Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Exploring The Evolution Of Altruistic Punishment Using A Pde Model For Multilevel Selection, Daniel Cooney

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Quality Cost Conversations And Dental Visit Satisfaction: Findings From An Online Survey Of Us Adults, Naa-Amy K. Wayne, Wendy Kutten, Samuel Anokye-Mensah, Bettye Apenteng Phd, Samuel Opoku Phd

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background. Cost conversations between patients and providers have been identified as vital to patient-centered care. Within the dental care setting, however, the role of cost conversations in enhancing patient experience and outcomes remain unexplored. This study examines the association between the quality of cost conversations between patients and providers on patients’ satisfaction in dental care settings.

Methods. The study was a cross-sectional study using data from 370 US adults who had received dental care in the past 24 months at the time of the survey. Data were collected through an online, self-administered survey in August 2021. The outcome of interest …

Health Informatics And Improvements In Maternal And Child Health In Rural Communities: A Scoping Review, Mambwe Mutiti, Gulzar Shah, Kristie Waterfield

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: According to the United Nations (UN), approximately 830 women have died from pregnancy-related complications, with most maternal deaths being avoidable with timely access to quality healthcare. Health Informatics is vital in addressing healthcare disparities in rural communities by identifying and addressing health inequities in health services and through health education. Health informatics has the potential to bridge the gap between rural and urban healthcare, leading to better health outcomes for individuals living in rural areas.

Objective: This study investigated the role of health informatics in enhancing maternal and child health (MCH) in rural communities and described opportunities, challenges, and …

Development And Validation Of An Index Of Social Attributes Predictive Of Frailty Among Older Adults, Preshit Ambade, Neil Mackinnon, Zachary T. Hoffman

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: Frailty captures accumulating age-related deficits in the normal functioning of an adult. The existing frailty models include physical and behavioral attributes; however, they ignore the complex social environments that impact them. The varying environment and estimation processes further make cross-country comparisons of frailty difficult. The Commonwealth Fund’s International Health Policy (IHP) survey data on older adults allows one to compare social predictors of frailty across high-income countries.

Methods: Our objective was to develop and validate a social risk measure to predict frailty across the countries using comparable social characteristics based on Social Production Function Theory. We employed the least …

The Relationship Between Social Vulnerability And Pedestrian Injuries In Georgia, Denise Yeager

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

This study used the Center for Disease Control’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to measure vulnerability of neighborhoods, and to study that relationship with the incidence of motor vehicle crashes involving non-motorists, at the census tract level. The goals of this study were to describe the spatial relationship between SVI and pedestrian serious and fatal injuries across Georgia regions; compare the differences in the pedestrian serious and fatal injury crash rates by SVI quintiles across Georgia regions; and describe the association between the SVI and pedestrian serious injury and fatal crashes across Georgia regions. A combination of spatial analysis, comparison of …

Role Of Strong Social Support In Stool-Based Test Uptake For Colorectal Cancer Screening, Benjamin Ansa

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: Screening has been shown to be effective for preventing colorectal cancer (CRC). In 2021, less than 72% of adult Americans had received CRC screening based on the most recent guidelines. The stool-based tests (fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and fecal immunochemical test (FIT)) reduce mortality from CRC by 15–40%. This study examined the relationship between strong social support and stool-based test uptake for CRC screening among U.S. adults based on socioeconomic factors.

Methods: The 2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data for 19,954 U.S. adults were analyzed for stool-based test rates among individuals with strong, some, and weak social …

Un Dekalb Saludable: Presenting Health Concerns Among Hispanic/Latino Dekalb County Residents Using An Online Dashboard, Miranda M. Montoya, Mercedes Albanes, Danielle Arroliga, Calvin Patimeteeporn, Sandra J. Valenciano

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: Despite extensive publicly available data, few assessments of Hispanic/Latino health have been conducted at the county level and made available online. Although 8.5% of DeKalb County, Georgia residents identify as Hispanic/Latino, a focused analysis of this population's health status has not been done in the past. To better serve the Hispanic/Latino population, local health departments should be aware of the socioeconomic status (SES) of the Hispanic/Latino community and the health concerns they face.

Methods: We extracted demographic data from the 2021 American Community Survey and 2017-2021 health data from Georgia’s Online Analytical Statistical Information System and the State Electronic …

Field Observations From Houston County Home Visit Pilot Program: Maternal Marijuana Use, Julia Jensen Mph, Ashley O'Neal Rnc-Mnn, Clc

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background:

The Houston County Health Department is one of three county health departments in Georgia chosen to implement a pilot program aimed promoting maternal and child health via postpartum home visits with families wherein the mother screened positive for marijuana at the time of childbirth. Initial observations from the local public health practitioners who conducted home visits for this program identified a trend in reason for use by the new mothers was to aid in symptoms of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. A review of current literature around nausea and vomiting during pregnancy was conducted to aid the public health …

Predicting Barriers To Performing Concussion Education: Identifying Opportunities For Change, Julia D. Drattell, Emily Kroshus, Johna K. Register-Mihalik, Christopher D'Lauro, Julianne D. Schmidt

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: There are many barriers that impact effective delivery of sport-related concussion education which can be described through the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation Behavior (COM-B) model of behavior change. Barriers may be predicted by factors like school levels, sports medicine access at school, and the educator’s professional experience or gender. Athletic trainers (ATs), medical professionals often employed in school athletics, usually provide concussion-related education. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore factors that influence ATs’ barriers to providing concussion education.

Methods: The National Athletic Trainers’ Association distributed an electronic survey to 9,997 member ATs working in secondary schools (SSs) …

Assessing Accessibility Of Online Healthcare Networks In Southeast Georgia, Anusha Gadipudi, Adebisi Bamidele, Yasmeen Shahout

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all public businesses must accommodate people with disabilities. A shift towards online operations makes it essential to ensure online spaces are as accessible as physical spaces. Websites, especially those providing essential health information, must consider individuals with disabilities who rely on assistive technologies. This research investigates the accessibility of healthcare websites in Southeast Georgia.

The American Hospital Directory was referenced to build a database of hospitals in Southeast Georgia. State Office of Rural Health data was utilized to list Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and Department of Public Health (DPH) offices serving this …

The Link Between Perceived Racism And Healthcare Utilization Among Older Adults: A Health Equity Analysis, Preshit Ambade, Neil Mackinnon, Zachary T. Hoffman

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Patient discrimination in healthcare settings is a growing concern in the United States. In healthcare settings, discrimination based on age, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic region, and insurance status is well-documented. Nearly one-in-five US adults have experienced discrimination at least once when visiting the health system. While the scholarship on discrimination and its association with health outcomes is well established, there remains a dearth of literature that compares this across countries. Such comparisons could provide valuable information for policy makers.

In this study, our purpose was to conduct a secondary analysis of the 2021 Commonwealth Fund International Health …

Leave In Silence: Hospital Discharge Communication Problems In Older Adults In 11 Countries, Neil Mackinnon, Preshit Ambade, Zachary T. Hoffman

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

The transition from hospital care to another point of care is a critical moment in ensuring positive patient outcomes and safety. We aimed to determine the prevalence of hospital discharge communication problems in older adults in 11 high-income countries and the associated factors.

We analyzed data from the 2021 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy (IHP) survey of older adults. Respondents were from 11 countries high-income countries. Poor discharge communication (PDC), a composite score, was defined as participants reporting at least 2 problems in the discharge process out of a maximum of 3. A multivariate logistic regression model assessed PDC’s association …

Trends In Substance Use And Mental Health Among Adolescents In Georgia, 2002-2022, Saumya S. Palipudi, Bangaru Talli Palipudi, Murty Komanduri

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: While substance use and absence of mental health disorders among youth in the United States (US) have declined over the past two decades, post COVID-19 pandemic, these conditions have increased significantly with notable disparities, and witnessed a crisis in public health. In 2022, 24.7% or 6.1 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the US had either Major Depressive Episodes (MDE) or Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and 3.7 percent had both in the prior year². Increased stress, lack of peer connections, parental abuse, and poor mental health conditions were attributed to this increase in substance use^{3-7 …}

Barriers To Healthcare Access Between English And Spanish Speakers In An Underserved Population, Adeena Javed, Dale Johnson, Gerardo J. Rivera-Colón, Nathaniel J. Byrnes, Kristin Bertsch, Anne C. Jones

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

• According to the NJ State Department of Health, Atlantic County has higher rates of smoking, respiratory disease, hypercholesterolemia, as well as death rates due to coronary heart disease, HIV, and all cancers compared to the NJ state average1,2.

• With over 20% of Atlantic County's population identifying as Hispanic, Spanish speakers encounter greater obstacles compared to their English-speaking counterparts in accessing healthcare services and improving health outcomes1,2 .

• Existing research indicates that various factors, including health insurance coverage, proximity to healthcare facilities, transportation options, health literacy levels, and trust in the medical profession, significantly influence access to healthcare …

Exploring Hypertension Prevalence Among Ill-Housed Individuals In Urban Environments, Lia Goldberg, Sameer Shah, Nikhila Archakam, Murod Khikmatov, Kesha Choksi, Anddee White

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This study explores the interrelations of hypertension, homelessness, and access to healthcare in urban ill-housed populations. It was found that conditions such as heart disease and diabetes significantly exacerbate hypertension, which remains highly prevalent due to the population's limited access to consistent medical care. Homelessness further complicates the management of hypertension due to unstable living conditions, making adherence to treatment and follow-up with healthcare providers challenging. Additionally, factors like higher rates of substance abuse and malnutrition among homeless populations contribute to worsening hypertension, which, if untreated, can lead to severe health crises including heart attacks and strokes.

The research underscores …

Pros, Cons, And The Barriers To Implementing A Universal Healthcare System In The United States, Arpun Shah

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: The United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world. Despite that, it also has worse health outcomes than that of several other countries. The United States is also the only wealthy/developed country without universal healthcare. Universal healthcare, also known as a single-payer healthcare system, refers to the concept that the government finances and governs healthcare for most, if not all residents of the country. The United States currently has a multi-payer system, which means that healthcare is financed through various sources such as the public and private sectors. Purpose: The purpose of this is …

Cut The Pressure: Blood Pressure Screening In A Community Based Setting, Harold Kareem Knight Jr., Katharine Milani

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This study addresses the pressing issue of cardiovascular health disparities in African American males through community-based interventions, specifically blood pressure screenings and surveys conducted in a local barbershop setting. Despite a preference among participants for clinical settings, an overwhelming 97.7% expressed high comfort levels in the community-based environment, highlighting the importance of culturally sensitive approaches in healthcare delivery. With 92.5% indicating willingness to return for future screenings, the study underscores the efficacy of non-traditional settings in fostering healthcare engagement. Findings suggest the potential for broader impact through scalable, community-centric initiatives, offering promising avenues for improving health outcomes in underserved populations.

Sunscreen Cost And Its Effect On Skin Cancer In Low-Income Communities: A Systemic Review, John Sauer

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This research examines the pivotal connection between sunscreen affordability and its impact on skin cancer prevalence, especially in low-income communities. Despite universal dermatological recommendations for daily sunscreen use, stringent criteria contribute to elevated prices, averaging around $10 for a 6 oz unit. This financial strain is compounded for families adhering to recommended application rates, leading to significant economic burdens. Outdoor laborers, less likely to follow guidelines, face heightened risks. Government programs' excluding sunscreen costs further exacerbate challenges for low-income communities, contributing to increased skin cancer incidence. This review aims to establish a correlation between sunscreen cost and skin cancer rates, …

Association Between Cultural Factors And Postpartum Depression, Usha Modukuru

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Postpartum depression (PPD) is present in 17.22% of the world population. The negative physical and psychological impacts of PPD impact not only the mother, but also those around her. This raises the importance of identifying factors contributing to its onset. Studies have shown that PPD prevalence rates vary between non-Western and Western regions of the world. Cultural postpartum practices differed significantly region to region. Search terms including postpartum depression and cultures were used to find peer-reviewed articles, primary surveys, and patient interviews between 2013-2023. Qualitative analyses were performed on the results. Ethnokinship cultures, commonly present in non-Western countries, prioritized social …

The Benefits And Risks Of Pudendal Nerve Block And Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation In Pudendal Neuralgia, Pooja A. Patel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Context: Pudendal neuralgia is a chronic neuropathic pain syndrome worsening throughout daily activities. Although temporarily relieved when standing or lying down, it is often misdiagnosed, improperly treated, and/or refractory to treatment leading to a negative impact on quality of life. The lack of research in proper diagnosis and interventional management (such as dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRGS) and pudendal nerve block) further contributes to the delay in relief from the chronic pain. Objective: The goal of this scoping review is to assess if research exists on benefits and risks of pudendal nerve block and dorsal root ganglion and …

Improving Primary And Gynecological Care In Transmasculine Patients, Alison N. Mautner, Joanna Petrides Psy.D, Mbs

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the healthcare experiences of transmasculine individuals in primary and gynecological care settings. An online, anonymous survey was conducted to gather insights into positive and adverse encounters, factors influencing care-seeking behaviors, and strategies for improving care delivery in this population.

Methods: A survey was administered between June 1st and July 23rd, 2023, recruiting participants from three LGBTQ+ affirming healthcare offices in South Jersey and via Reddit. Data analysis involved SPSS to gain information from 499 valid responses.

Results: The majority of participants (55%) were aged 18-24, with 51% identifying as transgender men. Over two-thirds (68.5%) …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Mask Mandate On Effective Communication Between Healthcare Providers And Deaf/Hoh Patients, Antonia J. Conti, Alexa Gingerich

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries mandated the use of facial masks in public environments, especially in healthcare settings.[3] While this was beneficial in reducing the spread of the coronavirus disease, it created many challenges for the deaf/HoH community.[4] In particular, it limited effective communication between healthcare providers and deaf/HoH patients. It was found that masks limit word recognition for both deaf/HoH and non-deaf/HoH individuals. Additionally, both surgical and N95 masks hinder word recognition for deaf/HoH individuals and significantly impact communication during medical appointments.

Investigating Risk Factors Contributing To The High Incidence Of Covid-19 Among The Diné People Of The Navajo Nation, Elizabeth Lila Reynolds

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: COVID-19 became international news in December 2019 and subsequently impacted global health. The research shows that the Diné people of the Navajo Nation were one of the most severely impacted populations¹. The Navajo Nation is a region spanning Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah that is composed of North American indigenous people known as the Diné. Purpose: To explore the risk factors contributing to the increased rates of COVID-19 infection and severity of infection among the Diné people. Methods: This literature review research process utilized PubMed and JAMA to find scholarly articles on this topic. Search terms …

Lep Prevalence In Southern New Jersey And The Use Of Interpreting Services In Healthcare Settings, Katherine Chavarria, Ariana Blake, Marlyn Valentin

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Language barriers pose a great challenge to populations of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in understanding their health, diagnosis, and treatments in healthcare settings. Our research aimed to gain a better understanding of the language access needs in Southern New Jersey. We analyzed census data in order to determine the prevalence of LEP populations in Southern New Jersey, as well as the languages most spoken by LEP populations. Additionally, our research looked at the use of interpreting services in healthcare settings. In Camden county, specifically we found that the top 3 languages spoken by LEP populations were Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese. …

Review Of Missing Data Elements For Client Enrollment In The Minority Aids Initiative For High-Risk Men Of Nj, Vrushank Shah

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The Minority AIDS Initiative study funded in NMI seeks to enhance healthcare outcomes for underserved individuals. Implementing outreach programs, the initiative provides healthcare and post-treatment follow-up to this demographic. The proposed project, a component of this study, concentrates on individuals with substance abuse disorder, specifically targeting those who have been onboarded but subsequently lost to follow-up. In the United States, approximately 20 million people are diagnosed with substance abuse disorder, yet in 2016, only 3.8 million received treatment. Within this cohort, between 20% and 70% of individuals undergoing residential substance abuse treatment disengage before completion. Various factors hinder the sustained …

Unveiling The Impact: Structural Racism And Childhood Lead Exposure's Health Consequences In Philadelphia, Mahhum Naqvi, Mahrukh Naqvi, Justin Stout, Colton Spencer

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Childhood lead exposure poses a significant risk to health and well-being, adversely affecting brain function, nervous system development, and behavioral patterns. This study examines the health disparities and inequities associated with childhood lead exposure in Philadelphia, focusing on structural racism and residential segregation as crucial lenses for analysis. By delving into the sociocultural context of lead exposure, this study underscores the imperative of collaborative efforts among stakeholders to safeguard Philadelphia's most vulnerable populations. Healthcare professionals and policymakers play pivotal roles in enhancing funding and prevention strategies. Addressing this issue through the prism of structural racism allows for the identification and …

Is There An Association Between Living In A Rural Area And The Incidence Of Postoperative Complications Or Hospital Readmissions Following Left Ventricular Assist Device (Lvad) Implantation, Compared To Urban Lvad Recipients?, Samrat Gollapudi, Abhiram Gollapudi, Srinidhi Banala, Sheraj Singh, Bhaumik Patel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are utilized as a therapeutic option for patients with end-stage heart failure. While LVAD implantation can significantly improve survival rates and quality of life, the procedure is not without risks, and postoperative complications are common. This review aims to investigate whether there is an association between living in a rural area and the incidence of postoperative complications or hospital readmissions following LVAD implantation, compared to urban LVAD recipients.

Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted, examining studies that compared postoperative outcomes between rural and urban LVAD recipients. Data were extracted on adverse …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A School-Based Cognitive Behavioral Youth Depression Prevention Program In Improving Life Satisfaction, Roshani Patel, Steven M. Brunwasser, Alissa Hochman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, known as the global burden of disease. Incident cases from 1990 to 2017 have increased by 49.86%. Additionally, rates have been seen to dramatically rise in adolescents aged 18-25 (17%) compared to rates in individuals aged 10-14 (1.1%). This makes it beneficial to have prevention programs for middle school aged children. The Penn Resiliency Program (PRP) is a youth depression prevention program focused on cultivating healthy thinking styles and behavioral coping skills. In our study, we used archival data from a randomized control trial of PRP to evaluate whether the program led …

Evaluation Of Unexplained Bone Fractures In A 3-Month-Old Infant – A Case Report, Hannah Ngo, Rachel Silliman Cohen

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Child physical abuse is a significant cause of injury in infants and young children and can present in a variety of ways. Failure to recognize abuse in infants and young children can be life-threatening and is often recurrent until safety interventions occur. Consequently, it is of paramount importance that providers strongly consider child physical abuse on the differential, along with metabolic bone disease and accidental traumatic injury, when evaluating fractures in young children and infants. This case report will focus on the evaluation of a 3-month-old male infant who was admitted to the hospital with irritability and decreased right arm …

A Brief Overview Of Food Insecurity In Southern New Jersey, Lisa Ting Huang, Krisha Darji, Jariatou Diallo, Amin Abdul Khan

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Atlantic County, located off the Jersey Shore, faces the highest level of food insecurity in New Jersey, with a rate of 11.2% as of 2021, surpassing the state's overall rate of 8.8%. This situation contributes to health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.

The objective of this research is to understand and address the persistence of food insecurity in Atlantic County. Community stakeholders and local physicians were interviewed to identify barriers and disparities contributing to food insecurity.

Methods included a literature review using keywords like "food insecurity" and "southern New Jersey". Proposed interventions suggest collaboration with health centers …