Public Health Education and Promotion Commons^™

Impact Of An Educational Intervention On Pharmacy Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, And Confidence Regarding Alcohol And Substance Use Disorders, Lina Itenberg

Student Scholar Symposium

This study examines the impact of an educational intervention on student pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, and confidence regarding alcohol and substance use disorders (AUD/SUD) at Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy. Current literature denotes that student pharmacists often feel unprepared to address substance use disorder in practice. This study evaluates whether a targeted educational intervention can enhance student understanding of first-line pharmacological treatments, increase confidence in handling opioid-related emergencies, and improve their ability to educate patients on harm reduction strategies, including naloxone use and opioid overdose risks. Pre- and post-intervention surveys will assess changes in students’ preparedness and identify ongoing concerns about …

Intimate Partner Violence And Brain Injury In Women: Understanding Prevalence, Symptomatology, And Consequences, Jacob T. Perez

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to physical, sexual, or psychological harm caused by a current or former partner. While IPV can affect anyone, women are particularly vulnerable and disproportionately affected. Physical IPV often includes experiences of repeated trauma to the head, face, and neck, including strangulation. These injuries can result in a range of consequences, including comorbid conditions such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, and cognitive impairments, along with neurological effects like reduced brain connectivity and white matter integrity. Common brain injuries associated with IPV include traumatic brain injury (TBI), which results from blunt force trauma; subconcussive/repetitive blows, caused by head …

Exploring The Prevalence And Determinants Of Self-Medication During Pregnancy Among Women From South Punjab, Pakistan, Madiha Madiha, Sehar Jabbar, Imran Masood

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: For developing countries with high neonatal and maternal mortality rates, any practice that may threaten the maternal-fetal health must be gauged. This study evaluated the prevalence and contributing factors of self-medication during pregnancy among women opting for antenatal or postnatal care in South Punjab, Pakistan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Data was collected from 424 women, selected through multi-stage sampling, who visited health care facilities located in six randomly selected cities of South Punjab. Outcomes reported by descriptive and inferential statistics (p < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association of self-medication with different factors.

Results: Most of the women were involved in self-medication practice (38.9%) …

Behind The Badge: Effects Of Stress And Trauma In Policing -- Understanding The Importance Of Evidence-Based Prevention, Early Intervention, And Wellness Programs, Jessica Rolshouse

Master of Arts in Human Services

Law enforcement officers are exposed to occupational stress and trauma routinely and at rates that far exceed the general population. This chronic exposure places them at risk for physical and psychological injury and negative outcomes to include mental health disorders including burnout, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Prolonged exposure to occupational stress and trauma also increases the risk of suicidal ideation and dying by suicide, the most tragic outcome of the stress law enforcement officers face. This literature review focuses on individual risk factors, occupational stress, and trauma, and the development of mental health disorders in law enforcement officers. It also …

Health Implications Of Heavy Metal Contamination In Commercially Available Deodorant And Antiperspirant Products Sold In Benghazi, Libya, Maysson Yaghi, Khaled Elsherif

Al-Bahir

The extensive usage of deodorants and antiperspirants raises concerns about the potential health risks posed by heavy metal content. This study quantified the levels of five heavy metals: Aluminum, Zirconium, Lead, Cadmium, and Chromium in 22 commercial products widely used in Benghazi, Libya, and assessed the associated health risks. Samples, categorized into gel, stick, and roll-on formulations, were analyzed using iCAP TQ ICP-MS. Al and Zr showed the widest concentration ranges, reflecting their intentional use as active ingredients. Al levels ranged from trace amounts (0.032 mg/kg) up to a maximum of 99.10 mg/kg, while Zr was found exclusively in gel …

Improving Staff Satisfaction And Flu Vaccine Uptake Through Standardized Workflow Tools, Salma Adriana Blanco

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Insufficient workflows can cause documentation to be confusing, which ultimately

limits staff engagement. This has led to staff dissatisfaction and a low vaccination uptake in

outpatient clinics. The implementation of a standardized workflow tool and proper staff

education and training can improve staff satisfaction and vaccination adherence, as indicated by

a review of literature. Aim: The purpose of this quality improvement project is to implement a

change in workflow in the electronic health record and staff training in an urban community

health clinic primarily serving low income and Latino patients. This intervention seeks to

increase medical assistant user satisfaction …

Application Of Augmented Reality Technology As A Dietary Monitoring And Control Measure Among Adults: A Systematic Review, Gabrielle Victoria Gonzalez, Bingjing Mao, Ruxin Wang, Wen Liu, Chen Wang, Tung Sung Tseng

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Traditional dietary monitoring methods such as 24 h recalls rely on self-report, leading to recall bias and underreporting. Similarly, dietary control approaches, including portion control and calorie restriction, depend on user accuracy and consistency. Augmented reality (AR) offers a promising alternative for improving dietary monitoring and control by enhancing engagement, feedback accuracy, and user learning. This systematic review aimed to examine how AR technologies are implemented to support dietary monitoring and control and to evaluate their usability and effectiveness among adults. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase identified studies published between 2000 and 2025 that evaluated …

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Streamline Flu Vaccine Documentation And Increase Staff Engagement, Carla E. Giron

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: This quality improvement project was implemented in an urban community health clinic primarily serving low-income and Latinx patients. Factors such as demographics, socioeconomic status, health, and transportation contribute to low U.S. influenza vaccination rates (Chen et al., 2020), while EHR training can improve provider satisfaction and efficiency (DiAngi et al., 2019). This microsystem faced inconsistent workflow processes, limited EHR training, and documentation errors that contributed to low staff satisfaction rates and influenza vaccination rates. An average of 11.4% of patients received a flu vaccine in October 2023 and 2024. Medical assistants (MAs) completed a pre-intervention survey indicating that 35% …

From Fear To Familiar: Reducing Technology-Induced Anxiety In Seniors, Justin Kyle V. Manalang

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

This quality improvement project focuses on reducing the average technology-induced anxiety score among senior community members through 1:1 mentorship sessions. Aim During an eight-week period from September 10, 2025, to November 5, 2025, this project will reduce the severity of technology-induced anxiety by 25% from the established baseline. Methods: A 5P Microsystem assessment was conducted alongside an initial questionnaire to gauge the residents’ interests and concerns regarding technology use. From the results, focused mentorship sessions were conducted once a week and pertained to the chief complaint the resident had for eight weeks. The mentorship sessions were one-to-one and individualised …

Emergency Preparedness Education And Simulation Training For Nursing Students In Southern India, Kevin C. Cameron, Taryn Mccoy, Laura Gray, David Phillippi

DNP Projects

Introduction

To address the identified gap in emergency preparedness education and training among nursing students at a teaching hospital in southern India, a private university in the southeastern United States partnered with the site to develop a quality improvement initiative aimed at strengthening these skills. Nursing students at the partner hospital have limited access to simulation-based training opportunities due to constraints in both curriculum and availability of simulation resources. This lack of exposure may hinder the development of critical emergency preparedness competencies

Methods

Educational content focused on triage and basic life support (BLS). One hundred twenty-four students participated in the …

Standardizing The Use Of The Sinc Screening Tool In A Rural Clinic, Madison Foss

DNP Projects

Unmet contraceptive need represents a persistent quality gap in rural primary care, where reproductive health discussions are often inconsistently addressed. A rural primary care clinic in Shelbyville, Tennessee lacked a standardized, evidence-based process for screening women of childbearing age (15–44 years) for contraceptive needs. This quality improvement project evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing the Self-Identified Need for Contraception (SINC) screening tool to support routine, patient-centered care. The SINC tool consists of a single validated question designed to identify patients who wish to discuss contraception or pregnancy prevention during clinical visits. Plan–Do–Study–Act cycles were used to integrate the tool …

Neuroqueering The Australian Workplace, Myfan Jordan

Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture

Neuroqueering the Australian Workplace

Artist’s Statement

The typical (Australian) workplace is hierarchical, heteronormative and neurotypical. It is focused on productivity and efficiency, priorities which denote specific ways of working as superior. For autistic and ADHD workers, who approach the world differently, ‘fitting in’ at work can often only be achieved with significant ‘accommodations’, appreciation of neurodiversity, and where a genuine sense belonging at work is encouraged. With around 80% of neurodivergent Australians experiencing unemployment, and studies indicating vulnerability to workplace bullying for up to 70%, this artwork depicts how hierarchies of value isolate and marginalise difference, resulting in barriers not …

Challenges And Strategies For Hypertension Control In The Young Generation In Indonesia: A Bibliometric Review, Gina Maratus Solihah, Dwi Prijatmoko, Novia Luthviatin

Preventia: The Indonesian Journal of Public Health

Hypertension among young people in Indonesia has become an increasingly alarming public health problem due to lifestyle changes, low awareness, and limited access to preventive health services. This review aims to analyze the challenges and strategies for controlling hypertension in young populations based on national and international literature, supported by bibliometric analysis. Data were obtained from the Web of Science (WOS) database and analyzed using VOSviewer to map research trends, keyword relationships, and collaboration networks related to hypertension in youth. The 2018 Riskesdas data showed that 34.1% of Indonesian adults aged ≥18 years had hypertension, with major risk factors including …

The Influence Of Health Students' Attitudes On Tobacco Control And Tobacco Education On Family Smoking Cessation, Lies Permana, Riza Hayati Ifroh, Annisa Nurrachmawati

Preventia: The Indonesian Journal of Public Health

Health students are aware of how smoking affects people's health. They are typically well-equipped to help smokers quit and play a significant role in tobacco control. The purpose of this study was to determine the role that students have in encouraging their families to quit smoking both before and after studying in health faculty, as well as the impact that health students' attitudes and tobacco control education have on these inquiries. In March and April of 2024, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using the GHPSS questionnaire, with 123 student in Universitas Mulawarman, grade 2nd public health faculty. The findings showed …

Healthy Living As A Critical Part Of Emergency Preparedness, Callahan K. Ward, April Litchford

All Current Publications

This resource presents practical, health-focused actions that individuals and caregivers can take to strengthen resilience before, during, and after emergencies. By integrating long-term wellness habits and short-term readiness strategies, it supports a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to disaster preparedness, enhancing not only personal outcomes but also community-wide response capacity.

Improving Communication To Enhance Health Literacy And Self-Management Of Heart Failure: Protocol For A Multimethod Study, Neda Karimi, Francesco De Toni, Walter Abhayaratna, Blake Askelin, Philip Currie, Karol Edge, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Elizabeth Fewster, Liza Goncharov, Nisha Jijo, Susy Macqueen, Nilufeur Mckay, Suzanne Raine, Amineh Rashidi, Christopher Rouen, Rosemary Saunders, Peter Schulz, Rhea Tecson, Diana Slade

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction Self-care plays a pivotal role in the management of heart failure (HF). Health literacy and empowerment are considered the prerequisites of effective self-care. This project aims to improve self-management in people with HF by describing, analysing and enhancing the communication practices of clinicians and patients to support people with HF to increase their health literacy skills and participate in shared decision-making. Methods and analysis A multimethod research design incorporating an interview component, a concurrent mixed-methods component and a pilot intervention study is used. The study is currently being conducted at two Australian hospitals in metropolitan areas (one public and …

Development And Evaluation Of The Sex Positivity Inventory For Counselors, M. Ashley Burks, Jennifer Gerlach, Joshua C. Watson

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

The purpose of the study was to clarify the definition of sex positivity and identify sex-positive attitudes, knowledge, and skills through the development and evaluation of the Sex Positivity Inventory for Counselors (SPI-C). The exploratory factor analysis supported a six-factor, 34-item scale, accounting for 32.9% of the variance within the study. The SPI-C had an excellent internal consistency of 0.96 and consisted of the following factors: 1) Procedural Sex Positivity, 2) Comfortability with Sexuality, 3) Perceived Sex Positivity, 4) Fundamental Sex Education, 5) Sexological Worldview, and 6) Unconditional Positive Sexual Regard. Implications for practice, counselor education, and supervision are discussed.

Referral Strategies For Recruitment And Engagement Of Community Adults Into Online Extension Health Programs, Cheryl L. Eschbach, Dawn A. Contreras, Holly B. Tiret

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This article shares details behind building organizational capacity to establish program referrals for statewide recruitment of community adults into Cooperative Extension’s online health programs. This study explores the role of intentional recruitment strategies (active and passive) to increase participant program enrollment into health education and shares examples from one state that has created a trained workforce that offers ongoing research- and evidence-based programs. After many years of trying paper, phone, and electronic medical record methods to increase program reach, Michigan State University Extension tried an electronic referral process via a QR code and web link, accompanied by program marketing, to …

Across The Pond, Across The Waistline: A Comparative Look At The Childhood Obesity Crisis In The United States And United Kingdom, Samantha N. Eales

Honors College Theses

Childhood obesity is no longer just a local concern; it’s a global epidemic shaping the health of future generations. This paper compares how two similar nations with drastically different healthcare systems, the United States and the United Kingdom, tackle this growing crisis. Although both countries struggle with fast food culture, sedentary lifestyles, and targeted marketing, their health policy strategies differ dramatically. The U.S. leans on community programs and education, while the U.K. enforces stronger national regulations and advertising restrictions. By examining nutrition, physical activity, and policy, this thesis explores what each country does well and where they fall short. It …

Sustaining Community Health Through Impactful Snap-Ed Initiatives In Utah, Lacee Jimenez, Kristi Strongo, Lea Palmer, Lendel K. Narine, Heidi Leblanc

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Create Better Health (CBH), Utah’s SNAP-Ed program, addresses food insecurity and chronic disease prevention through nutrition education, policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) initiatives, and social media marketing. From 2024 to 2025, CBH reached over 13,500 Utahns through direct education and 81,000 through community interventions. Evaluation results showed significant improvements in nutrition behaviors, including increased fruit and vegetable intake, food resource management, and label use. Follow-up surveys showed sustained behavior change. CBH’s comprehensive approach demonstrates measurable public health impact and points to the importance of continued investment in nutrition education and food access programs to build healthier, food-secure communities.

Acceptability Of Corticosteroid Use In The Treatment Of Infant Bronchiolitis: Utilizing The Theoretical Framework Of Acceptability To Design Research Instruments, Caroline R. Smetanka

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of hospitalization among infants under six months, yet treatment remains largely supportive due to clinical guidelines that discourage pharmacologic intervention. Recent research suggests that bronchiolitis is not a uniform condition, and a subgroup of infants (those classified within “Profile A”) may benefit from targeted corticosteroid therapy. However, these treatments remain outside current clinical guidelines, and their successful adoption depends on stakeholder acceptability. This Capstone project developed and refined four data collection instruments- two questionnaires and two interview guides- designed to assess how healthcare providers and caregivers perceive the acceptability of corticosteroid treatment for Profile A …

Bridging The Language Gap: The Impact Of In-Person Versus Remote Interpreter Services On Medication Adherence And Patient Safety In Adult Spanish-Speaking Patients, Ashley E. Alarcon Martinez, Jocelyn N. Lopez Maradiaga

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Significant health inequities are caused by language barriers between patients and health care staff, resulting in miscommunication among adult Hispanic patients with low English proficiency, reducing medication adherence, impairing patient safety, and raising the possibility of medical errors. To address this issue, interpreter services, both in-person and remote translation, have been introduced in healthcare settings to enhance communication. Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in patient safety and medication adherence between in-person and remote translation services for adult Hispanic individuals with limited English proficiency in healthcare settings. Methods: The proposed research involves five local …

Evaluating Parent Workshops To Reduce Sexual Health Misinformation, Marshall Farrior

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project addressed the problem of sexual health misinformation among youth in Santa Cruz County, which stems from cultural factors, limited parental communication, and inadequate comprehensive sexual health education. Implemented through the Santa Cruz County Public Health Department’s Teen Health Outreach (THO) program, the project evaluated the effectiveness of parent workshops designed to build the capacity of adults’ knowledge and confidence to discuss sexual and reproductive health topics with youth. Serving primarily Hispanic/Latino communities in Watsonville and Freedom, THO collaborates with local schools and organizations to deliver workshops. The intervention aimed to reduce misinformation by empowering parents as trusted …

Engaging Independence, Anthony Cazares

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project was completed in partnership with Gateway Center of Monterey County through the Collaborative Health and Human Services (CHHS) program at California State University, Monterey Bay. Gateway Center is a nonprofit organization that provides services for adults with developmental, cognitive, and physical disabilities. The organization identified a need to improve client engagement and staff support, as existing activities had become outdated and inconsistent. This project implemented an evidence-based, activity-based curriculum aligned with the Community Integration Model, a framework that emphasizes participation, inclusion, and independence for individuals with disabilities. Staff received physical binders and digital resources to guide activity …

Tricounty Vaccine Improvement Program (Tc-Vip): Enhancing Vaccine Confidence And Uptake In Rural Utah, Aaron Hunt, Yvette Rea, Annalyz Castro

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

The Utah State University Extension TriCounty Vaccine Improvement Program addressed low rural vaccination rates across a three-county area through bilingual social media campaigns, health fairs, training in motivational interviewing, and neuromarketing. Evaluation results showed improved skills, broad community reach, and positive participant feedback, demonstrating a replicable model to reduce vaccine hesitancy and strengthen rural health systems.

Evaluation And Identification Of Risk Factors For Stress Among Maquiladora Workers Based On The Mexican Official Standard 035 Survey Tool, Andrea Baca Melendez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background and significance: Occupational psychosocial risk factors are workplace conditions that can trigger physiological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral changes. They are strongly associated with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, as well as non-mental health conditions like myocardial infarction, stroke, and occupational injuries. Analyzing these risks from a sociodemographic perspective provides valuable insights for improving work environments and workers’ well-being. Purpose: This study aimed to identify and determine the levels of occupational psychosocial risk factors among workers in a manufacturing company in Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, and to examine their relationship with sociodemographic variables to inform future interventions in …

Exploring Intersectional Risks Of Substance Use Disorder, Mental Health, Hiv/Aids, And Hepatitis C Among Hispanic Adults On The Tx-Mx Border: A Mixed-Methods Study, Md Mohsin

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore intersectional risks of substance use disorders, mental health, HIV/AIDS, and HCV among Mexican-origin Hispanic adults on the Texas-Mexico border. Methods: The study employed an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach, which involved collecting and analyzing qualitative data first, followed by quantitative data collection. Selected purposively, 15 in-depth interviews were conducted among the target population. Using convenient sampling, 106 cross-sectional surveys were conducted. Qualitative interview data were analyzed manually using thematic analysis. Quantitative data analyses included univariate descriptive analysis, bivariate, and multivariable penalized logistic regression, negative binomial, and zero-inflated negative binomial regression. Results: The …

Relationships Between Social Determinants Of Health And Pain Outcome Changes After Exercise In Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis, Klarissa Siebert

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common musculoskeletal disease with pain as the primary symptom. KOA pain is a major contributor to disability and reduced quality of life and has been associated with social determinants of health (SDOH) variables. As for treatments of KOA pain, exercise such as stationary cycling is a first-line and recommended treatment. However, limited research has examined how SDOH influence pain outcomes following such interventions. Objective: This study investigated whether income level, education level, employment status, acculturative stress, and perceived ethnic discrimination are associated with changes in pain following a standardized cycling ergometer exercise in adults …

A Cross-Sectional Audit Of The Australian Community Food Environment Highlights The Prominent Role Of Chain Food Outlets, Claire Elizabeth Pulker, Lucy Meredith Butcher, Frith Klug, Clare Whitton, Gina S.A. Trapp

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Food retail and food service outlets can be part of a chain, or independently operated. Chain food outlets are likely to have the most influence over community food environments but have not been routinely identified in studies which map and monitor access to food, highlighting an important knowledge gap. This study aimed to identify the food retail and food service outlets present within metropolitan Perth, including presence of chain and independent food outlets; and examine differences across local governments. Methods: A nutrition-focused classification framework was applied to all food businesses registered by 32 local governments in Perth, Western Australia, …

A National Survey Of Osteopaths’ Conceptions Of Practice In France: Structural Validity Of The Osteo-Taqfr And The Tendency Toward Technical Rationality, Oliver P. Thomson, Loïc Treffel, Agathe Wagner, Erwann Jacquot, Jerry Draper-Rodi, Chantal Morin, Brett Vaughan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Despite the growing popularity of osteopathy in France, little is known about how French osteopaths conceptualise key aspects of their practice, including skills, knowledge, and decision-making. This study aimed to adapt and validate the Osteopaths' Therapeutic Approaches Questionnaire (Osteo-TAQ) for use in a French osteopathic population (Osteo-TAQfr) and to examine the professional profile and core elements of clinical practice among French osteopaths. The first objective was to establish the psychometric properties of the Osteo-TAQfr within a French osteopathic population. The second aim was to explore French osteopaths’ conceptions of practice and their approach to patient care, thereby contributing to …