School of Public Health

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The collections in this community comprise faculty research works, as well as graduate theses and dissertations.

Note: Prior to July 1, 2007, the School of Public Health was named the College of Health & Human Performance.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    El Niño Southern Oscillation, monsoon anomaly, and childhood diarrheal disease morbidity in Nepal
    (Oxford University Press, 2022-03-29) Adams, Nicholas; Dhimal, Meghnath; Mathews, Shifali; Iyer, Veena; Murtugudde, Raghu; Liang, Xin-Zhong; Haider, Muhiuddin; Cruz-Cano, Raul; Thu, Dang Thi Anh; Hashim, Jamal Hisham; Gao, Chuansi; Wang, Yu-Chun; Sapkota, Amir
    Climate change is adversely impacting the burden of diarrheal diseases. Despite significant reduction in global prevalence, diarrheal disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among young children in low- and middle-income countries. Previous studies have shown that diarrheal disease is associated with meteorological conditions but the role of large-scale climate phenomena such as El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and monsoon anomaly is less understood. We obtained 13 years (2002–2014) of diarrheal disease data from Nepal and investigated how the disease rate is associated with phases of ENSO (El Niño, La Niña, vs. ENSO neutral) monsoon rainfall anomaly (below normal, above normal, vs. normal), and changes in timing of monsoon onset, and withdrawal (early, late, vs. normal). Monsoon season was associated with a 21% increase in diarrheal disease rates (Incident Rate Ratios [IRR]: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.16–1.27). El Niño was associated with an 8% reduction in risk while the La Niña was associated with a 32% increase in under-5 diarrheal disease rates. Likewise, higher-than-normal monsoon rainfall was associated with increased rates of diarrheal disease, with considerably higher rates observed in the mountain region (IRR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.19–1.92). Our findings suggest that under-5 diarrheal disease burden in Nepal is significantly influenced by ENSO and changes in seasonal monsoon dynamics. Since both ENSO phases and monsoon can be predicted with considerably longer lead time compared to weather, our findings will pave the way for the development of more effective early warning systems for climate sensitive infectious diseases.
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    Using technology for improving population health: comparing classroom vs. online training for peer community health advisors in African American churches
    (Springer Nature, 2015-08-14) Holt, Cheryl L; Santos, Sherie L Zara; Tagai, Erin Kelly; Scheirer, Mary Ann; Carter, Roxanne; Bowie, Janice V; Haider, Muhiuddin; Slade, Jimmy; Wang, Min Qi; Whitehead, Tony
    Technology is increasingly used in health promotion interventions. Project HEAL (Health Through Early Awareness and Learning) compared two methods of training lay community health advisors (CHAs): 1) the traditional/classroom approach vs. 2) a new online training system.
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    Adoption, reach, and implementation of a cancer education intervention in African American churches
    (Springer Nature, 2017-03-14) Santos, Sherie Lou Zara; Tagai, Erin K.; Scheirer, Mary Ann; Bowie, Janice; Haider, Muhiuddin; Slade, Jimmie; Wang, Min Qi; Holt, Cheryl L.
    Use of technology is increasing in health promotion and has continued growth potential in intervention research. Guided by the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, this paper reports on the adoption, reach, and implementation of Project HEAL (Health through Early Awareness and Learning)—a community-based implementation trial of a cancer educational intervention in 14 African American churches. We compare adoption, reach, and implementation at the organizational and participant level for churches in which lay peer community health advisors (CHAs) were trained using traditional classroom didactic methods compared with a new online system. Fifteen churches were randomized to one of two study groups in which two CHAs per church were trained through either classroom (“Traditional”; n = 16 CHAs in 8 churches) or web-based (“Technology”; n = 14 CHAs in 7 churches) training methods. Once trained and certified, all CHAs conducted a series of three group educational workshops in their churches on cancer early detection (breast, prostate, and colorectal). Adoption, reach, and implementation were assessed using multiple data sources including church-level data, participant engagement in the workshops, and study staff observations of CHA performance. The project had a 41% overall adoption rate at the church level. In terms of reach, a total of 375 participants enrolled in Project HEAL—226 participants in the Traditional group (43% reach) and 149 in the Technology group (21% reach; p < .10). Implementation was evaluated in terms of adherence, dosage, and quality. All churches fully completed the three workshops; however, the Traditional churches took somewhat longer (M = 84 days) to complete the workshop series than churches in the Technology group (M = 64 days). Other implementation outcomes were comparable between both the Traditional and Technology groups (p > .05). Overall, the Project HEAL intervention had reasonable adoption, though reach could have been better. Implementation was strong across both study groups, suggesting the promise of using web-based methods to disseminate and implement evidence-based interventions in faith-based settings and other areas where community health educators work to eliminate health disparities.
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    Variables that May Affect the Transmission of Dengue – A Case Study for Health Management in Asia
    (InTech, 2015) Haider, Muhiuddin; Turner, Jamie
    Dengue, an emergent viral infection, has increased exponentially since the 1960s [1]. In spite of the alarming escalation of cases reported, the WHO still believes the disease is significantly underreported [2]. The effects of climate change are expected to dramatically increase the global incidence and geographic locations of dengue. According to the WHO, the number of countries reporting dengue cases has increased from nine countries before 1960 to more than 64 countries in 2007 [2]. Dengue cases continue to climb despite numerous interventions globally to halt the progression. Climate change allows the primary dengue vectors to thrive in more geographical locations; increased population, urbanization and deforestation have also provided favorable conditions for vectors. In areas with poor or nonexistent infrastructure, sanitation, and unreliable water supplies, water storage systems provide ideal breeding grounds for mosquitos. These issues are compounded by intercontinental commerce, specifically the transport of tires, which harbor rainwater and mosquito larvae, allowing introduction of non-native mosquitos to other countries. No cure currently exists for dengue and vaccine development has been fraught with difficulties. Dengue should be categorized as one of the most imperative global health issues in need of effective solutions. Drastic changes need to occur in public health approaches and health management policies for dengue. Without serious and immediate attention to the escalation of dengue the global burden of disease will significantly intensify.
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    Translating evidence-based interventions for implementation: Experiences from Project HEAL in African American churches
    (Implementation Science, 2014-05-31) Holt, Cheryl L.; Tagai, Erin K.; Scheirer, Mary Ann; Santos, Sherie Lou Z.; Bowie, Janice; Haider, Muhiuddin; Slade, Jimmie L.; Wang, Min Qi; Whitehead, Tony; Holt, Cheryl L.
    Background Community-based approaches have been increasing in the effort to raise awareness and early detection for cancer and other chronic disease. However, many times, such interventions are tested in randomized trials, become evidence-based, and then fail to reach further use in the community. Project HEAL (Health through Early Awareness and Learning) is an implementation trial that aims to compare two strategies of implementing evidence-based cancer communication interventions in African American faith-based organizations. Method This article describes the community-engaged process of transforming three evidence-based cancer communication interventions into a coherent, branded strategy for training community health advisors with two delivery mechanisms. Peer community health advisors receive training through either a traditional classroom approach (with high technical assistance/support) or a web-based training portal (with low technical assistance/support). Results We describe the process, outline the intervention components, report on the pilot test, and conclude with lessons learned from each of these phases. Though the pilot phase showed feasibility, it resulted in modifications to data collection protocols and team and community member roles and expectations. Conclusions Project HEAL offers a promising strategy to implement evidence-based interventions in community settings through the use of technology. There could be wider implications for chronic disease prevention and control.