M.Sc., Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011 / Health care funders are seeking managed health care interventions to contain medical inflation. The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between three health risk factors (smoking status, physical activity and body mass index (BMI)) and inpatient costs among health risk assessment (HRA) respondents at a South African health insurer. The results could inform the design of wellness programmes by ensuring that appropriate health risk factors are being targeted to reduce inpatient costs. This study utilises a two-part regression model to explore the relationships between the health risk factors and inpatient costs. The combined results of the two-part regression model indicate that increasing levels of physical activity and decreasing levels of BMI are associated with lower likelihoods of hospitalisation and lower magnitudes of inpatient costs for those that had a non-zero claim. The results of this study indicate no association between smoking cessation and lower inpatient costs.

Vibrio bacteria are emerging pathogens responsible for 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths in the United States each year. Infections are directly linked to the marine environment and are acquired by consuming contaminated seafood or exposing wounds during aquatic activities. Florida has the highest national incidence of vibriosis, with 20% of its cases reported from the Indian River Lagoon region, a popular recreation destination. This study utilized a combination of cultivation and molecular techniques to investigate the local distribution of V. vulnificus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae in this local waterway. The targeted species were found in an array of samples which may facilitate their transmission to humans. Overall, these bacteria were abundant in estuarine sediments (Vp: 2,439 CFU/g, Vv: 303 CFU/g, Vc: 176 CFU/g), on the sharp edges of oyster shells (Vp: 82 CFU/cm, Vv: 102 CFU/cm, Vc: 41 CFU/cm), and in the water column (Vp: 3.78 CFU/ml, Vv: 5.51 CFU/ml, Vc: 2.46 CFU/ml). Vibrio also pose a hazard to recreational anglers as they were recovered from fish (Vp: 61%, Vv: 55%, Vc: 30%), live bait shrimp (Vp: 80%, Vv: 37%, Vc: 0%) and hooks (Vp: 32%, Vv: 18%, Vc: 0%). Additionally, a molecular analysis of the V. vulnificus virulence revealed that the local population was dominated by disease-causing (vcgC) strains, which may explain why wound-related infections are common in this region. Vibrio occurrence varied both spatially and temporally due to their relationship with salinity and temperature. These bacteria exhibited a strong negative correlation with salinity, being particularly abundant near freshwater discharge locations. Due to Florida’s year-round warm climate, these species were found to be permanent members of the local microbial community. Seasonal peaks in abundance occurred between August and October, a period which corresponds with the warmest water temperatures as well as frequent rainfall. Predictive models were constructed based on these parameters to provide a better understanding of how, when and where Vibrio spp. may be encountered by humans. This information is important for both water management and healthcare initiatives, with an overall goal of improving local recreational safety. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This dissertation examines risk factors and outcomes associated with bloodstream infection (BSI). In Chapter One, the problems of BSI are introduced and their significance described. In Chapter Two, the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing the prevalence of one of the most rapidly emerging causes of BSI among nursing home residents, multidrug resistant-gram negative bacteria are described. In Chapter Three, a retrospective cohort study identifying the prevalence and risk factors for BSI present on hospital admission (POA) is reported, including an assessment of antimicrobial resistance in isolates causing BSI-POA by admission source (i.e. private homes, other hospitals and skilled nursing facilities). In Chapter Four, a retrospective cohort study explaining risks for hospital-associated infections (HAIs) among the BSI-POA cohort is described. Length of stay and mortality among patients with a BSI-POA who develop HAI and those who do not are reported. Finally, in Chapter Five, findings of the previous chapters are synthesized and the conclusion is provided including strengths, limitations and implications for policy and practice.

Graduation date: 1998

Although research evidence clearly indicates support surface properties are a major factor contributing to fall risk among the elderly, investigations examining the influence of variations in surface conditions on the postural control of older adults during task performance have been limited. Thus, the primary purpose of the present studies was to determine whether the coordination and control of body kinematics exhibited by older adults during upright leaning (i.e., leaning forward through the region of stability) and gait would be different across variations in support surface properties. Secondary objectives of these studies included, examining if coordination and control measures of body kinematics differed as a function of the participants' level of postural stability and/or repeated exposure to the support surface properties. Three support surface conditions were selected for inclusion based on resistance properties to applied forces (i.e., normal and shear): rigid, high friction; compliant; and rigid, low friction. For both tasks performed, body kinematics for trials 1-3 (T1) and 10-12 (T2) from 12 completed trials on each support surface were analyzed using three-dimensional (3-D) video analyses. Results of separate univariate repeated measures analyses of variance yielded significant surface condition main effects for lower extremity coordination patterns and postural control strategies in the gait and leaning task, respectively. Additionally, a significant surface condition main effect and an interaction effect of surface condition by trial block were identified for the measure of head stability in the gait and leaning tasks, respectively. Differences in head stability and the control of lower extremity joint motions as a function of level of postural stability (i.e., group differences) were observed only during the walking task. Present findings indicate that during goal-directed behavior, the coordinated movements of the body and its segments emerge from constraints imposed by the interaction of the support surface, the task and the individual. The observed adaptations in the coordination and control of posture in response to support surface constraints evidenced in the present studies provide support for the theory of perception and the control of bodily orientation (Riccio & Stoffregen, 1988). / Graduation date: 1998

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2004. / Advisor: Dr. Andrew Dzurik, Florida State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Title and description from dissertation home page (June 18, 2004). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Brown University, 2008. / Vita. Advisor : Roderic Beresford. Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

Though an industrialized nation characterized by increasing secularization and liberalization, the Republic of Ireland has a long history of religious and morally-driven politics. Much of Ireland's economic success of the last ten years has been noted as a significant motivator for social change. However, a shift in the Irish moral sphere has been underway for at least thirty years. Despite a flourishing self confidence in National identity, already marginalized women---including drug-users, asylum-seekers from sub-Saharan Africa, and those in economically deprived communities of Greater Dublin---have felt increased social polarization. The cultural and epidemiological boundaries created between the 'healthy' Irish self and the 'dangerous' others have contributed to a unique climate regarding HIV/AIDS and cultural constructions of 'risk'. This anthropological analysis utilizes both political-economic and social constructionist frameworks so that both structural and discursive contributions to the spread of HIV/AIDS are examined. Particularly important are the ways competing discourses shape both practices and conceptions of HIV and the 'other'.

The purpose of this correlational study was to investigate the relationship of-hardiness, a personality characteristic composed of the elements control, challenge, and commitment, to health behavior practices among a midwestern university faculty and staff. The hypothesis of the study was there is a negative correlation between scores on the Health Related Hardiness Scale (HRHS) and the HealthPromoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) among university faculty and staff. Prior to conducting the study, approval of the university internal review board was obtained. Using a random numbers table and the university faculty and staff phone directory, a random sample of 100 participants was obtained. The participants were sent the Health Related Hardiness Scale (HRHS) to measure hardiness, the HealthPromoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) to measure health behaviors, a demographic questionnaire, and an addressed return envelope. Confidentiality of the participants was assured. Returned questionnaires implied consent to participate. The completed forms were returned to the researcher by campus mail in the envelope provided. Seventy-three questionnaires were returned; 50 could be used for analysis. The Pearson's r was used to analyze the data and tested at the 0.05 level of significance. Results revealed r = - 0.5473 with.R<0.001. The hypothesis of the study was supported. Post hoc analysis using the Pearson's r revealed negative correlations with varying degrees of significance between the three subscales of the HRHS and the six subscales of the HPLP. The information obtained from the study is valuable to nursing in planning educational and supportive strategies for a variety of clients in various settings. / School of Nursing