Public Health Education and Promotion Commons^™

Childhood Obesity And Overweight: Causes And Implications In Preschool Children, Melissa L. Sittner

Kinesiology and Public Health

The root causes of childhood obesity and overweight are currently hot topics of research. While many causes have been discovered, researchers are still weighing them against one another while taking the lifestyles of at-risk populations into account. Some of these causes include lack of physical activity, increase in screen time, and the implications of health disparities borne of a child’s socioeconomic status. These causes and more are reviewed further and applied to the population of interest: preschool aged children in the United States, and more specifically preschool aged children of San Luis Obispo County in California. The need for multi-level …

Family Acculturation And Asthma Outcomes In Latino Children, Tania M. Barreno

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: Asthma is the primary chronic disease diagnosed in children. California has had some of the highest asthma prevalence rates within the nation. The literature indicates that there is a poor understanding of asthma outcome and management. However, studies exploring the role of acculturation on such outcomes are limited. Thus, the goal of this research was to conduct a secondary analysis of the Child Questionnaire from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) 2007 and 2009 cross-sectional data to explore the determinants of asthma outcomes as it relates to family acculturation.

Methodology: The quantitative data were analyzed using Stata. Descriptive statistics, …

The Public Health Impact Of Maternal Smoking Cessation During Pregnancy : The San Bernardino County Experience, Michael Batech

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Most studies of maternal tobacco cessation during pregnancy have estimated measures of effect that can be useful in identifying the exposure as an etiologic risk factor in maternal and child health. However, in the case of maternal tobacco use there is overwhelming evidence for a causal role in adverse infant outcomes, and public health needs to focus on measures of potential impact in order to better prioritize and allocate resources toward interventions. The aims of this dissertation were: 1) to investigate the public health impact of smoking cessation during pregnancy among mothers giving birth in San Bernardino County, California; and …

Maternal Smoking, Weight Status And Preecalmpsia And Eclampsia Risk Among Women Living In San Bernardino County, Fiona Bedelia Lewis

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Preeclampsia is defined as pregnancy-induced hypertension affecting between 2% and 8% of pregnancies and accounting for about 10-15% of maternal deaths worldwide. Eclampsia is defined as the occurrence of one or more episodes of seizures in a pregnant woman related only to a preeclampsia diagnosis. Preeclampsia, if poorly managed, can progress to eclampsia resulting in injury and death to both mother and infant. The etiology of preeclampsia is not completely understood. Oxidative stress leading to abnormal placenta development and endothelial dysfunction are thought to be key components in the biological mechanism of preeclampsia.

Modifiable risk factors include maternal body weight …

Associations Between Alcohol Consumption And Fasting Blood Glucose In Young Adults, Julie Ann Lucca

Master's Theses

Current research shows moderate alcohol consumption is associated with decreased risk of diabetes and excessive consumption or binge drinking can cause insulin resistance and diabetes. In 2010, diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the United Statesand was responsible for significant health complications: blindness, kidney failure, and limb amputations, and is a large national economic burden. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) is a tool used to help diagnose diabetes. Abnormally high FBG, ≥100 mg/dl, is indicative of diabetes and pre-diabetes. Few studies have observed diabetic prevalence among young adults or college students. Studying young adults can help provide added …

Environmental Equity Is Child's Play: Mapping Public Provision Of Recreation Opportunities In Urban Neighbourhoods, Jason Gilliland, Martin Holmes, Jennifer Irwin, Patricia Tucker

Trish Tucker

This paper examines the spatial distribution of recreational opportunities for children and youth in a mid-sized Canadian city (London, Ontario), in relation to the socioeconomic status of neighbourhoods and estimated local need for publicly provided recreation spaces. Public recreation facilities (N = 537) throughout the city were identified, mapped and analysed in a geographic information system. To explore potential socio-environmental inequities, neighbourhoods (N = 22) were characterized by socioeconomic and environmental variables, an index of neighbourhood social distress, a neighbourhood play space needs index, and measures of the prevalence and density of recreational opportunities. The results of the spatial analysis …

The Influence Of Local Food Environments On Adolescents’ Food Purchasing Behaviors, Meizi He, Patricia Tucker, Jason Gilliland, Jennifer Irwin, Kristian Larsen, Paul Hess

Trish Tucker

This study examined the relationship between the neighborhood food environment and the food purchasing behaviors among adolescents. Grade 7 and 8 students (n = 810) at 21 elementary schools in London, Ontario, Canada completed a questionnaire assessing their food purchasing behaviors. Parents of participants also completed a brief questionnaire providing residential address and demographic information. A Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to assess students’ home and school neighborhood food environment and land use characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the influence of the home neighborhood food environment on students’ food purchasing behaviors, while two-level Hierarchical Non-Linear Regression …

University Students' Satisfaction With, Interest In Improving, And Receptivity To Attending Programs Aimed At Health And Well-Being, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin

Trish Tucker

The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate students' (a) satisfaction with nine health constructs, (b) interest in improving these health areas, and (c) receptivity to participating in programming targeting these areas. The study sample is composed of 1,778 undergraduate students from a Canadian university. Students complete a five-page paper-and-pencil questionnaire assessing the above objectives along a 5-point Likert-type scale. Students are most satisfied with their social health and report their lowest satisfaction with physical activity (M = 3.16, SD = 1.09). Overall, students are most interested in enhancing their physical activity (M = 4.10, SD = 0.79), followed …

Physical Activity Behaviors During The Preschool Years, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin

Trish Tucker

This is the first Canadian study to measure physical activity participation and opportunities for outdoor playtime among preschoolers. Preschoolers in the London, Ontario study spent significantly more time engaging in high-intensity indoor activity versus outdoor activity. Daycare providers reported the children in their care had access to approximately 2 hours of daily outdoor playtime. Nearly half the study‟s parents reported their preschoolers did not engage in physical activity at the level needed for health gains. Insufficient activity among such a large segment of preschoolers has potentially serious physical and psychological health implications. Daycare settings afford ample opportunity for physical activity …

Feasibility Of A Campus-Based "Buddy System" To Promote Physical Activity: Canadian Students' Perspectives, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin

Trish Tucker

Objective: To explore the characteristics of a university-wide buddy system that students would be receptive to using. Methods: This study targeted a heterogeneous sample of undergraduate university students age 18 to 25 y. An experienced moderator, using a semi-structured interview guide, conducted 13 focus groups (n = 65). Focus group discussions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive content analysis was conducted independently by two researchers. Measures were incorporated throughout to ensure data trustworthiness. Results: The value of this campus-based physical activity intervention was emphasized by the vast majority of participants. Five main themes exemplified students' preferences: sign-up methods; matching …

Why Are There Delays In Seeking Treatment For Childhood Diarrhoea In India?, Nisha Malhotra

Nisha Malhotra

Abstract Aim To examine the barriers and facilitating factors for seeking treatment for childhood diarrhoea and to determine the main causes for delay in seeking treatment.

Methods Data from Indian Demographic and Health survey 2005–06 (NFHS-III) was used. Mothers were asked if their children (<5-years) had suffered from diarrhoea during the two weeks preceding the survey. Data were collected on the time of seeking treatment after start of the illness, and days waited to seek treatment after the diarrhoea started. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to find the determinants of seeking treatment at the health facility and the factors responsible for the “delay” in seeking advice/treatment.

Results Out of a sample of 41,287 children, 3890 (9.4%) reportedly had diarrhoea. Sixty percent of children with diarrhoea were taken to a health facility. Mother's education till higher secondary and above (OR 1.65; 95% CI, 1.08 – 2.54), richest (OR 1.76; 95% CI, 1.24 – 2.48) wealth index, mother's lack of knowledge of oral …

Gender Dan Penyakit Tuberkulosis: Implikasinya Terhadap Akses Layanan Kesehatan Masyarakat Miskin Yang Rendah, Dewi Rokhmah

Kesmas

Saat ini, fokus utama dari pelayanan kesehatan masih bertumpu pada aspek medis yang sangat kurang memperhatikan isu sosial termasuk gender yang merupakan penyebab utama kesenjangan bidang kesehatan di masyarakat kita. Tuberkulosis adalah penyakit yang menyebabkan kematian di seluruh dunia. Gender berperan sebagai salah satu determinan penyakit tuberkulosis meliputi penemuan kasus, diagnosis, dan proses pengobatan. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis perspektif gender pencapaian Program Tuberkulosis Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) meliputi penemuan, diagnosis pasien, dan hasil pengobatan di Rumah Sakit Paru Jember, tahun 2010. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif analitik menggunakan data sekunder yang berasal dari Laporan Program Tuberkulosis DOTS Tahun 2010. …

Fearless: Kevin Lugo, Kevin B. Lugo

SURGE

This summer, recent graduate Kevin Lugo will bike over 4,000 miles across the country to benefit the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. His choice to bike for seventy days from Baltimore to Seattle makes him fearless! His goal is to raise $7,476 for the organization, and he reached that goal last night (although more donations are always welcome in support of fighting cancer)! Kevin explains that when he studied abroad in Denmark in the fall of 2011, he “fell in love with sustainable transportation, especially cycling.” Not only does his fearless endeavor raise money to fight cancer, but he …

Examining Universal Primary Healthcare Through Community-Based Initiatives, Donald E. Warden

Oglethorpe Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper examines enacting community-based primary healthcare programs and initiatives. It looks at the weaknesses of past attempts, the successes of current attempts, and gives insight into ways everyday citizens can change the way the world does healthcare. There are social, economic, and political barriers as to why these programs are not enacted. Since 1978, Member states of the United Nations strive towards healthcare for all. The original 1978 Declaration of Alma-Ata sets the bar at achieving this goal by the year 2000. Now in the 21^st century, the world still battles inadequate healthcare. Nations continue to strive towards …

Effects Of A School-Based Education Intervention On Bmi And Physical Activity, Lauren M. Panner

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

In 2011, the CDC reported that there are 12.5 million obese children and adolescents living in the United States (U.S.). The financial burden of childhood obesity in the U.S. is estimated to be 14 billion dollars. The objective of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to answer the question: In school-aged children, how does school-based, structured, family-oriented physical activity education affect body mass index (BMI) compared to usual education over an eight week time period? The Stetler Model of EBP and the health belief model were used to guide this project in a rural, Northwest Indiana elementary school. For eight …

Understanding The Motivational Factors For College Students To Remain Non-Smokers, Chanler Hilley

Honors Theses

Cigarette smoking has long been recognized as a negative health behavior. Numerous studies have linked cigarette smoking to cancer, heart and circulatory problems, lung disease, and an array of other health issues, leading to lower quality of life and premature death. There is a wealth of knowledge relating to the negative outcomes of smoking behavior (USDHHS, 2010) and the factors leading to smoking behavior among adolescents (USDHHS, 2012). However, researchers have studied factors leading to nonsmoking behavior much less. The present study uses the Theory of Planned Behavior to understand the motivational factors that lead to a student's nonsmoking behavior, …

Truck Driver Dies When Tractor-Trailer Overturns After Leaving Road, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Motor Vehicle

In the early morning hours of a spring day around 5:45 a.m., a 55-year-old male truck driver was driving south on an interstate transporting sheet metal. It is unknown how long he had been driving when he exited from the highway, traveled partially up the ramp, and struck the left side guard rail. The truck left the road, traveled down an embankment and overturned onto its roof. A passing motorist called emergency medical services. The driver was extricated by mechanical means and declared dead at the scene.

To prevent future occurrences of similar incidents, the following recommendations have been made: …

Primary Care Clinicians’ Recognition And Management Of Depression: A Model Of Depression Care In Real-World Primary Care Practice, Seong-Yi Baik, Benjamin F. Crabtree, Junius Gonzales

Publications from Provost Junius J. Gonzales

BACKGROUND

Depression is prevalent in primary care (PC) practices and poses a considerable public health burden in the United States. Despite nearly four decades of efforts to improve depression care quality in PC practices, a gap remains between desired treatment outcomes and the reality of how depression care is delivered.

OBJECTIVE

This article presents a real-world PC practice model of depression care, elucidating the processes and their influencing conditions.

DESIGN

Grounded theory methodology was used for the data collection and analysis to develop a depression care model. Data were collected from 70 individual interviews (60 to 70 min each), three …

Factors Influencing Medical Adherence Of Clients In Aids Project Worcester, Marianne M. Sarkis, Abby Dnahue, Jacqueline Osei-Owusu, Shan Yi Koay, Maya Baum, Anna Shayo, Amanda Major

Local Knowledge: Worcester Area Community-Based Research

What are the factors and barriers that lead to levels of adherence for those receiving treatment for those in the HIV/AIDS community through AIDS Project Worcester?

Over the last few decades, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has undergone a visible shift. In particular, the demographics of HIV/AIDS infected persons have transitioned from mostly gay affluent, white males to women and men of various minority populations with lower resources and socioeconomic statuses. This trend has also been true for the Worcester community. Based in Worcester, Massachusetts, this research project seeks to identify patterns between the recent change in client demographics and the relation …

A Tale Of Two Health Sciences Libraries Working To Improve Health Literacy, Margot G. Malachowski Mls, Kate Saylor Msi

All Scholarly Works

Our presentation demonstrates two health sciences libraries performing outreach in public libraries to achieve these community goals: increased awareness of high-quality online resources for health information; improved confidence in finding and evaluating good health information; and increased knowledge of the resources and benefits to be gained from partnering with a health sciences library.