Community Psychology Commons^™

Assessing Hospitalizations Due To Assaults At Dell Seton Medical Center (2015-2018), Stephani L. Curry

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Physical assaults are a major public health concern in the United States, with rates being on the rise during the last couple of years (WISQARS Nonfatal Injury Reports, n.d.). In Austin at the Dell Seton Medical Center [DSMC], physical assaults are a main reason for hospitalization, making up nearly 10% of their hospitalizations, with around 250 patients per year. No subgroup of the population is risk free from physical assaults; however, national data suggest some sociodemographic groups are at higher risk than others (“Injury and Violence Prevention”, n.d.). Given the diversity of Austin, TX, it was unclear whether local sociodemographic …

Epidemiology Of Tuberculosis In Internationally Displaced Children Resettling In Harris County, Gabriella S. Lamb

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background More than 300,000 refugees arrived in the United States (U.S.) from 2010-2015, and Texas accepts the 2nd highest number of refugees. Texas also accepts large numbers of asylees, parolees, and special immigrant visa holders. Additionally, a large proportion of trafficked persons in the U.S. live in or pass through Texas. Foreign-born children are disproportionately affected by tuberculosis (TB) and account for two-thirds of U.S. childhood TB cases. Children are at greater risk for progression from TB infection to disease and experience greater morbidity and mortality from TB disease. This makes screening for and treatment of TB infection in children …

The Association Of Cell Phones With Adolescents' Academic Performance, Sleep, Time Spent With Friends, And Cyberbullying Exposure, Johanna E. Peyton

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

This study examined the association between owning or having access to a cell phone with/without internet access and adolescent academic performance, whether they met the guidelines for recommended nightly sleep, the amount of time spent with friends outside of school and the presence and frequency of cyberbullying experienced by 8th and 11th grade participants in the 2015-2016 SPAN study in Texas. This study also examined the association between gender of the adolescent and the above-mentioned outcomes.

The study group consisted of 5,421 adolescents from 8th grade and 3,635 from 11th grade. The 8th grade sample contained 51.48% males(48.6% females) and …

Exploring Prenatal Risk Factors Among Hispanic Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders. – A Pilot Study In The Rio Grande Valley, Lauren Tien

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background: Peer-reviewed studies suggest that a hostile gestational environment is associated with delayed neurological development in infants. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is estimated to affect 1 in 59 children in the United States; however, few studies have specifically investigated risk factors for autism in Hispanic children. Purpose: The University of Texas RGV Hispanic Autism Research Center (HARC) studied Hispanic children with ASD and their biological mothers to identify potential environmental exposures and prenatal risk factors that could impact the risk for ASD through preliminary research in the Rio Grande Valley. Methods: This pilot study recruited 25 Hispanic mothers and their …

Trends In Advanced Hiv Disease And Long-Term Outcomes Of Hivinfected Children Treated With Antiretroviral Therapy In Eastern And Southern Africa: 2003-2017, Peter James Elyanu

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Despite the over 10-years’ experience providing pediatric antiretroviral therapy(ART) and implementing different WHO guidelines, data on updated trends (after 2010) in advanced disease at ART start, and on long-term survival of children receiving ART are scarce. Without these data, the impact of recent WHO guidelines on early treatment initiation and long-term survival remains unclear. First, we examined trends in advanced disease at ART start, then described 10-year survival and investigated risk factors of early mortality in children treated with ART and lastly examined the association between rapid ART initiation and outcomes (mortality and loss to follow-up) of HIV infected. We …

Cost-Effectiveness Of Collegiate Recovery Programs, Sierra Castedo De Martell

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) is greater among full-time college students and young adults regardless of enrollment status than it is among any other age group (1,2). These disorders represent substantial costs to both society and to institutions of higher education, both in terms of life years lost and in lost tuition revenue. The recent proliferation of collegiate recovery programs (CRPs) – supportive communities and resource centers for students seeking to maintain SUD recovery while pursuing a higher education – have the potential to help ameliorate some of these costs. While these CRPs are typically low-cost compared to …

Diagnostic Coding Of Physical Abuse Among Patients Evaluated By A Multidisciplinary Child Protection Team In A Pediatric Level I Trauma Center, Holly Hughes Garza

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Child abuse is a substantial public health problem. Numerous studies have used hospital discharge data coded using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th and 10th Editions, Clinical Modification (ICD-9 and ICD-10) to identify cases of physical abuse seen in hospitals. Published studies on the sensitivity and specificity of ICD coding for physical child abuse are limited using ICD-9, and non-existent with ICD-10. This study examined the accuracy of ICD coding for physical child abuse, among patients less than 18 years of age, who were evaluated due to concern for physical abuse by a Multidisciplinary Child Protection Team (MCPT) during 2012-2013 …

The Prevalence Of Practicing Safety Professionals’ Knowledge, Involvement, And Competency Associated With Workplace Wellness Programs: Gauging The Safety Profession’S Engagement With The Total Worker Health Initiative, Jennifer C. Laine

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The morbidity and mortality burden of occupational injuries and illnesses in the United States became such a public health concern that in 1970 the Occupational Safety and Health Act was signed into law. This law requires employers to provide workplaces “free from recognized hazards” and spurred the development of specific regulations along with the creation of academic and professional training programs to educate individuals about the safety sciences and careers in safety fields. Today there are an estimated 26,000 professionally trained and board certified safety professionals supporting workplace programs across the country, alongside numerous non-certified, but degreed, practicing safety professionals. …

Predictors Of On-Treatment Mortality Of Patients Undergoing Palliative Radiation Therapy: Improving The Quality Of End-Oflife Cancer Care, Matthew Stephen Ning

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

PURPOSE: Excessive medical treatment at end-of-life is an indicator of poor quality care. While radiation therapy (RT) is effective for palliation, some patients die shortly after or even during treatment. Any treatment that requires terminal patients to spend significant time in the hospital setting contradicts palliative goals. This study investigates patterns of end-of-life RT to inform quality improvement initiatives.

METHODS: All patients who died within 6 months of starting RT at a single large academic cancer center between 2015 through 2018 were identified through our institutional databases on an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol. Clinical factors including age, treatment service, number …

Measuring Goal Attainment In Chronic Disease Self-Management Within Clinical And Research Contexts: Development And Initial Testing Of The Goal Attainment Outcome Measure For Stroke (Gam-S), Barbara Kimmel

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background and Aims: Self-management (SM) skills help stroke survivors achieve behavior risk factors control. Goal setting and attainment are fundamental for SM. The most salient elements of SM effectiveness and measurements are just beginning to be understood. Investigation of measurement of goal attainment of SM risk factors has been the major aim of the study. My dissertation explores research questions concerning the goal attainment measure using data collected at the Veterans hospital.

Methods and Results: Introductory Chapters 1 and 2, include the background on stroke prevention through self-management interventions and a preliminary literature review of goal attainment in the context …

Social Capital And Health Services Utilization In Msm, Edward Tsai

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

While incidence of HIV has decreased overall and in most population subgroups, men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to remain at disproportional risk for new infection. In particular, MSM of color experience HIV incidence rates that continue to rise and represent the overwhelming majority of new cases each year. Evidence suggests greater risk among MSM may not be attributable primarily to individual behavioral level factors, but instead to structural and social environmental level factors such as access to health services. Access to health services represents a critical link in HIV and STI prevention, as health services provide serological …

Addressing Barriers To Preventative Health Care For Transgender Populations: A Systems Approach To Improving Access To Gynecological Care, Meghan N. Flynn

Master's Theses

The current study addresses the lack of research exploring the individual and systemic barriers to accessing gynecological care for transgender populations. An integrated mixed-methods needs assessment was designed to explore the individual and systemic barriers to gynecological health care for transgender and gender diverse populations. Participants of the study included established community providers known to serve the transgender community through advocacy or research efforts, as well as clinical psychologists and medical professionals working in gynecological settings. The study includes a brief quantitative survey, which measured “Perceptions of Inclusivity Importance” among key stakeholders. Following the survey, participants were invited to engage …

Comparative Analysis Of Early And Late Tracheostomy Among Patients With Acute Heart Failure Exacerbation, Trends, Clinical And Economic Outcome Assessment, From 2005 To 2014 Nationwide, Min Ji Kwak

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Heart failure is one of the leading causes of high morbidity and mortality. Acute exacerbation of heart failure may result in acute respiratory failure, which requires mechanical ventilator support. Despite supportive management, patients can fail extubation of the endotracheal tube and need a tracheostomy to continue mechanical ventilator support. However, optimal timing of tracheostomy has been controversial. Systemic study to assess the clinical and economic outcome of early tracheostomy among patients with acute heart failure exacerbation is lacking. The purpose of the study was to assess the national trend of tracheostomy among those who are admitted for acute respiratory failure …

Concurrent And Concordant Oral And Genital High Risk Human Papillomavirus Infections In The United States Population; Results From National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (Nhanes), James M. Custer

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted disease which infects various sites in the body including the genitals, oral cavity, and anal regions. Very little research has assessed the prevalence of concurrent and concordant high risk (HR) HPV oral and genital infections in the general United States population despite the fact that HR HPV oral pharyngeal cancers are on the rise in the US, particularly in men. To further our understanding of HR HPV concurrent and concordant infections we aim to estimate the prevalence of HR HPV concurrent and concordant infections in the U.S. population, and for men and …

Assessing The Impact Of Environmental Factors On Sedentary Behavior, Brandy Baker

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Objectives Mexican Americans are burdened with many of the same noncommunicable diseases present in sedentary populations. Those living on the Texas/Mexico border have higher rates of obesity and diabetes than others in the nation. Sedentary behavior and perceptions of the environment have not been well studied among Mexican Americans, especially when examining education, gender and age. Study Design Sample was drawn from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC) where participants were randomly selected and completed a survey to report sedentary behavior and perceptions of the environment among other examinations. The participants’ initial visit with the CCHC was included in the …

Predictors Of Non-Adherence To Primary Care Follow-Up After Diagnosis Of Asymptomatic Hypertension In The Emergency Department, Stephanie Cornell

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background: One strategy to decrease uncontrolled hypertension is to increase follow-up with primary care after diagnosis of asymptomatic hypertension in the Emergency Department (ED). To improve such interventions, this study identified risk factors of nonadherence among individuals 18-60 years old with a diagnosis of asymptomatic hypertension in the ED and access to care. Methods: Data was obtained from the IBM® MarketScan® Commercial Database between January 2012 and September 2015. Rates of non-adherence to follow-up was determined for individuals discharged from the ED with a primary diagnosis of essential hypertension. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios. Demographic …

Understanding The Similarity And Diveristy Of The Accessory Gene Regulator Quorum Sensing Systems In The Genus Clostridium, Rotem Magal

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The Accessory Gene Regulator (Agr) quorum sensing system is a cell-cell communication system that is involved in regulating various bacterial processes such as toxin production, antibiotic production, biofilm formation, and other biomolecules. Despite the importance of the Agr system to Clostridia, the similarity and diversity of the system have been overshadowed by phylum-wide investigations of individual Agr components. To determine the variability of the Agr system within and between Clostridium species, we compared the sequences of its components within and between species using bioinformatics and phylogenetic tools. Putative Agr operons were found in over 50 Clostridia species, including undescribed components …

Estimating The Usual Intake From Fruits And Vegetables Consumed By Children At Baseline In Tx Sprouts, Taryn Alkis

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background: Past studies developed two- and three-part models to estimate the usual intake of episodically consumed foods in adults but not in children. The goal of this study is to evaluate if the three-part method is successful, by incorporating the dietary screener and two 24-hour recalls, in estimating the usual intake of fruits and vegetables consumed by boys and girls at baseline in TX Sprouts. Methods: Secondary data analysis of two 24-hour recalls and a dietary screener from TX Sprouts. Two approaches were used. First, the three-part model estimated the distribution of the usual intake of fruits and vegetables in …

Assessment Of The Common Dental Needs And Evaluation Of Rate Of Attendance Post Emergency Dental Management Among The Homeless Population In Houston, Texas, Heera Govindarajan Venguidesvarane

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background: Dental care resources for the homeless population are scarce, underfunded and generally inadequate to meet their oral health needs. While poor oral health is clearly an added burden for people who struggle daily to survive under miserable living conditions, little is known about their views on dental health, their perceived needs and their attitudes towards dental care. The purpose of this study was to determine the most common oral health needs of homeless patients and to identify their participation in receiving comprehensive care. Methods: The study was a cross sectional analysis where data were collected retrospectively using the records …

Predictors Of On-Treatment Mortality Of Patients Undergoing Palliative Radiation Therapy: Improving The Quality Of End-Of-Life Cancer Care, Matthew Stephen Ning

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

PURPOSE: Excessive medical treatment at end-of-life is an indicator of poor quality care. While radiation therapy (RT) is effective for palliation, some patients die shortly after or even during treatment. Any treatment that requires terminal patients to spend significant time in the hospital setting contradicts palliative goals. This study investigates patterns of end-of-life RT to inform quality improvement initiatives. METHODS: All patients who died within 6 months of starting RT at a single large academic cancer center between 2015 through 2018 were identified through our institutional databases on an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol. Clinical factors including age, treatment service, number …