Public Health Education and Promotion Commons^™

“My Health In My Hands”: Evaluating A Community-Led Intervention From The Georgia Medication Abortion Project, Teja Vyavahare, Hayley V. Mcmahon, Parie Bhandari, Nadine Spring, India Stevenson, Tiffany Hailstorks, Dázon Dixon Diallo, Elizabeth A. Mosley

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: Medication abortion is the most common method for ending a pregnancy in the US; however, knowledge about medication abortion remains low. With Roe v. Wade now overturned, and nearly half of all states having enacted abortion bans, the use of abortion pills is likely to continue to increase. This is particularly important for Black and Latinx populations who simultaneously experience the greatest need for abortion and the poorest access to care. Despite this, research on medication abortion that centers Black and Latinx populations remains scarce. In response to this gap, [organization anonymized for peer review] created The Georgia Medication …

Building An Online Course Of Nutrition Paraprofessional In North Georgia Wic, Cicely Thomas, Carleen Mullins, Guerda Ige

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background In 1998, Georgia Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) adopted the Florida Department of Public Health WIC Nutrition Training Guide. The purpose of adopting the course was to use it as a resource to properly educate and train nutrition paraprofessionals to conduct low risk education to Georgia WIC participants. The training has not been updated since 2007 but continues to be referenced as the approve training for Georgia WIC. This study piloted an online training for nutrition paraprofessionals in Northwest Public Health District.

Objective: This study will assess and evaluate employees’ knowledge, attitude and …

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 …

The Power Of Storytelling To Build Community And Understand The Experiences Of Black Breast Cancer Survivors, Alexis J. Smith

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: The BRIDGE community focus group was designed to support and empower current and former Black breast cancer patients. The overarching goals of the focus group were to provide a mechanism for participants to amplify their voices through storytelling, foster healing, and establish a supportive community. Additionally, the research team aimed to gather qualitative data on social support, treatment adherence barriers, interactions with medical providers, and experiences with racism within and outside of the healthcare system.

Methods: The focus group consisted of six sessions, each with a specific agenda and activities. Participants were encouraged to keep journals throughout the program. …

Fentanyl Test Strip: The Novel Approach To Fight Opioid Overdoses And Deaths In Georgia, Brooke W. Sligh, Vahé Heboyan Phd, Catherine Clary Jd, Nicole Winston Pharmd

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background:

Recent CDC data shows that opioids are responsible for 75.4% of all drug overdose deaths. Further, 88% of all opioid-related deaths were due to synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. As the opioid crisis continues in Georgia, fentanyl test strips (FTS) emerged as a novel approach to mitigate opioid deaths. Previously, FTS were considered illegal “drug paraphernalia” in Georgia; however, as of July 1, 2023, FTS are legal.

Methods:

FTS will be distributed in the Medical College of Georgia student-led clinics and other, especially rural, clinics throughout Georgia. A pamphlet will be distributed with the FTS, including a step-by-step illustration …

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 …

Bridging Health Gap: Empowering Rural And Underserved Georgia Through The Health Equity Navigator Initiative, Ransome Eke, Aneesa Jones, Jerica Mccrary, Victoria Christina Brown, Jimmy Robert Asbell

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic underscored the urgent need to address health disparities in underserved and vulnerable populations. Minority and rural populations faced challenges accessing healthcare and trustworthy information. The Annex 737 COVID-19 Health Equity Navigator Program (HENP) was implemented to address pandemic-driven health disparities in underserved and vulnerable populations in Georgia.

Purpose: To Investigate the perception of the utility of health navigators in bridging healthcare gaps among rural and underserved Georgians.

Methods: After obtaining IRB approval, we employed the Survey Monkey platform to distribute surveys to adult residents in 12 Georgia Public Health District 4 counties. The surveys …

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 …

Using Community Informed Methods To Reduce Syphilis In Cherokee County, Teresa Costa, Bridget Walsh

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: From 2019 to 2022 there was a 45% increase in confirmed syphilis cases in Cherokee County. This increase presented despite prevention, testing, and treatment resources being made available at low cost through the health department. Health Department data has shown there is a disproportionate burden of disease among Hispanic, Black non-Hispanic and other historically underserved populations.

Methods: The Cherokee County Health Department has acquired The Community Engagement to Strengthen Approaches to Decrease Syphilis (Cohort 2) Grant through NACCHO. To engage the community, we launched a community needs assessment over social media and dating apps throughout Cherokee County. This assessment …

Improving Officer Well-Being To Help Create Healthy Communities: Wellness Implications For Public Health, Helen W. Bland, Thomas Nagel, Mario Keko, Isaiah Mews, Bridget Melton

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) list four pillars of officer wellness: mental health, fitness, resilience, and nutrition. A National Taskforce on officer safety and wellness determined that a key element of healthy communities is the well-being of its officers. Training programs in GA help officers monitor wellness components during basic training in hopes that well-being and mindfulness regulation will become a lifetime practice among these first responders. Methods: Cadets (n=73) from three cohorts participated in an 11-week Georgia Regional Police Office of Standard and Training (POST) BLETC - Basic Law Enforcement Training Course. Cadets monitored wellness …

The Importance Of Family And Country Of Origin In Vaccine Messaging For H2a Farm Workers., Anna Scheyett, Maria Bowie, Virginia L. Brown, Andrea Scarrow

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, the views and beliefs towards both COVID-19 and its vaccine of those deemed ‘essential workers’ was unclear. One essential group our nation relies on to feed and clothe us are migrant H2A farm workers, often coming into the US for seasonal work on agricultural operations and production facilities. Although being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 became an entry requirement to the US as of January 2021, the reality remains that having access to and acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters among H2A workers is complex. This study aimed to understand the influences that shaped H2A …

Reducing High-Risk Sexual Behaviors In Adults Males On Preexposure Prophylaxis, Janeika B. Robinson

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

In 2012, the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) endorsed the antiretroviral agent Truvada as a preventive agent when Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) exposure is likely. In 2019 a second regimen, Descovy was endorsed for the same purpose. These regimens are for individuals with a high-risk chance of contracting HIV through high-risk sexual activities and behaviors (Aguirrebengroa et al., 2021). These antiretrovirals for this purpose are collectively known as Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

Additional research by Aguirrebengroa et al. (2021) described a lower rate of condom use and a very elevated occurrence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a …

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) …

Hospitalizations With Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias Diagnosis In Georgia, 2021, Chloe Hale, Tanya Nguyen

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

More than 6 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with an Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia diagnosis (ADRD) in 2022. Data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System report that in Georgia, 1 in 9 people aged 45 and older experienced confusion or memory problems that have been getting worse over the past year.

Georgia Department of Public Health Injury Prevention Program creates a healthy Georgia through conversations and collaborations for change using data driven program building. The programs utilize Georgia’s established infrastructure, clear priorities, and the dynamic network of partnerships guided by a robust network of …

A Systematic Literature Review Evaluating Male Condom Use Among Young Adults., Olivia A. Sheppard, James Thomas

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has the potential to be used in understanding male condom use behavior because it explains the motivations behind the behavior. As rates of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis have begun to increase within the United States, it is especially important to consider how to appeal to young adults at risk of contracting these infections (CDC, 2023a; CDC 2023b). This systematic literature review aims to assess the potential of TPB to evaluate male condom use behavior among young adults.

Methods: A systematic literature review using a keyword search of EBSCOhost (2014-2023), an electronic library, to …

Prep Awareness, Use, And Referral Among Heterosexual Cisgender Women In Georgia, Kristy L. Clodfelter

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: PrEP is an umbrella term for medications that, when taken appropriately, are 99% effective in preventing HIV from sexual intercourse. Concerningly, although women account for 19% of new HIV diagnoses nationwide, the CDC estimates that only 10% of women who are appropriate for PrEP are actually prescribed it (CDC, 2022; CDC, 2021). The objective of this study is to determine if certain PrEP measures are related to the gender and location (metro Atlanta vs. otherwise) of the individual.

Methods: Data is drawn from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and includes a survey of all individuals …

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 …}

Physical Activity In Underserved Preadolescents: Characterization Of Accumulation And Patterns, Alma I. Behar, Matthew T. Mahar, Gregory Norman, John P. Elder, Michael Pratt, Patricia Dionicio, Noe C. Crespo

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Objectives: The increasing rates of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors among youth are a significant public health concern. The greatest disparities in physical activity (PA) are experienced by underserved (racial/ethnic minority, low-income) youth. This study aimed to characterize accelerometer-measured PA behaviors in a sample of low-income, predominantly Latino, preadolescents. Methods: Participants wore wrist worn GENEActiv accelerometers for 7 days. PA levels were classified as sedentary (< 50 mg), light (50-150 mg), moderate (> 150-500 mg), vigorous (> 500 mg), and MVPA (≥ 150 mg). Time spent in PA levels and sedentary time (ST), prevalence of meeting MVPA guidelines, and PA volume were estimated from accelerometer data. Three-way …

Successful Application Of Craniosacral Therapy In A Case Of Acute Ptosis Following A Covid-19 Infection., Efterpi Rompoti

Journal of Transformative Touch

This case study offers a unique insight on the effectiveness of CranioSacral therapy (CST) in a 49 year old woman experiencing an acute stage of a viral infection (Covid-19) causing a partial left Oculomotor nerve palsy. A CST glial/Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) specific protocol was utilised over 2 consecutive days. The patient recovered fully after 5 days. The results of this particular case can open up the possibility of utilising CST more widely in treating cranial nerve palsies following a viral infection to support the healing process and the functional restoration.

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