Public Health Education and Promotion Commons^™

A Community-Based Participatory Research Approach To Addressing Pediatric Asthma Disparities In Douglas County, Nebraska, Aislinn Rookwood

Theses & Dissertations

Pediatric asthma is the leading chronic disease among children in the United States, and the incidence of pediatric asthma is increasing every year. Nebraska has an asthma prevalence comparable to the United States average; however, the state has significant disparities by county, race, and geographic location, with prevalence rates much higher than the national average. Douglas County is a hot spot for increased pediatric asthma rates, with further differences in rates by race and geographic location within the county. The University of Nebraska Medical Center, in partnership with Healthy Housing Omaha and the Nebraska Asthma Coalition, collaborated to conduct this …

Give Love With Lovenox: Improving Nurse Education On Lovenox Prophylaxis To Reduce Pulmonary Embolism Risk On The Postpartum Unit, Jennifer G. Domingo Rn

Master's Projects and Capstones

This quality improvement project aims to improve nurse education about Lovenox prophylaxis to reduce the risk of pulmonary emboli – post-discharge – amongst high-risk postpartum women who underwent vaginal and cesarean deliveries on the family baby unit. This project took place in a Family Baby/Postpartum Unit at Hospital SC. This unit has a total of 25 beds with an increased prevalence of pulmonary embolism following cesarean delivery. Nurses were given anonymous pre- and post-survey questionnaires and provided educational sessions with distributed handouts. A unit needs assessment was conducted using the 5 P’s. Out of the 72 nurses on the staff …

Acceptability And Use Of An Online Health Priorities Self-Identification Tool For Older Adults: A Qualitative Investigation, Emily L Mroz, Kizzy Hernandez-Bigos, Jessica Esterson, Eliza Kiwak, Aanand Naik, Mary E Tinetti

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: To examine the use of a web-based, self-directed health priorities identification tool for older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs).

METHODS: We recruited a gender- and racially-diverse, highly educated sample of older adults with MCCs to engage with our My Health Priorities tool, then complete a semi-structured interview. Thematic analysis was used to examine interview transcripts.

RESULTS: Twenty-one participants shared perspectives on the acceptability and use of the tool. Three themes (with eleven subthemes) were generated to describe: website

CONCLUSION: Participants found this tool acceptable and easy to use, describing a variety of benefits of the priorities self-identification process …

Policy Review And Recommendation For Secondary Education Np-Led Clinics In The Southeastern United States, Shiney Alex Jacob

Student Scholarly Projects

Secondary-level education involves adolescent children aged 11-12 years to 18-19 with unique healthcare needs. Their healthcare is of significant importance as they are transitioning to adulthood, and a majority of them lack access to primary healthcare needs. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses/Nurse Practitioners (APRNs/NPs) provide high-quality, cost-effective, and evidence-based care to people across the lifespan, and there is minimal utilization of their services in meeting the primary care needs of adolescents at the secondary school level. The purpose of the policy project was to determine if current policies and practices related to school health services in three southeastern states of the …

Identifying Locations Of Drug Overdose In Las Vegas To Implement The Cardiff Violence Prevention Model, John Girard, Shikha Pandey, Zack Bunn, Chris Papesh, Jacquelyn Cheun Phd, Ying Zhang

SMU Data Science Review

This paper will provide an innovative approach to drug overdose prevention programs. Using data from Las Vegas emergency departments, this paper will analyze geospatial trends of drug overdoses. Leveraging the Cardiff Violence Prevention Model, the information is shared with local law enforcement agencies and decision makers to empower them to make evidence-based strategies. This paper highlights the efficacy of a data-driven model in addressing public health issues and underscoring its ability for even broader implementation in urban settings. Findings will suggest significant implications for policymaking, crime prevention, and public health initiatives, demonstrating a step towards a safer Las Vegas.

Study Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Realconsent2.0: A Web‑Based Intervention To Promote Prosocial Alcohol‑Involved Bystander Behavior In Young Men, Laura F. Salazar, Dominic J. Parrott, David Dilillo, Sarah J. Gervais, Anne Marie Schipani‑Mclaughlin, Ruschelle Leone, Kevin Swartout, Lauren Simpson, Renita Moore, Tiffany Wilson, Nyla Flowers, Haley Church, Amanda Baildon

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Background Sexual violence (SV) is a significant, global public health problem, particularly among young adults. Promising interventions exist, including prosocial bystander intervention programs that train bystanders to intervene in situations at-risk for SV. However, these programs suffer from critical weaknesses: (1) they do not address the proximal effect of alcohol use on bystander decision-making and (2) they rely on self-report measures to evaluate outcomes. To overcome these limitations, we integrate new content specific to alcohol use within the context of prosocial bystander intervention into an existing, evidence-based program, RealConsent1.0. The resulting program, RealConsent2.0, aims to facilitate bystander behavior …

Reimagining A Caregiver-Friendly Society, Jodi L. Southerland

Journal of Appalachian Health

Demographic aging is accelerating in the Appalachian Region, resulting in a growing proportion of caregivers living in areas that lack services to support their needs. Strategies are urgently needed in Appalachia to address deficiencies in the region’s long-term supports and services for older adults and their caregivers. Strengthening equitable access to care and community supports for family caregivers is a policy priority for state and community leaders in Appalachia.

Opportunities For Mental Health Interventions In Rural Mississippi Communities During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Quantitative Analysis, Brice Fortinberry

Theses and Dissertations

COVID-19 presented unique challenges for rural Mississippi communities including impacts on the mental health of rural individuals. This research study aimed to identify opportunities for mental health interventions to provide health promotion professionals with quantitative data on the accessibility and the likelihood of engagement with mental health-fostering behaviors. A secondary objective of this research was to categorize these behaviors within the constructs of the Social Ecological Model. Demographics for rural Mississippi communities were collected and displayed, and using multivariate analyses including Spearman’s correlation and a Mann-Whitney U test the correlation between mental health fostering behaviors and demographic factors was obtained. …

The Effects Of Night Shift Work On Heart, Gut, And Reproductive Health, A Systematic Review, Courtney Grayson, Preeti Oza

Pacific Journal of Health

Night shift work, a commonplace in today’s society, creates a variety of health-related challenges for individuals who participate in it. Often, the only adverse health effects discussed in relation to night shift work are sleep dysfunction and mental health issues. This systematic review examined the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and fertility health effects that plague individuals working night shift. The goal of this work is to illuminate these lesser known, but equally important, health effects in an effort to bring awareness to the issues. By educating night shift workers and health care providers of the acute risks associated with this type of …

Predictors Of Lung Cancer Screening Recommendation In Virginia Using The Community Health Assessment Survey, Aashish Batheja, Carrie Miller, Sunny Jung Kim, Bernard Fuemmeler F., Rajsh Balkrishnan

Virginia Journal of Public Health

Purpose: The purpose of this analysis was to determine the factors that may influence the probability of being recommended a lung cancer screening by a health professional in Virginia.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Community Health Assessment Survey conducted by the University of Virginia (UVA) Health System and Cancer System in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Cancer Center. SAS software was used to conduct a logistic regression with the following variables: age, sex, race, current smoking status, cancer history, education level, income level, insurance, and rurality.

Results: Statistically significant positive predictors included being a current smoker (OR: 3.504, …

Empowering Community Health Workers In Guatemala, Oswald M. Attin, Gineska Castillo, Grace Sibert, Andrea Harper

Virginia Journal of Public Health

Introduction:

Community health workers (CHW) have been integral in helping middle- and low-income countries. This research paper discusses the benefits of the involvement of CHWs in health screenings.

Methods:

Health screenings were performed for three rural communities in Guatemala, in 2021, alongside a church in Zacapa, to identify community wide health risks. The screenings included a detailed questionnaire that collected demographic data, height and weight, a blood glucose check, a hemoglobin check, and a blood pressure reading. Additional nutritional data was collected to understand diet patterns and habits. In-depth educational sessions were done with the CHWs, emphasizing preventative care, and …

Implicit Bias Among Health Professionals, Kimora H. Toussaint, Javiela Evangelista

Publications and Research

Racism and implicit bias are prevalent in healthcare, which may affect patient well-being. One way implicit bias is most evident is in language. Negative descriptors, such as “sickler”—a term used for those diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), influence how health providers view their patients and determine pain medication prescriptions (Goddu et al.). Patient experience, such as prior use of opioids or using words that imply substance abuse, may block patients from accessing prescriptions and proper care. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are disproportionately affected by such negative descriptors (Sun et al., 2022). Among other adverse impacts, treating …

Development And Implementation Of A Unique, Tailored School Lunch Training Program For Teachers And Their Stakeholders At Public Primary Schools In Thailand, Kantanit Chammari, Arisa Keeratichamroen, Kitti Sranacharoenpong, Punnee Ponprachanuvut, Nuttarat Srisangwan, Piyanit Churak, Panrawee Praditsorn

Journal of Health Research

Background: Although teachers responsible for the school lunch program were trained by the Ministry of Education (MOE) staff, they were not equipped with the basic knowledge of nutrition for children. This study aimed to develop and implement a unique, tailored school lunch training program for teachers and their stakeholders.

Methods: The training program was developed using the “Design for Learning (D4L) model.” Public primary schools run by the government from all regions of Thailand were selected. Target persons included principals, health teachers, nutrition teachers, cooks, and local staff from the MOE. All participants participated in a 5-day training course. …

What We Know About School-Based Health Centers: Literature On Outcomes, Cost Impact, Implementation, And Sustainability, Michelle R. Coble, Valerie F. Mcdaniel

Pacific Journal of Health

Many children lack access to adequate healthcare in the United States. School Based Health Centers (SBHC) are a useful resource for accessing those needed services. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the available research for the strengths of SBHCs with improving health outcomes and health equity, cost impact of SBHCs, and best practices for implementing and sustaining an SBHC. The focus of this study was on reviewing the current literature on the impact of SBHCs on improving health equity, health outcomes, cost impact, and to establish best practices for implementing and sustaining an SBHC. Although the current literature …

The Effects Of Education On Influenza Vaccination Uptake, Jazzlyn Lawson

MSN Capstone Projects

Influenza is a viral illness that occurs internationally and peaks in prevalence during the months of October to May. There are several types of influenza viruses: Influenza A, B, C, and D (CDC, 2023). Vaccines are available in the United States as early as the start of the flu season to those who wish to receive it. The influenza virus types covered by the annual flu vaccine include Influenzas A and B types (CDC, 2023). The influenza vaccine is recommended by the CDC with the intent to limit the occurrence and spread of influenza each year. Symptoms of influenza consist …

Enhancing Antenatal Education In Pakistan: An Audit And Recommendations, Maliha Abbas, Shelina Bhamani, Yasmin Kanjani, Lumaan Sheikh

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Background: Antenatal Education equips parents with knowledge for safe maternal health and infant care. It also reduces fear and anxiety during childbirth. ANE curriculum can vary according to country and institute. It can include classes focusing on childbirth, pain relief techniques, mode of birth, parenting, breastfeeding, breathing techniques, etc. Although ANE is widely practiced in developed countries, there is no standard program in developing countries like Pakistan. This study aims to improve antenatal education at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan potentially proposing an upgraded curriculum as a national standards
Methods: This multiphase study used mix-method design was conducted …

Navigating Professional Paradigms: Transactional Sex, Behavior Change, And Structural Responses In Uganda, Shelley K. White, Hugo A. Kamya

Journal of Social Work in the Global Community

Professional paradigms within social work and related social service fields have been critiqued for being behaviorally focused, thereby obscuring and perhaps excusing structural determinants of health and well-being. Recent initiatives in international social work have aimed to align theory, practice, education, and research with sustainable development, reflecting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to address structural determinants. Our qualitative research examined responses to transactional sex among Ugandan youth through in-depth interviews with 23 professionals working in social services with youth who were vulnerable to HIV. Through thematic content analysis, using deductive and inductive analysis, we examined the demographics …

Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives Of Barriers To Cancer Care Delivery For American Indian, Rural, And Frontier Populations, Brandon M. Varilek, Sarah Mollman Phd, Rn, Chpn, Cne

College of Nursing Faculty Publications

Objective: This descriptive qualitative study sought to understand the barriers affecting cancer care delivery from the perspective of healthcare professionals (HCPs) serving American Indian (AI), rural, and frontier populations.
Methods: One-on-one, semi-structured interviews with multidisciplinary HCPs (N = 18) who provide cancer care to AI, rural, and frontier populations were conducted between January and April 2022. Interviews were conducted via Zoom. Data were analyzed following thematic content analysis methodologies. Results: Thematic content analysis revealed three major themes: (a) Access, (b) Time, and (c) Isolation. The themes represent the HCP perspectives of the needs and barriers of persons with cancer to …

Assessing Social Determinants Of Health In Primary Care, Vicki Carpenter

Doctoral Projects

The social determinants of health encompass the various circumstances and environments in which individuals reside, develop, labor, and experience aging (Social Determinants of Health, 2022). These variables significantly contribute to the existence of health inequities and disparities within populations. In order to effectively mitigate health disparities, it is imperative to consider the various determinants that influence health outcomes, as this consideration is crucial for advancing the goal of achieving health equity. This public health concern encompasses multiple sectors within our society, necessitating the collaboration of various organizations and communities to effectively address and mitigate its impact.

The fundamental …

Opioid Overdose Knowledge And Attitudes Among Undergraduate College Studentsopioid Overdose Knowledge And Attitudes Among Undergraduate College Students, Kaiya Cook

Honors College Theses

No abstract provided.

Planners Vs. Non-Planners: Do Preterm Births Impact Future Contraceptive Use?, Jessie Moore

NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations

Background: In the United States, 45% of all pregnancies are unintended and occur when contraception is not used or is used inconsistently. Among those pregnancies, 1 in 10 women will experience a preterm birth, which is defined as a birth occurring before 37 weeks gestation. Women who have delivered preterm are at an increased risk for preterm birth in future pregnancies and are encouraged to wait at least 18 months between giving birth and getting pregnant again. Among women who have experienced a preterm birth, the desire to delay future pregnancy or avoiding it all together often becomes a necessity …

Improving Post-Discharge Engagement Of Mental Health Patients In The Veterans Affairs South Texas Healthcare System, Nneoma Lewis

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Discharge from a hospital is a high-risk period for mental health patients, as 20% experience an adverse event within 30 days of discharge. Poor discharge engagement can lead to complications for recovery, which include an increased risk for readmissions, longer length of stay, increased risk for suicide, and death. Hospital stays cost the United States $377.5 billion dollars per year; there is pressure for hospitals, health plans, and providers to examine the admission and discharge processes to improve healthcare delivery, transition of care, and patient health outcomes. At a South Texas VA, 67.66% of mental health patients attended all their …

Evaluating Physical Activity Resources To Support Health Equity In Arizona, Kathryn M. Orzech, Theresa A. Legros, Laurel Jacobs, Gregory Goodman, Ryan Lang

Journal of Extension

We evaluated physical activity (PA) resources in lower-income Arizona communities to support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) in pursuing equitable policy, systems, and environment (PSE) interventions. In 2017, 71 PA resources across 10 counties (65% parks) were rated using the Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA) tool. Accessibility was high, but condition scores and attractiveness varied across resources, with no rural/urban differences. Results suggest that Extension SNAP-Ed staff can be agents of change by assessing resource condition where physical activity health inequities may exist and then convening partners to begin to address needed changes.

Spotlight On Mental Health On A Healthcare Campus: An Assessment Of Psychological Trauma Awareness, Training, And Treatment In The University Of Nebraska Medical Center College Of Public Health Community, Jenny E. Mueller

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background: Psychological trauma has been recognized as a public health concern of epidemic proportions globally. Public health community awareness of and education in trauma is likely to be integral to preparing future public health professionals to work effectively and safely in the field. Currently, the extent of trauma awareness, training, and treatment on the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health (UNMC COPH) campus is not known.

Aims: The aims of this project are to investigate and assess the level of psychological trauma awareness, training, and treatment on the UNMC COPH campus; and to provide recommendations for actions …

Differences In Mental Health Outcomes And Services By Gender Identity Among Sexual And Gender Minorities During The First Shelter-In-Place Order Of The Covid-19 Pandemic In Texas, 2020, Mariah Victoria Alvarez Ramirez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: Within the United States, sexual and gender minorities (SGM), face unique barriers when seeking health services, such as uninsurance, postponing care, and lack of competent services. Within SGM, transgender and gender-expansive (TGX) individuals are more vulnerable as they have higher rates of discrimination and face more barriers to accessing healthcare services. Purpose: Identify differences in mental health outcomes and services by gender identity among sexual and gender minorities residing in Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study is a secondary data analysis of the SGM participants of the COVID-19 and You Survey study (n=1288). Descriptive statistics, bivariate associations …

Breastfeeding In Public: A Review Of Literature And Service Learning Experience, Taylor Jehlik, Makenzie Carney

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This article explores the perceptions and beliefs of first-time expectant mothers, their family members, and their social network about breastfeeding in public places. We used experience through Tiny Tusks and reviewed literature to get a better understanding of what social factors play a role in mothers' decisions to breastfeed in public.

Perceived Risks And Benefits Of Hpv Vaccination: The Role Of Cues To Action, Numeracy And, Literacy, Sierra Rae Galvan

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background & Significance: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a risk factor for both genital warts and cervical cancer. HPV strains 16 and 18 are recognized as precursors of cervical cancer. While strains 6 and 11 are estimated to cause 90% of genital warts. Latinas have the highest rate of cervical cancer in the U.S, approximately 66 % higher than non-Latino whites. These cancers are preventable in many cases through the administration of the HPV vaccine. The advisory committee on immunization practices recommends that children as young as 9 receive at least two doses of the three-dose HPV vaccine series. Consequently, …

The Power Of Voice: The Role Of Target Voice Achievement In Enhancing Quality Of Life For Transgender Individuals In Gender-Affirming Voice Management Lab, El Paso, Texas, 2016-2022, Mehjabin Alam Hridi

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: Gender-affirming voice management is an essential aspect of transgender people and research shows that achieving a congruent voice can significantly improve the quality of life. The role of voice as a central aspect of gender identity and expression and achieving a desired target voice can improve mental health outcomes, social functioning, and overall well-being. Purpose: The project assesses the impact of quality of life and voice treatment completion on voice disorders among transgender people. Methods: This clinical study included records for transgender individuals attending the Gender-Affirming Voice Management Lab in El Paso, TX, from 2016 to 2022. Measures collected …

The Perpetuation Of Hiv Risk In Latinx Immigrations: A Cross-National Perspective, J. M. Aleman

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Research indicates that migration is a social determinant of health that increases the risk of acquiring HIV. What is less understood, however, are the pathways through which immigration influences HIV risk. This study employed a cross-national perspective and utilized a social determinants of health framework to understand how structural factors, such as economic conditions and immigration policies and their enforcement, influence HIV risk among migrants. While mobility, migration and displacement are associated with increased HIV risk, they are not inherently the cause but rather a condition under which vulnerability is increased indicating that other distal, upstream, or structural forces are …

Associations Between Mental Health Outcomes And Childhood Trauma And Experiences Of Violence During The First Shelter-In-Place For Covid-19 Among Sexual Minority Men Living In Texas, 2020, Sonam Deki

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased mental health issues, disproportionately affecting men who have sex with men (MSM). The relationship between mental health and experiences of trauma and violence are understudied in this population. Purpose: To assess if rates of childhood trauma and COVID-19-related violence are higher for those with depression and anxiety than those without such experiences among cisgender sexual minority men in Texas. Methods: This secondary data analysis is among the cisgender sexual minority men in the COVID-19 and You Survey Study in Texas during the first shelter-in-place order. Descriptive statistics and bivariate associations between trauma and experiences …