Browsing by Subject "International Public Health"
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Item A Health Assessment of Refugee Children From Former Yugoslovia in Tarrant County(2001-12-01) Podgore, John K.; Marshall, Murial; Rene, Antonio; Sandhu, RaghbirThis study was conducted to provide an assessment of the health status and health care utilization of children from former Yugoslavia living in Tarrant County. Additionally an assessment of barriers and problems encountered by these families in obtaining health care for their children was presented. One hundred thirteen households of refugee families arriving in Tarrant County from 1998 through 2000 participated by answering a 79 item health information questionnaire. The results revealed that most of the refugee families had no regular health care provider to assure continuity of medical care. Lack of access to dental care and inappropriate utilization of hospital emergency facilities were also identified as problems. Insufficient understanding of health insurance issues and inability to access health information were additional problems. Addressing these problems by local and state health care agencies may help to improve health care delivery for these and future refugee children.Item A Mixed Methods Approach to the Definition of Family Health Promotion Practices for Mexican Sonoran Mothers(2006-12-01) Montiel-Carbajal, Maria Martha; Lurie, SueMontiel-Carbajal, Maria M., A Mixed Methods Approach to the Definition of Family Health Promotion Practices for Mexican Sonoran Mothers. Doctor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences), December 2006, 143 pp., 14 tables, 1 illustration, bibliography, 55 titles. The purpose of this research was to study the family health promotion practices of a sample of Mexican mothers living in the state of Sonora Mexico through a concurrent mixed method approach that included (1) a qualitative component with face to face and in-depth interviews, investigator observations, and analysis of content; (2) a quantitative component consisting of statistical analysis of data from selected selections of the National Survey for the Evaluation of Health Services 2002-2003. For the qualitative component 15 mothers, with mean age of 40 years, mean years of education of 10 years, living with their families were selected to form a purposive sample, and assigned to one of three groups: married working mothers, non-married working mothers, or married non-working mothers. The qualitative component was naturalistic and descriptive using semi-structured interviews with the mothers, and individual questionnaires to collect demographic and housing information. The quantitative component used the survey responses provided by the database of the National Survey for the Evaluation of Health Services 2002-2003, from 404 female adults age 18 and older, living in the urban zone of Sonora. The qualitative component showed that mothers conceptualize the health status of the family as a priority. The specific practices they use depend on the set of external resources and internal strengths of the family in order to overcome the physical, environmental, relational, or economic barriers they found to the promotion of health practices. The participants also reported being unsatisfied with the access and quality of the social health care system. The data from the quantitative component showed that Mexican Sonoran women living in the urban area reported having good health and felt satisfied with their health status; their satisfaction with the social health care system was fair. The group of non-married working mothers was detected to be more at risk for cardiovascular diseases due to a greater proportion of smokers and drinking paired with low amount of exercise. The results provided valuable information to formulate health promotion programs and future policies to be implemented with the target population.Item A Review of the Literature on Faith-Based Organization's HIV/AIDs Care and Prevention Efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa(2005-05-01) Rojas, Zeida G.; Lurie, Sue; Urrutia-Rojas, XimenaRojas, Zeida G., A Review of the Literature on Faith-Based Organization’s HIV/AIDS Care and Prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa. Master of Public Health (Community Health), May 2005, 83 pp., 20 diagrams, bibliography, 10 titles. The thesis assesses the role of faith-based organizations (FBOs) involved in HIV/AIDS related care and prevention activities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Do FBOs have the ability to address the multi-faceted syndrome that HIV/AIDS brings to an individual, their family and community? Can FBOs be effective partners to carry out prevention and care initiatives? Faith-based organizations are generally overlooked as potential partners and leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS. FBOs are often the only genuine nongovernmental organizations in many rural parts of poor countries, or at a minimum, they are the strongest and most influential. Due to their organizational networks, FBOs are able to mobilize people and resources, and to reach rural or isolated areas. Evidence of current FBO efforts demonstrates that FBOs have the ability to address the multifaceted effects of HIV/AIDS and can become indispensable partners for government health agencies and NGOs.Item Epidemiology of Cholera in Malawi, 2002-2003(2004-08-01) Nkhoma, Ella; Bae, Sejong; Rene, Antonio; Sandhu, RaghbirNkhoma, Ella, Epidemiology of Cholera in Malawi, 2002-2003. Master of Public Health (Epidemiology), August 2004, 33pp., 4 tables, 3 figures, bibliography, 24 titles. The objective of the present study was to characterize epidemic cholera in Malawi from 2002-2003. National and district-level surveillance records were used for the analyses in this study. The study employed Poisson regression, log-linear analysis, epidemic curve analysis, curve-fitting procedures and epidemic model simulations. District-level determinants of cholera mortality included various sociodemographic indicators. Significant two-way interactions were observed for age and district, with the oldest age group (65+) experiencing the highest risk of symptomatic cholera and residents of Nkhatabay districts also experiencing the most increased risk. Temporal analysis revealed the existence of secondary outbreaks and demonstrated the contribution of preexisting immunity to epidemic dynamics.Item Fecal Coliforms in the Rio Grande: A Risk to Human Health(2004-12-01) Tompkins, Erin L.; Vaughan, Thomas; Coggin, Claudia S.Tompkins, Erin L., Fecal Coliforms in the Rio Grande: A Risk to Human Health. Master of Public Health (Environmental Health), December 2004, 45 pages, bibliography, 33 titles. The Rio Grande around Laredo, Texas/Nuevo Laredo, Mexico was designated for primary contact reaction by the EPA. However, monthly sampling over a ten-year period in this section of the river may show otherwise. Fecal contamination of the Rio Grande in this area may be a source of illness to the population. Four sites in Laredo area were tested for fecal coliform density and rate of flow. Rainfall data from the USGS was used for comparisons. The rate of flow of the Rio Grande had an impact on fecal coliform density at one site measured. Rainfall in Laredo had an impact on fecal coliform density at two measured sites, and was a significant predictor of density at these sites as well. A review of the designation for this river segment is recommended. More research is needed to determine the exposed population, and effects of high coliform densities on downstream communities.Item Humanitarian and Technical Assistance to the Palestinian Health Sector: Donors' Policy and Behavior Analysis(2004-12-01) Hamarna, Rami A.Hamarna, Rami A., Humanitarian and Technical Assistance to the Palestinian Health Sector: Donors’ Policy and Behavior Analysis. Master of Public Health (Health Management and Policy), December 2004, 170pp, 19 Tables, 41 Illustrations, bibliography, 104 titles. International assistance to the Palestinian health sector is reviewed in this thesis. Assistance to the health sector has been the major force towards developing a sound health infrastructure in the Palestinian territories. I argue that Palestinians are much like other recipients of aid for the health sector. This thesis explores the high aid dependence of Palestinians and the great influence of donors. I highlight that donors used aid conditionality, in its different forms, to intrusively interfere in Palestinian national planning and reform. Palestinians are no exception and they, like other countries, have been subject to relatively similar kinds of conditionalities. However, they were exceptional in the timing, in the great need for aid, and in the political context, which has impacted the effectiveness of the aid.Item Is an Enviormental Health Educational Intervention Sufficient to Change Behavior?: Perceptions from an Indigenous Lake Community in Guatemala(2006-12-01) Pezzia, Carla; Gratton, Terrance; Lurie, Sue; Trieff, NormanPezzia, Carla. Is an environmental health educational intervention sufficient to change behavior?: Perceptions from an indigenous lake community in Guatemala. Master of Public Health (Environmental Health), December 2006, 46 pp., 6 tables, 1 illustration, references, 18 titles. Traditional environmental health practices focus on education and exposure prevention, but the division between the biophysico-chemical and social environment keeps them from always being sufficient; human ecology seeks to bridge this division. The second leading cause of mortality in Guatemala is gastrointestinal infections, and San Pedro, Guatemala, provides an opportunity to study these infections utilizing a human ecological approach. Morbidity data were collected from the local health center, observations noted systematically, and both residents and tourists were interviewed regarding their perceptions of the community’s environmental health. Results found that residents who had no contact with tourists stated that, for gastrointestinal infections due to refuse in the streets, education alone would not be sufficient to reduce this problem; most felt some type of government intervention would be necessary. It is recommended that public health specialists enjoy a human ecological approach and refer to the community when designing an appropriate intervention.Item Literature Review of Effective Health Promotion and Education Strategies Used to Promote Health in the Refugee Community(2008-03-25) Kimunai, EuniceAn estimated 33 million people have been displaced by complex humanitarian emergencies. The most pressing issues of refugees include HIV/AIDS awareness, sexually transmitted diseases, gender issues, human rights, conflict resolution, and repatriation. Primary tasks of humanitarian agencies include health maintenance, nutritional support, community development, and training of health workers. Tools used to promote health and education in the refugee camps include film screening/videotape, pamphlet, posters, self-instructional manual, and group sessions. These strategies address most of the critical health and social issues when a dynamic and community-based approach are used and takes into consideration the cultural norms of the community. These strategies are used to promote health, alleviate psychological trauma, and promote interventions and community responses that allow members of the refugee community to improve health.Item Meta-analysis: Effects of Opuntia Species(2000-05-01) Garcia, Anna R.; Licciardone, John C.; Ramirez, Gilbert; Fong, Nelson C.Garcia, Anna R., Meta-analysis: Effects of Opuntia species. Master of Public Health (Epidemiology), May, 2000, 73 pp., 10 tables, 10 figures, references, 62 titles. The Mexican American population is more susceptible to diabetes mellitus due to a number of risk factors. The earliest recorded treatments for diabetes mellitus involved the use of natural plants. Opuntia species are any member of the genus Opuntia of Cactus family and who are native to the Western Hemisphere. In order to determine the efficacy of Opuntia species as a hypoglycemic agent in non-insulin dependent diabetics, a meta-analysis was conducted to analyze the identified studies. In addition, insulin and the presence of a dose-response relationship upon ingestion of Opuntia were investigated. A statistically significant reduction in serum glucose was found after the ingestion of 500 grams of Opuntia species. Additional studies are needed to determine the mechanism of hypoglycemic action and to further investigate the properties of Opuntia species.Item Stress and Social Support as Risk Factors for the Occurrence of Neural Tube Defect-Affected Pregnancies in Women Living Along the Texas-Mexico Border(1999-06-01) Herron, Kathryn M.; Rene, Antonio; Licciardone, John C.; Ramirez, GilbertHerron, Kathryn M., Stress and Social Support as Risk Factors for the Occurrence of Neural Tube Defect-Affected Pregnancies in Women Living Along the Texas-Mexico Border. Master of Public Health, June, 1999, 59 pp., 8 tables, 1 figure, references, 78 titles. Data were derived from the case-control study of the Texas Department of Health’s Neural Tube Defect Project, involving women living along the Texas-Mexico border, June 1995 to October 1998. Social support and stress information was obtained from a questionnaire, and a residual stress scale was created to determine an aggregate measure for each subject. Interviews were conducted with 261 women, with 1.2 controls to each case. Having high residual stress was found to be a significant risk factor for NTDs. Other significant risk factors included periconceptional injury, residential mobility, having no relatives to talk about private matters, and discontent with relationships.Item The Public Health Impact of Type 2 Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus in Asian Indians, Chinese and Japanese(2001-08-01) Nadkarni, Neetee; Urrutia-Rojas, Ximena; Rene, Antonio; Lurie, SueNadkarni, Neetee A. The Public Health Impact of Type 2 Non-Insulin Diabetes Mellitus in Asian Indians, Chinese and Japanese. Master in Public Health (Community Health), August 2001, 22 pp, 4 tables, bibliography. The prevalence of type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is increasing in Asians, especially among Asian, Indian, Chinese and Japanese populations. This increase will have a severe impact on the health and well being of these populations. In 1997, a health survey from the World Health Organization (WHO) found numbers of adults with NIDDM in Asian Indians, Chinese and Japanese populations to be first, second and fifth, respectively. According to the National Commisision on Diabetes, “it is not known how the course, the complications and mortality from diabetes among subgroups of the United States population compare with the same factors for persons with diabetes of the same ethnic origin in the homelands”. This review article focuses on the number and prevalence of NIDDM and risk factors contributing to the disease among these Asian sub-populations. This goal of this paper is to provide information to health and medical researchers, practitioners and community planners for use in public health interventions in the United States, India, China and Japan. The results of this paper direct attention to the migrant Asian Indian, Chinese and Japanese populations because the prevalence of NIDDM is increasingly rapid in these groups.