Browsing by Subject "Gender and Sexuality"
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Item A Path Analysis of Body Mass Index, Body Image, and Unhealthy Dietary Behavior as Contributors to Suicidal Behavior in Female Adolescents(2004-05-01) Rorie, Michele Taylor; Balcazar, Hector; Lurie, Sue; ReneRorie, Michele Taylor, A Path Analysis of Body Mass Index, Body Image and Unhealthy Dietary Behavior as Contributors to Suicidal Behavior in Female Adolescents. Doctor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences), May 2004, 120 pp., 17 tables, 6 illustrations, references, 106 titles. Objectives- This study examined the pattern and magnitude of relationships between body mass index, body image, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and suicidal behavior among a sample of White, African American, and Hispanic adolescent females. Methods-This study employed secondary analysis of the 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Survey public-use dataset to provide quantitative estimates of the causal connections between body mass index, body image, dietary behaviors, and suicidal behavior. A sample (n=5,218) of White, African American, and Hispanic adolescent females aged 14-17 were selected for analysis. This cross-sectional study involved public high school students in grades 9-12. The variables/constructs BMI, Body Image, and Dietary Behavior were examined using a path analysis to determine the magnitude of effects on Suicidal Behavior in adolescent females. Results- The path coefficients were obtained for the path model using multiple regression equations, which took direct and indirect effects into account. The Female Adolescent Model (n= 5,218) yielded an R2 = .27. This meant that 27% of the variance in Suicidal Behavior was explained by BMI, Body Image, and Dietary Behavior. When race/ethnicity was analyzed separately, different values were observed. The White Adolescent Female Model (n=2,768) had an R2=.32. The Black or African American Model (n=1,206) had an R2=.23, and the Hispanic or Latino Model (n=1,224) had an R2=.27. Conclusion- The basic state of what is an actual fact about a person (i.e. weight) does not cause an increase of harmful or destructive behavior. The person’s beliefs drive intention as it was demonstrated through the immergence of significant indirect pathways from BMI through Body Image and Dietary Behavior to Suicidal Behavior. The path analyses for the three racial groups suggest that there are varying degrees of influence among BMI, Body Image, Dietary Behaviors, and Suicidal Behaviors.Item Application of the Theory of Reasoned Action to Female Adolescent Sexual Behavior(2000-05-01) Gilbert-Cronen, Vanessa S.; Rene, Antonio; Goldfarb, Ronald H.; Urrutia-Rojas, XimenaGilbert-Cronen, Vanessa S., Application of the Theory of Reasoned Action to Female Adolescent Sexual Behavior. Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Sciences), May, 2000, 143pp., 25 tables, 8 illustrations, references, 170 titles. Objectives. This study evaluated the Theory of Reasoned Actions for its effectiveness in the prediction of the sexual intercourse intentions of a group of female high school adolescents. An expanded model which included a self-esteem measure was also assessed for its contribution to the model. Additionally, six-month follow up data was used to determine whether sexual intercourse intention predicted reported sexual behavior at follow-up. Methods. Data from the National Urban Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program (NUAPPP), a longitudinal study conducted in 1997 and 1998 was used for this study. Tenth grade adolescent high school females (n=235) from two sites in Texas were selected to conduct a partial test of the Theory of Reasoned Action. The TRA model constructs attitudes and subjective norm were operationalized so that beliefs about sexual intercourse, attitudes towards pregnancy, perceived sexual beliefs about friends and parental communication beliefs were evaluated for their individual and combined effectiveness in the prediction of sexual intercourse intention. Results. Logistic analysis of individual model components showed significant associations between sexual beliefs (OR=5.75; 95% CI = 2.75, 11.98), pregnancy attitudes (OR=3.14; 95% CI=1.53, 6.44) perceived friend’s beliefs (OR=3.97; 95% CI = 1.57, 10.04) and sexual intercourse intention. When combined as a model, only sexual beliefs remained a significant predictor of intention (OR=4.02; 95% CI=1.79, 9.04). Evaluation of external variables showed past behavior to be a significant predictor of sexual intercourse intention (OR=32.59; 95% CI=12.56, 84.53). Conclusions. This study found the Theory of Reasoned Action to be inadequate in the prediction of adolescent female sexual intercourse intentions. The facts that individual constructs were significant predictors indicates a need for further research to understand the relationships between attitudes, beliefs, intention and behavior.Item Barriers to Women's Cardiovascular Risk Knowledge: A Tarrant County Study(2004-05-01) Liewer, Linda J.; Kristine LykensLiewer, Linda J., Barriers to Women’s Cardiovascular Risk Knowledge: A Tarrant County Study. Master of Public Health (Health Management and Policy), May 2004, 71 pp., 19 tables, 6 illustrations, 36 references, 17 titles. Women’s death rate from cardiovascular disease is greater than the death rate from all cancers. Awareness and knowledge of a disease are key to dealing with it, yet many women are still unaware of their CVD risk. The purpose of this study is to identify the barriers to knowledge about cardiovascular disease risk in women in Tarrant County. Interviews with administrative personnel in 10 community organizations confirmed the lack of awareness of CVD. Barriers included: women in caregiver roles advocate effectively for their family members, but less effectively for themselves; physician communication with women regarding CVD is often suboptimal; women fear breast cancer far more than CVD; a program deficiency exists in Tarrant County; lack of a visible woman champion and heart disease is still seen as a man’s disease.Item Descriptive Study of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Tarrant County, Texas from 1998 to 2000(2001-12-01) McGrath, Christine J.; Rene, Antonio; Jones, Bobby; Sandhu, RaghbirMcGrath, Christine J., Descriptive Study of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Tarrant County, Texas from 1998 to 2000. Master of Public Health, Epidemiology track, December 2001, 21 p.p., 3 tables, 1 illustration, references, 14 titles. Incidence rates of STDs in Tarrant County, Texas from 1998 to 2000 were assessed and compared with the rates in Texas and the United States, focusing on similarities and differences in gender, age and race/ethnicity. Data were obtained from the Tarrant County Public Health Department, the Texas Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rates for gonorrhea and syphilis in Tarrant County were significantly higher than rates in Texas and the United States. The largest disparity was found among Blacks, followed by Hispanics and then Whites, with those ages 15 to 24 years at the greatest risk. To increase awareness and reduce the burden of STDs, prevention programs need to be developed.Item Differences in the Rates of Cardiovasular Surgical Procedures in Men and Women with Coronary Heart Disease in the State of Texas(2003-02-01) Moreland, Matthew C.; Muriel Marshall; Doug A. MainsMoreland, Mathew, Differences in the rates of cardiovascular surgical procedures between men and women with coronary heart disease in the state of Texas. University of North Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health, February 2003, 19pp., 3 tables, references, 23 titles. Data for the Texas Health Care Information Council was analyzed to identify the difference in the rates of invasive cardiovascular procedures performed on men and women among 411 Texas hospitals with the diagnosis of coronary heart disease in 1999. In all, 150,361 cases were compared for differences between gender, race, age and type of invasive cardiovascular procedure using chi-square test. Frequencies were tabulated for age, race and gender. Invasive cardiac procedures were differentiated by type: coronary angiography and coronary revascularization. Between the ages of 45 and 79 women were more likely to have angiography performed than men in the same age group. However, young (30-44) and elderly (80+) men were more likely to receive angiographic procedures when presenting with the same symptoms as women. Also, men of all ages and races were more likely to receive revascularization procedures (PTCA, CABG) than women when presenting with coronary heart disease symptomology. Additionally, men between the ages of 35 and 49 received twice the number of revascularization procedures than women. These findings identified patterns of treatment with defined differences between gender which may be attributed to external factors versus a true gender bias.Item Gender Differences: Making the Decision to Seek Treatment for Symptoms of Acute Myocardial Infarction(2000-05-01) Borski, Catherine A.; Shelia Reed; Joseph Doster; Claudia CogginBorski, Catherine A., Gender Differences: Making the decision to seek treatment for symptoms of acute myocardial infarction. Masters of Public Health (Health Behavior), May, 2000, 57 pp., reference list, 37 titles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the problem: Do differences in interpretation and response to symptoms of AMI account for additional delay in seeking treatment in women compared with men? The sample consisted of 50 (21 women, 29 men) post-myocardial infarction patients in a large, non-profit, teaching hospital in central Texas. Participants were interviewed within 72 hours of admission using the Revised Response to Symptoms questionnaire. In this study, it was found that there was a statistically significant difference between the cognitive and emotional processes that men and women use when making the decision to seek treatment for symptoms of AMI.Item Geographic Information System: A Targeted Approach to Syphilis Elimination(2000-08-01) Morrison-Jones, June; Urrutia-Rojas, Ximena; Lurie, Sue; Oppong, JosephMorrison-Jones, June, Geographic Information System: A Targeted Approach to Syphilis Elimination. Master of Public Health, August 2000, 55 pp., 3 tables, 3 appendices, reference list, 25 titles. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that has long caused a heavy public health and economic burden in the United States. With syphilis rates reaching their lowest recorded levels in the United States, Health officials are calling for an increased effort to eliminate the disease. In the United States, syphilis is also now extremely concentrated geographically, facilitating effective intervention. Most syphilis cases disproportionately affect a small portion of the population. African Americans who live below the poverty level, have limited access to health care, and have a number of social problems are also affected. This study examines the geographic distribution of syphilis and factors associated with syphilis transmission in Dallas County. The study used the techniques of geographic information system, principles of epidemiology, sociocultural linkages (race, ethnicity, and gender) between demographic factors and syphilis, to gain insights into the geographic distribution of syphilis among the affected groups, and intervention strategies for syphilis elimination were developed. These suggestions should assist the Dallas County Health Department in launching an effective syphilis elimination program. Results showed that zip codes with high incidence of cases were generally adjacent to each other. In addition, statistically significant results confirmed that poverty, minority-race ethnicity and geographic core areas are factors associated with the transmission of syphilis.Item HIV Related Risk Behaviors: A Comparitive Study of Urban, Suburban, and Rural U.S. Adolescents(2006-08-01) Patil, Godavari D.; Karan Singh; Sejong Bae; Francise Soto MasGodavari D. Patil, HIV Related Risk Behaviors: A Comparative Study of Urban, Suburban, and Rural U.S. Adolescents. Masters of Public Health (Biostatistics), August 2006, 120 pp., 29 tables, References, 209 titles. This explorative study YRBS 2003 data provides the prevalence of HIV-related risky sexual behaviors and predictors of such behaviors across gender, race/ethnicity, and metro status (N=15, 214) during 2003. Overall, more urban male adolescents engaged in health-compromising behaviors. A significant association was found between gender, race/ethnicity, and metro status and sexual behaviors and associated risk behaviors such as alcohol, drug use, and mental health indicators. These associated risk behaviors were not only associated among themselves and with sexual behaviors variables but also turned out to be responsible predictor variables for HIV related sexual risk behaviors. Minority groups especially black adolescents were at higher risk of contracting HIV infection as having multiple sexual partners was highest (8 fold) among black adolescents compared to mixed & other race, and Hispanic adolescents. Suburban adolescents were nearly two times more likely that rural and urban adolescents to having multiple partners. Results indicated that younger the age more the involvement in sexual and other risky behaviors.Item Osteopathic Physicians in Primary Care, Texas 2003(2003-12-01) Miller, Thaddeus L.; Roderick Hooker; Doug A. MainsMiller, Thaddeus L., Osteopathic Physicians in Primary Care, Texas, 2003. Master of Public Health (Health Management and Policy), December 2003, 62 pp., 11 tables, 4 illustrations, bibliography, 51 titles. Physician demographics were examined to determine if female osteopaths differ in choice of practice specialty and location in Texas. Taken relative to gender and medical degree type female osteopaths have the highest rate of primary care practice, with over 70% engaged in family or general practice, internal medicine, or pediatrics. Female osteopaths have an odds ratio 4 times greater than other physicians to practice primary care. Female osteopaths are also 2.5 times likelier than female allopaths to practice rural primary care. Male osteopaths are 2.3 times likelier than other physicians to practice rural primary care. Primary care osteopaths are 1.4 times likelier to practice rural primary care than allopaths. Policy intended to produce primary or rural primary care physicians should encourage medical school candidates to consider osteopathy.Item Potential Predictors of Hypertension Among Children in Fort Worth, Texas: A Cross-Sectional Epidemiologic Study(2002-05-01) Egbuchunam, Christie U.; Bayona, Manuel; Urrutia-Rojas, Ximena; Wilkinson, GreggEgbuchunam, Christie U., Potential Predictors of Hypertension Among Children in Fort Worth, Texas; A Cross-Sectional Epidemiologic Study. Master of Public Health (Epidemiology), May, 2002, 110 pp., 15 tables, 2 illustrations, bibliography, 84 titles. Most studies have identified obesity, gender and age as major factors that influence blood pressure increase in children. The objective of this study was to assess factors that may either directly influence hypertension in children, or interact with obesity, age and gender. A cross-sectional study was carried out to identify and assess the crude and multiple logistic regression adjusted associations between selected variables and hypertension. Obesity and Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) were importantly associated with hypertension. Reduced playing time, and excessive television watching or playing of video games were also associated with hypertension; especially among those who were obese or had AN. Hispanic and African American children had higher likelihood of hypertension than Caucasian children.Item Unmet Health Care Needs Stratified by Socioeconomic Status: Results of the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs(2006-12-01) Fulda, Kimberly G.; Kristine Lykens; Karan Singh; Sejong BaeFulda, Kimberly G., Unmet Health Care Needs Stratified by Socioeconomic Status: Results of the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs. Doctor of Public Health (Clinical Research), December 2006, 200 pp., 15 tables, 4 figures, references, 73 titles. The purpose of this research study was to identify factors that affect unmet health care needs for children with special health care needs (CSHCN) and to identify how these factors vary by socioeconomic status. Data were obtained from an already existing publicly available database from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs, 2000-2002, available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Approximately 750 CSHCN from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia were included. Survey data represented parent responses on health care and health care needs for CSHCN. Responses for 38,866 CSHCN up to 17 years of age were included in the analysis. Four hypotheses were tested: having received all needed routine, preventive care; having received all needed care from a specialist; having received all needed mental health care or counseling; and having received comprehensive, coordinated care in a medical home. Within each of the four hypotheses, four models were presented for socioeconomic status (SES): [less than] 133% of the federal poverty level (FPL); 133-199% of the FPL, 200-299$ of the FPL, and ≥ 300% of the FPL. Age, severity of the CSHCN’s condition, sex, race, ethnicity, maternal education, insurance status / type, geographical region of the household, relationship of the respondent to the CSHCN, the total number of adults in the household, and the total number of kids in the household were all significant predictors of having received all needed care in at least one SES stratum for the four hypotheses. Analyses revealed there are disparities among SES strata for unmet health care needs for CSHCN.