It has become apparent in recent years that many centrally active agents possess potential anti-inflammatory capabilities. The central or peripheral mechanisms of action for these agents have not been delineated nor has their clinical efficacy baan established or refuted. The centrally active drugs, cryogenine and tetrabenazine (a benzoquinolizine derivative), previously have been shown in this laboratory to inhibit certain models of induced inflammation. The present study in rats verifies the anti-inflammatory properties of cryogenic and established that a structurally related series of benzoquinolizine derivatives possessed the capability of inhibiting both exudative (carrageenan-induced pedal edema) and proliferative (cotton pellet granuloma) models of inflammation when administered orally.

Previous research has shown that 45% of malpractice claims are due to insufficient and late follow-up of test results and limited communication methods provided to patients. This study explored the preferred communication methods between a patient and a healthcare provider. The technology acceptance model served as the conceptual framework. A quantitative research design was used to examine patients’ perceived usefulness, attitude, perceived ease of use, and adaptability regarding mobile technology. The primary means of data collection was the use of a survey questionnaire. Participants included a random sample of 118 women seen in a local health department in the women’s clinic and sexually transmitted disease clinic. The research questions focused on exploring test result notification using an electronic mobile device. A chi-squared test was used to answer each research question. The results of the chi-squared analysis revealed no significant association between the use of text messaging and communication with a health provider. There was a significant difference in the mean score in the preferred method of communication of an abnormal test result and a normal test, and that there is not a significant association between the use of a mobile device (IV) and response rate (DV) to test result notification with a health provider. The results from this study offer public health departments a better understanding of patients' preferred test notification method, which untimely creates a positive social change by reducing untreated sexually transmitted diseases.

No description available.

Introduction and Background Individuals in rural areas do not have the same access to health care as individuals who live in urban areas. Individuals who live in rural areas tend to not get the care that they need due to income and location. Purpose Statement Healthcare differs for those who live in rural versus urban populations. How can the intervention of telehealth help to decrease the health disparities for individuals who live in rural communities? Literature Review We searched the phrases “rural and urban” and “health disparities” in google scholar and restricted the search to articles that were published from 2018 to now and we narrowed it down to 3 articles. For the two articles that included our intervention of telehealth we did a Google Scholar advanced search and used the keywords “telehealth” and “health disparities” and filtered the search to where the most recent would be shown and we narrowed it down to 2 articles. Findings The research that we collected strongly suggests that there are health disparities among rural areas compared to urban areas, meaning that rural areas do not have as good of access to adequate health care. The intervention of telehealth however could help improve the health disparities for those in rural areas. Conclusions Rural areas do not have as good of access to healthcare as those who live in urban areas. Our research gave a variety of different examples of how rural areas have a disadvantage when it comes to the quality of healthcare individuals receive. Telehealth can help to decrease these health disparities and improve the quality of care that individuals in rural areas receive.

Menthol is added to cigarettes to make smoking more convenient. Menthol is considered a contributing factor that makes smoking appealing to youths and their continuous smoking initiation, which progresses to regular cigarette smoking and addiction, especially among youths ages 12 to 19. Menthol encourages approximately 4,000 youths to experiment with smoking daily in the United States, of which approximately 1,000 become active smokers. Not enough is known regarding the influence of menthol on youth smoking initiation/smoking behavior. A quantitative analysis of data from the 2014 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) was used to explore the association between age, race/ethnicity, gender, grade (education level), and menthol cigarette smoking among youth ages 12 to 19. The sample size for this study consisted of 115 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years, in the United States taken from the 2014 NYTS data. The theoretical framework for this study was the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The independent variables were ethnicity/race, gender, age, and grades (education level), while the dependent variable is the type of smoking: menthol versus nonmenthol. Bivariate analysis revealed that there was a statistically significant relationship between age (p = <.001), race/ethnicity (p = <.001), gender (p = <.001), grade (education level) (p = <.001), and menthol cigarette smoking; however, no statistically significant results were obtained in the multivariate regression analysis. Future research is needed to better determine and understand the factors associated with youth smoking initiation and behavior. The potential positive social change impact of this study is a better understanding of youth smoking behavior and the development of more effective prevention interventions to protect the health of this vulnerable population.

Policy makers view electronic medical records as a way of increasing efficiency in the U.S. health care system. However, hospital administrators may not have the clinical background to choose a documentation system that helps the health care team safely increase efficiency. The purpose of this case study was to examine health care team members' attitudes and perceptions of quality of care and efficiency amid a documentation system change. The theory of change was the theoretical foundation for the study. The 6 research questions were designed to elicit information about what the health care team experienced when a documentation system changed and how the change affected health care workers' stress level, chance of medical errors, ability to deliver quality care, and attitudes about hospital efficiency. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the 15 members of a health care team who volunteered from the group and met the inclusion criteria for the study (i.e., employed during the documentation system change). The participants represented all aspects of the health care team to create a bounded case. The interview responses were hand coded to find common themes among the participants. Most participants revealed that the implementation of the new system increased their efficiency and the quality of care they offered to patients. Participants felt that the training and implementation of the system was inadequate and not specific enough for their group. By providing health care administrators with more information about the health care teams' perceptions during a change in documentation systems, they may be able to improve implementation of a new system, creating more sustainable change with less negative impact.

Obesity is a significant global issue, and its incidence has increased over time. A substantial percentage of the U.S. population suffers from this disease with a relatively high prevalence seen in individuals from the Caribbean. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore Caribbean women's perception of how migration to South Florida may have impacted the onset of obesity in this population. The social ecological model provided the framework for the study. Data were collected from 1-on-1 interviews held with 12 female participants between the ages of 18 and 35, who previously resided in the Caribbean at a healthy weight but became overweight after migration to the United States. The information collected were analyzed using manual coding to identify 5 themes: consciousness of weight gain, challenges associated with weight gain, factors causing weight gain, attitudes toward weight gain, and efforts aimed at weight loss. Participants reported they felt that migration adversely affected their health by causing weight gain which eventually developed into obesity, caused by a modification to their lifestyle as well as an overall change in attitude towards weight gain. The social change implications of these findings are that they may be used to raise awareness of the risks of obesity among Caribbean immigrant women and to develop interventions to address the issue. Such interventions may result in increased well-being, healthier lifestyles, and prevention of obesity associated morbidity and mortality among this population.

Scholars since the 19th century have focused on the provision of care in group homes and have demonstrated that structure (that is, the staff, facilities, and equipment), is critical in the delivery of care. The researchers, however, advocate doing for, rather than doing with the clients the activities that address the clients' welfare. The purpose of this study is to investigate how a client-centered approach would affect the quality of care delivered to the mentally challenged individuals (MCIs) in a group home. The study employed the quality-care framework in which the emphasis is on structure (skills), process (efficiency), and outcome (results). The research questions examined operational values underpinning company sanctioned work processes, how personal values underpin work processes of the direct caregivers, configuration of personal values the caregivers believe should be supported in the group home context, and how critical incidents shaped the value set of direct caregivers in regard to care processes. Using structured questionnaires and observing staff as they delivered care to their clients, data were collected from participants who were direct caregivers (n = 7), a facility administrator, and a nurse. The data were coded, categorized, and analyzed for emergent themes. The results of the analysis indicated that there was discord between staff and the organizational leadership. This discord could be improved through increased interaction between the mentioned stakeholders. The results further depicted that client-centered care may have a positive impact on the health of the MCIs that would enable the MCIs to make notable contributions to social change.

The ability to access primary care services within the local community has a direct impact on the health and wellness of the community. Individuals living in rural settings face multiple challenges when attempting to access care. The purpose of this retrospective project was to identify barriers in 2 rural, underserved communities and make recommendations for process changes that could reduce these barriers. Data were gathered from 2 critical access hospitals and 2 rural health clinics located in rural, underserved areas in Iowa. Both hospitals identified access to health services as an issue within their communities. Administrative data were gathered on nonemergent use of the emergency department, which revealed peak use from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Clinic data included patient demographics, staffing and scheduling patterns, and the number of patient visits. One site provided expanded hours, yet very little difference in the number visits to the emergency room for nonemergent care was identified. Both clinic sites reported the need for additional providers to meet the needs of their patients and provide more same-day appointments. Recommendations made to increase access were open scheduling, staggered staff schedules to increase appointments over peak demand times, and use of a dedicated case manager to improve communication and coordination of care. Increased use of technology would allow the provision of care outside the clinic setting, enhance care coordination, and promote patient participation in care. With increased knowledge regarding the barriers facing rural communities when accessing care, process changes can be implemented to reduce barriers. The overall goal is to improve health and wellness through increased access.

Obesity or being overweight is a prevalent health concern around the world. Despite the growing problem in developing countries such as Kenya, there is scant literature available on obesity or being overweight among women in rural Kenya. This research study provides information necessary for bridging the gap in understanding the perceptions, beliefs, and knowledge of obesity among women in rural Kenya. This study used the social cognitive theory (SCT) framework to assist in understanding the impact of obesity or being overweight among women living in rural Kenya. Participants were women aged 20 to 45 recruited from a local church in rural Subukia. Using a phenomenological inquiry, in-depth interviews were conducted. Data obtained were analyzed by open coding. Themes that emerged from data analysis showed that less than half of the study participants had an appropriate knowledge of obesity. Participants desired to have big round bodies, as it was perceived as desirable and as being healthy. However, this perception put these women at increased risk of obesity and associated health risks. Implications for positive social change include the use of study findings by policy makers to develop obesity prevention programs. Such programs may promote obesity awareness and obesity prevention strategies. This promotion may include providing education on topics such as healthy nutrition and the importance of physical activity. Policy makers may develop obesity prevention programs aimed at not only educating, but also empowering rural communities to practice healthy lifestyles based on their cultural and social norms. Such empowerment may encourage the adoption of obesity reducing lifestyles and positive behavior change.