Public Health Education and Promotion Commons^™

Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Over-The-Counter Medications Among Undergraduate Students At The University Of Mississippi, Anna S. Dawson

Honors Theses

This study examines and compares knowledge and attitudes towards over-the-counter (OTC) medications among undergraduate college students at the University of Mississippi. OTCs are purchased and administered without a prescription, making them an efficient, safe, and affordable method of healthcare. It is important to determine the attitudes college students have towards these drugs and if they are able to safely and correctly use them. Information gathered from this study can be used to guide future education on medication literacy and to gain insight into how college students use OTCs to medicate themselves. A Qualtrics survey was sent out to a random …

Nourishing Births: A Program Evaluation Proposal For Community-Based Nutrition Education, Food Access, And Garden Engagement Among Black Birthing People, Naa Deedei-Vera Hammond

Master's Projects and Capstones

Black birthing people in the United States continue to experience unequal maternal health outcomes, shaped in part by racism and barriers to nutritious food, culturally relevant health education, and supportive community spaces. While prenatal nutrition education and food assistance programs can provide important resources, information alone cannot address the challenges many people face when trying to access healthy and affordable food during pregnancy. The Nourishing Births Initiative is a proposed community-based maternal health program designed to respond to these needs by bringing together prenatal nutrition education, help connecting to food resources, community gardening, and peer support for Black birthing people …

Perspective: Improving Social Connection And Inclusion Through Equitable Digital Health Solutions, Dominika Kwasnicka, Jaimon Kelly, Eleanor Quested, Loretta Baldassar, Suzanne Robinson, Richard Sinnott, Paul O’Halloran, Anne Tiedemann, Paul Flatau, Rajna Ogrin, Jane Farmer, Abby C. King

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In this Perspective, we address the critical intersection of digital health, social connection, and health equity. Taking an interdisciplinary and complex adaptive systems perspective, we highlight evidence-based digital solutions to improve social connection and inclusion and, consequently, health outcomes. We describe actionable strategies for ensuring that digital health innovations benefit all, highlighting how user-centered design can address diverse needs, particularly for structurally disadvantaged populations.

Chlorinated Drinking Water Exposure Enriches Antimicrobial Resistance Pathways In The Infant Gut Microbiome: A Randomized Trial, Kimberley Parkin, Claus T. Christophersen, Valerie Verhasselt, Debra J. Palmer, Matthew N. Cooper, Susan L. Prescott, Desiree Silva, David Martino

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Water chlorination is essential for controlling harmful microbes in drinking water; however, the antimicrobial effects of chlorine-based disinfectants present in tap water may influence early-life gut microbial ecology.

Objective: To investigate the functional and compositional impact of chlorinated drinking water on the gut microbiome of infants.

Design: The waTer qUality and Microbiome Study (TUMS) was an Australian-based double-blinded, randomised controlled trial. Six-month-old infants (n = 197) received either de-chlorinated drinking water via benchtop filtration (treatment, n = 99), or regular chlorinated water (control, n = 98) for twelve months. Tap water and stool samples were collected at baseline and …

Temptation At The School Fence: A Qualitative Exploration Of The Impact Of External Food Outlets On The School Community, Sharonna Mossenson, Klug, Jacinta Francis, Siobhan Hickling, Lukar Thornton, Gina Trapp

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Retail food outlets are commonly located in close proximity to schools, providing students with opportunities to purchase and consume food enroute to or from school. These outlets are typically unhealthy and disproportionately clustered near schools, and this trend has been increasing over time. While quantitative studies have established associations between school food environments and adolescent dietary behaviours, little is known about how school personnel perceive and experience their impacts. This qualitative study explored perspectives of school personnel (n = 9) from a secondary school in Perth, Western Australia, located 150 m from two retail food precincts (areas with a high …

Slushies Before School: Exploring How Nearby Food Outlets Impact The Eating Behaviours Of Secondary Students In Perth, Western Australia, Sharonna Mossenson, Klug, Joelie Mandzufas, Jacinta Francis, Siobhan Hickling, Lukar Thornton, Gina Trapp

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The external school food environment, comprising food outlets and marketing near schools, shapes what young people eat. Yet little is known about how Australian adolescents perceive and navigate these environments. Focus groups were conducted with 31 school students (Years 7–12) from Perth, Western Australia, to explore their experiences of the external school food environment and its influence on their food-related behaviours. Transcripts were thematically analysed and six themes were identified. Accessibility emphasised proximity, transport links, opening hours and speed of service, with older students using outlets as social spaces. Availability of slushies, energy drinks, snacks and fast-food meal deals influenced …

Implementation And Effectiveness Of A Food Education Intervention To Promote Plant-Based Foods: A Partially Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial, Henna Vepsäläinen, Satu Kinnunen, Sari Niinistö, Leena Forma, Suvi T. Itkonen, Tuuli E. Korhonen, Liisa Korkalo, Heli Kuusipalo, Jelena Meinilä, Kaija Nissinen, Susanna Raulio, Ros Sambell, Mari Åkerlund, Suvi M. Virtanen, Maijaliisa Erkkola

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Legumes can substitute for meat and are thus a particularly important food group for environmental sustainability. As the use of legumes among Finnish children is marginal, there is potential for a substantial increase in their consumption. However, food education delivered through early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings has rarely focused specifically on environmentally sustainable foods, such as legumes. This study describes the implementation and effectiveness of an ECEC-delivered food education intervention within the FoodStep study. Methods: The partially cluster-randomized FoodStep intervention aimed to increase the supply of vegetables, legumes, fruits, berries, and sustainable fish while reducing the provision …

My Story Is Good… It’S Not Like That For All: Uneven Access To Contraception Among Incarcerated Women In New South Wales, Australia, Helene Smith, Basil Donovan, Jocelyn Jones, Tony Butler, Paul Simpson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Evidence indicates high levels of unmet contraceptive need among justice-involved women, linked to intersecting vulnerabilities such as housing instability, substance use, violence and poor mental health. In Australia, limited research has explored how women in prison navigate access to family planning services. This study aimed to examine the experiences of incarcerated women in New South Wales (NSW) in accessing contraception and making fertility-related decisions.

Methods: The study formed part of the Second Sexual Health and Attitudes of Australian Prisoners (SHAAP-2) study. Seventeen women aged 19–45 were recruited from two NSW correctional centres. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted face-to-face or …

Preventive Behaviors Associated With Fall Incidence Among Older Adults Living In Rural Communities Of Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study, Rujira Nonsa-Ard, Sirapat Khodseewong, Kasama Wongprachum, Chaiwut Bourneow, Ploypailin Aneknan, Sumattana Glangkarn, Davina Porock

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The escalating population of older adults poses a significant challenge, particularly in lower-middle-income countries like Thailand. Falls represent a critical public health concern in this demographic. This study aimed to identify risk factors influencing fall occurrence in older adults within a specific rural community context, where the majority of participants remain engaged in farm work.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was utilized, involving 1,256 participants recruited by the multistage random sampling approach. Data were collected via a questionnaire that included: demographic information, the Thai version of the Barthel Activities of Daily Living (ADL), the Thai Fall Risk Assessment Tool …

Local Government Policies Restricting Unhealthy Outdoor Food Advertising In Australia: Stakeholder Perspectives Identify Political Willingness Is Key To Overcoming Barriers, Alexia Bivoltsis, Frith Klug, Jacinta Francis, Clare Whitton, Gina S.A. Trapp, Claire E. Pulker

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Unhealthy outdoor food advertising is strongly linked to poor diet, highlighting the need for policies. Western Australian (WA) local governments (LGs) can restrict advertising on their owned infrastructure through their Public Health Plans, but limited policy action has occurred. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of WA LGs and public health organizations (PHOs) on current and potential policies restricting unhealthy outdoor food advertising on LG owned infrastructure to (1) identify barriers and enablers to the policy making process, (2) assess the current level of political willingness (i.e. political want, political can and political must) and (3) inform development …

The Effect Of School-Based Educational Session On Knowledge, Attitudes, And Beliefs Of Cervical Cancer Among Adolescents In Mixed Day High Schools In Embu County: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Lucy W. Kivuti-Bitok, Mugo, Dorothy Mituki, Christine Marete, Irene Ngune, Jessica Wells

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: School-based interventions have proven effective in enhancing knowledge and altering attitudes toward cervical cancer among adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a school-based educational intervention on the attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge of cervical cancer among adolescents in mixed-day high schools in Embu County. Methods: This study used a single-group, repeated cross-sectional design to assess the effect of a structured health education session on cervical cancer among adolescent boys and girls in mixed-gender secondary schools. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was administered before and immediately after the post-intervention. The education session lasted 30–45 min, and the study population …

Living Next Door To Mcdonald’S: A Qualitative Study Of Community Submissions And Resident Realities Pre- And Post Development, Roslyn Giglia, Jacinta Francis, Jana Buckle, Clare Whitton, Ros Sambell, Frith Klug, Lukar Thornton, Siobhan Hickling, Katherine Kent, Gina Trapp

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The proliferation of fast-food outlets (FFOs) in residential areas has raised growing concerns about their impact on community health, safety, and wellbeing. This qualitative study examined both pre-development community consultation submissions and post-development resident experiences surrounding the development of a McDonald’s outlet in a newly established suburb on the urban fringe of Perth, Western Australia (WA). Methods: Using a qualitative descriptive design, the study analyzed 183 community submissions lodged with the local council prior to development and conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 residents living within 300 m of the outlet after construction. Results: Content analysis revealed strong opposition, with …

A Dynamic Framework Of Professional Identity Formation In Trainees For Low-Resource Settings: A Qualitative Study, Yilin Chen, Peixin Lin, Hengshun Du, Jiaxin Wu, Xuanhua Zheng, Mi Yao, Kai Lin

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Professional Identity Formation (PIF) is a dynamic and context-dependent socialisation process; while existing research identifies various influencing factors, there is a paucity of cohesive frameworks that capture the stage-related internalisation of identity elements within practice. This gap is particularly salient in low-resource settings, such as China’s Rural-Streamed Medical Education Programme (RMEP), where substantial turnover and tenuous professional identity among trainees present significant challenges. Drawing upon the Ring Theory of Personhood (RToP) as a theoretical lens, this study aims to construct a dynamic framework for understanding PIF among RMEP trainees, thereby offering insights to enhance PIF for healthcare professionals in …

Project Inspire, Daphney R. Portis

Inspire Brochures

Project Inspire is USA Health’s semester-long injury prevention program that offers education, exposure and mentorship to justice-involved youth. Since 2017, this collaboration between USA Health and James T. Strickland Youth Center has engaged justice-involved teens with the five-pillar curriculum, which includes: traumainformed care training and confidence building, educational and professional development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and intensive mentorship. The goal is to reduce the rates of violence by equipping and empowering youth to overcome obstacles and barriers they may face in order to build a brighter future. There are currently three sites with more opening across several states.

Did Statewide School Smoking Bans Reduce Smoking Rates?, Rachana Bhatt, Peter Hinrichs

Employment Research Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Analyzing Accessibility And Efficacy Of One Research Survey Website To Test Readability Of Physical Activity Promotion Material Disseminated Online: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study, Jafra D. Thomas, Anuraj Dhillon, Yi Sheng Wu, Jasmine C. Wong, Regina F. Hockert

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Volume 7: Issue 1, Article 2, 2026.  Accessibility is the effort and ability required to access and navigate environments and participate in activities. Physical activity educational materials disseminated to the public and used within behavior change interventions may be hard to read and navigate, decreasing their accessibility and a study’s validity. This study documented, and addressed, issues that may hinder researchers’ ability to gauge accessibility of their online educational materials using the cloze procedure (a direct readability measure, requires guessing missing words from text passages). A multi-stage, mixed methods pilot study was utilized (August 2022 to May 2023). Phase 1: …

Implementation Of A Low-Cost Tobacco-Free Intervention In A Permanent Supportive Housing Program To Address Cancer Disparities Among People Who Have Experienced Homelessness, Ammar D. Siddiqi, Phoebe Wong, Cathy Crouch, Lorraine R. Reitzel

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Objectives: Permanent supportive housing residents who have experienced homelessness use tobacco products at elevated rates, contributing to higher cancer risk. Agencies that provide wraparound support services to this group are committed to rebuilding their stability by improving their health. Yet, their delivery of tobacco screening and cessation care is limited, as is information about their clients’ tobacco use behaviors. Here, we evaluated a low-cost intervention for an Albert Schweitzer Fellowship project conducted in a permanent supportive housing program with 650 adults who had experienced homelessness in Houston, Texas.

Materials and Methods: Between August 2024 and February 2025, client-facing staff members …

Bridging Awareness And Action: A Multilevel Model Of Organizational Learning, Safety Climate, And Sickle Cell Trait Safety Compliance, Kimberly Snowden

Annual DBA Scholars Conference

Despite the existence of NCAA and National Athletic Trainers’ Association guidelines, preventable sickle cell trait (SCT)-related adverse events continue to occur in athletic settings. This study examines how organizational learning capacity, safety climate, leadership commitment, and individual risk perception influence compliance with SCT safety protocols and related safety outcomes. Drawing on Organizational Learning Theory, Safety Climate Theory, and the Health Belief Model, the study proposes a multilevel framework tested through an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. Findings are expected to identify organizational predictors of compliance and provide practical recommendations to strengthen SCT safety implementation and reduce preventable athlete harm.

Community-Based Well Testing And Outreach To Mitigate Human Health Risk From Unsafe Drinking Water, W. Adam Sigler, Katharine Sutphen, Margaret J Eggers, Kaleena Miller, Michelle Grocke-Dewey

Journal of Extension

Twenty-two percent of groundwater wells tested nationwide have one or more contaminants above a health threshold, yet many private well owners are unaware of these risks because they have not tested their water. Researchers piloted a community well testing clinic for education/outreach and surveyed participants about outcomes. Two months later, 75% of participants with high or intermediate health risk water quality results had taken action or intended to, indicating that community private well testing clinics can be effective in mitigating human health risks from contaminated drinking water.

The Impact Of Tobacco-Free School Laws On Student And Staff Smoking Behavior, Rachana Bhatt, Peter Hinrichs

Upjohn Institute Working Papers

A number of U.S. states have enacted bans on tobacco use by students, staff, and visitors anywhere on the grounds of public elementary and secondary schools statewide. These laws are intended to reduce tobacco use, reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, reinforce anti-tobacco curricula taught in schools, and prevent children from viewing their teachers and fellow students using tobacco products. We examine the impact that the laws have on the smoking behavior of students, teachers, and other school staff by using stacked difference-in-differences estimators that exploit the time variation in adoption of the laws across states. The results presented in this …