Browsing by Subject "risk factors"
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Item Association of Leukemia and Other Selected Diseases with Occupational Exposure to Welding(2003-05-01) Mendoza, Hilda OraliaMENDOZA, HILDA ORALIA. ASSOCIATION OF LEUKEMIA AND OTHER SELECTED DISEASES WITH OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO WELDING. Master of Public Health (Epidemiology). May, 2003. Exposure to carcinogens is an established risk factor for cancer development. Welders are chronically exposed to cardinogens. In this study, the relationship between occupational exposure to welding and mortality from leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, melanoma, lung cancer, or myocardial infarcation was examined. Files from ORISEWDS, Comprehensive Epidemiologic Data Resource, U.S. Department of Energy were utilized to develop a working file including 416,686 records from employees of one or more Oak Ridge, nuclear plant facilities. Neither welding exposure length, radiation exposure, nor smoking were included in this study. Results show higher adjusted ratios (OR) for leukemia, lymphoma, and Hodgkin’s disease for employees occupationally exposed to welding as compared to employees on-occupationally exposed to welding. OR’s for lung cancer and myocardial infarction were also higher for welders than non-welders.Item Examining Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors and Its Relationship with Physical Activity in a Self-Reported Survey(2004-05-01) Fernandes, Alroy H.; Frederick Fridinger; Daisha Cipher; Claudia CogginFernandes, Alroy H., Examining Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors and its Relationship with Physical Activity in a Self-Reported Survey. Masters of Public Health (Community Health), May 2004, 49pp., 3 illustrations, references, 38 titles. This study uses ‘Healthstyles,’ a self reported survey of 3,719 respondents above the age of 18, to look at exercise behavior in people at risk for CHD. Married or higher earning individuals were more likely to show sufficient exercise levels. Individuals with high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, obesity or family history of heart disease reported lesser levels of sufficient exercise than those without these conditions. People with CHD risk factor reported lower scores on questions that dealt with attitude and opinions about exercise behavior, and this was significantly correlated with lower levels of sufficient exercise. This supports the ‘positive attributes of the behavior’ aspect of the social cognitive theory of exercise. The attitude questions used, although not specific, could be included in a self-reported survey for the purpose of qualitatively and quantitatively assessing exercise intervention; albeit more studies are required to validate this claim.Item Health Risk, Behavior and Attitudes of Urban African American Men Toward Prostate Cancer Screening(2006-05-01) Samuel, Prattus; Sue Lurie; Kristine Lykens; Sejong BaeSamuel, Prauttus K., Health Risk, Behavior and Attitudes of Urban African American Men Toward Prostate Screening. Master of Public Health (Community Health), May 20, 2006, 84 pp., 10 tables, 1 illustration, 72 references. In Texas, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among non-Hispanic whites and African American (AA) males. This thesis addresses the research questions: what psycho-social characteristics associated with men who participate in prostate screening? What psycho-social and clinical characteristics are associated with reported risk factors? Focus groups were conducted to identify attitudes, perceptions and health beliefs of African American men’s early detection behavior. Existing data from a prostate screening program in Dallas County, Texas was analyzed to determine associations of demographic variables, risk factors variables and screening participation for each subgroup with AA as the group of interest. Comparison of responses and data analysis provided the framework for a conceptual model.Item Line-of-Duty Injury or Illness Incidence in an Air National Guard Unit(2001-05-01) Lorich, Michael F.; Muriel Marshall; Sharon Clark; Antonio ReneLorich, Michael F., Line-of-Duty Injury or Illness Incidence in an Air National Guard Unit. Master of Public Health, DO/MPH track, May 2001, 31 p.p., 3 tables, 4 illustrations, reference list, addendum. Line-of-duty injuries or illnesses (LODs) suffered by members of Air National Guard units may demonstrate the status of unit safety, unit readiness and deployability, a potentially significant area of unit expenditures, and areas of needed health promotion. This descriptive pilot study was conducted at the unit commander’s request to determine an apparent doubling of the prevailing incidence of LODs over a recent quarterly period. Tracking of injuries and injured individuals was problematic. The vast majority of LODs were musculoskeletal in nature. Decreased fitness level (Identified as elevated body mass index (BMI)) among males and increased age were related to increased LODs. Recommendations were given to improve tracking, identify individuals at increased risk, provide pre-training assessment, and institute health promotion focused on musculoskeletal injuries.Item Maternal Depression as Predictor of Repeat Child Unintentional Injury(2004-12-01) Webster Krause, Lisa Ruth; Lurie, Sue; Gonzalez, AdelaWebster Krause, Lisa Ruth, Maternal Depression as Predictor of Repeat Child Unintentional Injury. Master of Public Health (Community Health), December 2004, 39 pp., 4 tables, references 28 titles. Current literature supports maternal depression as a predictor of child unintentional injury. There have been conflicting results concerning mediating and other risk factors. This study aims to reexamine the link between maternal depression and the occurrence of repeat child unintentional injury in the home. Using the NHIS 2002 data maternal depression was found to predict child repeat unintentional injury in this national sample. It was found that the most predictive model of repeat unintentional injury in this national sample. It was found that the most predictive model of repeat child unintentional injury consisted of maternal depression and low-income. Since maternal depression and low-income have been identified as underlying determinants of child unintentional injury, they should be a priority in prevention efforts so as to more effectively reduce the occurrence of repeat unintentional injury among children in the home.Item Overweightness and Obesity as Risk Factors for Acanthosis Nigricans(2001-12-01) Wadley, Wendy Whittaker; Urrutia-Rojas, Ximena; Bae, Sejong; Bayona, ManuelWadley, Wendy Whittaker, Overweightness and Obesity as Risk Factors for Acanthosis Nigricans. Master of Public Health (Community Health), December, 2001, 42 pp., 6 tables, references, 54 titles. This study was a secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional study of 1,066 fifth grade students, who were screened for risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) at Fort Worth Independent School District in Texas. Participants (ages 8 to 13) were 55.8% Hispanic, 23.6% African American, 16.1% Caucasian, and 4.5% other minorities. The study’s hypotheses were a) overweight or obese children (Body Mass Index [BMI] ≥85th percentile) were more likely to have acanthosis nigricans (AN) than non-overweight of non-obese children, b) obese children (BMI≥85th-94.9th percentile). Findings supported both hypotheses, overweight or obese children are 17 times (OR=17.24) more likely to have AN that non-overweight or non-obese children, and obese children were about four times (OR=3.88) more likely than overweight children to have AN.Item Prevalence of Hand, Finger, and Wrist Musculoskeletal Problems in Keyboard Instrumentalists: The University of North Text Musician Health Survey(2000-05-01) Pak, Chong H.; Sally Blakley; Antonio Rene; John LicciardonePak, Chong H., Prevalence of Hand, Finger, and Wrist Musculoskeletal Problems in Keyboard Instrumentalists: the University of North Texas Musician Health Survey. Master of Public Health, May, 2000, 52 pp., 7 tables, references, 69 titles. Data were derived from the University of North Texas Musician Health Survey, involving keyboard instrumentalists. 455 keyboard instrumentalists were selected and musician type, daily playing time, gender, and age were examined as possible risk factors for musculoskeletal problems of the hand, finger, and wrist. Age was found to be a significant risk factor when all levels of pain were considered. Gender was found to be a significant risk factor for all levels of pain as well as severe pain. Musician type and daily playing time did not show statistical differences.Item Prevalence of Obesity and Associated Factors for Diabetes in United States - 2005(2007-04-01) Tomer, Vikas; Sejong Bae; Karan Singh; Raghbir SandhuTomer, Vikas, Prevalence of obesity and associated factors for diabetes in United States –2005, Master of Public Health (Biostatistics), May 2007, 27 pp, 9 tables. Diabetes is one of the major public health problems in the United States. The purpose of this research is to explore whether there is a relationship between obesity and diabetes and to understand the effects of some other associated factors on diabetes in the United States in the year 2005. The data studied is from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2005. A univariate analysis for frequency distribution was used to evaluate and edit the data. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association of diabetes and the variables through crude and adjusted odd ratio. The result of the study showed significant association between diabetes and obesity and the associated factors among US adults. The prevalence of diabetes has been found to be highest among African Americans followed by Hispanics and Others. Our results indicate that being an obese non-Hispanic black with low income level over the age of 65 years is indicative of being at the highest risk for diabetes. Therefore, for preventive measures to decrease the risk of being overweight and obesity healthy eating habits and regular exercise are recommended. As, income level increases, there is a significant decrease in the diabetes population. The strongest predictor of all appears to be obesity followed by age. Age, gender, income level, race and BMI all had significant effect on diabetes.Item Risk Factors for Childhood Asthma in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on NHANES 1999-2000 Data(2005-05-01) Alvarez-Garriga, Carolina; Raghbir Sandhu; Daisha Cipher; Antonio ReneAlvarez-Garriga, Carolina, Risk Factors for Childhood Asthma in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on NHANES 1999-2000 Data. Doctor of Public Health (Epidemiology), May 2005, 114 pp., 18 tables, 4 figures, bibliography, 93 titles. The purpose of this study was to identify and assess risk factors for childhood asthma. A total of 158 asthmatics were compared to 1,104 non-asthmatics regarding selected factors by using the multiple logistic regression adjusted odds ratio as a measure of association. A 2.3 times higher prevalence (13.8 per 100) was found for the U.S. than that reported in the previous national surveys (NHANES III) during 1994 (5.9 per 100). Males and all race/ethnic minorities showed higher probability to have asthma. Income was inversely related to having asthma, and, among other results, renting a house, low birthweight, hay fever, chickenpox, learning disabilities, ear infections, trouble seeing even with glasses, and not covered by private insurance had higher chance of having asthma. Childhood asthma is still alarmingly increasing, and results from this study about high-risk groups and modifiable factors can be used for public health interventions.Item Risk for Stroke Among Migraine Sufferers(2001-05-01) Hall, Rebecca G.; Antonio Rene; Manuel BayonaHall, Rebecca G., Risk for Stroke Among Migraine Sufferers. Master of Public Health (Epidemiology), May, 2000, 27 pp., 9 tables, references, 33 titles. The objective of this study was to investigate, using the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), whether those who suffer from migraine or severe headache do. Odds ratios were calculated for stroke among migraine sufferers compared to those who do not suffer from migraine. Results were adjusted for age, gender, and race. Risk factors for stroke were also analyzed. The crude odds ratio for stroke among migraine sufferers compared to non-migraine sufferers is 2.17, increasing 3.77 with age-adjustment. These results suggest that vascular events that are associated with migraine may also be associated with an increased risk for stroke. Discovering the mechanism that generates this relationship has widespread implication to the population and may save taxpayers billions of dollars annually be leading to better treatments for and possible prevention of migraine.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.; Antonio Rene; John Licciardone; Gilbert RamirezHerron, 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 Dose Dependent Effect of Alcohol Consumption on Cardiovascular Disease and Its Risk Facotrs-A Systematic Review(2007-12-01) Bhamidimarri, Kalyan Ram; Karan SinghBhamidimarri, Kalyan R; The Dose Dependent Effect of Alcohol Consumption on Cardiovascular Disease and Its Risk Factors-A Systematic Review. Master of Public Health (Biostatistics), December 2007, 41 pp; 2 tables, 3 illustrations, bibliography, 60 titles. Effects of alcohol on cardiovascular health are varied and conflicting. Moderate alcohol drinking has been shown to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease by having a direct influence on vascular and haemostatic factors or indirectly by influencing atherosclerosis, cholesterol and insulin resistance. Studies about effects of alcohol on cardiovascular diseases and its risk factors published through 1995 to 2007 were searched in different databases and those meeting eligibility criteria were analyzed. Thirty one studies were reviewed and data analyzed to verify dose dependent effects of alcohol. Although several factors account for different effects of alcohol, moderate consumption of alcohol amounting to less than one drink or 14 grams per day is protective for cardiovascular disease possibly due to its impact on the risk factors. Randomized controlled studies which can be done in this regard might clearly suggest a dose dependent effect of alcohol on cardiovascular and overall survival.