International Public Health Commons^™

Piloting Carestart™ Rapid Diagnostic Test (Rdt) To Promote Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6pd) Screening In Malaria Endemic Community In Cambodia, Bertha Nyagaya-Wojnarski, +Several Additional Authors

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background: Primaquine (PQ) is the only FDA-approved drug for radical cure of Plasmodium vivax (P.v) malaria, but treatment can result in life-threatening hemolysis if given to a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient (G6PDd) patient. Therefore, the G6PD status of the patient with P.v must be known prior to prescribing PQ. However, a patient’s G6PD status in rural malaria endemic settings is generally unknown, illuminating the need for reliable point of care G6PD diagnostic tests as a prerequisite to safely administer PQ. To increase community PQ access in Cambodia, performance of CareStart™ G6PD rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) needs to …

(Video) Dirty Cotton: Occupational Pesticide Exposure And Elevated Suicide Risk Among Male Cotton Farmers In India, Bethany Natalia Kondavaty

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Purpose: The aim of this critical analysis was to examine the association (or lack thereof) of occupational pesticide exposure and elevated suicide risk among male cotton farmers in India.

Methods: A literature review was performed using Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. The review included documents published before and after year 2002. Children were excluded from the search as well as women, with exception to research on gender differences in suicide.

Results: Studies outside India show a positive correlation between work-related pesticide exposure and suicide. Animal studies have shown that pesticides, as organophosphates, are toxic, …

Designing A Social Norms-Based Intervention To Reduce Anemia In India: A Formative Research Protocol, Aika Aluc, Erica Sedlander, Rajiv N. Rimal, Sameera A. Talegawkar, Hagere Yilma, Wolfgang Munar

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background: Economic and gender inequalities are important determinants of anemia in low and middle income countries. Gender dimensions of food security contribute to the undernutrition among women. More than half of women of reproductive age in India are anemic. Anemia causes increased risk of preterm delivery, higher maternal mortality and contributes to fatigue, which influences women’s work productivity. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends daily oral iron and folic acid (IFA) supplements during pregnancy and weekly supplements for women of reproductive age. Despite the efforts of government programs and global donors to reduce anemia in India, both initial uptake and …

Impact Of Water, Sanitation, And Hygiene Interventions On Environmental Enteric Dysfunction In Children In Developing Countries: A Systematic Literature Review, Abdoulaye Bangoura, Susan Anenberg

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED) is a global disturbance of intestinal structure and function that has its origin in environmental factors (Owino et al. 2016). As a response to prolonged and persistent inflammation, the intestine morphology is altered. EED is an important contributor to poor child cognitive development, child stunting, poor oral vaccine response, acute infections, and childhood mortality globally (Trehan et al. 2016) in developing countries.

We hypothesized that WASH interventions could reduce the risk of EED, thereby positively impacting children’s overall health. The Navigation Guide review methodology and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment and Evaluation (GRADE) were followed to …

(Video) Outreach Services To Treat Women Living With Obstetric Fistula: A Systematic Review, Pauline Pamela Pratt, Rashida Muhammad

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background: Obstetric fistula is a condition experienced by women who because of prolonged labor become incontinent forming one or more holes in between the rectum and the vagina or the vagina and the bladder (Heller, A., 2017). The hole causes uncontrollable stool and urine to leak from the woman. For most women with obstetric fistula, the duration of the labor leading to fistula varied between 5 hours and 9 days, averaging 3.0 days long (Heller, A., 2017). Women who suffer from this from this condition are do not have access to quality medical care. While prevention is the priority and …

How Collective Norms And Media Use Affect Attitudes About Violence Against Women And Contraception Use In Sub-Saharan Africa, Erica Sedlander, Rajiv N. Rimal

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background: Contraceptive use and attitudes about violence against women, though enacted at the individual level, are also driven by factors at the interpersonal and social levels. The role of mass media in promoting social norms surrounding these attitudes and behaviors has not received much scholarly attention but can be helpful to illuminate areas for intervention.

Hypothesis: We proposed and tested the hypothesis that collective norms (defined as a groups aggregate behavior or attitudes) would be associated with individual level attitudes (tolerance towards violence against women) and behaviors (contraception use). This relationship was further hypothesized to vary by media use, such …

Assessing Psychophysiological Effects Of Malodorous Pollutants In Residents Of Leandrinho, Bahia, Brazil: A Pilot Study Using A Whatsapp-Based Questionnaire, Shanell Folger, Courtney Woods, Rita Franco Rego, Carlos Henrique Amaral, Washington Ramos, Amanda Northcross

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background: Leandrinho is located in the region that is home to the largest industrial chemical complex in the southern hemisphere that covers approximately 49 km². Leandrinho residents have reported experiencing adverse health effects that co-occur during periods of malodor emitted by the petrochemical industry. However, there is currently no tool for the residents to systematically record incidents of malodor. This pilot study assessed the feasibility of using a questionnaire designed through Whatsapp, a text-messaging application commonly used among residents.

Method: Leandrinho residents were randomly recruited to complete a daily questionnaire using either paper (n=24) or Whatsapp (n=24) over …

An Assessment Of Cultural Perceptions And Recognition Of Ebola Virus Disease, And Its Correlation With Traditional Burial Practice In Rural Guinea, Chulwoo Park, Amira Roess, Sally Lahm, Mamadou Kally Bah, Mohamed Campel Camara, John Sandberg

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background:

In the midst of the unprecedented Ebola outbreak in West Africa during 2014-2016, the humanitarian response to control the disease was hampered in part because there was a limited understanding of local traditional rituals or indigenous medicine (ethnomedicine) on the part of the responders. The Ebola outbreak claimed 11,310 lives, more than all other outbreaks combined. West African burial funeral ceremonies and surrounding rituals may have hindered interventions that included the forceful removal of the sick or dead from the community.

Objective:

Our objective was to understand transmission associated with traditional burial practices in rural Guinea. Through the lens …

Toolkits To Help Women Who Have Experienced Or Are At Risk Of Female Genital Cutting: A Review, Hina Shaikh, Karen Mcdonnell, Nadia Kalley, Christine Hedstrom, Ghada Khan

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

In recent years, written guidance and other tools to assist professionals in multiple sectors has been issued to increase their awareness about female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), knowledge of how to respond appropriately, and means of delivering optimal care to women who have undergone FGM/C. A long-standing human rights-framed issue, FGM/C is a global health concern and is most often carried out on young girls. Apart from practicing origin countries, increased international migration has given rise to FGM/C in countries in the Americas, Europe, and Oceania, and compelled domestic legislation to outlaw FGM/C. This prohibition makes FGM/C an area in which …

Etiology And Management Of Hospitalized And Outpatient Diarrhea Among Children Less Than 5 Years Of Age In Lambaréné, Gabon, Christina Pugliese, Natalie Byrne, Frederique Nguema, Kafui Vodounou, Mirabeau Mbong Ngwese, Gedeon Manouana, Jean Edoa, Bayode Adegbite, Jeannot Zinsou, Ayola Adegnika, Martin Grobusch, David Diemert

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Objectives: Diarrhea remains a significant cause of global under-5 mortality, particularly in SubSaharan Africa (SSA). To reduce morbidity and mortality, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends oral rehydration salts (ORS), zinc supplementation, and continued feeding or breastfeeding for all children with diarrhea to prevent dehydration and malnutrition; antibiotics only for bloody diarrhea (i.e. probable shigellosis), suspected cholera, or severe non-intestinal infections (e.g. pneumonia or sepsis); and avoidance of antidiarrheals and antiemetics owing to lack of benefit and potential for harm in young children. Gabon is an upper-middle income country in SSA for which there is a lack of recent, high …

Environmental Degradation In Baía De Todos Os Santos, Brazil: A Review Of The Evidence, Amanda Chen, Amanda Northcross, Shanell Folger

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

The communities living in Baía de Todos os Santos (BTS) has been subjected to toxicants released into the environment by the growing petrochemical industry surrounding the area. Community members are concerned about the effects that these chemicals have on the health and wellbeing of the people, as well as the natural environment. Many of the communities are artisanal fishers and rely on the fish and shellfish produced by the bay for a living. Working in collaboration with the Movement of Artisanal Fisher People (MPP), this research aims to summarize previous research conducted in the BTS. The research describes the environmental …

Evaluation Of The Carestarttm Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6pd) Rapid Diagnostic Test At Community And Health Center Level, Cambodia, Bertha Nyagaya-Wojnarski, Dnp, Fnp-Bc, Mph

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Primaquine (PQ) is the only FDA-approved drug for radical cure of Plasmodium vivax (P.v) malaria, but treatment can result in life-threatening hemolysis if given to a glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase deficient (G6PDd) patient. Therefore, the G6PD status of the patient with P.v must be known prior to prescribing PQ. However, patient G6PD status in rural malaria endemic settings is generally unknown, illuminating the need for reliable point of care G6PD diagnostic tests as a prerequisite to safely administer PQ. To increase community PQ access in Cambodia, performance of CareStartTM G6PD rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) needs to be evaluated in healthcare …

Prevalence Of Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, And Dyslipidemia In Student-Run Screening Clinics For Rural Communities In The Sierra Norte Of Puebla, Mexico, Sean Navin, Daniel M. Tomaszewski

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: The growing prevalence of hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), and in Mexico highlights the need for preventative health care services. Rural communities worldwide lack access to such services. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of HTN, DM, and dyslipidemia in student-run screening clinics in rural communities of the Sierra Norte of Puebla, Mexico to better understand the role the clinics play for the patients served.

Methods: Data were collected from patients from rural, Mexican towns participating in free pharmacy student-run screening clinics. Patients consented to have their de-identified information pooled for re-search. Screenings …

Designing A Socio-Normative Intervention To Reduce Anemia In Odisha India: A Formative Research Protocol [Version 1; Referees: 2 Approved], Erica Sedlander, Rajiv N Rimal, Sameera A Talegawkar, Hagere Yilma, Wolfgang Munar

Prevention and Community Health Faculty Publications

Background: More than half of women of reproductive age in India are anemic. Anemia is associated with increased risk of preterm delivery, higher maternal mortality and contributes to fatigue, which affects women’s work productivity. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends daily oral iron and folic acid (IFA) supplements during pregnancy and weekly supplements for women of reproductive age. Government programs and global donors have distributed and promoted IFA supplements in India for over four decades. However, initial intake and compliance remain inadequate.
Objectives: This protocol describes the formative research phase of a larger study, which will test, through a randomized …

Exploring Significant Impacts Of Global Health On Nursing Education And Resource-Poor Communities: An Integrative Literature Review, Kimberly Elkayam, Elizabeth Del Cimmuto

Grace Peterson Nursing Research Colloquium

Exploring Significant Impact of Global Health Experienced by Nursing Educators: An Integrative Literature Review

Elizabeth Del Cimmuto & Kimberly Elkayam

Faculty Sponsor: Young-Me Lee, PhD, RN

Background: Nursing education in the United States is largely focused on health promotion at the local and community level. Modern advances in communication technology have facilitated a movement in nursing to gradually adopt a global health perspective in both practice and education.

Objective: to explore what research has been done regarding how nurse educators are impacted by adopting global health perspectives in nursing education and to suggest one potential way to add to this …

Addressing Hydrocephaly In Viet Nam: A Plausible Prevention And Intervention Medical Support Program Proposal, Chelle Mcintyre-Brewer

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Families affected by hydrocephalus in Viet Nam have few options for sustainable treatment for a myriad of reasons, primarily centering on barriers to care prevalent to minority, underserved, and economically disadvantaged populations. High morbidity and abandonment rates often result from these circumstances. An interdisciplinary examination of the factors contributing to causal concerns reveals unique cultural considerations, language and literacy barriers, ethnic and geographic differences, as well as economic and governmental issues greatly impacting patient outcome for this condition. The author contends that a program that addresses sociological concerns, along with the medical treatment of the patient, proffers the opportunity for …

Stigma Gets In My Way: Factors Affecting Client-Provider Communication Regarding Childbearing Among People Living With Hiv In Uganda., Jolly Beyeza-Kashesya, Rhoda K. Wanyenze, Kathy Goggin, Sarah Finocchario-Kessler, Mahlet Atakilt Woldetsadik, Deborah Mindry, Josephine Birungi, Glenn J. Wagner

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

INTRODUCTION: Many HIV-affected couples living in sub-Saharan Africa desire to have children, but few quantitative studies have examined support for their childbearing needs. Our study explored client-provider communication about childbearing and safer conception among HIV clients in Uganda.

METHODS: 400 Ugandan HIV clients in committed relationships and with intentions to conceive were surveyed. Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to childbearing, and use of safer conception methods were assessed, including communication with providers about childbearing needs, the correlates of which were examined with bivariate statistics and logistic multivariate analysis.

RESULTS: 75% of the sample was female; 61% were on antiretroviral therapy; …

Qualitative Evaluation Of The Saleema Campaign To Eliminate Female Genital Mutilation And Cutting In Sudan., Andrea C Johnson, W Douglas Evans, Nicole Barrett, Howida Badri, Tamador Abdalla, Cody Donahue

Prevention and Community Health Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C, herein FGM) is a widespread and harmful practice. The Government developed a national campaign in Sudan, called Saleema, to change social norms discouraging FGM. Saleema translates to being "whole", healthy in body and mind, unharmed, intact, pristine, and untouched, in a God-given condition. An interim evaluation was conducted using focus groups among Sudanese adults. The primary aim was to explore perceptions of the Saleema poster exemplars and to assess if the desired themes were being communicated. Secondary aims were to understand more about participants' information sources, values, and suggestions for the campaign broadly. …

Policy Determinants Of Physical Activity Across The Life Course: A Dedipac' Umbrella Systematic Literature Review, Anna Puggina, Katina Aleksovska, Christoph Buck, Con Burns, Greet Cardon, Angela Carlin, Simon Chantal, Donatella Ciarapica, Giancarlo Condello, Tara Coppinger, Cristina Cortis, Sara D'Haese, Marieke De Craemer, Andrea Di Blasio, Sylvia Hansen, Licia Iacoviello, Johann Issartel, Pascal Izzicupo, Lina Jaeschke, Martina Kanning, Aileen Kennedy, Fiona Chun Man Ling, Agnes Luzak, Giorgio Napolitano, Julie Anne Nazare, Camille Perchoux, Tobias Pischon, Angela Polito, Alessandra Sannella, Holger Schulz, Rhoda Sohun, Astrid Steinbrecher

Publications

Background Despite the large number of studies and reviews available, the evidence regarding the policy determinants of physical activity (PA) is inconclusive. This umbrella systematic literature review (SLR) summarizes the current evidence on the policy determinants of PA across the life course, by pooling the results of the available SLRs and meta-analyses (MAs). Methods A systematic online search was conducted on MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, Scopus and SPORTDiscus databases up to April 2016. SLRs and MAs of observational studies investigating the association between policy determinants of PA and having PA as outcome were considered eligible. The extracted data were …

Challenges Of Refugee Health Care: Perspectives Of Medical Interpreters, Case Managers, And Pharmacists, Fabiana Kotovicz, Anne Getzin, Thy Vo

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Our objective was to identify perceived challenges in the provision of health care for refugees from the perspective of medical interpreters, case managers, and pharmacists working with refugee patients in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Methods: Two 60-minute focus groups were performed exploring challenges in refugee health care using a literature-based semi-structured protocol. Focus groups were transcribed and de-identified prior to independent analysis by two of the investigators. Using a memoing-process qualitative approach, major concepts, cross-cutting themes, and subthemes were established and ultimately developed a narrative. The project protocol was approved as not human subject research by the local institutional review board. …

Reducing Stigma Among Healthcare Providers To Improve Mental Health Services (Reshape): Protocol For A Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Stigma Reduction Intervention For Training Primary Healthcare Workers In Nepal., Brandon A Kohrt, Mark J D Jordans, Elizabeth L Turner, Kathleen J Sikkema, Nagendra P Luitel, Sauharda Rai, Daisy R Singla, Jagannath Lamichhane, Crick Lund, Vikram Patel

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Non-specialist healthcare providers, including primary and community healthcare workers, in low- and middle-income countries can effectively treat mental illness. However, scaling-up mental health services within existing health systems has been limited by barriers such as stigma against people with mental illness. Therefore, interventions are needed to address attitudes and behaviors among non-specialists. Aimed at addressing this gap, REducing Stigma among HealthcAre Providers to ImprovE mental health services (RESHAPE) is an intervention in which social contact with mental health service users is added to training for non-specialist healthcare workers integrating mental health services …

Surgical Management Of Symptomatic Intraluminal Duodenal Diverticulum In An Adolescent, Vivian Lam Saavedra, Timothy D. Kane, Stefany Garrity

Surgery Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Guinea-Bissau: Hiv/Aids, Matt Macarthur

Global Public Health

This public health brief investigates the concern of HIV/AIDS in Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau is a low-income country run by a semi-presidential government. The government has been very unstable since its formation. A variety of internal conflicts have limited the effectiveness of the government. As a result, there is little money to provide proper treatment for individuals with HIV/AIDS. It is important to get tested for this condition as soon as symptoms occur, but due to limited resources that is not always possible. Guinea-Bissau has a very high fertility rate compared to other countries worldwide, this allows for a high mother-to-child transmission …

Somalia: Rift Valley Fever, Alyson Meeks

Global Public Health

This walks readers through the basic demographics of Somalia, a country located in the horn of Africa. After learning about the government in Somalia and the problems that the people of the country face, this focuses on the problem of Rift Valley Fever. Rift Valley Fever is a virus that year after year strikes Somalia and surrounding countries. Weather patterns seem to help predict when Rift Valley Fever will be at the highest risk for an outbreak. This outlines the steps the current government and people are trying to take to help prevent outbreaks of RVF. But the solutions currently …

Russian Federation: Alcoholism, Hannah Vercellotti

Global Public Health

The Russian Federation, better known as Russia, is the largest nation in the world. While the country faces numerous internal and external challenges, one of the most prevalent public health issues is alcoholism and excessive alcohol use. This is particularly concerning since, in addition to direct mortalities, alcoholism leads to Russia’s leading cause of death, coronary heart disease. The research compiled in this brief examines general information about the country, a few common public health issues faced, basic epidemiology, and previous interventions targeted at reducing alcoholism and excessive alcohol use. The project then proposes a future intervention aimed at resolving …

Panama: Ischemic Heart Disease, Alexander R. Ligeza

Global Public Health

This public health brief draws attention to the issue of ischemic heart disease that is currently plaguing Panama. Due largely to the dietary culture of the country, ischemic heart disease remains the number one health-related killer of Panamanians. Over the past few decades, there has been a stark increase in the amount of processed foods that are becoming a large part of the diets of western nations, and Panama has become no stranger to this trend. Although there have been great strides made in the treatment of ischemic heart disease, Panama still has a long road ahead of itself before …

Northern Mariana Islands: Hepatitis B, Dennis Thornton

Global Public Health

The Northern Mariana Islands consists of a group of Islands in the Pacific Ocean that are a United States commonwealth, meaning that they are technically a part of the United States and follow our government, which is a constitutional republic. This string of islands has had a problem with Hepatitis B in the past. This is a problem for all genders, and all ages, but is most common among drug users, diabetics, and individuals who engage in sexual acts with multiple partners. This illness attacks a person's bloodstream and can be serious enough to cause liver failure and extreme pain …

Infant Mortality: Sub-Saharan Africa, Danielle Rae Steffen

Global Issues in Public Health

Like much of the third world, the countries found in Sub-Saharan Africa have a distressingly high infant mortality rate compared to those recorded in places such as the United States and Europe. While there are many factors that play a role in the increased number of infant deaths in this region, lack of access to adequate healthcare for infants and their families is one of the main overarching causes. Although infant mortality rates remain high, there has been significant improvement in infant survival over the last several years which is largely due to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals …

Prevalence Of And Factors Associated With Utilization Of Herbal Medicines Among Outpatients In Primary Health Centers In Cambodia, Hattie Pearson, Tyler Fleming, Pheak Chhoun, Sovannary Tuot, Carinne M. Brody, Siyan Yi

BACKGROUND: Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) is seen as a way to provide healthcare in both developed and developing countries across the world. In Cambodia, there is a long tradition of using TCAM. However, scant studies have been conducted on the extent of Cambodian TCAM use and how it interacts with allopathic health care to date. In this study, we examined the prevalence of and factors associated with utilization of herbal medicines among patients with chronic diseases in primary health care settings in Cambodia.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2015 with outpatients receiving treatment and care for …

Mobile Link - A Theory-Based Messaging Intervention For Improving Sexual And Reproductive Health Of Female Entertainment Workers In Cambodia: Study Protocol Of A Randomized Controlled Trial, Carinne M. Brody, Sovannary Tuot, Pheak Chhoun, Dallas Swendenman, Kathryn C. Kaplan, Siyan Yi

BACKGROUND: In Cambodia, HIV prevalence is concentrated in key populations including among female entertainment workers (FEWs) who may engage in direct or indirect sex work. Reaching FEWs with sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services has been difficult because of their hidden and stigmatized nature. Mobile-phone-based interventions may be an effective way to reach this population and connect them with the existing services. This article describes study design and implementation of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a mobile health intervention (the Mobile Link) aiming to improve SRH and related outcomes among FEWs in Cambodia.

METHODS: A two-arm RCT will be …