Browsing by Author "Eke, Ike"
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Item Association Between Education Level and Spiritual Health Locus of Control(2017-03-14) Dodgen, Leilani; Mandapati, Surendra; Kitzman-Ulrich, Heather; Mamun, Md Abdullah; Gant, Kisa; Eke, IkeObjective: For observers to be able to understand the possible link between educational attainment and active versus passive spirituality. Background: Spirituality is a core pillar within the African American (AA) community. It has permeated many facets of black culture over time, and has shaped the black experience. Previous studies have found that individuals with more spirituality were more likely to pursue higher education. However, little is known on how education attainment influences spiritual health locus of control (e.g., how God plays a role in your health). Methods: Cross-sectional data was collected from a baseline survey administered to participants in Cohort 1 and 2 of the Better Me Within Program. Participants were stratified as high education (college degree or above) or low education (high school degree or below) based on self-report. Spiritual health locus of control was evaluated with the spiritual health locus of control survey, and responses were calculated to create an active (God empowers individuals to be proactive about their health) and passive (God has control over an individuals health) spiritual health locus of control and active or passive spirituality based on survey responses. Analysis method used was the non-parametric Wilcoxin test. Results: 145 AA women with a BMI [greater than] 25 participated (mean age=49.6, SD=11.65). The Wilcoxin test demonstrated a higher mean passive spirituality score higher in the lower education group as compared to the higher education group (u=3.05 low education, u=1.27 high education; p Conclusions: Passive health locus of control has been associated with poorer health behaviors. Individuals with lower educational attainment are at a higher risk for health issues and may lack access to healthcare. The additional belief that God control’s ones health, e.g., a passive spiritual health locus of control, may contribute to these health disparities.Item Self-Efficacy in Relation to Access to a Health Provider(2016-03-23) Gant, Kisa; Mandapati, Surendra; Dodgen, Leilani; Kitzman-Ulrich, Heather; Eke, IkeBackground: Obesity is one of the most predominant health concerns within the African American community, particularly among women. It is heavily associated with diseases such as type II diabetes and high blood pressure in addition to other weight related health complications. It is perceived that patients who have access to a healthcare provider have better self-efficacy concerning health behaviors and therefore more likely to have improved health outcomes. Methods: Cross-sectional data was used to review a survey administered at baseline to participants in the Better Me Within program. The relationship between provider access, dietary habits, and confidence (measured with the PANSE survey) were evaluated. Further, these relationships were evaluated in regards to indicators of chronic diseases such as body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose level, and cholesterol to determine whether there was a relationship between access to a provider and these health markers. Results: A total of 145 African American women with a BMI at or over 25 participated in the surveys. Data showed a positive relationship between provider access and lower glucose levels. There was no significant difference in the mean confidence (PANSE) scores between those who identified as having access to a health provider and those that did not. Data also showed no significant difference in the BMI of participants with and without access to a healthcare provider. Conclusions: In our sample, self-efficacy for health behaviors was not different for individuals with and without access to a healthcare provider. However, glucose levels were healthier when individuals had access to a health care provider. Future research should explore what psychosocial variables are related to provider access to determine strategies to motivate individuals to find a medical home, which is linked to more positive health outcomes.