensuring the provision of accurate online information, the aim of this study was to assess the credibility of health websites about MERS by using HONcode tool.

Materials and methods: The term “MERS” was searched in Google, Yahoo, and Bing and the first three pages …

Burdern Of Chronic Health Conditions And Healthcare Utilization Among Mobile Populations In Sub-Saharan Africa, Elizabeth M. Ortiz

Dissertations and Theses

Background: Much of public health research in sub-Saharan Africa on mobile occupations, such as truck drivers and sex workers, has focused on HIV risk. However, evidence is emerging to suggest that the HIV epidemic among these groups is coupled with a high prevalence of chronic health conditions (CHC), specifically hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. For people living with HIV, increased risk of CHC may also be linked to HIV-related chronic inflammatory cascade. In Africa, there has been little research on CHC risk factors or patterns of healthcare utilization among mobile populations. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to examine the …

An Overview Of The Health Profile Of Syrian Refugees Arriving In Kentucky From 2012-2017, Camila Calderon, Annie Rominger

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Background:

The civil unrest in Syria has led to millions of displaced Syrians. The United States has relocated over 15,000 Syrian refugees, mostly arriving since 2015. Little is known about the health of Syrian refugees entering the United States.

Methods:

Syrian refugees in Kentucky who had a medical screening and documented RHA from October 2012 to September 2017 were included in the study. The information is collected and stored in the Arriving Refugee Informatics Surveillance and Epidemiology (ARIVE) database. This study is a retrospective review of the ARIVE database to describe the general health of the Syrian refugees …

Challenges To Diabetes Self-Management For Adults With Type 2 Diabetes In Low-Resource Settings In Mexico City: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Robin Whittemore, Mireya Vilar-Compte, Selene De La Cerda, Denise Marron, Rosabelle Conover, Roberta Delvy, Annel Lozano-Marrufo, Rafael Pérez-Escamilla

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Mexico is one of the highest in the world, with high morbidity and mortality, and difficulty meeting glycemic targets. The purpose of this study was to identify the challenges for T2D self-management as perceived by both adults with T2D and health care providers in primary health clinics from Seguro Popular in Mexico City.

Methods: This was a qualitative descriptive study conducted in three Seguro Popular primary care clinics in Mexico City using convenience sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants and data were analyzed using a content analysis approach.

Results: The …

Effectiveness Of Community Outreach Hiv Prevention Programs In Vietnam: A Mixed Methods Evaluation, Lora L. Sabin, Katherine Semrau, Mary Bachman Desilva, Le T T Loan, Jennifer J. Beard, Davidson H. Hamer, Jordan Tuchman, Ted Hammett, Nafisa Halim, Manisha Reuben, Aldina Mesic, Taryn Vian

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

Background

In 2014, Vietnam was the first Southeast Asian country to commit to achieving the World Health Organization’s 90–90-90 global HIV targets (90% know their HIV status, 90% on sustained treatment, and 90% virally suppressed) by 2020. This pledge represented further confirmation of Vietnam’s efforts to respond to the HIV epidemic, one feature of which has been close collaboration with the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Starting in 2004, PEPFAR supported community outreach programs targeting high-risk populations (people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, and sex workers). To provide early evidence on program impact, …

Factors Associated With Full Immunization Coverage Among Children Up To 12 Months, Kakuma Mission Hospital, Turkana County, Kenya, Kevin Lomuria, Naomi Nyakio, Elvis Oyugi, James A. Ransom

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

The 2014 Kenya Demographic Health Survey showed that only 56.7% of children in Turkana County had received all recommended vaccines by 12 months of age, which is 12% below national and 24% below World Health Organization global coverage rates. This study aimed to identify factors that influence full immunization coverage (FIC) by 12 months of age in Kakuma Mission Hospital (KMH), Turkana County, in 2015. Kakuma is the site of a UNHCR refugee camp, established in 1969. Administration of vitamin A by 6 months of age and administration of measles-containing vaccine by 9 months of age were predictive of FIC.

Barriers To Health Among Idps In Kabul, Afghanistan: A Qualitative Study, Yagana Parwak, Madhavi Dandu, Rohini J. Haar

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Background: Forced displacement is a significant problem for regions experiencing prolonged humanitarian crises due to armed conflict. Afghanistan, having experienced over four decades of conflict, has an estimated 1.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), a majority of which are concentrated in urban centers. IDPs have limited resources and face challenges accessing health services through traditional channels, leading to a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality. Health care facilities created for and existing within IDP camps also face numerous challenges. We aim to understand the structural factors that negatively impact health and the specific barriers to healthcare access for IDPs using …

The Diffusion Of Telehealth: System-Level Conditions For Successful Adoption, Danika Tynes

Dissertations

Telehealth is a promising advancement in health care, though there are certain conditions under which telehealth has a greater chance of success. This research sought to further the understanding of what conditions compel the success of telehealth adoption at the systems level applying Diffusion of Innovations (DoI) theory. System-level indicators were selected to represent four components of DoI theory (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, and observability) and regressed on 5 types of Telehealth (Teleradiology, Teledermatology, Telepathology, Telepsychology, and Remote Monitoring) using multiple logistic regression.

Analyses included data from 84 states leveraging data from the World Health Organization, World Bank, ICT Index, …

High Stakes Require More Than Just Talk: What To Do About Corruption In Health Systems, Taryn Vian

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

Reluctance to talk about corruption is an important barrier to action. Yet the stakes of not addressing corruption in the health sector are higher than ever. Corruption includes wrongdoing by individuals, but it is also a problem of weak institutions captured by political interests, and underfunded, unreliable administrative systems and healthcare delivery models. We urgently need to focus on corruption as a health systems problem. In addition to supporting research to better understand the context and implications of corruption in health systems, this article suggests actions that public health professionals can do now to fight corruption.

Heat Waves And Heat-Related Mortality In East Tennessee, Taiwo Adesoba

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Heat waves represent a public health challenge that requires multiple responses and warnings to protect vulnerable populations. Although studies have reported an increasing trend of heat wave occurrence in many areas of the world, no clear trend exists in East Tennessee. Using data from Parameter-elevated Relationships on Independent Slope Models (PRISM), CDC WONDER and the United States Census Bureau, the relationship between mortality rates and year was estimated during heat wave events between 1999 and 2010. Five heat wave definitions were tested. Overall, 2007 and 2010 stand out as the years with the highest number of heat wave days in …

Short Relative Leg Length Is Associated With Overweight And Obesity In Mexican Immigrant Women, Mireya Vilar-Compte, James Macinko, Beth C. Weitzman, Carlos M. Avendaño-Villela

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: Prior research suggests that undernutrition and enteric infections predispose children to stunted growth. Undernutrition and infections have been associated with limited access to healthy diets, lack of sanitation, and access barriers to healthcare - all associated with human rights. Stunting has also been documented to be a major determinant of subsequent obesity and non-communicable diseases. Short leg length relative to stature during adulthood seems to be a good proxy indicator tracking such barriers, and has been reported to be associated with adverse health effects during adulthood. Our objective was to examine the association between relative leg length (as measured …

Vitamin Deficiencies Among Resettled Refugees In Buffalo, Ny, Tyler B. Evans, Myron Glick Md

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Background

Vitamin deficiency in the developing world is a considerable public health issue that is often overlooked. Refugees are some of the most vulnerable populations, since they rely almost exclusively on the nutrition provided by refugee camps. Buffalo, NY resettles the fourth largest number of refugees per capita among cities in the United States (US).

Objective

We examined the prevalence of vitamin A, B2, B12, and D deficiencies among refugees who had been recently resettled to Buffalo, NY and referred to our practice for assessment. Our exploratory objective was to examine potential differences in the prevalence of vitamin deficiencies among …

A Prospective, Population-Based Study Of Trends In Operative Vaginal Delivery Compared To Cesarean Delivery Rates In Low- And Middle-Income Countries, 2010-2016., Margo S. Harrison, Sarah Saleem, Sumera Ali, Omrana Pasha, Elwyn Chomba, Waldemar A. Carlo, Ana L. Garces, Nancy F. Krebs, K. Michael Hambidge, Shivaprasad S. Goudar, S. M. Dhaded, Bhala Kodkany, Richard J. Derman, Archana Patel, Patricia L. Hibberd, Fabian Esamai, Edward A. Liechty, Antoinette Tshefu, Adrien Lokangaka, Melissa Bauserman, Carl L. Bose, Fernando Althabe, Jose M. Belizan, Pierre Buekens, Janet L. Moore, Dennis D. Wallace, Menachem Miodovnik, Marion Koso-Thomas, Elizabeth M. Mcclure, Robert L. Goldenberg

Global Health Articles

OBJECTIVE: Few data are available on cesarean delivery and operative vaginal delivery trends in low- and middle-income countries. Our objective was to analyze a prospective population-based registry including eight sites in seven low- and middle-income countries to observe trends in operative vaginal delivery versus cesarean delivery rates over time, across sites.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective population-based study, including home and facility births among women enrolled from 2010 to 2016, was performed in communities in Argentina, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Pakistan, and Zambia. Women were enrolled during pregnancy and delivery outcome data were collected.

RESULTS: We analyzed 354,287 …

The Real Period Stain: Menstrual Stigma And Its Pressures In South Asia, Ila Mostafa

Celebration of Learning

This research project looks to answer the question: How does menstrual stigma in rural and urban Bangladesh affect women’s access to menstrual health care?

The research question was borne from personal experiences with menstrual stigma and seeing it firsthand in many areas of Bangladesh. These firsthand experiences come from women whom I interviewed in urban and village locations in Bangladesh in 2017. The research question looks to explore how women feel about seeking help for or talking about their menstrual issues. In asking this question, I want to explore what is at stake for women due to the powerful presence …

Building Financial Management Capacity For Community Ownership Of Development Initiatives In Rural Zambia, Viviane Sakanga, Parker S. Chastain, Kathleen L. Mcglasson, Jeanette L. Kaiser, Misheck Bwalya, Melvin Mwansa, Kaluba Mataka, David Kalaba, Nancy Scott, Taryn Vian

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Building financial management capacity is increasingly important in low- and middle-income countries to help communities take ownership of development activities. Yet, many community members lack financial knowledge and skills.

Methods: As part of a larger health intervention, we designed and conducted financial management training for 83 members from 10 community groups in rural Zambia. Change scores between pre- and post-tests on financial knowledge were calculated and multivariate linear regression models run. Qualitative feedback was elicited.

Results: The training significantly improved knowledge of financial concepts. Participants with some or more than some secondary education had greater improvements …

A Case-Study Approach To Investigate Transmission, Co-Infection, And Clinical Sequelae During Epidemics Of Dengue And Ebola Virus Disease, Jennifer Elizabeth Giovanni

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

From within their ecologic niches, zoonotic viruses emerge from animal reservoirs into the edges and centers of human habitation to exploit opportunities for unabated transmission within immunologically–naïve populations. Our understanding of where, in whom, and how these viruses emerge is under direct challenge, driving the evolution of modern infectious disease epidemiology within a rapidly-connected global community. The studies presented herein are based on analyses of both aggregate and case-level data, which, we argue, provide unique insight into the complexities of transmission, co-infection, and clinical sequelae occurring within, and arising from, epidemics of emerging zoonotic viruses. In Chapter II, we investigate …

Access To Community-Based Hiv Services Among Transgender Women In Cambodia: Findings From A National Survey., Siyan Yi, Say Sok, Srean Chhim, Pheak Chhoun, Navy Chann, Sovannary Tuot, Phalkun Mun, Marija Pantelic

BACKGROUND: Globally, the prevalence of HIV among transgender women is more than 40 times higher than the prevalence in the general reproductive-age adults. They also face intersecting barriers to health, social, and legal services due to their hidden and stigmatized nature. Despite the particular needs, data regarding the access to services among transgender populations is scant globally. This study aims to identify characteristics of transgender women in Cambodia that may determine their accessibility to community-based HIV services.

METHODS: In the National Biological and Behavioral Survey 2016, a structured questionnaire was used for face-to-face interviews with 1375 sexually active transgender women …

The Modeling Assessment Of World Vision’S Water, Sanitation, And Hygiene Program In Southern Africa Countries, Malawi, Mozambique, And Zambia: Analyses Using Lives Saved Tool, Chulwoo Park, Armen Martirosyan, Seble Frehywot, Erin Jones, Ashley Labat, Yvonne Tam, Emmanuel Opong

Faculty Publications

Background: Since 2010, the humanitarian aid organization World Vision has implemented a community-based water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) program in 76 area development programs (ADPs) for a total target population of 2,831,535 in three Southern Africa countries: Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia.

Methods: This study was conducted using the Lives Saved Tool (LiST) to analyze the isolated impact of World Vision WASH interventions on child morbidity and mortality during the four-year implementation period from 2010 to 2014. The combined effects of WASH interventions – improved water source, home water connection, improved sanitation, handwashing with soap, hygienic disposal of children’s stools – …

Transition In Occupations Of Refugees During Resettlement, Jacqueline-Elizabeth Cantrell, Kimberley K. Banuelos, Adam Chan, Jennifer H. Daine

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Purpose: In 2016, there were 22.5 million refugees worldwide (UNHCR, 2017). California resettled just over 5,000 of those 85,000 (Igielnik & Krogstad, 2017). Limited research has been conducted in the United States (U.S.) focusing on the refugee experience; furthermore, there is a significant gap in research regarding the impact of the refugee experience on the occupations of refugees as they transition to living in the U.S. Smith (2012) explored the adaptation of cultural weaving among Karen refugees to maintain their previous occupations and the impact of daily weaving on their lives within Western culture; however, the study focused only …

The Perception Of Iron-Deficient Anemia In Bolgatanga, Ghana Among Women Of Childbearing Age, Sydney Albrecht

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Objective: To understand the perception of anemia among the women of childbearing age in Bolgatanga, Ghana, and to correlate the reasoning with the high incidence of anemia in the area.

Method: This research was a qualitative study consisting of 67 interviews over the course of the three weeks that were spent in Bolgatanga. 50 of these interviews were women of childbearing age (15-49), 6 were health professionals, and 11 were women older than the age range provided. Interviews were taken from the maternity clinics nearby as well as from women in a rural area that was a 10-minute taxi ride …

Seeing Eye To Eye: A Machine Learning Approach To Automated Saccade Analysis, Maigh Attre

Honors Scholar Theses

Abnormal ocular motility is a common manifestation of many underlying pathologies particularly those that are neurological. Dynamics of saccades, when the eye rapidly changes its point of fixation, have been characterized for many neurological disorders including concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and Parkinson’s disease. However, widespread saccade analysis for diagnostic and research purposes requires the recognition of certain eye movement parameters. Key information such as velocity and duration must be determined from data based on a wide set of patients’ characteristics that may range in eye shapes and iris, hair and skin pigmentation [36]. Previous work on saccade analysis has …

Left Atrial Model, Borna Sobati, Sarah Porello, Tess Pate

Biomedical Engineering

The objective is to produce an electrophysiological model of an adult human left atrium. This model will be used to test mapping probe catheters used for locating cardiac arrhythmias against current technology used in practice. Dr. Chris Porterfield requested this model and other physicians or probe catheter manufacturers may also use this product in the future. Dr. Porterfield also discussed the possibility of future senior project groups using the model as a bench test for designing new catheter tips. The model will precisely simulate electrical behaviors of the heart in normal as well as arrhythmic conditions. Ideally, the model will …