Behavioral & Community Health

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2271

Prior to January 24, 2011, this unit was named the Department of Public & Community Health.

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End date: 2009Subject: search.filters.subject.Health Sciences, Public Health

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 28
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    Sexuality Education, Sexual Communication, Rape Myth Acceptance, and Sexual Assault Experience among Deaf and Hard of Hearing College Students
    (2009) Francavillo, Gwendolyn Suzanne Roberts; Sawyer, Robin G; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Deaf and Hard of Hearing college students are at an increased risk of sexual assault in comparison to their hearing peers. Previous studies demonstrate that although sexual assault rates among college students are high, among the Deaf community, these rates are nearly double. Data suggest that between 50% and 83% of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals will experience sexual assault in their lifetime, with Deaf and Hard of Hearing women more likely to experience sexual assault than Deaf and Hard of Hearing men. There exists only a small amount of published research regarding Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals and sexuality, and an even smaller amount of research has been conducted with Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals on the subject of sexual assault. The high sexual assault rates among Deaf and Hard of Hearing students may be partially attributed to their limited sexuality education and knowledge, most often as a result of communication, language, and cultural barriers. The purpose of this study was to 1) examine a possible relationship between levels of sexuality education, sexual communication, rape myth acceptance, and sexual assault experience, along with demographic variables, among Deaf and Hard of Hearing college students; and 2) examine differences between students previously educated in schools for the Deaf versus mainstream schools, with regard to their levels of sexuality education, sexual communication, rape myth acceptance, and sexual assault experience. The instrument was developed incorporating the Sexual Communication Survey (SCS), Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (RMAS), Sexual Experiences Survey (SES), sexuality education and sexual activity components. Two sets of hypotheses were examined via linear regression to ascertain significant relationships among the variables, with Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) constructs being used as the theoretical foundation of the study. Seven analyses were found to be statistically significant, with sexual communication, gender, and consensual sexual activity predictor variables explaining the outcome variable, sexual assault experience, at high percentages. The findings from this research have provided a greater baseline of data for future studies to investigate the factors influencing sexual assault among Deaf and Hard of Hearing college students.
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    Cross-Sectional Evaluation of Potential Volatile Organic Compound Exposures Around U.S. Schools
    (2009) Perodin, Joanne; Sapkota, Amir; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), characterized by high vapor pressure and low water solubility, exist in gaseous phase at room temperature. Previous studies have suggested exposure to VOCs may be associated with adverse health effects such as asthma exacerbation and in some cases cancer. The major sources of outdoor VOCs include traffic and industrial emissions. Ambient VOCs can react with Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) in the presence of sunlight to form ground level ozone, one of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Criteria Air Pollutants. This thesis was designed to investigate the potential VOCs exposure among U.S. schoolchildren. Moreover, the influence of various neighborhood factors (urban vs. rural areas, distance from highways, presence/absence of industries) on VOCs concentrations around U.S. Schools was investigated. The findings of this thesis suggest that schools in urban areas, near industries and traffic activity have higher concentrations of VOCs compared to those not possessing such characteristics.
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    ISOLATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY ANALYSIS OF ENTEROCOCCCUS SPP. AND SALMONELLA SPP. FROM CONVENTIONAL POULTRY FARMS TRANSITIONING TO ORGANIC FARMING PRACTICES
    (2009) Kinney, Erinna Lea; Sapkota, Amy R.; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    This baseline study evaluated prevalence and antibiotic resistance of food-borne bacteria as conventional poultry facilities transition to organic practices. Poultry litter, feed, soil, water samples and poultry questionnaire responses were collected from 10 conventional and 10 organic-transitioning poultry houses from March to June 2008. Enterococcus spp. (n=260) and Salmonella spp. (n=100) isolates were identified to species level and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Sensititre® system. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA 10. Prevalence of Enterococcus spp. on organic-transitioning and conventional poultry farms was 100%; and prevalence of Salmonella spp. was 100% and 40%, respectively. Enterococcus isolates from conventional poultry houses displayed significantly higher percentages of resistance for 9 antibiotic agents compared to organic-transitioning isolates. Conversely, Salmonella spp. isolated from both conventional and organic-transitioning poultry houses exhibited similar antibiotic resistance patterns. Baseline findings suggest importance of poultry production practice in prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns of food-borne bacteria.
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    Predictors of Abstinence, Safer Sex & Higher Risk Sexual Behaviors At A Historically Black College & University
    (2009) Saunders, Darlene Renee; Desmond, Sharon M; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    In this cross sectional study, purposive sampling was used to examine the sexual behaviors and practices of African American college age students (n=681) attending a Mid-Atlantic HBCU. The majority of participants were women (72%) and sexually attracted to men (69%); the mean age was 20 (SD=1.3). The primary purpose of this research was to explore specific factors that may contribute to African American college students' decisions to practice abstinence, engage in safer sex or higher risk sexual practices. The Theory of Planned Behavior loosely guided the selection of variables, specifically normative beliefs, attitudes and behavioral control constructs were used to examine the sexual behaviors of African American college students. Binge drinking, marijuana use, the number of hours per day students' listened to rap music and viewed rap music videos, and the extent rap music or rap music videos influenced their sexual attitudes were variables examined using backward logistic regression. Additionally, the investigator examined religiosity and students' perceptions of whether peers and parents would approve of their engagement in specific sexual behaviors, using valid and reliable scales developed by other researchers. Demographic variables explored included age, gender and the students' sexual orientation. Results from research question one (predicting whether students would be abstinent or sexually active) indicated age, marijuana use, and binge drinking were the best predictors, accounting for 22% of the variance. Students who reported binge drinking or marijuana use were more liked to report being sexually active than students not engaging in these behaviors. Research question two (distinguishing between sexually active students who engage in safer vs. riskier sexual behaviors) found that sexual orientation was the only significant predictor. The study documented greater sexual risk-taking behaviors among heterosexual women when compared to heterosexual males. This exploratory study helps fill the void in the literature about the sexual behaviors of African American college students.
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    Environmental influences on physical activity and obesity in African American adolescents-a multilevel perspective
    (2009) Yan, Fang Alice; Beck, Kenneth; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Background: Prevalence of obesity among adolescents is increasing at an alarming rate. Currently, 34% of all 12-19 year olds are either at risk for overweight or are overweight. Without a comprehensive understanding of the myriad of environmental factors that influence physical activity, we cannot effectively curb the rising rates. Methods: The objective of this study is to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of individual, built, and psychosocial environmental factors on the body mass index (BMI) of African American adolescents, and to assess how the relationships may be mediated by physical activity (PA) levels in an urban setting. A cross-sectional sample of 350 Students (grades 9-12) was drawn from two urban magnet high schools in Baltimore City. The outcome measurements cover a broad array of variables, including BMI, walking behavior, and overall PA. The independent variables are measures of three environments and individual socio-demographic status. The hierarchical linear model analysis was employed. In addition, the mediation analysis was conducted to examine the mediating effect of PA levels. Results: The majority of the sample was African American (69%) and female (58%) with 40% at risk of overweight or overweight. After adjustment for individual socio-demographic factors, living in more hazardous neighborhoods was positively associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and walking for transportation but not with BMI. Densities and proximities of destinations were not associated with BMI. Access to school and museums within 0.25 mile, and grocery stores, retail and shopping, post offices and mix of destinations within 0.5 mile and beyond was positively associated with participation in walking. In addition, densities of fast food restaurants, parks and recreation within 1 mile and 1.5 mile were associated with increased walking. Closer proximity to schools and museums increased both student's MVPA level and their walking trips. Green space coverage within 0.25 mile distance was associated with decreased BMI. In addition, the percentage of green space coverage around homes was not associated with physical activity. Physical activity did not mediate either the destination densities and proximity or the greenness on BMI. Conclusion: The findings support the importance of focusing on places rather than the individuals who live in those places. Increasing the diversity of walkable destinations may contribute to adolescents doing more transport-related walking and achieving recommended levels of physical activity. In general, ecologic approaches to obesity prevention need to focus on urban design and food availability.
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    Scale Development and Dimensionality Analysis of a Protective Behavioral Strategies Multi-item Scale for Use with College Student Drinkers
    (2008-06-17) Griffin, Melinda; Boekeloo, Bradley O; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) have been defined as self-control behaviors individuals practice prior to, during, and/or after drinking to limit consumption and/or the negative consequences. Although a multi-item PBS measurement scale has been used in the research literature, the psychometrics, reliability, and validity of the PBS scale needed further examination. This study examined the 1) dimensionality of the PBS scale for self-identified college student drinkers as well as for gender and race/ethnicity subgroups, 2) internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the PBS sub-scales, and 3) construct validity of the PBS sub-scales. College students who self-reported as recent alcohol users (n=320) on a web-based survey administered during fall semester of the 2006 academic school year comprised the study sample. Factor analysis was utilized to determine the underlying factor structure of 22 item PBS scale. Additionally, congruence of the factor structure among gender and racial sub-groups was examined by rotating the sub-groups' matrices via the Procrustes orthogonal method. Reliability analysis was utilized to determine the internal consistency of the PBS sub-scales. Separate multiple linear regressions were performed to determine the construct validity based on relationships between the PBS sub-scales and potential motivations (refusal self-efficacy, protection self-efficacy, drunkenness avoidance self-efficacy, alcohol abstinence expectations) and potential alcohol-related outcomes (multiple alcohol use items, negative consequences) while controlling for gender and race. Examination of the output from repeated factor analyses, Procrustes rotation, and reliability analyses resulted in a 2-factor solution with 17 items. Both PBS sub-scales (Planning and Execution) had acceptable internal consistency across all samples and acceptable test-retest reliability. Construct validity of the Execution PBS was fully supported whereas the Planning PBS was partially supported. Specifically, the Planning PBS sub-scale was highly correlated with protection and drunkenness avoidance self-efficacy as projected but not alcohol-related outcomes. The Execution PBS sub-scale was highly correlated as projected with refusal, protection and drunkenness self-efficacy, alcohol use, and negative alcohol effects. Special attention was given in this study to PBS construct validity considering potential PBS motivations and PBS scale dimensionality across gender and race subgroups. This study contributes to parallel research attempting to identify a definitive, standardized measure of PBS.
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    Trajectories of Freshmen Alcohol Consumption: Examining the Influence of Drinking Refusal Self-Efficacy
    (2008-06-12) Watson, Keisha; Boekeloo, Bradley; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    The misuse of alcohol is a major social and health issue for college students in the United States. Specifically, first-year students are at a higher risk of consuming alcohol than the rest of the college population. Considerable data suggest heterogeneity in how alcohol use changes during adolescence. New statistical procedures, such as latent class growth analysis (LCGA), are now available that are better suited to study behavior change than earlier applied traditional methods such as regression analysis and structural equation modeling. This study aimed to reveal alcohol consumption patterns of college freshmen using secondary data and LCGA. A second aim of this study was to examine the influence of drinking refusal self-efficacy (DRSE) on potential trajectories of alcohol use among college freshmen. Data used for this study was collected by a federally funded NIH grant entitled "Peers as Family: Preventing Problem Drinking" and includes longitudinal self-reported data of freshmen alcohol use and DRSE. Results revealed four distinct types of drinking trajectories among college freshmen. Growth patterns identified had the following characteristics: 1) "Light-stable" drinkers reported drinking very little or no alcohol use across time assessments; 2) "Escalating" drinkers gradually increased alcohol consumption across time assessments; 3) "Moderate increase-decrease" drinkers increased alcohol use between first and second time points and decreased consumption between second and third time assessments; and 4) "Heavy increase-decrease" drinkers shared an identical pattern of consumption as the moderate increase-decrease group only levels of alcohol use were significantly higher at each time assessment. DRSE was found to significantly (p < .0006) predict membership in all trajectories described above. The light-stable trajectory reported higher levels of DRSE than all other growth patterns, while the heavy increase-decrease trajectory reported the lowest levels of DRSE when compared to all other growth patterns. Study results illustrated that DRSE plays a significant role in explaining why some college freshmen abstain from alcohol use, while others escalate use or drink at high levels over time. Ultimately, this knowledge may facilitate the development of more tailored and consequently effective interventions designed to reduce alcohol consumption on college campuses.
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    Examining evidence of reliability and validity of mental health indicators on a revised national survey measuring college student health
    (2008-05-15) Jackson, Theresa Katherine; Glover, Elbert D; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    The American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA), which began surveying college students in 2001, is currently the only large scale survey available for colleges and universities to measure a variety of health constructs among their student populations. Beginning in December 2005, the survey underwent an extensive revisions process in an effort to improve its measurement quality and to better capture the current health status of college students. Revisions were guided by changing student health priorities, feedback from respondents, literature focused on characteristics of reliable and valid survey questions, and the Model of Survey Response. As mental health concerns continue to rise on campuses today, this content area of the ACHA-NCHA was dramatically expanded, as it now includes constructs such as diagnosis and treatment with multiple mental health conditions, difficult life experiences, stress, and help-seeking. This dissertation, which is a secondary data analysis of data collected from the original and revised ACHA-NCHA surveys during an experimental field pre-test of the modified survey, documents the survey revisions process, provides results from more than 40 mental health indicators by various demographic characteristics, and establishes the reliability and validity of the mental health indicators. The data analyzed in this study were collected from students from 7 U.S. college and universities who were randomized to complete either the original (final N = 6,216) or the revised (final N = 6,110) online ACHA-NCHA from February through May 2007. It was hypothesized that (1) changes to survey indicators designed to measure comparable constructs would result in significant differences in student response patterns across versions of the ACHA-NCHA; (2) mental health indicators on the revised survey would demonstrate evidence of internal consistency reliability, construct-related validity, and criterion-related validity; and (3) modified mental health indicators on the revised ACHA-NCHA would demonstrate greater evidence of reliability and validity than comparable indicators on the original ACHA-NCHA. Findings from this study at least partially support all hypotheses, and the revised ACHA-NCHA demonstrates preliminary evidence that is it a psychometrically sound survey tool to measure college student mental health constructs.
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    Assessment of Nicotine Dependence and its Demographic Correlates among African American Smokers
    (2008-05-05) Sharma Acharya, Eva; Howard, Donna E; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Despite scientific evidence that smoking is highly addictive, little information is available on the prevalence of nicotine dependence among African American smokers. The primary objective of this study was to examine the associations between demographic variables, socioeconomic status, self reported smoking history and the level of nicotine dependence among African American smokers. This study was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of data collected during a randomized clinical trial from African American participants (n=206). The results showed that age of smokers, number of years of regular smoking, low education level and negative perception of ability to quit smoking were associated with high nicotine dependence. The multivariate analysis showed that those with negative perception of their ability to quit smoking had greater odds of having high nicotine dependence. The findings suggested that tailored interventions should include components that increase self efficacy among African American smokers depending on the level of nicotine dependence.
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    The association of acculturation, social support, and alcohol use among Mexican American adults
    (2008-04-22) McDowell, Margaret Ann; Atkinson, Nancy; Gold, Robert; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Background: The increasing diversity of the U.S. population and the tremendous growth of the elderly population in the U.S. pose a challenge for public health practice. Mexican Americans (MAs) comprise the largest U.S. Hispanic subgroup. Previous research has shown alcohol use among MA adults varies by sex, age, acculturation level, socioeconomic status, and other factors. Purpose: This study explored the association of social, cultural, and demographic factors among MA adults. Berry's acculturation model (1980) and social support theory provided the theoretical underpinnings for this study. Multiple proxy measures of acculturation were used: a 5 item language subscale, generation level, and length of time in the United States. The association of social support and alcohol use among MAs 60 years and older was assessed using NHANES social support interview data. Methods: A secondary data analysis of 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 1,682 MAs 40 years of age and older. Psychometric testing was performed with a language use scale and social support index. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the predictors of lifetime abstention and current alcohol use. Results: Acculturation was associated with lifetime abstention and current alcohol use among females. Lifetime alcohol abstention rates were higher among less acculturated females, and a majority of female current drinkers were light alcohol users. Among males, lifetime alcohol abstention rates were very low. Light or moderate alcohol use was reported by two-thirds of males. Socioeconomic status and marital status were predictive of heavier alcohol use among males. No association was observed between social support and alcohol use among older adults. Conclusions: The results from this study underscore the complexity of alcohol use behavior among MAs. The strong association of acculturation and alcohol use among MA women suggests that traditional alcohol norms are altered during the acculturation process. Alcohol use among MA men is more common and heavy use was associated with social and economic factors rather than acculturation. The study findings may be used to inform health promotion and alcohol intervention programs for MA adults.