Community Health Commons^™

Evaluation Of A Comprehensive Diabetes Mellitus Protocol At A Rural, Federally Qualified Health Center In Southern West Virginia, Hannah D. Davis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that affects nearly 34 million Americans. In rural Appalachia, the population is affected disproportionately at a rate of 14% compared to the national average of 10%. Diabetes is a lifelong, chronic condition managed best by a multidisciplinary team-based approach to achieve optimal disease control. Best practices in the care of diabetes support the use of evidenced based care protocols and leveraging technology to decrease the burden of disease. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most common type, making it the focal population for evaluation.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to …

Youtube, Cyberbullying And Covid-19, Ani Shavliashvili

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this research is to uncover how people discuss bullying or cyberbullying experiences via YouTube videos before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since people were indoors during the pandemic, individuals took to social media and left comments on YouTube about bullying. Since people could not discuss bullying in-person, it was interesting to see how people shared their views on bullying and cyberbullying via YouTube, as well as how that might have changed after the start of COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how social media platforms like YouTube provide a safe space …

Postpartum Depression: Mitigating Treatment Barriers For Women In Appalachia, Tabitha Simpson

DSW Capstone Projects

This capstone focuses on maternal mental needs, specifically postpartum care and postpartum depression. Each article in this capstone centers on postpartum depression, treatment barriers, introducing standard care of practice for women in rural communities, and identifying gaps leading to further research in postpartum education. Countless articles were read and utilized in conducting the systematic literature review to begin this process.

The first article in the capstone, the Systematic literature review, details the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and how it differs from a major depressive disorder. A thorough review of the literature was conducted, identifying the central concern of …

Mental Health Among Chicanos And Chicanas: Barriers To Mental Health Care, Consequences Of Disparities, And Resources, Roma A. Kankaria, Shaheer Alam, Ananya Udyaver, Alyssa Sievers

UROP Posters

Mexican Americans, or Chicanos and Chicanas, face many barriers to mental health care. This literature review was conducted by the Collective Corazón—a VCU student organization, mentored by Dr. Indira Sultanić, that addresses Latinx health equity through service and advocacy—in order to examine the underlying causes and consequences of disparities in mental health in Chicanos and Chicanas. Some of the barriers that affect mental health care in Mexican Americans are racial inequities and discrimination, the societal and/or cultural stigma associated with receiving care, language barriers, lack of health insurance, and legal status. Furthermore, among Chicanos, machismo culture is associated with an …

Anxiety And Depression Among Students Using Tobacco In A Selected College Of Sonitpur District, Assam: A Crosssectional Study, Monalisa Saikia, Nurnahar Ahmed, Arunjyoti Baruah

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Introduction: Tobacco use is one of the major public health concerns around the world, accounting for many deaths and disabilities. The use of tobacco is linked to many physical and mental ailments. A large population of adolescents are enrolled in colleges and universities in India, making them a vulnerable population for the use and abuse of tobacco. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the level of anxiety and symptoms of depression among college-going students who consume tobacco. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional approach was selected for the study. The purposive sampling technique was used to select college students …

Methodology To Estimate Natural- And Vaccine-Induced Antibodies To Sars-Cov-2 In A Large Geographic Region, Melissa A Valerio-Shewmaker, Jessica A Ross, Harold W Kohl, Sarah E Messiah, Steve H Kelder, Leqing Wu, Shiming Zhang, Kimberly A Aguillard, Michael O Gonzalez, Onyinye S Omega-Njemnob, David Lakey, Jennifer A Shuford, Stephen Pont, Eric Boerwinkle

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Accurate estimates of natural and/or vaccine-induced antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 are difficult to obtain. Although model-based estimates of seroprevalence have been proposed, they require inputting unknown parameters including viral reproduction number, longevity of immune response, and other dynamic factors. In contrast to a model-based approach, the current study presents a data-driven detailed statistical procedure for estimating total seroprevalence (defined as antibodies from natural infection or from full vaccination) in a region using prospectively collected serological data and state-level vaccination data. Specifically, we conducted a longitudinal statewide serological survey with 88,605 participants 5 years or older with 3 prospective blood draws beginning …

Sensory Scouting: An Analysis Of Supports For Sensory Needs Of Children In Local Businesses, Alison Whitman

Honors Theses and Capstones

Families with children with challenging sensory needs may experience a decline in community participation, leading to decreased quality of life, personal feelings of well-being, and identity as a member of the community (Little et al., 2015 & Silverman & Tyszka, 2017). The purpose of this study was to examine and report the sensory experiences such as the sights, sounds, and physical movement opportunities within local businesses in the Seacoast New Hampshire area. To accomplish this, nine family-focused businesses were evaluated using the Sensory Scout Business Assessment-4^th Edition (SSBA). Many businesses were found to have potentially overwhelming movement, auditory and …

Morality-Based Messaging? An Examination Of State Health Departments’ Facebook Posts In Advertising Covid-19 Vaccines, Kylee R. Casner

Honors Theses and Capstones

COVID-19 vaccination is an important public health tool in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic, but vaccination rates in the U.S. are inadequate for reaching herd immunity, leaving public health officials to develop strategies to increase vaccination rates. The field of public health has historically used stigmatizing messaging to encourage health behaviors. Through a content analysis COVID-19 Facebook posts made by the Alabama Public Health, Mississippi State Department of Health, Rhode Island Department of Health, and Vermont Department of Health, this study explores the types of messaging used to influence COVID-19 vaccination behavior and looks to determine if stigmatization of non-vaccination is …

An Analysis Of Georgia Mothers Who Gave Birth In 2015 And 2016 Without Receiving Prenatal Care, Joncel Stephens, Shanta R. Dube, Merrilee Gober

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The present study characterizes the population of women residing in the state of Georgia who did not receive prenatal care before giving birth to a live infant. The association between mother’s place of residence (rural/non-rural) and preterm delivery was also examined.

Methods: This study examined data obtained from the Georgia Department of Public Health which includes data for 7,062 mothers who did not receive prenatal care before giving birth to a live infant in Georgia in the years 2015 and 2016. Data on the resulting births was also studied. Descriptive analyses of the following variables were used …

Perception Of Health Care Access In Rural Georgia: Findings From A Community Health Needs Assessment Survey, Elisa M. Childs, Tiffany R. Washington

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Limited access to health care services has been cited as a barrier to care for individuals who live in rural areas, contributing to significant health disparities in this population. While perception of services has been cited as a determinant of utilization of health services, it is unknown how perception of services influences health care access in rural areas. The paucity of studies specific to areas in the United States that are medically underserved, necessitated this study and its quantification of the issues that are relevant to individuals living in rural Georgia.

Methods: This study examined the perception of health …

Patient And Provider Perspectives On Medication Non-Adherence Among Patients With Depression And/Or Diabetes In Diverse Community Settings – A Qualitative Analysis, Elmer V Bernstam

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Diabetes and depression affect a significant percentage of the world's total population, and the management of these conditions is critical for reducing the global burden of disease. Medication adherence is crucial for improving diabetes and depression outcomes, and research is needed to elucidate barriers to medication adherence, including the intentionality of non-adherence, to intervene effectively. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of patients and health care providers on intentional and unintentional medication adherence among patients with depression and diabetes through a series of focus groups conducted across clinical settings in a large urban area.

METHODS: …

Hiv Viral Suppression Among People Living With Hiv On Antiretroviral Therapy In Haut-Katanga And Kinshasa Provinces Of Democratic Republic Of Congo, Gulzar H. Shah, Lievain Maluantesa, Gina D. Etheredge, Kristie C. Waterfield, Osaremhen Ikhile, Roger Beni, Elodie Engetele, Astrid Mulenga

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and less-than-optimal care of people living with HIV (PLHIV) continue to challenge public health and clinical care organizations in the communities that are most impacted by HIV. In the era of evidence-based public health, it is imperative to monitor viral load (VL) in PLHIV according to global and national guidelines and assess the factors associated with variation in VL levels. Purpose: This study had two objectives—(a) to describe the levels of HIV VL in persons on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and (b) to analyze the significance of variation in VL by patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics, …

Social Media Usage And Transitioning Into Online Classes During Covid-19- A Survey Of Undergraduate Students In Georgia, United States, Sylvia Ofori, Janet Choongo, Mario Kekop, Gulzar H. Shah, Haresh Rochani, Joseph Telfair

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

Previous studies on the use of social media (SM) during the COVID-19 pandemic have focused on the use in sustaining academic communication. This study aimed to assess the association between SM and the ease of transitioning to online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic using survey data from 872 undergraduate students. The findings showed that Snapchat and Instagram were the most preferred social media sites among participants. Compared to students who use SM for < 2 hours a day, use for > 5 hours (AOR= 2.44; 95% CI, 1.13 – 5.25) or 3 to 5 hours a day (AOR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.06-3.81) increased the odds of easily …

The Ecology Of Mental Health And The Impact Of Barriers On Mental Health Service Utilization, Alisha Aggarwal

Theses & Dissertations

Mental health has emerged as a major public health concern in recent times with several disparities and barriers related to adequate health service utilization. Different age groups experience diverse symptoms and face distinct barriers in accessing and utilizing healthcare. Policies like Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act were launched to improve insurance coverage and delivery of mental health services. However, a large gap of unmet needs exists for adequate mental health service utilization in the country. This dissertation aims to describe the financial and non-financial barriers to mental health service utilization …

Antipsychotic Medication Administration In Oregon Assisted Living/Residential Care Settings: Analyzing An Action Situation, Sarah Dys

Dissertations and Theses

Antipsychotic medication use (APU) in assisted living and residential care (AL/RC) settings is an under-studied and controversial health policy issue. APU in older adults with dementia is associated with an increased risk of falls, hospitalizations, and early mortality. I operationalize the Institutional Analysis and Development Framework using a situational analysis approach, an extension of grounded theory methods, to explore the APU in Oregon AL/RC settings. Regulatory deficiency citations, Oregon AL/RC population data, and semi-structured interviews suggest that staff role clarity, organizational characteristics, and perceived agency influence decision-making around APU. AL/RC providers and caregivers are forced to simultaneously balance and prioritize …

Stress And Burnout Among Undergraduate Music Education Majors: An Examination Of Trends, Influences, And Coping Mechanisms, Emily Carroll

Honors Projects

Previous research points to an increase in undergraduate music education major stress. A stress questionnaire was sent to three Midwest collegiate institutions: one was a mid-sized liberal arts school, another was a conservatory, and the last was a large state institution. Findings confirm concerning elevated levels of stress among undergraduate music education majors. The levels of stress appear to be a universal issue in this particular degree program, implying there is a need for change to better student wellness.

Low Acceptance Of Helmet-Use And Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents In Rawalpindi And Abbottabad, Pakistan, Maryam Siddiqa, Gulzar H. Shah, A. Munam

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

Background: Motorcycle accidents are a major cause of head injuries and the current study evaluated the beneficial impact and effectiveness of helmet usage among injured Motorcycle users. This study has been performed to observe the Motorcycle collisions within 6 months in Rawalpindi and Abbottabad cities of Pakistan

Objectives: Implications of helmet usage were assessed and the risk factors for severe injury during motorcycle accidents were identified.

Results: The multivariate analysis indicated that riders without a helmet were more likely to experience severe (AOR, 2.216; 95% CI, 2.02 to 10.5) or moderate injury (AOR, 1.215; 95% CI, 0.84 …

Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring: A Patient Empowerment Project, Alison Cusmano

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Hypertension is a public health issue estimated to affect 112 million adults by 2030. Primary care patients in an outpatient clinic in Southern California with elevated blood pressure readings in the office did not have an organized system for close follow-up. The purpose of this evidence-based project (EBP) was to educate patients on self-measured blood pressure monitoring (SMBP), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), diet interventions, and healthy weight loss to improve hypertension rates. Through these interventions, patients developed an understanding of their systolic and diastolic blood pressure goals. Nurse practitioners, medical assistants, and licensed vocational nurses screened for high …

New Orleans During A Pandemic: Engaging African American Community Stakeholders On Covid-19 Information, Prevention, Testing And Vaccination, Anthony Thompson

XULAneXUS

This case study examines how the Louisiana Community Engagement Alliance Against COVID-19 Disparities (LA-CEAL) worked to engage African American residents in New Orleans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on research interviews with Black physicians, pharmacists, and community health providers, along with field notes collected during 12 months of project assistance, the study addresses four research questions concerning African American hesitancy toward COVID-19 treatment and vaccination, strategies for community engagement, clinical trial recruitment, and inclusive research practices during a pandemic. Findings indicate that vaccine hesitancy and research mistrust among Black New Orleanians are rooted in a long history of scientific racism …

Using A Social Support Group To Educate And Empower Immigrant Latina Women, Diana N. Rendon

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was to promote mental health education and access to vulnerable South Florida Latina Women. The original intent was to establish a program providing families with mental health education, including information about common mental illnesses, signs and symptoms, community resources, and the impacts on occupations. This capstone experience was conducted with the Magnolias Women's Support Group at Caridad Center, located in Palm Beach County, Florida. The focus areas of this capstone were advocacy, policy and program development, and administration. Furthermore, this capstone project was intended to promote health literacy for underserved populations, especially immigrant women.