Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Translating Hemoglobin A1c Scores Across An Ethnically Diverse Population: Is The Language Consistent Across All Races?, Corliss M. Allen, Eartha S. Butler, Joseph Negusei, Celeste Hart, Ivette A. López, Cynthia M. Harris, Penny Ralston

Florida Public Health Review

Hemoglobin A1c testing is an accepted measure of how well the blood glucose level has been controlled in the recent past (six to eight weeks) among individuals with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and blood glucose in an ethnically diverse population in a clinical setting. A cross-sectional research design was employed to explore associations between these two diabetes control measures in a sample of African American, White and Hispanic patients receiving diabetes treatment and follow-up in an outpatient clinic in Tallahassee, Florida. Data collection included a questionnaire, medical examinations, and …

Evaluation Of Be Wise About Your Portion Size: A Nutrition Education Program For Floridians, Andrea C. Goosen, Laura K. Guyer, Linda B. Bobroff

Florida Public Health Review

In the U.S., obesity is recognized as a growing epidemic whose increased prevalence among adults, children and adolescents present major health concerns. It is the second leading cause of preventable death, surpassed only by tobacco use. Research indicates that controlling the portion sizes of food is an effective way to lose and maintain weight loss. The nutrition education program, “Be Wise about Your Portion Size (BWPS),” was developed in 2005 by the Florida Interagency Food and Nutrition Committee (FIFNC) to support the efforts of community-based nutrition educators. The resource manual provides background information about obesity, consumer handouts, and lesson plans …

Out Of The Frying Pan, Into The Fire: Trauma In The Lives Of Homeless Youth Prior To And During Homelessness, John Coates, Sue Mckenzie-Mohr

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Anecdotal evidence from those who work with homeless youth indicates that trauma permeates these young people's lives. This paper presents the findings from a study of 100 homeless youth regarding the presence of trauma in their lives, both before and during homelessness. Participants living in the Maritime Provinces volunteered to take part in a semi-structured interview lasting one to two hours. The interview questionnaire was conducted by a trained interviewer, and was composed of standardized and adapted survey instruments, as well as questions regarding demographics, experiences prior to becoming homeless, assistance received while dealing with stressors, and current needs. The …

Housing For People With Serious Mental Illness: Approaches, Evidence, And Transformative Change, Geoffrey Nelson

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The evolution of housing approaches for people with serious mental illness is described and analyzed. A distinction is made between three different approaches to housing: (a) custodial, (b) supportive, and (c) supported. Research evidence is reviewed that suggests the promise of supported housing, but more research is needed that compares supported housing with different supportive housing approaches. It is argued that the current move to a supported housing approach represents a fundamental shift or transformative change in mental health policy and practice. Strategies to facilitate this shift are discussed.

Reducing Disparities By Improving Access To And Use Of Preventive Care, Arlesia Brock Mathis

Florida Public Health Review

Substantial disparities continue to exist in access to health care and in the quality of care received. This study was designed to examine the factors that influence access to and use of preventive care. This study uses logistic and multiple regression analyses to examine influenza vaccination and physician visits. This study includes unique factors such as risky health behavior and general health condition in addition to socio-demographic factors and health insurance. Individuals who do not smoke are 59% more likely to have had a flu shot than those who do. Of those having insurance of any type, individuals with private …

Racial, Ethnic, And Socioeconomic Disparities In Exposure To Fast Food In Hillsborough County, Florida, Dana Oppenheim Stein, Jayajit Chakraborty

Florida Public Health Review

Recent studies have linked the alarming obesity epidemic in the U.S. to the growth of the fast-food restaurant industry, which offers convenient service alongside inexpensive and high-calorie food. As the number of fast-food outlets increases, research demonstrates that their geographic location plays a significant role in creating obesogenic environments, potentially exposing socially disadvantaged groups to unhealthy nutrition choices provided by these outlets. Whereas previous studies have examined the distribution of positive health amenities such as supermarkets and health-food stores, there is a growing need to evaluate the socio-demographic characteristics of neighborhoods that contain negative health entities such as fast-food outlets. …

In Drag On Drugs, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

Since commentators generally assert that the war on illegal and illicit drugs has been a failure, we should evaluate the assertion and, then, opine on why there is a war, winnable or not.

Wilderness Beauty: A Means To Resolve Volitional Doubt, Brian T. Scalise

Eleutheria: John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Academic Journal

Doubt is often part of Christian spiritual life. Matured doubt will influence the will (the volition) so as to keep the Christian doubter from acting like a Christian or even desiring the Christian life. This essay seeks to construct a theory designed to engage and help resolve volitional doubt by use of wilderness beauty. This theory incorporates three areas of study—Land and Leisure Management, Abraham Maslow’s metamotivation theory, and Jonathan Edwards' aesthetic theology—to demonstrate the uniqueness and usefulness of wilderness beauty for resolving volitional doubt. Subsequent to the construction of the theory, practical suggestions for its application are given.

Life History And Narrative Analysis: Feminist Methodologies Contextualizing Black Women's Experiences With Severe Mental Illness, Marya R. Sosulski, Nicole T. Buchanan, Chandra M. Donnell

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper discusses a methodological approach to research that enhances critical analysis by contextualizing qualitative research findings within participants' individual experiences. We demonstrate the combined use of life history methods and feminist narrative analysis to explore Black women's everyday experiences with mental illness, from their perspectives. These interpretive methods reach beyond pathologized conceptions of identity and adjustment that often narrowly characterize mental illness among Black women. Instead, these methods holistically describe a participant's experiences and strategies she uses to pursue goals and enhance her life. The use of the methods is illustrated with examples from the life narrative of "Maria," …

Chronic Pain And Pain Management Among Older Veterans, Juyoung Park

Florida Public Health Review

The aim of the study was to examine chronic pain in older veterans (65+) and the pain treatment that they received at the Veteran Medical Center. Using a cross-sectional research design, a survey was administered to 107 older veteran participants with self-reported chronic pain recruited from outpatient centers of the Veterans Administration Medical Center: Pain Management Center, Geriatric Clinic, Arthritis Treatment Center, Mental Health Clinic, and Primary Care Clinic. Severity of pain, functional status, depression, spirituality, social support, and social network were assessed, and demographic data were collected. A majority of the participants (92.5%, n = 99) reported having had …

Barriers And Facilitators To Prenatal Care For Pregnant Latina Women In Cobb County, Georgia, Carol Holtz, Annette Bairan

Journal of Global Initiatives: Policy, Pedagogy, Perspective

This research study seeks to identify factors that serve as barriers and/or facilitators to prenatal care for Latina women and to provide data to assist health care providers, health care agencies, and policy makers in developing programs that maximize access to prenatal care for Latina women. In addition, other groups may also find this data useful, such as scholars in Latin American studies, immigration, cultural diversity, minority health care, and health care in general. The research questions consist of the following: (1) What do indigent pregnant (or recently delivered) Latina women believe about prenatal care? (2) What are the barriers …

Early Childhood Care And Education For All In 2015: Is This A Mirage In Nigeria?, Esther A. Oduolowu

Journal of Global Initiatives: Policy, Pedagogy, Perspective

This paper examines the possibility of the provision of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for all children from birth to age five in Nigeria by 2015. In the paper are the history of preschool education in Nigeria) situation of ECCE worldwide in the 1980s) and the, global trends in basic education in the 1990s. The paper also examines the limitations of the attempt and offers probable solutions.

Forced Migration And The Survival Needs Of The Nigerian Child, Ngozi Diwunma Obidike

Journal of Global Initiatives: Policy, Pedagogy, Perspective

This article identifies the survival needs of the forced migrant Nigerian child as well as the extent to which the identified needs are satisfied. The population consisted of 600 forced migrant children and 10 emergency workers who were chosen based on their experiences being forced migrants. A questionnaire was used for the study. The result showed) among other things, that although the need for food, clean water, education, peace, and shelter were identified as the five most essential needs, other needs were also identified as necessary for the children's survival. Based on the results, recommendations were made.

Students’ Willingness To Purchase Vegan Menu Items In The National School Lunch Program, Jill Eckart, Kathryn A. Strong, Darlene K. Moppert, Neal D. Barnard

Florida Public Health Review

Offering plant-based options in school lunches may help schools meet U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrient standards by providing students with options that are low in fat and cholesterol-free. Research indicates that well- planned vegetarian and vegan diets are appropriate for all ages and have certain health benefits; however, it is not clear whether students are willing to incorporate vegetarian foods into their diets. We assessed students’ willingness to purchase vegan menu items in school lunches and evaluate the nutrient profiles of vegan and nonvegan menu items offered. Vegan items were offered once per week for four weeks in elementary and …

Affirmative Action As A Dimension Of Diversity Management: Perceptions Of South African Sport Federations, Anneliese Goslin, Darlene Kluka

Journal of Global Initiatives: Policy, Pedagogy, Perspective

Affirmative action in the transformation process of South African sport aims at balancing the concerns of white sport participants with the aspirations of participants of color. The aims of this study are to determine perceptions of South African sport federations in diversity management and the affirmative action profile of South African sport federations, and to suggest strategies to manage affirmative action. A Likert scale questionnaire evaluated perceptions of 32 sport federations on affirmative action factors. Below-average scores were recorded on affirmative action policy and the provision of specialized training opportunities. Political rather than managerial reasons are regarded as the leading …

Hospital Performance Evaluation In Uganda: A Super-Efficiency Data Envelope Analysis Model, Bruno Yawe

Zambia Social Science Journal

Standard Data Envelope Analysis models result in a large fraction of the observations becoming 100 percent efficient. The article measures the technical efficiency of 25 district referral hospitals from three regions of Uganda over the 1999-2003 period. It applies a super-efficiency Data Envelopment Analysis model. The application of a super-efficiency model was occasioned by the failure of standard data envelopment analysis models to rank the efficient set of hospitals which attain an efficiency score of unity. The results of the standard data envelopment analysis models indicate the existence of different degrees of technical and scale inefficiency in Uganda’s district referral …

Factors Associated With Institutionalization For Treatment Of Active Tuberculosis: A Synopsis From In-Depth Patient Interviews, Robert J. Mcdermott, Carol A. Bryant, Jeannine Coreil, Aimee R. Eden, Lori K. Buhi

Florida Public Health Review

To increase the effectiveness of therapeutic regimens for tuberculosis (TB) and to reduce the societal risks for both infected and uninfected individuals, it is beneficial to be able to predict factors associated with non-adherence to treatment. The purpose of this study was to acquire detailed case histories of TB patients admitted to a hospital setting and to gain a better understanding of how patients explain the life events leading up to their admission for treatment. Twenty-one patients with active TB were interviewed concerning their knowledge of TB, diagnosis and treatment history, recent history prior to hospitalization, reactions to and life …

Health Care Reform's Proposed End-Of-Life Provisions, Brandy C. Hill, Nick Lebredo, Christopher R. Shafer

Florida Public Health Review

End-of-life planning promotes patient autonomy by allowing individual patients to inform and direct care givers and healthcare proxies on their desired level of end-of-life care, where the patient prefers to pass away (whether at home or in a hospital setting), and the methods and levels of pain management that the patient deems desirable. Given that, it is counter-intuitive that a significant majority of American's fail to execute, or fail to properly execute, advance directives. Theauthor’seffortsfocusonwhatcanbedonetoimprove,generally,end-of-lifecare. Tothatend,theauthorsconclude that improvements in end-of-life care must be achieved at three levels: the individual level, the healthcare provider level, andatthegovernmentlevel. Ontheindividuallevel,patientsmustassumegreateraccountabilityfortheirownend-of-life care. Thatentailsmakingone'swishesforend-of-lifecareknowntofamilymembersandhealthcareproviders. Onthe healthcare …

Stigma And Therapy Completion For Latent Tuberculosis Among Haitian-Origin Patients, Jeannine Coreil, Michael Lauzardo, Heather Clayton

Florida Public Health Review

A prospective cohort study of LTBI treatment conducted within the Haitian population of South Florida investigated the predictive association between illness-related stigma among patients near the beginning of treatment and completion of preventive therapy. Factors associated with perceived stigma were also investigated. Ninety patients from Broward and Palm Beach counties were administered a questionnaire that included items related to illness history, perceptions and understanding of latent tuberculosis, and a 25-item stigma scale adapted from previously developed measures of tuberculosis-related stigma. Therapy completion was determined through a follow-up chart review. Data analyses compared patients who completed therapy with those who defaulted …

Tuberculosis Screening And Treatment Of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among International College Students, Bhavna Bhardwaj, Eknath Naik, Beata Casanas, Michael D. Breglia, Michael Lauzardo

Florida Public Health Review

Tuberculosis (TB) remains in the crosshairs of many public health policies worldwide that are taking aim at eradicating this potentially curable and preventable illness. Although tuberculosis (TB) incidence has been declining in the United States for over a decade, it still remains a serious public health concern. Currently, there is no public health policy that requires the screening of non-immigrant international university students visiting the United States. Given the rising numbers of visiting international students, this population has come under scrutiny as potential vectors of transmission of TB into the United States. Foreign-born persons from countries with consistently elevated TB …

Anticipated Effects Of The U.S. Mexico City Policy On The Attainability Of The Millennium Development Goals And Future Development Efforts In Sub-Saharan Africa, Katherine Clare Alexander

Anthós

In the low-income countries of sub-Saharan Africa, the performance of pyramidal reproductive health and family planning services with public outreach initiatives has not met the expectations or the needs of the communities they serve. Insufficient case management, limited management capacity and referral and communication failures are challenges faced on the delivery level, while on the policy level these health clinics face insufficient coordination among organizations and weak links between programs (Schneider, 2006). The Mexico City Policy, first introduced by President Reagan in 1984, only exacerbated these challenges for organizations that offer comprehensive contraception and family planning programs by denying any …

Trends And Correlates Of Breast Cancer Screening Among Florida Women: Analysis Of 2001 And 2008 Brfss Data, Alicestine Ashford, Gebre-Egziabher Kiros, Ivette A. López

Florida Public Health Review

This study examined trends and correlates of breast cancer screening among women aged ≥40 years old by race/ethnicity using the 2001 and 2008 Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Breast cancer screening was measured using both mammography and clinical breast examination (CBE). The total sample size was 10,386, with 4,938 women in the 2001 BRFSS and 5,448 in 2008. Significant disparities in breast cancer screening by race/ethnicity were found both in 2001 and 2008, with Hispanics having the lowest screening participation, compared to non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic Blacks. In 2008, non-Hispanic Black women had the highest percentage of timely …

Sports Holdings In The Southeastern Conference University Libraries: Football As A Case Study, William F. Meehan Iii, Margaret A. Swanson, Catherine O. Yates, Emily N. Decker

The Southeastern Librarian

Of the twelve National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision conferences, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) has attained prominence. But how do the SEC’s university libraries fare when evaluated for their football holdings? While university libraries develop their collections mainly to support research and teaching functions, according to accepted collection development practice, the extent to which sports of local importance are represented in their collections is a subject given little attention in the professional literature.

In order to help close the gap, this study evaluates the football holdings of the 12 SEC university library systems using the checklist …

Application Of A Leadership Approach To Address Suicide Among Gay, Lesbian And Bisexual Youth, Katherine Davis

Florida Public Health Review

Suicide, esepcially among youth, is a significant public health issue, ranking as the third leading cause of death among youth and young adults between the ages of 10 and 24. Suicide attempts and successful suicides are more frequent occurrences in the gay, lesbian,and bisexual (GLB) population. Despite this heightened risk, sexual orientation is omitted from important documents that detail suicide risk factors. Moreover, few schools have programs that address the unique needs of GLB youth that could create a more receptive or tolerant, and less threatening environment for them. In this paper, Kotter’s eight-stage framework for leadership is explored for …

Leadership, Leadership Paradigms, And Leadership Training In 2010 And Beyond, Robert J. Mcdermott

Florida Public Health Review

Since 2008, the Florida Public Health Review (FPHR) has published student essays that attempt to illustrate how the application of specific leadership paradigms might, in theory, be applied to address some nagging and ongoing problems in public health and related endeavors. The current volume of the FPHR continues that tradition. Other public health students, faculty, and practitioners from around the state are invited to contribute ideas that foster leadership skills and the development of dynamic leaders.

School Food Services And Childhood Obesity: Is There A Link?, Christine M. Spiker

Florida Public Health Review

Childhood overweight and obesity have increased three-fold since 1980, and there is minimal evidence of any leveling off. Research has found that many school food programs are not sufficiently providing adequate nutrients and providing far too many calories and fat. Competitive foods are widely available in many schools which may possibly contribute to increased weight and body mass index (BMI) in students. This has put school food programs under scrutiny as a contributor to the childhood obesity crisis being faced. Schools can promote healthier eating by improving school meals, but most are forced to sell competitive foods to support their …

Hiv Prevention And Education: Leadership And Implications For African-American Churches, Khaliah F. Fleming

Florida Public Health Review

This paper illustrates use of John Kotter’s eight-stage process for creating change through leadership its potential for aiding African-American churches in addressing rising HIV/AIDS rates. The focus is on churches due to their large influence on the African-American community. Knowing that there are multiple influences surrounding HIV/AIDS, it is useful to highlight how certain ideological and theological factors are contributing to the current state of African-American churches work to increase HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, and education.

The President's Emergency Plan For Aids Relief (Pepfar): A Social Work Ethical Analysis And Recommendations, Robert J. Barney, Stephan L. Buckingham, Judith M. Friedrich, Lisa M. Johnson, Michael A. Robinson, Bibhuti K. Sar

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is the most recent international social program instituted by the U.S. Government to combat HIV/AIDS. Since its inception in 2003, this foreign policy initiative has dedicated $63 billion for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in foreign countries. Despite PEPFAR's many accomplishments, it continues to promote controversial prevention strategies. This paper analyzes these prevention strategies, utilizing social work values as described in the NASW Code of Ethics. Policy, practice, and research implications are discussed.

Affect Comprehension In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Visual Field Isolation Intervention, Erica L. Schmidt

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) tend to show under-activation of the right fusiform face area of the ventral temporal cortex when viewing emotional faces, which may explain their affect comprehension deficits. This left hemisphere dominance, indicative of a piecemeal processing strategy, has been shown a less effective method of understanding true emotion. The present study aimed to condition the left-visual-field-to right-FFA pathway by allowing children with ASD to work through an emotion-matching computer program. One group completed the experiment with both eyes uncovered, while the other worked with only their left visual field open. Though no significant differences …

Studies Into Cytauxzoon And Helminth Infections Of Bobcats (Lynx Rufus) Of Northwest Arkansas, Emily Hickman, David Kreider, Chris Tucker, Jana Reynolds, Jeremy Powell, Tom Yazwinski

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Cytauxzoon felis and gastrointestinal helminth infections in bobcats (Lynx rufus) of Northwest Arkansas, an area known to have numerous cases of cytaux in domestic cats. Sixty bobcat carcasses were collected from trappers located in Mulberry and Decatur, Arkansas. Blood samples from the hearts were used to isolate Cytauxzoon DNA. Next, a polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) procedure coupled with gel-electrophoresis assay for the 18s region of extracted DNA were used to determine the presence of the protozoan in the bobcats at the time of harvest. Out of the 60 …