1,720,981 research outputs found
Exploratory Analysis on the Prevalence of Rapid Growth and Overweight in Normal Weight Infants
No full textBell, Karen. Exploratory Analysis on the Prevalence of Rapid Growth and Overweight in Normal Birth Weight Infants. Master of Public Health. June 2004. 33 pp, 5 tables, bibliography, 24 titles. Rapid growth can be defined as a period of growth acceleration that occurs in infants who are born of normal birth weight. Research has shown that children who experience this phenomenon exhibit future health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and obesity. Furthermore, these conditions can manifest in childhood and persist to adulthood. The exploratory study reported here examined rapid growth and overweight in this group. This study also included a review of literature that examined health complications and predictors associated with rapid growth and overweight in this group. This study also included a review of literature that examined health complications and predictors associated with rapid growth. In addition, the author investigated the history of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth charts. The exploratory analysis studied data on ninety-one infants from a Cook Children’s Network pediatric office. The infants’ weight and height information were obtained every two months after birth for a six-month time period. This information was used to plot each infant’s growth on 2000 CDC growth charts which would indicate if a child was either growing rapidly, or overweight. Nineteen infants exhibited rapid growth within the first six to nine months of life. Eight were found to be either obese, overweight or at risk of being overweight. The health complications associated with rapid growth in these infants needs to be assessed. Therefore, it is important that more research is performed that examines this phenomenon
The Effects of Media Exposure on Alcohol Consumption Patters within the African American Population
No full textMiller, Vanessa G., The Effects of Media Exposure on Alcohol Consumption Patterns within the African American Population. Doctor of Public Health (Health Management and Policy), May 2005, 206 pp., 62 tables, 8 illustrations, references, 77 titles. Objectives- The study examined the role of media exposure on alcohol consumption patterns in the African American population. In studying the role of media exposure, the study also examined the role of ethnicity, mood/affect, socio-demographic factors and religion on alcohol consumption patterns in this population. Methods- Secondary analysis of the General Social Survey (GSS), 1972-2002 cumulative data file was used to provide quantitative estimates of the relationship between media exposure, ethnicity, mood/affect, socio-demographic factors, and religiosity as predictors of alcohol consumption. Path analysis was used to determine the direct and indirect effects of these concepts on alcohol consumption patterns. Results- Watching television and reading the newspaper were significant predictors of alcohol use. Watching television had a positive effect on alcohol use; but only in the absence of religiosity. When religiosity was present, as indicated by religious affiliation and attendance at religious services, watching television had a significant negative effect on alcohol use. Reading the newspaper had a negative effect on alcohol use; but this effect was not very significant. Watching TV also had a significant positive effect on alcohol abuse. Reading the newspaper had an effect on alcohol abuse but this effect was not significant. IN the presence of religiosity, neither watching TV nor reading the newspaper had a significant effect on alcohol abuse. The effects of religiosity could also be seen on the relationships between alcohol consumption and socializing patterns, age, sex, ethnicity, and income. The year of the GSS survey had a significant positive effect of television viewing and a significant negative effect on reading the newspaper. Race did not have a significant effect on alcohol use or abuse. Conclusion- This research has significant policy implications, as it indicates that exposure to media, thus exposure to advertising, had an effect on alcohol consumption. Religiosity appeared to act as a protective mechanism against the adverse effects of media exposure, as they relate to alcohol consumption. This research provides support for the implementation of more faith-based initiatives to combat substance abuse (especially alcohol abuse). It also sets the foundation for additional research on the effects of advertising on alcohol consumption, looking at the media revolution of the 21st century
Establishing the Effects of Exercise Schema and Self-Schema on Emotional Distress
Full text linkRodriguez, Leslie R., BSN, RN, Establishing the Effects of Exercise Schema and Self-Schema on Emotional Distress. Masters of Public Health (Health Behavior), August 2003, 78 pp., 4 tables, references, 81 titles. Chronic diseases’ resulting from anger and depression represents a significant problem. Vast amounts of resources and dollars are expended and utilized. Their link to the development of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes is recognized. Physical activity produces improvements in self-esteem, increased alertness, and decreased anxiety. The purpose of this study was determining the effect exercise and exercise schema has on mood states. College age students (N=198) of a large North Texas University were recruited. Data collection included States of change, the Exerciser self-schema questionnaire, Clinical Analysis Questionnaire, and the State Trait Anger Expression Inventory. Significance in some mood states of those who were exercising and exercise schematic were found
Risk Factors for Childhood Asthma in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on NHANES 1999-2000 Data
Full text linkAlvarez-Garriga, Carolina, Risk Factors for Childhood Asthma in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on NHANES 1999-2000 Data. Doctor of Public Health (Epidemiology), May 2005, 114 pp., 18 tables, 4 figures, bibliography, 93 titles. The purpose of this study was to identify and assess risk factors for childhood asthma. A total of 158 asthmatics were compared to 1,104 non-asthmatics regarding selected factors by using the multiple logistic regression adjusted odds ratio as a measure of association. A 2.3 times higher prevalence (13.8 per 100) was found for the U.S. than that reported in the previous national surveys (NHANES III) during 1994 (5.9 per 100). Males and all race/ethnic minorities showed higher probability to have asthma. Income was inversely related to having asthma, and, among other results, renting a house, low birthweight, hay fever, chickenpox, learning disabilities, ear infections, trouble seeing even with glasses, and not covered by private insurance had higher chance of having asthma. Childhood asthma is still alarmingly increasing, and results from this study about high-risk groups and modifiable factors can be used for public health interventions
Behavioral Disturbances, Chronic Pain, and Cognitive Impairment in Long-Term Care Centers
No full textAmbavaram, Sukanya. Behavioral Disturbances, Chronic Pain, and Cognitive Impairment in Long-Term Care. Master of Public Health, July 2004, 45 pp., 8 tables, references. Background- There is increasing interest in finding the relationship between pain, depression, behavioral disturbances and cognitive impairment in patients living in long-term care centers and predicting behavioral disturbances using chronic pain, depression and cognitive impairment as predictors. To date this is the first study identifying the relationship between pain and behavioral problems. Methods- The study population consisted of 412 residents living in 16 long-term care centers in Dallas, TX. Pearson product-moment Correlation was done to find the association between behavioral disturbances and pain, depression and cognitive factors. Multiple regression analysis was performed to obtain best predictors of behavioral disturbances and forward selection procedure to find out best fit model. Conclusion- Statistically significant correlation was achieved between behavioral excess and overall pain. The correlation was statistically significant between behavioral deficit and overall pain, activity interference and depression. Overall pain, activity interference and depression are significantly inter-correlated with each other. Over all pain and activity interference were found to be statistically significant predictors of behavioral excess. Overall pain was found to be statistically significant predictor of behavioral deficit
Associations Between Socioeconomic Statuses and Behavioral Risk Factors and Self-Reported Health Status
No full textWu, Gang, Association Between Socioeconomic Statuses and Behavioral Risk Factors and Self-Reported Health Status. Master of Public Health (Biostatistics), May 2005, 70pp., 5 figures, 4 tables, references, 58 titles. Socioeconomic statuses (SES) and behavioral risk factors determine more than 70% of overall health outcome of American population. The effects of SES and behavioral risk factors on self-reported health status (SRHS) were studied using binary logistic regression models. Age group, education level, ethnicity, physical activities, cholesterol intake, smoking status, and drinking status were identified as significant predictors (p [less than] 0.05) to SRHS based on overall model. Significant predictors for each ethnic group varied based on the same model separated by ethnicity: White (insurance coverage, physical activities, smoking status, and drinking status), Black (gender, vegetable intake, and Hispanic (cholesterol intake). Ethnic disparities in SES and behavioral risk factors were discussed. The findings may have potential importance in public health intervention
Tracking of Cholesterol Among Individuals With and Without Diagnosed Cardiovascular Disease
No full textFisher, Bettina L., Tracking of Cholesterol Among Individuals With and Without Diagnosed Cardiovascular Disease. Master of Public Health (Epidemiology), May 2003, 46 pp., 6 tables, 5 figures, bibliography, 33 titles. Cardiovascular disease is a major public health problem among the elderly in the United States, and cholesterol is the number one risk factor for coronary heart disease. Tracking is a method of analysis used to identify at-risk subjects at an early age in order to institute preventive measures before physical implications of the disease arise. The purpose of this study is to determine the stability and predictability of total serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) values for people with and without diagnosed cardiovascular disease through tracking. Data was obtained from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging (BLSA) and comprised men, 45 years of age and older who had at least two measurements. The average length of time subjects were in the study was 21 years, and the average number of repeated measurements was seven. The dataset was divided into two subsets – one for subjects entering the study with diagnosed cardiovascular disease, and a second for subjects entering the study without diagnosed cardiovascular disease. Tracking coefficients were measured using the linear regression model and the linear mixed effects model. There was a high degree of tracking for HDL using the linear regression model and the linear mixed effects model (overall dataset: 0.9283, 0.8216 respectively). Comparing tracking coefficients for cholesterol among subjects with and without diagnosed cardiovascular disease (linear mixed effects: 0.6469 and 0.7668; linear regression model: 0.5408 and 0.6022) reveals that the former subset has less stable cholesterol values than that the latter subset. The linear mixed effects model was the best fit for this data, because it corrects for the variation in the BLSA in interperiod and repeated measurements between subjects
Examining Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors and Its Relationship with Physical Activity in a Self-Reported Survey
No full textFernandes, Alroy H., Examining Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors and its Relationship with Physical Activity in a Self-Reported Survey. Masters of Public Health (Community Health), May 2004, 49pp., 3 illustrations, references, 38 titles. This study uses ‘Healthstyles,’ a self reported survey of 3,719 respondents above the age of 18, to look at exercise behavior in people at risk for CHD. Married or higher earning individuals were more likely to show sufficient exercise levels. Individuals with high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, obesity or family history of heart disease reported lesser levels of sufficient exercise than those without these conditions. People with CHD risk factor reported lower scores on questions that dealt with attitude and opinions about exercise behavior, and this was significantly correlated with lower levels of sufficient exercise. This supports the ‘positive attributes of the behavior’ aspect of the social cognitive theory of exercise. The attitude questions used, although not specific, could be included in a self-reported survey for the purpose of qualitatively and quantitatively assessing exercise intervention; albeit more studies are required to validate this claim
Language and Cultural Access Services for Healthcare of Latinos: A Study of Their Experiences in Dallas County
No full textPrieto, Juan G., Language and Cultural Access Services for Healthcare of Latinos: A Study of Their Experiences in Dallas County. Master of Public Health (Community Health), April 4, 2006, pp 53, tables 5, bibliography, titles 29. The American healthcare system largely serves English-speakers, but 21 million Latinos in this country speak limited English. This cross-sectional study examines language laws and patient experiences in overcoming communication barriers. The study’s responses suggest lack of awareness of language access rights among Latinos and non-compliance with language laws by some public and private healthcare providers. Communication gaps can result in untreated or misdiagnosed illness, injury or death. However, life-threatening disparities experienced by Latinos could be alleviated if patients learned of their language rights through media campaigns. Medical treatment would drastically improve the hiring, training and supporting bilingual healthcare professionals; through the strengthening the enforcement of language services laws; and through the allocating funds for cultural and linguistic services in healthcare
An Evaluation of Acanthosis Nigricans School Screening Results in Richardson Independent School District to Determine the Association of Acanthosis Nigricans and Other Factors for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Full text linkGardner, Janet E., An Evaluation of Acanthosis Nigricans School Screening Results in Richardson Independent School District to Determine the Association of Acanthosis Nigricans and Other Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Master of Public Health (Community Health), May 2005, 65 pp., 11 tables, reference list, 47 titles. Cases of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been increasing at alarming rates in Texas. Identifying underlying factors, such as acanthosis nigricans (AN), elevated body mass index and hypertension, which might contribute to the development for type 2 diabetes, is critical. This study analyzed the relationship of AN with these risk factors of T2DM. Richardson Independent School District screening results for 2003-2004 were analyzed. This study concluded that calculated BMI values yielded the highest association with grades of AN. BMI-for-age percentiles greater than or equal to the 95th percentile and elevated diastolic and/or systolic blood pressures were strongly associated with AN grades
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