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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Item YO SOY PAZ (I AM PEACE): PILOT STUDY OF A TRAUMA-INFORMED, COMMUNITY AND MINDFULNESS-BASED PROGRAM FOR LATINO IMMIGRANTS IN MARYLAND.(2022) Munoz, Juliana; Green, Kerry M; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Background: One in three Latinos in the US is an immigrant. Immigrants face particular stressors that are heightened by previous traumatic experiences before, during, and after migration. Latino populations report the highest level of stress of all racial/ethnic groups in the US and the second-highest prevalence of mental health illness. Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) have shown to be successful at reducing stress and strengthening mental health in diverse populations, yet little is known about the effects of these interventions on this particular population.Methods: The pilot study tested the Yo Soy Paz (I am Peace) online synchronous program, an evidence and trauma-informed mindfulness-based intervention that was adapted for immigrant Latina mothers and the community staff members that work with them in a community setting. The eight session pilot intervention was delivered to three cohorts for a total of 41 participants, including staff and parents of youth receiving services at a local community-based organization that serves Latino immigrants. The study used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to examine the feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, and fidelity of the Yo Soy Paz online program. The study also examined the initial effects of the program on stress, mindfulness, mind-body connection, and subjective well-being. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through self-reported pre-post questionnaire, fidelity checklists, and focus groups with parents and staff. Results: Acceptability, feasibility, fidelity and appropriateness scored high on the quantitative measures. Inner compatibility with the organization’s mission and vision, clients’ needs and the organization’s receptivity to implement the intervention scored in the medium range. Mothers’ and promotoras’ self-reported mean scores for subjective wellbeing and perceived physical and mental health increased significantly from baseline- to post-test. No significant changes were observed in surveys completed by the staff, even though focus group participants reported meaningful improvement. Discussion: Overall the pilot feasibility study was well received and relevant for the organization and the population they serve. MBIs for Latino immigrants and the staff that works with them have the potential to improve well-being and overall mental and physical health. The study’s findings provide guidance to others in implementing online mindfulness practices with Latino immigrants and the staff that works with them.Item A Spatial-Temporal Approach to Surveillance of Prostate Cancer Disparities in Population Subgroups(National Medical Association, 2007-01-10) Hsu, Chiehwen Ed; Soto Mas, Francisco; Nkhoma, Ella; Miller, JerryBackground: Prostate cancer mortality disparities exist among racial/ethnic groups in the United States, yet few studies have explored the spatiotemporal trend of the disease burden. To better understand mortality disparities by geographic regions over time, the present study analyzed the geographic variations of prostate cancer mortality by three Texas racial/ethnic groups over a 22-year period. Methods: The Spatial Scan Statistic developed by Kulldorff et al was used. Excess mortality was detected using scan windows of 50% and 90% of the study period and a spatial cluster size of 50% of the population at risk. Time trend was analyzed to examine the potential temporal effects of clustering. Spatial queries were used to identify regions with multiple racial/ethnic groups having excess mortality. Results: The most likely area of excess mortality for blacks occurred in Dallas-Metroplex and upper east Texas areas between 1990 and 1999; for Hispanics, in central Texas between 1992 and 1996; and for non-Hispanic whites, in the upper south and west to central Texas areas between 1990 and 1996. Excess mortality persisted among all racial/ethnic groups in the identified counties. The second scan revealed that three counties in west Texas presented an excess mortality for Hispanics from 1980–2001. Many counties bore an excess mortality burden for multiple groups. There is no time trend decline in prostate cancer mortality for blacks and non-Hispanic whites in Texas. Conclusion: Disparities in prostate cancer mortality among racial/ethnic groups existed in Texas. Central Texas counties with excess mortality in multiple subgroups warrant further investigation.