School of Public Health
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/1633
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 Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Interventions among Black Sexual Minority Men: A Systematic Literature Review(MDPI, 2022-02-09) Turpin, Rodman E.; Hawthorne, David J.; Rosario, Andre D.Background: Interventions to promote HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among Black sexual minority men (BSMM) are especially important, given the disproportionate HIV incidence and relatively low uptake of PrEP among BSMM. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review to identify the characteristics of interventions between 2016 and 2021 promoting PrEP use among BSMM. We synthesized these studies based on sample size, location, the use of peer-based delivery, and key intervention targets. Results: Of the starting total 198 articles, 10 were included in the final review, with the majority of included studies being randomized controlled trials. We identified providing PrEP access, PrEP counseling, HIV and PrEP education, linkage to general health care, and peer-based support as key successful intervention components. The starkest difference between interventions with and without demonstrated PrEP improvements was the outcome: all interventions focused on PrEP initiation led to large improvements, but those focused on PrEP adherence did not. No other factors demonstrated distinct differences between successful and unsuccessful interventions. Conclusion: We identified notable differences in intervention efficacy between PrEP initiation and PrEP adherence outcomes; PrEP adherence is necessary for optimal HIV prevention. Future interventions promoting and measuring PrEP adherence, with a focus on cultural competence and peer components, are recommended.Item An Investigation of Child and Adolescent Dental Sealant Predictors, NHANES 2011-2012(2016) Roman, Agnieszka Anna; Kleinman, Dushanka; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Objective: To examine sociodemographic and dental factors for associations with dental sealant placement in children and adolescents aged 6-18 years old. Methods: Secondary data analysis of 2011-2012 NHANES data was conducted. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess relationships between predictor variables and sealant presence. Results: More than a third (37.1%) of children and adolescents have at least one sealant present; 67.9% of children compared with 40.4% of adolescents. Racial/ethnic differences exist, with Non-Hispanic black youth having the lowest odds of having sealants. Sealant placement odds vary by presence of dental home; the magnitude of the odds varies by age group. Those with untreated decay have lower odds of having sealants than those who do not have untreated decay (child OR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.83-3.72; adolescent OR: 3.9, 95% CI: 2.59-6.07). Conclusion: Disparities exist in odds of sealant prevalence across racial/ethnic groups, income levels, and dental disease and visit characteristics. Further research is necessary to understand the reasons for these differences and to inform future interventions.Item Factors Influencing Childhood Swimming Instruction: Evaluation of the "Safe Water Initiative: Maryland" Program for Drowning Prevention(2010) Monteiro, Erinn Hurley; Green, Kerry M; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Background: Increasing swimming ability is a key preventive step in decreasing childhood drowning, a leading cause of unintentional mortality in the U.S. Yet, it remains unclear what factors influence parents to ensure that their children learn to swim. This study examined how attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and barriers relate to parents' intentions and decisions to seek swimming instruction for their children. The evaluation also examined whether free introductory swimming lessons may be a useful model in changing any of these factors. Methods: The Safe Water Initiative: Maryland (SWI:M) community-based program provided free introductory lessons in summer 2010 to over 100 children who had previously never received swimming instruction. Parents/guardians completed pretest (N = 81) and posttest (N = 79) written surveys as well as a second follow-up online survey six weeks after the program ended (N = 71). The pre-and post-test surveys included questions about barriers as well as two scales on attitudes/beliefs about swimming importance and perceptions about drowning risk. These two scales were developed and their reliability (alpha=.70-.89) and validity evaluated as part of this study. Results: Participants were predominantly African-American mothers, the majority of whom had little to no swimming ability. Results revealed significant increases in attitudes/beliefs, perceptions, and intentions from the beginning to the end of the SWI:M program. While attitudes/beliefs and perceived susceptibility were significant predictors of intentions, strong intentions did not predict behavior, as only 14% of participants' children had received additional swimming lessons by the second post-test. Cost was reported as a significant barrier to pursuing additional instruction. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary findings for future research investigating factors influencing childhood swimming instruction. Reduced- or no-cost swimming lessons may be a key drowning prevention method, but additional research is warranted to find ways to address prevailing barriers. Evaluating the effectiveness of this and other programs is an important step in potentially decreasing morbidity and mortality due to drowning.Item Survey of Maryland Dentists' Knowledge, Opinions and Practices About Oral Cancer Prevention and Early Detection(2010) Maybury, Catherine A.; Green, Kerry; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)To reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with oral cancer, dentists must have oral cancer prevention and early detection knowledge and skills, and they must perform routine screening examinations. Maryland dentists were surveyed to assess their knowledge, opinions and screening practices relating to oral cancer prevention and early detection. Thirty-eight percent of dentists had a high level of knowledge of oral cancer risk factors, thirty-nine percent had a high level of knowledge of oral cancer diagnostic procedures, and thirty-eight percent received a high score for provision of oral cancer examinations. Dentists who strongly agreed or agreed that their oral cancer knowledge is current were more likely to receive a high score for knowledge of oral cancer diagnostic procedures and knowledge of risk factors and diagnostic procedures combined. Deficiencies exist in dentists' knowledge and practices relating to oral cancer. Actions are needed in education, policy and research to address these deficiencies.