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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Item Aging Related Differences in Hand Intrinsic and Extrinsic Muscles for Hand Dexterity: An MRI Investigation(2009) Hsu, Jeffrey; Shim, Jae Kun; Kinesiology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Hand dexterity is crucial for humans to interactions with the external environment. Many activities of daily living (ADLs) such as pressing, grasping, writing and typing would be unattainable without a skillfully and proficiently functioning hand. Sexagenarians and older often experience difficulties in hand dexterity, which seriously impair their ability to perform ADLs. This study described the aging-related changes in hand muscle size and dexterity; and addressed the conflicting literature regarding the extent of atrophy to either the intrinsic or extrinsic hand muscles in the elderly. The overall hypotheses for this study were 1) that elderly adults show an aging-related decrease in hand muscle size and strength, especially a greater decrease in the intrinsic hand muscles, 2) elderly adults show an aging-related decrease in hand dexterity and 3) hand muscle size and strength are positively related to hand dexterity. This study examined hand muscle sizes with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and examined hand strength and other functional measures. This study found aging-related decreases in muscle size, muscle strength, hand dexterity. Furthermore, intrinsic muscles showed a greater aging-related decrease in volume and strength as compared to the extrinsic muscles. When examining relationships, muscle strength was positively correlated to multi-finger synergy and finger dependence. Also, muscle size was positively related to performance on clinical hand dexterity tests. This supports the strength-dexterity equivalence hypothesis.Item 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.Item TIME TRENDS IN OVERALL DAILY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK FACTORS BY ORGANIZED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION IN ADOLESCENT GIRLS(2009) Phillips, Jennifer; Young, Deborah Rohm; Kinesiology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Many youth are involved in organized physical activity (PA); however, the impact of these activities on daily PA, body fat, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors is not well understood. Purpose: To compare the overall daily PA and CVD risk factors of girls who participate in organized activities to non-participants throughout adolescence. Methods: Data from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study, a 10-year observational study of Black and White girls (N=2379), were analyzed. Organized PA was defined as participation in classes/lessons and sports (0, <4, 4-19.99, ≥20 MET times/wk). Outcomes included daily PA (3-day diary), body fat (bioelectrical impedance analysis), lipids, glucose, insulin, and blood pressure. Longitudinal data were examined for each outcome using a mixed model with repeated measures. Girls were also categorized by the number of years they reported ≥4 MET times/wk of organized PA. Outcomes and risk clustering at 18-19y were evaluated with ANOVA and logistic regression, respectively, by number of participation years. Results: Organized PA and participation*time*race were related to change in daily PA and body fat (p < 0.0001). Although daily PA declined for Black girls, those with ≥20 MET times/wk had higher PA levels than all other girls (p < 0.0001). Change differed by sports participation in White girls (p=0.019); those involved ≥20 MET times/wk demonstrated better maintenance of daily PA. Black girls with ≥20 MET times/wk had significantly lower body fat than non-participants (p=0.002).White non-participants had higher body fat than those with 4-19.99 MET times/wk (p=0.006). Accumulated organized PA was related to daily PA and body fat at 18-19y. Girls who never reported participation had significantly lower daily PA at 18-19y than all other groups (p < 0.02), and significantly higher body fat at 18-19y compared to girls who reported 4y of sports participation (p=0.038). Organized PA was not related to change in other CVD risk factors or risk factor clustering at 18-19y (OR=1.05, 95% CI=0.87-1.27, p=0.59). Conclusion: Organized PA was related to daily PA and body fat for Black and White girls throughout adolescence. Appealing options should be made available and participation encouraged.Item Influence of audience characteristics on their behaviors across different sport media platforms(2009) Kwak, Dae Hee; McDaniel, Stephen R; Kinesiology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This dissertation explores sport media consumption behavior through a series of three investigations. Using the broad U & G approach (Katz et al., 1974) as an overarching paradigm of this dissertation, the three investigations take a distinct theoretical and methodological approach in the examination of various sport media consumption behaviors across different media platforms (i.e., Internet, videogame, and print media). Study One explores factors that influence the adoption of popular online-sport phenomenon--fantasy sport leagues. Study One uses the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM; Davis, 1989) as a theoretical framework and examines how attitude toward watching football on TV, perceived ease of using the fantasy sport website, perceived knowledge of sport, and subjective norms play a role in explaining subjects' attitudes and behavioral intentions toward playing fantasy football. Study Two revisits the satisfaction-loyalty relationship model in the context of sport video gaming (SVG). Specifically, the second study extends the well-documented satisfaction-loyalty relationship (Oliver, 1999; Suh & Yi, 2006; Yi, 1990) by incorporating brand attitudes and perceived skill in the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty. The findings of Study Two highlight the importance of customer expertise and brand attitudes in a hedonic consumption context that involves a learning component. Study Three replicates and extends existing literature in perceived message sensation value (PMSV) and message processing (Everett & Palmgreen, 1995; Niederdeppe, 2005; Niederdeppe, Davis, Farrelly, & Yarsevich, 2007; Palmgreen, Stephenson, Everett, Baseheart & Francies, 2002), by utilizing a specific message feature (i.e., violence) in the ad stimuli. Study Three is the first known attempt to investigate the arousal-enhancing effect of violent images in the PMSV context. After successfully validating the ad stimuli manipulated by level of violence, this study explores the effect of PMSV on arousal and ad evaluations. The results of Study Three generally support the PMSV main effect on ad responses, suggesting that a high-PMSV ad elicits higher arousal and favorable AAd, and AB than a low-PMSV ad (Donohew et al., 1991; Donohew et al., 1995; Everett & Palmgreen, 1995; Niederdeppe, 2005; Palmgreen et al., 2001; Stephenson, 2002, 2003). Meanwhile, the moderating effect of SS received limited support. Overall, Study Three provides initial evidence that violence, as a specific PMSV-enhancing feature, can elicit arousal and favorable ad evaluations among a college student cohort.Item Physiological Determinants of Candidate Physical Ability Test in Firefighters(2009) Sheaff, Andrew; Hurley, Ben; Kinesiology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)The purpose of this study was to examine the relative importance of physiological characteristics during firefighting performance, as assessed by the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). Participants included professional and volunteer firefighters, ages 18-39 (n=33). Muscle strength, muscle endurance, muscle power, body composition, aerobic capacity, anaerobic fitness, and the cardiovascular response to stairclimbing were assessed to determine the physiological characteristics of the participants. To quantify firefighting performance, the CPAT was administered by members of the fire service. Absolute and relative mean power during Wingate anaerobic cycling test (WAnT), relative peak power during WAnT, and absolute maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) were significantly higher in those who passed the CPAT (n=18), compared to those who failed (n=15) (P < 0.01). Absolute and relative mean power during WAnT, fatigue index during WAnT, absolute VO2max, upper body strength, and the heart rate response to stairclimbing were all significantly related to CPAT performance time (all P < 0.01). However, absolute VO2max and anaerobic fatigue resistance during WAnT combined were the best predictors of total CPAT performance (Adj. R2 = 0.817; P < 0.001). Performance on the ceiling breach and pull was the only individual CPAT task that could not be significantly predicted by the physiological characteristics assessed. Rate-pressure product during the stairclimb was not related to CPAT performance. In conclusion, measures of anaerobic and aerobic fitness best predict overall CPAT performance, as well as individual task performance. Remedial programs aimed at improving firefighting performance should target anaerobic and aerobic fitness qualities.Item 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.Item 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.Item 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.Item SOCIO-CULTURAL DETERMINANTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN AND WHITE FEMALE ADOLESCENTS(2009) Scott, Wakina L.; Koblinsky, Sally A.; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Low physical activity is a problem for girls, and particularly African American female adolescents. Low physical activity has been associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cigarette smoking, premature mortality, and overweight and obesity. Families and communities play an important role in influencing adolescent health; however, few studies have examined how these factors influence adolescent physical activity outcomes. Adopting an ecological theoretical framework, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between family factors (maternal control, maternal support, mother-child communication, and family cohesion), a community factor (religiosity, defined as attendance at religious services and religious youth activities) and physical activity among African American and White female adolescents. Wave I data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health was analyzed. The sample includes 736 African American and 1,692 White female adolescents in grades seven through 12. Descriptive statistics were computed for all family and community measures. Logit models were used to evaluate family and community influences on female adolescents achieving five or more bouts of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week (MVPA); and whether the relationship between maternal control, maternal support, mother-child communication, family cohesion, religiosity, and MVPA was moderated by race. Maternal control was a significant predictor of MVPA for the total sample and the White female sample, with increased levels of maternal control associated with increased adolescent physical activity. Mother-child communication and religiosity were significantly positively associated with MVPA for African American females only. Maternal support and family cohesion were not found to be significant predictors of adolescent girls' physical activity in any of the models. Race significantly influenced the strength of the relationship between mother-child communication and adolescent MVPA, and between religiosity and adolescent MVPA, with findings revealing a stronger relationship for African American female adolescents than for White female adolescents. Strategies to engage female adolescents in physical activity, particularly African American female adolescents, should focus on increasing mother-child communication and girls' involvement with religious institutions.Item 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.