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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

2018

University of North Florida

Journal

Articles 1 - 15 of 15

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Work-Related And Non-Work-Related Lead Poisoning Among Adults In Florida, Babajide Sadiq Jan 2018

Work-Related And Non-Work-Related Lead Poisoning Among Adults In Florida, Babajide Sadiq

Florida Public Health Review

The aim of this study was to identify whether adults with lead poisoning (blood lead level ≥10μg/dL) due to exposure to lead at their workplace have higher blood lead concentration levels compared to persons with lead poisoning who are not occupationally exposed. Data for this study were collected from the Florida Blood Lead Epidemiology Surveillance (ABLES) Program from 2008 to 2010 (n = 2246 adults). The demographic characteristics used for this study included age, gender, race, and ethnicity. The population shows that adults 47years of age have the highest number of cases of blood lead level ≥10μg/dL. In addition, male, …


Incidences Of School-Based Anti-Gay And Gender-Related Bullying: Differences Across Levels Of Education, Evan Mcewing, Joseph M. Zolobczuk, Kiet D. Huynh, Ariel A. Gonzalez, Debbiesiu L. Lee Jan 2018

Incidences Of School-Based Anti-Gay And Gender-Related Bullying: Differences Across Levels Of Education, Evan Mcewing, Joseph M. Zolobczuk, Kiet D. Huynh, Ariel A. Gonzalez, Debbiesiu L. Lee

Florida Public Health Review

Anti-gay and gender-related bullying and harassment are pervasive public health problems found in schools and are correlated with negative mental health and educational outcomes for students. This study examines the differences in the forms and prevalence of anti-gay and gender-related bullying with students from middle school, secondary, and post-secondary institutions. This information can assist researchers and practitioners in better understanding the prevalence of anti-gay verbal versus physical harassment at particular education levels. The sample comprised 7,007 participants. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to examine differences across levels of education, race/ethnicity, and gender on the 9-item Gender and Orientation Attitudes …


Community-Based Participatory Research At Jacksonville, Florida Superfund Ash Site: Toxicology Training To Improve The Knowledge Of The Lay Community, Alan Becker, Sandra Suther, Cynthia Harris, Grazyna Pawlowicz, Gale Disney-Tucker, Matthew Dutton, Fran Close, Aaron Hilliard, Richard Gragg Jan 2018

Community-Based Participatory Research At Jacksonville, Florida Superfund Ash Site: Toxicology Training To Improve The Knowledge Of The Lay Community, Alan Becker, Sandra Suther, Cynthia Harris, Grazyna Pawlowicz, Gale Disney-Tucker, Matthew Dutton, Fran Close, Aaron Hilliard, Richard Gragg

Florida Public Health Review

Until the late 1960’s, Jacksonville, Florida incinerated its solid waste with the resultant ash deposited in landfills or used to fill flood-prone areas. These filled areas were later developed into parks, school sites and residential areas. Lead in soil at these sites was the major toxicant of concern and driver of clean-up actions. During the period of assessment of lead-levels in soil, there were no established lines of communication between the City and residents of affected neighborhoods resulting in mistrust in the community. To address communication issues, a community-based, culturally sensitive Community Environmental Toxicology Curriculum (CETC) and a short video …


Obstructive Sleep Apnea Disparity Among Truck Drivers: Danger On American Roads, Felicia N. Green, Ivette A. López, Mary Simmons Jan 2018

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Disparity Among Truck Drivers: Danger On American Roads, Felicia N. Green, Ivette A. López, Mary Simmons

Florida Public Health Review

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common sleep disorder, can cause perilous levels of fatigue that impact commercial drivers who operate vehicles such as tow trucks, tractor trailers, and buses. In this study, we explored this population for its awareness of obstructive sleep apnea, the risk factors, and its impact on health for all. We conducted a qualitative study using 33 semi-structured in-depth interview questions with 12 male commercial truck drivers ages 28 to 44 years old, who were Florida residents. Participants had basic knowledge of OSA, minimal awareness of the underlying risk factors that impact their overall health, and of …


The Relationship Between Physical Dating Violence And Alcohol And Drug Use Among High School Students In An Urban Florida County, Stacey B. Griner, Michele Johnson Moore, Kristina Wilson Jan 2018

The Relationship Between Physical Dating Violence And Alcohol And Drug Use Among High School Students In An Urban Florida County, Stacey B. Griner, Michele Johnson Moore, Kristina Wilson

Florida Public Health Review

Physical dating violence (PDV) is associated with a number of serious behavioral and psychological consequences for adolescents who have been victimized. However, there are few studies investigating the relationship between PDV and alcohol and drug use specifically among high school students in Florida. This study analyzes data from the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey in an urban school district in Florida. Alcohol use, drug use, and sociodemographic factors were significantly associated with PDV. After controlling for individual factors, odds of experiencing PDV were higher among those who reported current alcohol use (aOR: 2.38, [95% CI 1.53-3.69]) and those who reported …


Reducing Firearms-Related Domestic Violence Injuries: Legal Developments And Policy And Practice Implications, Marshall B. Kapp, Robin Hassler Thompson Jan 2018

Reducing Firearms-Related Domestic Violence Injuries: Legal Developments And Policy And Practice Implications, Marshall B. Kapp, Robin Hassler Thompson

Florida Public Health Review

The potential dangers posed by a combination of firearms availability and domestic violence are substantial in the United States today. The dangers posed and resulting harms must be addressed as a pressing public health matter. This article reports on a 2016 United States Supreme Court decision that, although fairly narrow in terms of the technical legal question answered, supports broad public health implications for future policy and practice concerning the intersection of firearms regulation and the prevention or mitigation of domestic violence. Following a brief summary of the legal case, we make recommendations for reducing the incidence and severity of …


Mitigating Disparities In Community Hiv Testing Among Youth And Young Adults, Joseph Mims, Katrina Odell, Graham F. Watts Sr, Sandy Arts Jan 2018

Mitigating Disparities In Community Hiv Testing Among Youth And Young Adults, Joseph Mims, Katrina Odell, Graham F. Watts Sr, Sandy Arts

Florida Public Health Review

Prevention strategies are a key lever for reducing HIV incidence, which differentially affects jurisdictions. HIV incidence coexists with social determinants of health, health-related disparities, poverty, and other risk factors. One zip code in Jacksonville, Florida’s urban core fit the description of a disadvantaged jurisdiction; hence, the local HIV prevention consortia implemented a theory-based, social outreach HIV prevention event, which attracted 189 residents and 64 tested for HIV. Survey data from 120 respondents indicated that event attendees viewed the event’s prevention activities and the supporting entertainment music favorably. Respondents liked the emphases on healthy behaviors, health education, and community capacity to …


Accessibility And Affordability Of Healthy Foods In Food Deserts In Florida: Policy And Practice Implications, Lauri Wright, Palak Gupta, Kumiko Yoshihara Jan 2018

Accessibility And Affordability Of Healthy Foods In Food Deserts In Florida: Policy And Practice Implications, Lauri Wright, Palak Gupta, Kumiko Yoshihara

Florida Public Health Review

Food deserts are areas where people experience limited access to healthy and affordable food. People with limited access to affordable food have been shown to have higher rates of obesity and obesity-related, chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the availability and affordability of healthy foods in retail outlets of food deserts in Florida. Eighteen food deserts in two large metropolitan areas were assessed using the USDA Food Store Survey Instrument. Overall, stores within food deserts were missing 43.16% of food items and convenience stores were missing food items almost seven times more than supermarkets. Food items …


Interdisciplinary Academic And Community Partnerships To Promote Child Well-Being At School: The Outdoor Classroom, Erin Largo-Wight, Katrina Hall, Caroline Guardino Jan 2018

Interdisciplinary Academic And Community Partnerships To Promote Child Well-Being At School: The Outdoor Classroom, Erin Largo-Wight, Katrina Hall, Caroline Guardino

Florida Public Health Review

This community-based participatory research (CBPR) project involved academic-community partners working together to design, build, and implement an outdoor classroom at a local elementary school to improve the school environment and foster child health and learning. A two-week pilot period took place prior to implementation and formative research was gathered. The formative research findings revealed that the school partners had initial concerns with the environmental conditions and outdoor classroom space, timing of the program within the school day, and materials in the outdoor classroom. The concerns were reported and addressed. The participating teachers completed a survey and reported satisfaction with the …


Trends In The Hiv Epidemic Among Men Who Have Sex With Men In Miami-Dade County, Florida, 2004-2014, David W. Forrest, Gabriel Cardenas, Charlene S. Dodson, Lisa R. Metsch, Marlene Lalota, Emma Spencer Jan 2018

Trends In The Hiv Epidemic Among Men Who Have Sex With Men In Miami-Dade County, Florida, 2004-2014, David W. Forrest, Gabriel Cardenas, Charlene S. Dodson, Lisa R. Metsch, Marlene Lalota, Emma Spencer

Florida Public Health Review

Miami, Florida has a large population of Hispanic and black men who have sex with men (MSM), a population more likely to become HIV infected than white MSM. We present here HIV behavioral trends in this population that reflect the effects of public health prevention in Miami over a 10-year period. Using National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) data of MSM in Miami-Dade County, Florida, in 2004-05, 2008, 2011 and 2014, chi-square trend analyses were used to assess the epidemiologic trends related to HIV infection rates, HIV testing rates, undiagnosed HIV infection, use antiretroviral therapy (ART) and access to HIV care. …


Hepatitis C Screening Practices In A Local County Health Department: A Gap Analysis, Andrew Blix, Barbara B. Little Jan 2018

Hepatitis C Screening Practices In A Local County Health Department: A Gap Analysis, Andrew Blix, Barbara B. Little

Florida Public Health Review

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a growing problem in the United States and most patients remain undiagnosed. CDC guidelines from 2012 recommend one-time screening of everyone born from 1945-1965. The penetration of this guideline is relatively unknown and the literature reveals that most efforts for improvement are poorly sustained. The purpose of this study was to compare a Florida county health department’s screening practices to national guidelines. In addition, provider-level barriers to screening were assessed in order to develop tailored recommendations for improvement. Using a serial cross-sectional design, data was examined to determine HCV screening prevalence for patients born …


Evaluation Of A Pilot Intervention To Relink Formerly Incarcerated Plhwhas To Hiv/Aids Care, Graham F. Watts, Heather S. Vaughan, Deidre Kelley, Dana C. Barnes, Sandy Arts Jan 2018

Evaluation Of A Pilot Intervention To Relink Formerly Incarcerated Plhwhas To Hiv/Aids Care, Graham F. Watts, Heather S. Vaughan, Deidre Kelley, Dana C. Barnes, Sandy Arts

Florida Public Health Review

HIV is a manageable chronic disease. However, it requires knowing one’s status, retention in care, and medication adherence for viral suppression. Disadvantaged groups of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) who experience incarceration and major depressive disorders, homelessness, substance use and lack of social support are overwhelmed by these burdens and do not fully engage in HIV care, without help. Four Northeast Florida entities engaged in action research to influence health equity for formerly detained PLWHAs. The City of Jacksonville, Ryan White Part-A Program, Florida Department of Health-Duval, Lutheran Social Services, and Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office convened a coalition, called CAPRICE. Activities …


Environmental Health Program Performance And Its Relationship With Environment-Related Disease In Florida, Justin A. Gerding, Nailya O. Delellis, Antonio J. Neri, Timothy A. Dignam Jan 2018

Environmental Health Program Performance And Its Relationship With Environment-Related Disease In Florida, Justin A. Gerding, Nailya O. Delellis, Antonio J. Neri, Timothy A. Dignam

Florida Public Health Review

This study used a unique approach to examine Florida county health department environmental health (EH) program performance of the 10 Essential Environmental Public Health Services (EEPHS) and its relationship with environment- related disease, described by enteric disease rates. Correlation analysis tested the association between performance of each EEPHS and five different enteric disease rates, while multivariate regression analysis further examined the relationships while considering program organizational characteristics as potential confounders. Correlation analysesrevealed cryptosporidiosis was associated with EEPHS 2 diagnose (Τb = .195, p = .027) and EEPHS 8 workforce (Τb= .234, p = .006), and salmonellosis with EEPHS 4 mobilize …


Perceived Barriers Preventing And Treating Hiv/Aids Among Public Health Workers In Florida, Nichole E. Stetten, Felix Lorenzo, Jessica L. King, Mark Hart Jan 2018

Perceived Barriers Preventing And Treating Hiv/Aids Among Public Health Workers In Florida, Nichole E. Stetten, Felix Lorenzo, Jessica L. King, Mark Hart

Florida Public Health Review

In 2015, Florida moved from being ranked second to first nationally in total number of HIV diagnoses. To combat this statistic, public health workers were interviewed to understand perceived perspectives about available resources and practicable solutions to barriers that may inhibit the use of testing and treatment services to reduce overall health disparities and inequalities among individuals with HIV/AIDS. Ten public health workers from rural counties in Florida were interviewed, and then qualitatively analyzed using the constant comparison method. Public health workers found that multiple barriers, lack of education and knowledge of resources available among health workers, and a need …


The Challenging Dual Role Of Being A Public Health Professional Degree-Seeking Student And Having A Life Outside Of School – A Commentary, Kristen L. Brewer Jan 2018

The Challenging Dual Role Of Being A Public Health Professional Degree-Seeking Student And Having A Life Outside Of School – A Commentary, Kristen L. Brewer

Florida Public Health Review

This paper is part of a continuing series of papers describing the experiences of students as they contend with academic studies, marriage and family, job-related responsibilities, and other activities that compete with being a full-time student. In this paper, the author discusses “multi-tasking,” the intellectual challenges of school, the all-consuming nature of advanced education, and the irony of personal, social, and health sacrifices one makes while seeking a public health degree – asking rhetorically, “Is it worth it?”