Public Health Education and Promotion Commons^™

Examining Racial Disparities In Cancer Incidence And Mortality Across South Carolina Regions, William Stokes, Swann Arp Adams, Kara M Montgomery

Senior Theses

Purpose: To provide updated cancer mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) data across South Carolina (SC).

Methods: State and national incidence and mortality data were collected from the South Carolina Central Cancer Registry (SCCCR) and the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER). MIRs (mortality rate/incidence rate) were calculated for all cancer sites, cervical, colon, female breast, lung and bronchus, oral cancers, and prostate cancers from the years 2016-2021, excluding 2020.

Results: Major racial disparities in MIR were found in SC, with the largest discrepancies seen in cervical, colon, and prostate cancers. Of note, each SC region had white cervical …

Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol Policy And Related Health Impact Among College-Aged Individuals In South Carolina: A Scoping Review, Emily K. Luoma

Senior Theses

After the 2018 Farm Bill passed, loopholes were quickly found that led to the popularization of delta-8 THC, a derivative of delta-9 THC, more commonly known as marijuana. Use of this substance became particularly high in states that criminalized marijuana, such as South Carolina. This scoping review aimed to assess South Carolina’s current delta-8 policies in the context of health-related impacts among college-aged students. Comprehensively analyzing the results of relevant studies, it was determined that there are three commonly observed threats to public health that are direct outcomes of existing policies: 1) a lack of quality control standards; 2) misleading …

Church Leaders’ Health Behaviors And Program Implementation In The Faith, Activity, And Nutrition Program In The United States, Kelsey R. Day, Sara Wilcox Phd, Lindsay Decker, John Bernhart Ph.D., Mph, Ches, Meghan Baruth, Andrew T. Kaczynski Ph.D., Christine A. Pellegrini Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Objectives: Church leaders are important to the success of faith-based health promotion interventions through the role modeling of health behaviors. However, clergy may be at a higher risk of chronic disease than their congregants and their health is understudied. This study examined church leaders’ health-related behaviors, differences in health behaviors by socio-demographic characteristics, and associations between health behaviors and church-level implementation of an ecological intervention. Methods: Pastors (n = 93) and church coordinators (n = 92) reported body mass index (BMI), self-rated health, fruit and vegetable consumption (F&V), and physical activity (PA) at baseline and 12 months post-training in the …

Legal Residency Status And Its Relationship With Health Indicators Among Syrian Refugees In Lebanon: A Nested Cross-Sectional Study, Marie-Elizabeth Ragi, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Berthe Abi Zeid, Hazar Shamas, Noura Joseph El Salibi, Sawsan Abdulrahim, Jocelyn Dejong, Stephen J. Mccall, The Caep Study Group

Faculty Publications

Background Failure to possess or renew legal residency permits increases the burden on a vulnerable refugee population. It risks detention or deportation, and hinders access to basic services including healthcare. This study aimed to examine the association between legal residency status and health of Syrian refugees living in Lebanon.

Methods Data were from two independent nested cross-sectional studies collected in 2022 through telephone surveys. In the first study, all Syrian refugees aged 50 years or older from households that received humanitarian assistance were invited to participate. The second included all adult Syrian refugees residing in a suburb of Beirut. The …

Integrating Postnatal Care Into The Redesign Of Group Care Beyond Birth, Ashley Gresh, Astrid Van Damme, Deborah Lynn Billings Phd, Sharon Schindler Rising, Shaimaa Ibrahim, Abiola Ajibola, Ellen Chirwa, Jennyfer Don-Aki, Nastassia Donoho, Manodj Hindori, Nafisa Jiddawi, Emeka Kanebi, Esnath Kapito, Catherine Kay, Tara Kinra, Vlorian Milliqaj, Bolanle Oyeledun, Marlies E.B. Rijnders, Octavia Wiseman, Ghutai Sadeq Yaqubi, Crystal L. Patil

Faculty Publications

Background

Globally, alarmingly high rates of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity persist. A constellation of health system and social factors contribute to this, including poor quality and barriers to accessing health care, including preventive services. As such, there have been calls for a redesign of maternal and child health (MCH) services. Although group care has primarily been tested in antenatal settings, it offers a promising redesign that optimizes maternal and child health care, survival, and well-being. The purpose of this study was to produce a blueprint of an adapted group care model that integrates postnatal maternal care, well-child care, …

Post-Term Births As A Risk Factor For Small For Gestational Age Births And Infant Mortality In Brazil, Mexico, And Palestinian Refugees: An Analysis Of Electronic Birth Records, Zeina Jamaluddine, Lorena Suarez Idueta, Enny S. Paixao, Julia M. Pescarini, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Miho Sato, Akihiro Seita, Luis A. Martinez-Juarez, Mauricio L. Barreto, Eric O. Ohuma, Louise T. Day, Oona M.R. Campbell, Hannah Blencowe

Faculty Publications

Background:

Post-term pregnancy, defined as reaching or exceeding 42 + 0 weeks of gestation, is known to be associated with unfavourable birth outcomes. High-income countries have responded to this risk by widely adopting labour induction protocols in late-term, but many low- and middle-income countries have not. However, understanding underlying mechanisms linking post-term births to adverse newborn and infant outcomes remains limited.

Objective:

To investigate the (a) prevalence of post-term, (b) the risk factors associated with post-term (c) the association between post-term births and the risk of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates and of infant mortality in middle-income settings.

Methods:

We used existing …

The Built Environment And Place Attachment: Insights From Japanese Cities, Juiling Li, Mohammed Javad Koohsari, Andrew T. Kaczynski, Ryo Tanimoto, Reo Watanabe, Tomoki Nakaya, Yufeng Luo, Jing Zhao, Akitomo Yasunaga, Koichiro Oka, Tomoya Hanibuchi

Faculty Publications

Objective

Methods

Results

Perceived Healthiness Of Sugary Drinks And Related Social Norms Among Adults In Five Countries: Evidence From The International Food Policy Study, Virginie Drolet-Labelle

Faculty Publications

Background

A better understanding of correlates of sugary drink consumption is essential to inform public health interventions. This study examined differences in perceived healthiness of sugary drinks and related social norms between countries, over time, and sociodemographic groups and associations with sugary drink intake.

Methods

This study used annual cross-sectional data from the International Food Policy Study from 2018 to 2021 in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Mexico. Analyses examined perceived healthiness of eight beverage types and two types of perceived social norms (descriptive, injunctive) that discourage sugary drink consumption. The 24-item Beverage Frequency Questionnaire was …

Temporal Network Analysis Of Comorbidities Among People With Hiv In South Carolina, Yunqing Ma, Matthew Lohman Ph.D., Monique J. Brown Ph.D., Mph, Yichen Li, Xiaoming Li Ph.D., Bankole Olatosi Ph.D., Jiajia Zhang Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Introduction: People with HIV experience a high rate of comorbidities that can complicate their health outcomes. Understanding the prevalence, interrelationships and temporal development of these comorbidities is crucial for improving health management and quality of life for people with HIV. Methods: We used a population-based cohort extracted from statewide electronic health record (EHR) data in South Carolina (SC), including 18 649 people with HIV who survived at least 1 year after HIV diagnosis between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2020. Comorbidities and organ systems were classified using ICD-10 codes. Network analysis was performed to assess the closeness centrality among …

Associations Between County-Level E-Cigarette-Inclusive Tobacco 21 Law Population Coverage And E-Cigarette Use Behaviors Among United States Adolescents In Monitoring The Future, James H. Buszkiewicz, Catherine A. Vander Woude, Yanmei Xie, Steven Cook, Bukola Usidame Peters, Megan E. Patrick, Michael R. Elliott, James F. Thrasher Ph.D., Ma, Ms, Nancy L. Fleischer

Faculty Publications

Background and aims: In the United States (US), Tobacco 21 (T21) laws set the minimum legal sale age for all tobacco products to 21 years. This study aimed to examine whether e-cigarette-inclusive T21 laws were associated with e-cigarette use behaviors and related disparities among US adolescents. Design: We used nationally representative, repeated cross-sectional Monitoring the Future data to compare self-reported current e-cigarette use (2014–2022) and first e-cigarette initiation (2015–2022) among adolescents in counties with 100% ('full') versus < 100% ('partial or no') e-cigarette-inclusive T21 law population coverage using modified Poisson regression, examining differences by sex, race and ethnicity, parental educational attainment and college educational expectations through interactions. Setting: United States. Participants: 8th, 10th and 12th graders. Measurements: County-level e-cigarette-inclusive T21 law population coverage was determined using Tobacco 21 Population Coverage Database and US Census Bureau population data. Current e-cigarette …

Challenges And Opportunities In Implementing And Enforcing India’S Loose Cigarette Sales Ban: A Qualitative Stakeholder Analysis, Mayank Sakhuja, Daniela B. Friedman Ph.D., Mark M. Macauda Phd, Mph, James R. Hebert Scd, Mangesh S. Pednekar, Prakash C. Gupta, James F. Thrasher Ph.D., Ma, Ms

Faculty Publications

Introduction Several Indian states have banned the sale of loose cigarettes, and India is considering a national ban. This study examines the perceptions of policymakers, implementers, and law enforcement officials regarding the implementation and enforcement of this ban. Methods Between May–October 2022, we conducted in-depth interviews with 26 key stakeholders involved in tobacco control in two Indian cities, Delhi (where the ban was not implemented) and Mumbai (where the ban was in effect). Participants included representatives from various government departments such as police, municipal corporations, FDA, health, and civil society organizations / NGOs such as Vital Strategies, World Health Organization, …

Effect Of Improving Food Security On Parenting Practices And Caregiver–Adolescent Relationships: Qualitative Findings Of An Income-Generating Agricultural Intervention In Rural Kenya, Maricianah A. Onono, Lila Sheira, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., Gladys Odhiambo, Pauline Wekesa, Amy Conroy, Elizabeth A. Bukusi, Craig R. Cohen, Sheri D. Weiser

Faculty Publications

Background

Despite the recognised links between food insecurity and parenting, few studies have evaluated the perceived impacts of livelihood or food security interventions on parental practices, intra-household functioning, adolescent behaviour and psychosocial outcomes in HIV-affected households in sub-Saharan Africa.

Aims

The study aimed to understand the perceived effects of food security on parenting practices and how this was experienced by both adolescent girls (aged 13–19 years) and their caregivers in rural Kenya.

Method

We conducted semi-structured, individual interviews with 62 caregiver–adolescent dyads who were participants in the adolescent Shamba Maisha (NCT03741634), a sub-study of adolescent girls and caregivers with a …

Integrated Child Nutrition, Parenting, And Health Intervention In Rural Liberia: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study, Sejla Isanovic, Musa Sanoe, Shelbie Wooten, Edward A. Frongillo Ph.D., Aisha K. Yousafzai, Christine E. Blake Ph.D., Rd, Mufaro Kanyangarara Ph.D., Melanie Swan, Nicole Rodger, Miriam Murray, Leila M. Larson Ph.D., Mph

Faculty Publications

In Liberia, children are exposed to multiple forms of adversity which can negatively impact their health and development. Research is needed to examine the feasibility and benefits of integrated interventions that can be incorporated into existing health delivery programs to simultaneously address low responsive stimulation, undernutrition, and infection. This study assessed the feasibility of an integrated intervention promoting psychosocial stimulation and improved child feeding by the provision of eggs and fish. The integrated intervention was incorporated into an existing government health program. Thirty female caregiver-child dyads were randomly selected from two rural communities in Liberia. Participants received fortnightly group parenting …

Identifying Ordinal Categories For The Water Insecurity Experiences Scales, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., Hilary J. Bethancourt, Joshua D. Miller, Sera L. Young, The Household Water Insecurity Experiences Scales (Hwise)-Research Coordination Network (Rcn)

Faculty Publications

The Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE) and Individual Water Insecurity Experiences (IWISE) Scales are globally suitable tools for comparably measuring water insecurity experiences among households and adults, respectively. The potential range for HWISE and IWISE scores is 0–36. When the WISE Scales were first published, scores of 12 and higher were considered indicative of water insecurity, but additional cut-points are needed to provide more nuanced insights. We therefore sought to develop a practical set of cut-points for the WISE Scales using HWISE data from 13 sites across 12 countries (n = 3,293) and nationally representative samples of IWISE data …

How Do Scholars Conceptualize And Conduct Health And Digital Health Literacy Research? Survey Of Federally Funded Scholars, Mayank Sakhuja, Brooks Yelton Ma, Lmsw, Simone Kabarana, Lauren Schaurer, Jancham Rachel Rumthao, Samuel Noblet, Michelle Angelique Arent, Mark M. Macauda Phd, Mph, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Daniela B. Friedman Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Background: The concept of health literacy (HL) is constantly evolving, and social determinants of health (SDoH) have been receiving considerable attention in public health scholarship. Since a 1-size-fits-all approach for HL fails to account for multiple contextual factors and as a result poses challenges in improving literacy levels, there is a need to develop a deeper understanding of the current state of HL and digital health literacy (DHL) research. Objective: This study examined scholars’ conceptualization and scope of work focused on HL and DHL. Methods: Using a search string, investigators (N=2042) focusing on HL, DHL, or both were identified from …

Development Of Prediction Models Of Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Lebanese And Syrians In A District Of Beirut, Lebanon: A Population-Based Study, Marie-Elizabeth Ragi, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Hazar Shamas, Jocelyn Dejong, Nada M. Melhem, Stephen J. Mccall, The Caep Study Group

Faculty Publications

Introduction Vaccines are essential to prevent infection and reduce the morbidity of infectious diseases. Previous evidence has shown that migrants and refugees are particularly vulnerable to exclusion and discrimination, and low COVID-19 vaccine intention and uptake were observed among refugees globally. This study aimed to develop and internally validate prediction models of COVID-19 vaccine uptake by nationality.

Methods This is a nested prognostic population-based cross-sectional analysis. Data were collected between June and October 2022 in Sin-El-Fil, a district of Beirut, Lebanon. The study population included a random sample of Lebanese adults and all Syrian adults residing in areas of low …

Information Exchange Through Social Networks Links To Adoption Of Child Feeding Practices In Nepal, Mohammad Masudur Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

While there have been notable decreases in child undernutrition (i.e., stunting) over the past few decades, it remains a major concern in Nepal, with 25% of children under the age of five experiencing chronic undernourishment. There is considerable scope for improving nutrition-related behaviors to address this ongoing issue. In Nepal, knowledge regarding appropriate child feeding practices is often inadequate, and thus additional sources of accurate information are required. Information through multiple sources (i.e., interpersonal communication, mass media, and mobile SMS) provides opportunity to reach households who inadequately practice childcare. Information improves knowledge and information exchange (i.e., receiving or sharing) usually …

Predicting Poor Mental Health Among Older Syrian Refugees In Lebanon During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Nested Cross-Sectional Study, Berthe Abi Zeid, Leen Farouki, Tanya El Khoury, Abla M. Sibai, Carlos Mendes F. De Leon, Marwan F. Alawieh, Zeinab Ramadan, Sawsan Abdulrahim, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Stephen J. Mccall

Faculty Publications

Background: Post-term pregnancy, defined as reaching or exceeding 42 + 0 weeks of gestation, is known to be associated with unfavourable birth outcomes. High-income countries have responded to this risk by widely adopting labour induction protocols in late-term, but many low- and middle-income countries have not. However, understanding underlying mechanisms linking post-term births to adverse newborn and infant outcomes remains limited.

Objective:To investigate the (a) prevalence of post-term, (b) the risk factors associated with post-term (c) the association between post-term births and the risk of smallfor-gestational-age (SGA) neonates and of infant mortality in middle-income settings.

Methods:We used existing …

Barriers And Facilitators To 24-Month Maintenance Of The Faith, Activity, And Nutrition Program In The U.S., Kelsey R. Day, John A. Bernhart Ph.D., Rd, Sara Wilcox Phd

Faculty Publications

Little is known about the barriers and facilitators to organizational maintenance of faith-based health promotion programs. This study used qualitative data (collected from 2016–2019) from pastors (n = 81) and program coordinators (n = 103) to identify barriers and facilitators to 24-month maintenance of a faith-based physical activity (PA) and healthy eating (HE) intervention in South Carolina. Barriers differed for PA versus HE: resistance to change impeded HE while church characteristics tended to impede PA. Similar themes emerged for PA and HE facilitators: healthy opportunities, church communication, and consistency. Future research should build upon this study to tailor faith-based health …

Development And Validity Of The 'Modified Mediterranean Prime Screen' To Assess Dietary Intake Among Women Of Reproductive Age In Lebanon, Mariam Assaad, Sara Ajjour, Maya Rahme, Laila Al-Shaar, May Sakr, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Ghada El-Hajj Fuleihan, Jana Jabbour

Faculty Publications

The Mediterranean Region registers an increasing prevalence of obesity. The region lacks a diet screener to assess obesogenic nutrients. This study aimed to evaluate the reproducibility and validity of the Modified Mediterranean Prime Screen (MMPS) in estimating obesogenic nutrients' intake among women of reproductive age, as compared with a culturally validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), in Lebanon. We developed the MMPS consisting of thirty-two food/beverage items specific to the Lebanese Mediterranean culture. The MMPS and FFQ were administered in two visits (2 weeks-6 months apart), face to face and via telephone during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The reproducibility and …

Association Of Hiv Status And Other Minoritized Identities With Psychiatric Diagnoses Among Transgender And Gender Diverse Individuals In The All Of Us Research Program, Fanghui Shi

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people, whose gender identities or expressions differ from the sex assigned at birth, are disproportionately affected by adverse health outcomes, including various psychiatric diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, stress, and substance use disorders. The Gender Minority Stress Model emphasizes that TGD people face both proximal stressors at a personal/individual level (e.g., internalized stigma) and distal stressors at a societal level (e.g., discrimination) due to their minority status, which largely contributes to their increased risk of psychiatric diagnoses. Despite these health disparities, there is a paucity of gender identity data collected in large population-based health …

Communicating About A Nicotine Reduction Policy Among People Who Use Little Cigars And Cigarillos, Charity Afi Ntansah

Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed rulemaking to reduce the nicotine content in cigarettes and other combusted tobacco products to non-addictive levels. A very low nicotine content (VLNC) policy aimed primarily at cigarettes could drive people to other combusted products like little cigars and cigarillos (LCCs), potentially undermining its effectiveness. Expanding the policy to include LCCs requires effective messages for people who use LCCs. This dissertation explores how to communicate the reduced nicotine policy to people who use LCCs. The research recruited four populations with the highest prevalence of cigar use: African American and White males and …

Understanding Differential Reductions In Undernutrition Among Districts In Rwanda Through The Perspectives Of Mid-Level And Community Actors On Policy Commitment And Policy Coherence, Elyse Iruhiriye, Edward A. Frongillo Ph.D., Deanna K. Olney, Emmanuel Niyongira, Simeon Nanama, Christine E. Blake Ph.D., Rd, Eugene Rwibasira, Paul Mbonyi

Faculty Publications

Understanding the drivers of improvements in child undernutrition at only the national level can mask subnational differences. This paper aimed to understand the contributions of factors in the enabling environment to observed differences in stunting reduction between districts in Rwanda. In 2017, we conducted 58 semi-structured interviews with mid-level actors (n = 38) and frontline workers (n = 20) implementing Rwanda's multi-sectoral nutrition policy in five districts in which stunting decreased (reduced districts) and five where it increased or stagnated (non-reduced districts) based on Rwanda's 2010 and 2014/15 Demographic and Health Surveys. Mid-level actors are government officials and service providers …

An Examination Of Self-Identity In Relation To Smoking And Vaping In South Carolina, Jaron Hoani King

Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND

This dissertation examines self-identity in the context of smoking and vaping among adults in South Carolina (SC) using data from the 2023 SC Adult Tobacco Survey (n=1370). The conceptual model created to guide this dissertation is called the “Smoker and Vaper Behavior-Identity Model” and draws constructs from theoretical frameworks in health behavior and social identity theories. Behavior was defined as lifetime and past 30 day cigarette or e-cigarette use. Self-identity was defined by asking respondents with a history of cigarette or e-cigarette use “Do you consider yourself a smoker/vaper”, respectively.

METHODS

First, this study assesses the prevalence of mismatching …

Social-Ecological Determinants Of Affective States Among College Students: A Cross-Cultural Ecological Momentary Assessment Study, Abhishek Aggarwal

Theses and Dissertations

Background: College students experience a complex and diverse array of stressors during their college life, making them vulnerable to severe mental health issues. Momentary affective states are linked to major mental health disorders and overall well-being; however, the current social-ecological model of affect lacks a temporal dimension, failing to account for within-person dynamics of affective states over time. This study disentangles the complex temporal dynamics among the momentary, multilevel social-ecological factors and affective states in the real-world setting of college students across the United States (US) and India. However, establishing invariance of the affect model across time, people, and cultures …

Short- And Medium-Term Impacts Of Small-Scale Vegetable Support On Food Security: Evidence From Syria, Ghassan Baliki, Melodie Al Daccache, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Tilman Brück

Faculty Publications

Small-scale agricultural and horticultural interventions play a critical role in improving nutrition and food security of vulnerable households in peaceful settings. However, scant rigorous evidence exists on the impacts and sustainability of such interventions in conflict settings. In this paper, we address this knowledge gap by analyzing the short- and medium-term impacts of a small-scale vegetable input support program involving asset transfers on food security and diets in war-time Syria. We use longitudinal panel household survey data from a quasi-experimental study collected at three rounds: before, one year, and two years after the horticultural intervention ended. We use propensity score …

Development And Validity Of The ‘Modified Mediterranean Prime Screen’ To Assess Dietary Intake Among Women Of Reproductive Age In Lebanon, Mariam Assaad, Sara Ajjour, Maya Rahme, Laila Al-Shaar, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Ghada El-Hajj Fuleihan, Jana Jabbour

Faculty Publications

The Mediterranean Region registers an increasing prevalence of obesity. The region lacks a diet screener to assess obesogenic nutrients. This study aimed to evaluate the reproducibility and validity of the Modified Mediterranean Prime Screen (MMPS) in estimating obesogenic nutrients’ intake among women of reproductive age, as compared with a culturally validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), in Lebanon. We developed the MMPS consisting of thirty-two food/beverage items specific to the Lebanese Mediterranean culture. The MMPS and FFQ were administered in two visits (2 weeks–6 months apart), face to face and via telephone during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The reproducibility and …

Reducing Non-Communicable Diseases Among Palestinian Populations In Gaza: A Participatory Comparative And Cost-Effectiveness Modeling Assessment, Sanjay Basu, John S. Yudkin, Mohammed Jawad, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Bassam Abu Hamad, Zeina Jamaluddine, Gloria Safadi, Marie Elizabeth Ragi, Raeda El Sayed Ahmad, Eszter P. Vamos, Christopher Millett

Faculty Publications

We sought to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of potential new public health and healthcare NCD risk reduction efforts among Palestinians in Gaza. We created a microsimulation model using: (i) a cross-sectional household survey of NCD risk factors among 4,576 Palestinian adults aged ≥40 years old in Gaza; (ii) a modified Delphi process among local public health experts to identify potentially feasible new interventions; and (iii) reviews of intervention cost and effectiveness, modified to the Gazan and refugee contexts. The survey revealed 28.6% tobacco smoking, a 40.4% prevalence of hypertension diagnosis (with a 95.6% medication treatment rate), a 25.6% prevalence …

How Livelihood Change Affects Food Choice Behaviors In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review, Emma Kenney Mph-Pa, Krystal K. Rampalli, Sharraf Samin, Edward A. Frongillo Ph.D., Ligia I. Reyes, Shiva Bhandari, Morgan Boncyk, Stella Nordhagen, Helen Walls, Sigrid Wertheim-Heck, Amy Ickowitz, Solveig A. Cunningham, Ramya Ambikapathi, Beatrice Ekesa, Mirriam Matita, Christine E. Blake Ph.D., Rd

Faculty Publications

Livelihoods have changed dramatically over the past decade in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). These shifts are happening in tandem with shifts in individual and household food choice behaviors. This scoping review aimed to identify and characterize mechanisms through which livelihood changes could affect food choice behaviors in LMIC, including behaviors relating to food production, acquisition, preparation, distribution, and consumption. A literature search was conducted using 4 databases: PubMed, PsycInfo, AGRICOLA, and Embase. The search was further enhanced by expert solicitations. Studies were included if they measured or focused on a livelihood change, described or assessed a change in ≥1 …

Systematic Review On The Impacts Of Agricultural Interventions On Food Security And Nutrition In Complex Humanitarian Emergency Settings, Melodie Al Daccache, Berthe Abi Zeid, Leila Hojeij, Ghassan Baliki, Tilman Brück, Hala Ghattas Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Complex humanitarian emergencies are a main driver of food and nutritional insecurity. Agricultural interventions are key to improving nutrition and food security, and their positive impacts are well-documented in stable developing countries. However, it is unclear if their positive effects on food security hold in complex emergency settings, too. In this paper, we systematically review empirical articles that apply rigorous designs to assess the causal impacts of agricultural interventions on food security, nutrition, or health outcomes in complex humanitarian emergencies. We only find six articles matching these criteria, which have mixed results on dietary diversity and food security, and little …