Public Health Education and Promotion Commons^™

The Emerging Epidemic Of Type 2 Diabetes And Obesity Amongst Young Children, Juliana Morales

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background:

In the past years childhood obesity has increased tremendously and currently ⅓ of children in the United States are obese today. Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes are illnesses that can later on lead to more severe health complications when as a child enters adulthood. Children who are obese have a greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and currently more than 80% of children who already are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are obese. In school and often by health care providers we are told daily physical activity and healthy diet are the best ways to maintain optimal health, …

Safe Practices For Preventing Covid-19 Among School-Aged Children, Meleena Reyelle Banda-Garcia

Nursing | Senior Theses

Communicable diseases and infections are common health problems among children. Among the most impactful communicable diseases present today is COVID-19, a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2, which has forced many school closures due to rapid transmission. Despite children not being the main driving factor of the spread of the disease, severe complications underlying COVID-19 incidence have resulted in increased hospitalization among school-age children.The initial global response to the spread of COVID-19 included the closure of school systems; however as the disease continues to be effectively managed, communities are starting to re-open schools partially or entirely nationwide. Although pharmaceutical …

Childhood And Adolescent Obesity: Related Comorbidities And Interventions, Jasmine Wong

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background

The prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity in the United States has steadily risen over the years and has become a public health concern. Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. Obese children and adolescents are at risk for poor health and poor quality of life. Furthermore, there are numerous comorbidities associated with childhood and adolescent obesity. While some of the associated diseases are acute, others can become chronic and result in lifelong conditions.

Objective

The purpose of the present thesis is to explore …

Rising Costs Of Insulin And Effects Of Self-Management In Type 1 Diabetes, Justine Yadao

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background

Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes is a chronic condition where the pancreas may not be able to produce little to no insulin. This type of diabetes can be attributed to some factors such as age, family history, environmental factors or types of viruses. It is seen more often in children or adolescence but can develop in adults, averaging approximately 5-10% of the population.

Insulin is a type of hormone produced in the pancreas naturally or can be manufactured in the laboratory. People with Type 1 Diabetes need insulin from an exogenous source to …

First Generation Filipino Children And The Risk Of Childhood Obesity: Influence Of Screen Time, Krystal Joy Joy Ragasa

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Obesity is an epidemic in the United States and among all Asian subgroups, Filipinos are particularly at a much higher risk. Obesity raises the risk of acquiring other health complications, especially for those who develop obesity at a younger age. Research has shown that children who engage in higher levels of screen time are more likely to become obese, resulting in screen time restrictions and recommendations. Additionally, rates of obesity are higher in immigrants. There is a gap in the explanation of screen time’s effect on childhood obesity for first generation Filipino children.

Aim: The purpose of the proposed …

Status Anxiety And Overall Life Satisfaction Of Young Adults In The Bay Area, Samuel Casco

Global Public Health | Senior Theses

The published literature suggests social comparisons have significant negative effects on an individual’s psychological well-being. However, there is little to no research to suggest that an individual’s attainment of societal success has a relationship with one’s perceived life satisfaction.

A mixed-methods study involved young adults ages 18-29 in the Bay Area and were selected via a student researcher in the Global Public Health department of Dominican University of California. 115 participants completed surveys regarding self-perceived life satisfaction and status anxiety through the Qualtrics Survey Collection Tool. A Pearson’s Chi-Squared Test was conducted to find an association between life satisfaction and …

Understanding Colorectal Cancer: Increasing Screening Rates Amongst Young- And Middle-Aged Adults By Enhancing Prevention Potential, Sarah Agudelo

Nursing | Senior Theses

As nurses, working towards the best health outcomes for our patients is critical to our care. A large aspect of this care includes being knowledgeable of risk factors and precautions to take to avoid conditions and illnesses. Colorectal cancer remains to be a highly preventable disease, yet it is one of the top five leading causes of cancer deaths in the nation. Preventing colorectal cancer requires the efficient use of screening and education, while also addressing barriers of inconvenience and affordability. This senior thesis delves deeper into colorectal cancer prevention by asking the research question: For young and middle-aged adults, …

The Physiological Benefits Of A Plant-Based Diet On Cardiovascular Health, Jenevieve Petray

Nursing | Senior Theses

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasingly more prevalent in today’s society and is attributed to an alarming percentage of American hospitalizations and deaths. Americans are unhealthier than ever before, and the main contributor is the Western diet. Diet is a double-edged sword that can offer benefits or detriments to one’s health. CVD encompasses numerous diagnoses originating from various underlying physiological alterations. These alterations are downstream effects of increased body weight and BMI, increased cholesterol levels, decreased insulin sensitivity and increased arterial plaque buildup. Research shows that a plant-based diet has the potential to manage and reverse all fundamental physiological alterations that …

A Framework To Guide Planetary Health Education., Carlos A. Faerron Guzmán, A. Alonso Aguirre, Barbara Astle, Enrique Barros, Brett R. Bayles, Moses Chimbari, Naglaa El-Abbadi, Jessica Evert, Finola Hackett, Courtney Howard, Jonathan Jennings, Amy Krzyzek, Jessica Leclair, Filip Maric, Olwenn Martin, Odipo Osano, Jonathan Patz, Teddie Potter, Nicole Redvers, Noortje Trienekens, Sarah Walpole, Lynda Wilson, Chenchen Xu, Matthew Zylstra

Global Public Health | Faculty Scholarship

People around the world are increasingly facing the pressing challenges of today’s interconnected environmental, social, and health crises. The COVID-19 pandemic has been an important wake-up call reminding us that we need a healthy planet to ensure the health of all people.¹ The emerging field of planetary health is a framework for understanding these interconnections and identifying solutions to the complex challenges confronting our civilization. Building on the unique role and responsibility of education institutions in shaping our futures, embedding planetary health education in curricula is an essential step to achieving the transformative change needed. Planetary health education across …

Relationship Between Food Insecurities And Chronic Illnesses: How Low Socioeconomic Status Relates To Chronic Illnesses, Kylie Sakurai

Nursing | Senior Theses

In nursing, the job is to care for the patients and get them to be the healthiest version of themselves. This thesis will review articles related to the interrelationship of socioeconomic status, food insecurities and the effect on people’s health. Food insecure people have trouble obtaining food and their nutrition suffers because they do not have the resources or money to maintain a healthy diet. Socioeconomic status plays a big role in the availability and obtainability of the necessary nutrients a person needs. Because of this, chronic diseases can arise and cause further health problems for the patients. The studies …

Effects Of Shift Length On Nursing Staff’S Productivity, Safety, And Well-Being, Victoria Sivesind

Nursing | Senior Theses

In this thesis the relationship between normal shift length for nurses and fatigue, burnout, intention to leave job, and patient outcomes and satisfaction. A review of literature has been done and conclusions have been made about the previous research reviewed in the thesis. A proposal for further research has been included and details how the author plans to provide further clarification to the questions at hand in order to better clinical nursing practice for the future. The proposed study includes sending out a survey to members of the Sigma Theta Tau Honors Nursing Society. It will inquire about shift length, …

Fatal & Non-Fatal Opioid Overdoses In Marin County: Using Ems And County Data To Locate The Presence Of Fentanyl, Naloxone Distribution, Repeated Overdoses, And Demographics, Josette Rojo

Global Public Health | Senior Theses

Background. In recent years, the United States has been greatly affected by prescription drug overdose deaths, 68% of which are caused by opioids. Like many communities nationwide, Marin County in California is deeply affected by the opioid epidemic with accidental overdose being one of the leading causes of injury-related death. This study examines how fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses in Marin County are associated with factors such as suspected fentanyl involvement, naloxone administration (EMS), and repeat overdose events.

Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted by Marin County’s Health and Human Services using data collected from EMS dispatch calls and vital …

Flowers Or Flora?: Understanding The Effects Of Probiotics On Depression, Nicole Collopy

Senior Theses

The human gut is populated with hundreds of types of bacteria and fungi. In North America, both intestinal and mood disorders are prevalent, presenting health problems that challenge health care professionals and patients alike. A scholarly literature review was conducted to explore this important relationship.

The investigation of the literature revealed that there is an association between gut health disorders and mood disorders, mainly anxiety and depression. This is due to bi-directionality between the brain-gut pathways, meaning that gastrointestinal health may have an effect on mental health and vice versa.

This connection between gut and mood can have substantial implications …

Food Pantry Evaluation And Assessment At The Dominican University Of California, Damian Cortez

Senior Theses

Food security continues to be a relevant and prevalent problem in the US that affects millions of people per year (1). In 2016, 12.3% of American households were food insecure. Although the percentage of food insecure households is experiencing a downward trend since the great recession in 2007, the current percentage is still higher than the percent of food insecure households before the recession (1).

Research shows that food insecurity is an indicator for negative health, academic, and social outcomes among elementary children leading to poor mathematical and reading performance, weight gain, and poor social development (2). The negative health …

Older Adults’ Experience In Owning A Guide Dog, Jeffrey Kou, Yvonne Lam, Patricia Lyons, Susan Nguyen

Student Research Posters

Low vision is an age-related condition that affects many older adults, and may create challenges in everyday activities in older adults. Guide dogs have been shown to be an effective assistive device that can help older adults within their community. Despite vast research on dog companionship, there is limited research on the facilitators and barriers of owning a guide dog among older adults with low vision. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to explore the facilitators and barriers of owning a guide dog as experienced by older adults with low vision participating in Guide Dogs for the Blind …

Fall Risk Reduction Using Lifestyle-Integrated Functional Exercise (Life), Kayla L. Comer, Tiffany Huang, Kelly Schmidt, Matthew W. Tong

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

As the population and longevity of older adults’ increases, the prevalence of falls is becoming an ever-growing issue. Falls in older adults may lead to sedentary behavior, decreased independence, and lower quality of life. Evidence has shown that traditional exercise programs emphasizing strength and balance can decrease the fall risk in older adults, but may be difficult to sustain over time. Emerging evidence suggests that exercises that are integrated into daily life, as seen in the Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) program, may have a more lasting effect in reducing fall risk in older adults. This study explored the effectiveness of …

The Malaria Testing And Treatment Market In Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of The Congo, 2013, Angela Alum, Andrew Andrada, Julie Archer, Erik Auko, Katie Bates, Paul Bouanchaud, Meghan Bruce, Angela Camilleri, Emily Carter, Steven Chapman, Nikki Charman, Desmond Chavasse, Kevin Duff, Keith Esch, Anna Fulton, Illah Evance, Anna Fulton, Helen Gataaka, Tarryn Haslam, Emily Harris, Catherine A. Hurley, Beth Kangwana, Esther Kabui, Gloria Kigo, Aliza Lailari, Megan Littrell, Erik Munroe Julius Ngigi, Kathryn A. O'Connell, Ricki Orford, Carolyne Ochieng, Linda Ongwenyi, Stephen Poyer, Justin Rahariniaina, Lanto Razafindralambo, Christina Riley, John Rodgers, Tanya Shewchuk, Julianna Smith, Tsione Solomon, Raymond Sudoi, Martine Esther Tassiba, Katherine Thanel, Andria Rusk, Rachel Thompson, Mitsuru Toda, Marie-Alix Valensi, Vamsi Vasireddy, Cynthia Whitman, Godéfroid Mpanya, Antoinette Tshefu, Joris Losimba Likwela

Collected Faculty Scholarship

Background

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the two most leading contributors to the global burden of disease due to malaria. This paper describes the malaria testing and treatment market in the nation’s capital province of Kinshasa, including availability of malaria testing and treatment and relative anti-malarial market share for the public and private sector.

Methods

A malaria medicine outlet survey was conducted in Kinshasa province in 2013. Stratified multi-staged sampling was used to select areas for the survey. Within sampled areas, all outlets with the potential to sell or distribute anti-malarials in the public and private …

Engagement And Outcomes In A Digital Diabetes Prevention Program: 3-Year Update., S Cameron Sepah, Luohua Jiang, Robert J. Ellis, Kelly Mcdermott, Anne L. Peters

Global Public Health | Faculty Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: Translations of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) have proliferated in recent years, with increasing expansion to digital formats. Although these DPP translations have consistently shown favorable clinical outcomes, long-term data for digital formats are limited. This study's objective was to examine clinical outcomes up to 3 years post-baseline and the relationship between program engagement and clinical outcomes in a digital DPP.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In a single-arm, non-randomized trial, 220 patients previously diagnosed with prediabetes were enrolled in the Omada Health Program, a commercially available, 16-week DPP-based weight loss intervention followed by an ongoing weight maintenance intervention. Changes …

Environmental Influence On Hypertension In San Francisco, California, Corinna Louise Venturina Villar

Student Research Posters

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when there is long-term force of force of blood against one’s artery walls. When uncontrolled, hypertension may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. More than 1 in 3 adults live with 1 or more types of cardiovascular disease in the United States alone- with stroke being the fifth leading cause of death. The purpose of my study is to evaluate the environmental influence on hypertension by comparing various factors in cities with high prevalence rates of heart disease to those with lower rates of heart disease. Conducting an environmental scan will serve …

Facilitating Effective Communication Between First Responders And Older Adults During Fall Incidents: An Educational Intervention, Krystin M. Beeman, Erica L. Berger, Isabel A. Cabezas, Nicole M. Mathews

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

PURPOSE. The purpose of this project was to provide first responders with communication strategies for older adults that may help when responding to fall- related calls. General information was also provided to First Responders on working with older adults with a focus on the aging process, fall risk factors, and communications strategies.

METHODS. A series of educational sessions to first responders at a local fire district were developed and presented by occupational therapy students. Materials were developed by presenters from evidence-based resources and tailored to the target population. Each presentation focused on statistics about older adults, the aging process, fall …

Childhood Obesity, Jennifer E. Mac-Romero

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the United States. In 2012, more than one-third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). Studies have suggested that obesity is greater in the low-income population than in higher income individuals (Wang, 2006). The literature review has provided evidence that suggest, Hispanic mothers contribute to the rising rates of childhood obesity due to parenting and Hispanic traditions. Although there are interventions created and being created to reduce the high rates of childhood obesity, there are still gaps in interventions that are culturally tailored for Hispanic mothers. …