Public Health Education and Promotion Commons^™

The Lived Experiences Of Avoiding Recidivism Among African American Male (First-Time) Former Offenders, Jeff Hines

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe United States has a high recidivism rate within its criminal population, especially among men of African American descent. However, within this population, some first-time former offenders have used successful approaches to avoid re-incarceration. The objective of this study was to investigate how these first-time former offenders desist from crime and avoid recidivism. This was a phenomenological study, utilizing the Desistance Theory as a framework, to explore how these men survived the consequences of post-incarceration and remained crime-free. In-depth, semi-structured, open-ended interviews were conducted with six African American male first-time former offenders (age 25 and older) who were not on …

Examination Of The Efficacy Of The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act To Reduce High School Childhood Obesity Rates System, Catrina Lashawn Morgan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rapid rise in U.S. high school student obesity rates to 20.8% in 2018 presented significant risks to the health and well-being of American children and foreshadowed increased future healthcare costs. To address high school obesity, Congress passed the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) in 2010 that mandated the U.S. Department of Agriculture develop regulations to nutrition to improve the nutrition of school cafeteria breakfasts and lunches. The purpose of this quantitative study was to test for changes between 2009 and 2016 in high school obesity rates attributable to the HHFKA using Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System data, adjusted for …

Relationship Between Trust, Race, And Health Care Information Sources Among African American Men, Uzochukwu Onukogu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAfrican American men have not been sufficiently at the center of research studies, especially when it comes to health. Most researchers have explored African Americans as a whole, and few have looked at African American men specifically, especially when it comes to their perceptions and ability to trust sources of health information. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between race and trust in health information sources, including the relationship between prostate cancer health outreach done through the internet and the acceptance of such information outreach among African American men. The theory of planned behavior …

Health Literacy Staff Education For Heart Failure Management, Ifeoma Onyeiwu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic disease with progressive deterioration that occurs over years or decades. There is a need for individuals affected by HF to be educated regarding this complex disease. Health literacy, an integral part of health and wellness, is one's ability to understand and use health information. Ninety million adults in America have difficulty understanding and using health information, resulting in higher rates of hospitalization and use of emergency services among patients. Limited health literacy may lead to billions of dollars in avoidable healthcare costs. This DNP project addressed health literacy as it relates to medication adherence …

Misuse Of Prescription Pain Relievers Among Pregnant Women In The United States, Winnie Chebet Rono

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The non-medical use of prescription pain relievers has increased remarkably, posing social and public health concerns particularly in developed countries such as the United States. The management of pain experienced by pregnant women poses a challenge to clinicians considering the effects of the regimen on unborn babies. Guided by the health belief model, which aims to predict health-related behavior in terms of certain health beliefs and explain change and behavior maintenance as well as to guide health behavior interventions, this cross-sectional study aimed to understand the associations between misusing pain relievers and social determinants of health such as education level …

Effects Of Trained Providers And Naloxone Distribution On Prescription Opioid Use Disorder, Samuel Sarpong

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractOpioid abuse and overdose are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality rates, as well as social and economic costs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the independent and interactive effects of state-sponsored prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) trained healthcare providers and community-based naloxone distribution program related factors in the states of Florida and Georgia for the prevention and reduction of prescription opioid use disorder, overdose, and deaths. The research theory adopted was the socio-ecological model with an emphasis on risk factors such as age. The study used secondary data from 2014 to 2018 from the Florida and Georgia …

Perspectives Of Key Court Personnel On The Prosecution Of Domestic Violence Cases, Crystal M. Schoeder

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence (DV) continues to be a public health and criminal justice problem. Several criminal justice system changes have been made to combat DV, such as mandatory arrest policies, no-drop prosecution policies, and specialized DV courts. Perspectives on these policies, DV, and the criminal justice system have been obtained from the victims, police officers, and victim advocates. However, perspectives from those within the criminal justice court system are missing. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to obtain the perspectives of key court personnel in small rural communities regarding the prosecution of DV cases. Narrative policy framework was used …

Risk Factors For Foodborne Illness Outbreaks In Retail Food Establishments, Brendalee Viveiros

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite policies and interventions over the last two decades, foodborne illness remains a significant public health concern. According to the CDC’s Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System, 60% of reported foodborne illness outbreaks involved food that was prepared at a restaurant. Reducing foodborne illness outbreaks that occur at restaurants would have a significant impact on the overall number of foodborne illnesses that occur each year. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively analyze the differences in risk factors in food establishments that have had a foodborne illness outbreak compared to food establishments that have not. This study used Reckwitz’s theory …

Issues Facing Community-Based Social Workers When Providing Female Offenders With Reunification Services, Karen N. Vertti

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe goal with this action research project was to understand how community-based social workers (CBSWs) could address female offenders’ and their children’s needs while striving to reintegrate them into the community of Central Los Angeles County, California. Postrelease female offenders with children suffer from a variety of issues related to housing, employment, and personal childhood trauma. The trauma exacerbates the risk of revictimization and recidivism. CBSWs play a pivotal role in helping female offenders overcome barriers to successful reentry and reunify with their children. This study incorporated Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory which provided a systems lens to this project. The …

Social Determinants Of Health And Type 2 Diabetes Among Enrollees Of California Children’S Services Program In Fresno County, California, Daniela Marie Aghadjanian

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite extensive study in adults, Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been the subject of little research concerning young adults or children. Doctors believed T2D to develop only in a person’s later years until health care providers found younger individuals developing this disease. The purpose of this cross-sectional quantitative analysis was to determine correlations between T2D and social determinants of health in Fresno County, California, based on children and adolescents. The 2017-19 data came from the Fresno County Department of Public Health. The theoretical foundation for the study was the socio-ecological framework focusing on individuals’ traits having a bidirectional impact on …

Parental Education As A Potential Predictor Of Adolescent Substance Use Status, Haruna Bida Aliyu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAdolescents in the United States commence substance use as early as 12 to 14 years old and as late as 15 to 17 years old. Several factors influence adolescent substance use/abuse status, including environment, boredom, friends, teachers, and parental influence. The influence of parental communication with adolescents about the danger of substance use/abuse (SUA) required further study. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to understand the influence of parental knowledge and communication with adolescents as potential predictors of substance use/abuse status. The social cognitive theory and social determinants of adolescent risky behavior provided the theoretical framework of this …

Social/Cultural Factors In Preschool Immunizations, Mozambique, Kristine Gayle Bernabe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Immunizations are scientifically proven, effective global health interventions that prevent infectious diseases and save lives. Yet, in Mozambique at the national level, less than 65% of children are fully immunized, i.e., received all the basic/routine vaccinations. The overall purpose of the doctoral study was to conduct quantitative research examining the sociocultural factors that may impact childhood immunization status in the context of the social ecological model. The study examined the relationship between child’s gender, mother’s and her husband/partner’s educational level, household wealth index, religion, ethnicity/language, urban-rural residency, and province/region with the child’s full immunization status in Mozambique. Secondary analysis of …

Understanding How Religious Practices Influence Self-Care In Black Churchgoers Diagnosed With Hypertension, Taquina C. Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Religion plays an essential role in managing health; however, there is limited research on religious practices among Black churchgoers diagnosed with hypertension. This research aims to understand how religious practices influence self-care in Black churchgoers diagnosed with hypertension. The sample consisted of 21 Black men and women, ages 29 to 70 years, with a clinical diagnosis of hypertension. Participants were recruited from two local, predominately Black churches in South Carolina and administered semistructured interviews to participants. A grounded theory design was used, and the data analysis consisted of constant comparison. Two core concepts were identified. One core concept identified was …

Inhaled Insulin, Afrezza, Educational Module For Health Care Providers, Sara Lynn Doolin-Thompson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Inhaled Insulin, Afrezza, Educational Module for Health Care Providers

bySara Doolin-Thompson

MSN, Walden University, 2014 BSN, University of Phoenix, 2004 ASN, Kentucky Wesleyan College, 1994

Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillmentof the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice

Walden University August 2021 Abstract Diabetes is on a global rise and there is a definite gap in providing care for the diabetic population. Two of the largest contributors to this gap in care are the lack of collaboration between health care professionals and the lack of education for health care providers on the evolution of diabetes treatment plans. …

Breastfeeding Information And Breastfeeding Duration Among African American Women With A Family History Of Breast Or Ovarian Cancer, Aleatha Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Decades of research supports the notion that breastfeeding may help prevent breast and ovarian cancer in women. Women with a family history of these cancers are at greater risk. African American women have the lowest breastfeeding rates, yet the highest breast and ovarian cancer mortality rates. No studies have been conducted exploring the impact of being informed about breastfeeding from health care providers, breastfeeding support services, or family and friends and the relationship between their knowledge of family history of breast or ovarian cancer and breastfeeding duration for African American women. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine …

Impact Of Out-Of-Pocket Fees On Under-5 Infant Mortality In Cameroon, Amelie Olga Mafotsing Fopoussi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health facilities in Cameroon charge fees for treatment and services, which can affect health outcomes for those unable to pay for services. Some studies have shown that the removal of user fees had a positive impact on child health outcomes in selected African countries. The aim of this quantitative, cross-sectional study was to understand whether there is a link between out-of-pocket expenses and under-5 mortality in Cameron. The study was guided by the social ecological framework. Secondary data from the 2011 Cameroon Demographic Health Survey were used in the study. Chi-square, binary logistic regression, and multicollinearity analyses were used to …

The Lived Experience Of African American Young Adult Men With Hiv And Self-Care Collaborative Management, Barbara A. Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAfrican American young adult (AAYA) men living with HIV often lack interventions that address the influence that HIV has on their quality of life, especially their relationships. Self-care collaborative management (SCCM) concerns related to disclosure and stigmatization complicate social, psychological, and SCCM behaviors. Intervention programs addressing these concerns should be based on relevant, accurate information, but this information is lacking for AAYAs. The purpose of this research was to explore and describe the lived experiences of male AAYAs with HIV and their use of SCCM. The study method was qualitative; Husserl’s transcendental phenomenology was the design. The individual family self-management …

Disparities In The Use Of Radiation Therapy For Postlumpectomy Breast Cancer, Deborah Rothley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Early-stage breast cancer can be highly curable when properly treated using national standards of care. However, disparities in treatment, including radiation therapy after lumpectomy, may result in disproportional mortality rates in African American women. The purpose of this study was to add to the body of research to help determine the reasons for an underutilization of radiation therapy among African American women and whether the disparity has continued by analyzing recent patient data. Anderson’s behavioral model was used to frame the study and help determine the associations between the predisposing and enabling independent variables of race, age, health insurance status, …

Workplace Bullying/Interpersonal Conflict, Job Stress, Coworker Support And Hypertension Among Women, Kia Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Interpersonal conflict in the workplace, such as workplace bullying, is recognized as a growing public health issue that could lead to poor health outcomes like hypertension among women workers. However, there is limited research on the role that interpersonal conflict, as well as other job-related factors such as job stress and coworker support, may collectively have on hypertensive outcomes among minority women workers, specifically in younger age groups. The purpose of this cross-sectional quantitative study was to examine the extent to which certain job risk factors (interpersonal conflict, job stress and coworker support) were associated with being treated for hypertension …

Social Support, Substance Use, And Mental Health Services Utilization Among African Americans, Thomas Symche Bendu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental illness is more prevalent among African Americans than their Non-Hispanic White counterparts; however, this population is less inclined to receive behavioral treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between perceived social support, substance use, and gender with mental health care services utilization among African Americans. The social ecological model and social support theory grounded this study. The research design was a quantitative cross-sectional analysis of the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey. The sample consisted of 486,3030 African American adults that represented the U.S. population using weighted estimates. The overall logistic regression models for the …

The Influence Of Community-Based Interventions On Behaviors Of Hiv+ Persons In Congo-Kinshasa, Max Ebengho Bokelo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSub-Saharan African communities bear the highest burden of HIV/AIDS in the world. Because of identifiable cultural links and local beliefs, people are more likely to engage in sexual mores that could negatively impact their lives. Starting in early 2000, Congolese HIV+ patients have undergone a variety of inputs designed to decrease HIV risk behaviors among people. The purpose of this inquiry was to understand the impact of those actions within the community. Data grounded on the socioecological model were collected regarding any changes in (1) behavioral rejection of condoms, (2) Kintwidi phenomenon, (3) levirate and (4) sororate marriage, (5) sexual …

Social Determinants Of Health Influence On Surgical Morbidity After Colorectal Surgery, Koianka J. Ivanova Trencheva

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Decreasing surgical morbidity and improving surgical safety is a public health priority. With same-day or early hospital discharge after surgery, knowledge about social determinants of health (SDOH) impact on surgical morbidity is vital for surgical safety improvement. This study’s aim was to evaluate SDOH association with surgery-related morbidity after colorectal surgery in an adult population. This quantitative cross-sectional study used New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) secondary data from 2006 ⁠–2016 on 130,731 patients linked to SDOH. Dependent variables were anastomotic leak (AL), surgical site infection (SSI), Not SSI related, and overall complications (COMPL) within 30 days …

A Study Of Public Awareness About The Threat Of Earthquakes, Mike Allen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Noticeably absent from the existing literature was a correlation study which would have gauged individual awareness for earthquakes. The literature search provided one quantifiable narrative that correlated college education with awareness about earthquakes; the study found that college graduates scored higher points on the awareness test for earthquakes than their counterparts who had no college education. The research question for this study examined the possible correlations between personal characteristics and awareness about earthquakes. A survey was developed and used to find hypothesized correlations between public awareness and a number of variables such as age, gender, education, income, and professional leadership. …

Why African American Men Diagnosed With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Continue To Smoke, Vashonda Laniece Allen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe purpose of this research was to explore why some African American men diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continue smoking following their diagnosis. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) guided the development of this research. The research questions were developed to understand the attitudes, behavioral intentions, subjective norms, social norms, perceived power, and perceived behavioral control that influence their continuing or quitting smoking based on the TPB model. The study’s research method was qualitative. A pilot study, using the same criteria as the main study, confirmed the reliability of the interview guide. Participants were informed about the study …

Sociodemographic Factors, Socioeconomic Factors, And Teenage Pregnancy Outcomes In Guyana, Karen Roslyn Cummings

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teenage pregnancy, a global phenomenon is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, owing to the mother’s individual factors, location, education attainment, and service accessibility. Globally, 16 million babies are born to teenage mothers annually. In Guyana, there is a paucity of information on factors associated with teenage pregnancy rate which stands at 74 per 1,000, and its outcomes. Archived data from the 2014 UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 5 (MICS5) was used to identify and examine relationships between the sociodemographic, socio-economic factors, and teenage pregnancy outcomes in Guyana. This quantitative cross-sectional review approach guided by the Bronfenbrenner theoretical framework analyzed data …

Subclinical Stress On Obesity Among Obese African American Women, Dr. Nosakhare Osasu Idehen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractObesity is a complex disease linked to genetics, health behaviors, upstream social determinants of health, and psychosocial stress. Obesity-related chronic diseases and opportunity cost significantly impact individuals and communities. Current prevention policies focus on diet and exercise without demonstrating the benefits of stress coping strategies in obesity management. Subclinical racial minority and gender stress heighten hypervigilance, psychological overload, poor stress coping strategies, inflammation, and obesity. Subclinical stress varies with race and gender, and it is higher in African American (AA) women. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experience of subclinical racial minority and gender stress …

Hpv Vaccination Rates Among Males In Minority Populations, Andrew Lemke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ethnic minorities are less likely to be vaccinated in comparison to White individuals. As a result, Blacks have one of the highest rates of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related complications. The purpose of the quantitative study was to identify significant factors predicting initiation of HPV vaccination in Black male adolescents. The study was based on the constructs of Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior and used a cross-sectional design that involved weighted data from the 2018 National Immunization Survey (n=395,067) conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The research questions were based on how factors such as fear, family involvement, sexual …

Effect Of Insecticide-Treated Nets On Anemia In Nigerian Children, Adamu Onu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood anemia is a significant public health problem in Nigeria and frequently coexists with malaria. The mortality associated with malaria increases when anemia is present. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are a cheap and effective malaria preventive measure that can provide a protective barrier from insects. There are conflicting results from several studies on the effect of ITNs on anemia in children, with fewer studies on the effect of ITNs on anemia in Nigerian children. This study aimed to measure the effect of ITN use on anemia among children aged 6–59 months in Nigeria. The social ecological model was used as the …

A Phenomenological Exploration Of How Nursing Experience Shapes The Transitional Performance Of Primary Care Nurse Practitioners, Helen Okeke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractPoor access to healthcare and a shortage of primary care providers in underserved communities paved the way for reliance on advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). This increased reliance on APRNs as primary care providers necessitates expanded public policy on APRN practice; however, information on APRN transitional experiences remains inadequate to inform policymakers effectively. Illinois’ Nurse Practice Act requires APRNs to incorporate the scope of practice of registered nurses into their practice but does not describe what that experience should be. Using Kanter’s theory of organizational structural empowerment and Benner’s novice to expert nursing model as theoretical lenses to ground the …

Registered Nurses’ Perceptions Of Obesity, Elizabeth Ann Pettifor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States (U.S.) population. Obesity is a risk factor for many health problems that ultimately lead to death or disability. Nurses in the U.S have a higher-than-average rate of overweight and obesity. The purpose of this exploratory, qualitative case study was to identify and recommend areas for change in the hospital environment to assist bedside nurses in the U.S to have a healthier lifestyle. Social media was used to conduct a purposeful sampling technique and recruit 10 registered nurses working full time at the bedside in the U.S who struggle with obesity. Semi …