<p> Background: Low- and middle-income countries have been experiencing unprecedented rates of urbanization. Rapid urbanization has attributed to an upsurge in non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers in these countries. Most low- and middle-income countries are also still struggling to control communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. This phenomenon, described as the double burden of disease, places greater strains on urban health systems and vulnerable urban populations, such as slum dwellers, who are likely to bear the brunt of any negative health outcomes. Given the potential impacts of urbanization and quality of health services on poverty and disease in the urban poor, there is urgent need to study urban health systems and the ways in which services can be made more available, accessible, and acceptable to socioeconomically disadvantaged and culturally/ethnically diverse populations. </p><p> Objectives: This dissertation is a case study that investigated the community-defined health system for Korogocho slum residents in Nairobi, Kenya. Specifically, the purpose of the research study was to (1) determine the readiness of health workers to provide HIV- and diabetes-related services, (2) define the components of the health system as perceived by Korogocho residents; that is, determine the community-defined health system, (3) assess the factors that affect health service utilization with respect to HIV/AIDS and diabetes prevention, care, and treatment, and (4) make recommendations for improving the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of health services for Korogocho residents. </p><p> Methods: The case study research employed both quantitative and qualitative methods. Three complementary peer-review quality manuscripts were developed. Manuscript 1 presents results from one of the first assessments of health provider readiness to provide HIV/AIDS- and diabetes-related services using data from the Demographic and Health Survey&rsquo;s Kenya Service Provision Assessment. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted. Readiness was defined as health workers having the training to provide the minimum HIV/AIDS services as prescribed by key government policies. Data analysis was conducted using STATA version 13 to assess the readiness of health workers in terms of a weighted proportion of providers from facility levels 2-4 who were trained in essential HIV/AIDS- and diabetes-related services according to Kenya&rsquo;s national guidelines. Manuscript 2 details the results of a qualitative inquiry to understand the community-defined health system and identify factors that influence Korogocho residents&rsquo; health utilization behavior, especially in relation to HIV/AIDS and diabetes services. Manuscript 3 utilized a qualitative assessment to determine the role of informal health providers (those who have not received a Western biomedical model of medical training) in health service delivery to the Korogocho community. In both Manuscripts 2 and 3, semi-structured interviews were conducted with community members and informal health providers, respectively. Qualitative sampling was conducted with the purpose of generating a conceptual model of the urban health system for slum residents. Analysis of semi-structured qualitative interviews with community members and informal health providers in Manuscripts 2 and 3 was completed through an iterative process using NVivo 11 for Mac. </p><p> Results: The results of this research demonstrate the complexity of urban health systems. Korogocho residents utilize health services from a variety of facilities and providers from both the formal and informal sectors. Their health utilization behavior is primarily influenced by the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of health services, health facilities, and health providers. Informal health providers play a critical role in terms of expanding the availability and accessibility of health services to Korogocho residents. The results of this case study also reveal that training levels of health providers in Nairobi for the delivery of HIV- and diabetes-related services are low. On average, 12% of health workers interviewed in the 2010 Kenya service provision assessment reported having training in the previous 2 years in the full complement of essential HIV-related services as prescribed by Kenyan Government policies. There were similar low proportions of training for the provision of diabetes-related services among the three health worker cadres included in this analysis of the 2010 Kenya service provision assessment. Moreover, the community&rsquo;s perceptions of the availability and accessibility of diabetes services lagged behind HIV services.</p><p> Conclusions: The results of this research reveal key information that can impact the health systems strengthening agenda, particularly for improving the availability and accessibility of health services to the urban poor. It is also clear from this research that there is an urgent need to scale up the training of health providers to handle the current double burden of disease. Further, among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, such as urban slums, the intentional incorporation of informal providers into the health system is a key step towards ensuring that much needed health services reach the urban poor.</p>

<p> Low immunization in Nigeria is associated with high prevalence of childhood diseases. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe caregivers&rsquo; perceptions of routine immunization of their children ages 24 to 36 months. Caregivers&rsquo; attitudes, cultural beliefs, and knowledge regarding immunization were examined. The health belief model was used to guide study. Interviews were conducted with 5 caregivers of fully immunized and 5 caregivers of partially and nonimmunized children. Digital recordings were analyzed using NVivo 10 to identify themes and subthemes. Attitudes of caregivers with fully immunized children included both perceived barriers (distance to health center, lack of information) and perceived benefits (vaccine safety and effectiveness), whereas caregivers with incomplete vaccinations reported multiple transportation-related barriers. Cultural beliefs were limited to religious beliefs and emerged as a theme among both caregiver groups, where full vaccination associated with Christian beliefs and lack of vaccination with belief in traditional healers. Caregivers&rsquo; knowledge associated with full vaccination included cues to action (information from nurses and reminders by others) and self-efficacy (kept vaccination cards ready and prepared for vaccination day), and incomplete vaccination associated with lack of reminders and preparation. Perceived severity, susceptibility, and benefits were associated with full vaccination status, while lack of perceived severity, susceptibility, cues to action, and self-efficacy constituted barriers to vaccination. Social change implications include education on disease severity, susceptibility, and vaccination safety, and expanding transportation, access to vaccination centers, and religious outreach programs to increase immunization of Nigerian children.</p>

<p> Introduction: Analyzing trends in breast cancer mortality can ensure a precise characterization of changes over time and can be important in public health decision making. Most reported trends are limited to incidence and mortality rates among Whites and Blacks, without categorization regarding tumor clinical characteristics. This study analyzed breast cancer mortality trends among different race-ethnic groups using various approaches such as partitioning rates by factors associated at the time of diagnosis; taking into consideration age, cohort and period effects; and by evaluating geographical variations.</p><p> Methods: Incidence and mortality data from 1990 to 2012 of female invasive breast cancer among women aged 18-84 years in United States (U.S.) was provided by the National Cancer Institute. The following analyses were conducted: (1) calculation of incidence based mortality (IBM) rates by estrogen receptor (ER) status according to race-ethnicity; (2) examination of temporal trends using age-period-cohort (APC) analysis on incidence and mortality rates; and, (3) spatiotemporal analysis of the county level age-standardized breast cancer mortality rates to identify significant geographical areas with higher risk. </p><p> Results: IBM rates for ER+ tumors increased while those of ER- tumors decreased among all race-ethnic groups. APC analysis showed that race-ethnic disparities were largely among the ER- tumors and temporal trends of the ER+ tumors were similar across the race-ethnic groups, with identical effects across the various birth cohorts. Geographical variation in the breast cancer county-level mortality rate was mostly explained by age-standardization and county level risk factors, although the effect of these factors was greater in rural areas of western U.S.</p><p> Conclusion: Temporal trends in the IBM rates were more reflective of the recent changes in the incidence trends of female invasive breast cancer. Trends of ER+ tumors were similar across all race-ethnic groups suggesting a common risk factor for the persistent increase in the incidence and mortality of these tumors. Spatial analysis shows that the higher mortality risk in certain rural counties of western U.S. might be due to poor survival than an elevated incidence and the need for better health care access in these medically underserved areas. These results might explain the observed ethnic and geographic variations in breast cancer mortality, and in turn, could support a stronger theoretical basis for public health policy.</p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to compare the level of basic nutrition knowledge between future nutrition professionals, health professionals, and non-health professionals. Specifically, this study assessed and compared basic nutrition knowledge of nutrition, health-related, and non-health related undergraduate majors enrolled in an introductory nutrition course.</p><p> Participants for this study were recruited through convenience sampling from an introductory undergraduate nutrition class. An online basic nutrition knowledge exam was used to measure nutrition knowledge. Independent one-way ANOVA demonstrated there was no statistically significant difference in basic nutrition knowledge between nutrition, health-related, and non-health related undergraduate majors. Post-hoc analysis revealed there was no significant difference of basic nutrition knowledge between health-related majors and non-health related majors, and there was a significant difference in basic nutrition knowledge between nutrition majors and health-related majors as well as between nutrition majors and non-health related majors. Thus, the results demonstrate there was a statistically significant difference in basic nutrition knowledge between nutrition students, and either health-related, and non-health related undergraduate majors.</p>

<p> The study investigated the relationship of physical activity (domain, frequency, amount, and intensity) on mental health (depression, stress, and anxiety) in the general population. Two hundred and fifty-three individuals eighteen or older completed either an online or paper survey for the study. Pearson Correlation, T-tests, and multiple regression were used in the data analysis. Results indicated vigorous activity correlated negatively with stress (<i>r</i> = -.16 <i>p</i> &lt; .01) and anxiety, (<i> r</i> = -.15 <i>p</i> &lt; .01). Amount of activity correlated negatively with anxiety, <i>r</i> = -.15 <i>p</i> &lt; .05. Leisure time activity, frequency of activity, and amount of activity were significant predictors of stress among females, R² = .07, <i> p</i> &lt; .05 and anxiety among males, R² = .09, <i> p</i> &lt; .05 (vigorous for men and moderate for female). Males were found to participate in significantly more vigorous leisure activity than females, <i>t</i> = 2.50, <i>p</i> &lt; .01. Given the limited research on factors of physical activity, results of the study offer useful information for future research into the complexities of physical activity and its effects on mental health.</p>

<p> Rising worldwide rates of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the Middle East, principally Saudi Arabia, have put an increasing load on the health system and employers. Middle Eastern organizations have been slow to develop targeted health programs, which include an emphasis on employee productivity. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship, if any, between employee lifestyle and workplace productivity. Productivity is the amount of work produced based on the time and cost required to do so. The underlying theoretical foundations of this research were the socioecological health model and the human capital model. The quantitative, ex post facto design relied on secondary data from Saudi Aramco. Lifestyle data were collected from a health risk assessment including the Stanford Presenteeism Scale. Data analysis consisted of both a correlational and multiple regression analysis. Correlational results indicated that exercise, tobacco use, body mass index (BMI), and nutrition were significantly related to workplace productivity. Exercise and nutrition had a significant positive correlation with workplace productivity, while tobacco use and increasing BMI were negatively correlated with workplace productivity. Multiple regression analysis results explained 21% of the variance in the dependent variable, a sizable percentage with such a large sample. Overall, these results suggest a strong influence of health choices on productivity. Since this research was the first to explore the unique cultural context and draw attention to the increasing NCD burden, the results are notable. Implications of this research should resonate with organizational leaders in the Middle East, and provide a clear opportunity to improve organization and human performance. </p>

Zambia has one of the highest HIV seroprevalence rates in the world, estimated in 1995 at 17%. Rural Monze district in the Southern province, the site of the study, has high rates of HIV, estimated at 10-12% in 1991. During the study, the district was affected not only by AIDS but also by the 1991-92 drought and by a bovine epidemic of East Coast Fever. This study documents the impact of HIV and AIDS on the health services and on the district economy, and draws some long term implications for the national economy. At the district hospital, approximately 44% of inpatients and 30% of outpatients were HIV seropositive as were 18% of rural health centre patients. Tuberculosis, other respiratory infections, and diarrhoea accounted for the majority of days in hospital. The HIV epidemic was found to be affecting the hospital staff as well, with mortality at Monze and neighbouring Choma hospitals rising from 2 per 1,000 nurse years in 1980 to 27 in 1991 - a 13-fold increase. Measures to increase supply, reduce losses, and make better use of existing staff are proposed. The household survey found that while patients were better off overall than the district population, there was no appreciable difference in wealth between patients with HIV infection and those without. HIV-positive patients were younger than HIV-negative patients, and had fewer children. The loss of a member with HIV would cause a rise in the average household's dependency ratio of 16-17%. Production was affected by HIV disease, with an average of 94 days' loss of labour (patients plus carers) in the final year of life. Implications for policy include the need to decentralize care of patients with HIV disease to health centres, and to protect and make better use of the health human resources. The impact of HIV/AIDS on rural production, with approximately 1 in 3 district households having a member with AIDS, combined with external factors such as removal of subsidies, changes in marketing processes under structural adjustment, and long term drought, makes it increasingly difficult to eke out a living from farming. Combined with the lure of apparent employment opportunities in urban areas created by deaths due to AIDS, these factors may contribute to increased urbanization, making it difficult for Zambia to replace declining copper revenues with increased yields from agricultural production.

TB, a major public health problem in India since the 1900s, has a current prevalence of 14 million and an estimated annual mortality of 500,000 persons. Nation-wide government sponsored anti-TB public health measures introduced in 1948, developed into the National TB Programme in 1962. Despite gains, implementation gaps between programme goals and performance, over 35 years, have been of a magnitude sufficient to cause concern. This study aimed to understand explanatory factors underlying the implementation gap. A policy analysis approach was adopted, focusing on the policy process and specifically on implementation, at national, state, district and local levels. It undertook a historical review with a two-tiered framework covering the period 1947-97. In the first tier the historical narrative is woven around a framework of context, content, process and actors. The nature of the problem and policy relevant technical dimensions of intervention measures are discussed, as are effects of pharmaceutical policies and financial resource flows on TB policy. The second tier applies a framework of implementation factors to national policy development and implementation at state and district level. Interviews were conducted with TB patients, elected representatives, front-line health workers, doctors, district and state staff, national programme managers, researchers and representatives from international agencies. Documents were reviewed. Thus the study incorporated an integrative bottom-up cum top-down approach. Findings highlight that interests of patients, medical and allied professionals, pharmaceutical and diagnostic industries and the state are interdependent, but often conflictual. Unequal societal relations affect not only the development and transmission of TB, but also the implementation of control programmes, particularly for the impoverished, among whom high levels of indebtedness due to the disease and difficulties accessing private services were noted. Techno-managerial approaches to TB control often mask societal and policy process factors accounting for the implementation gap. The importance of leadership, institutional development, capacity at the patient provider interface and accountability and need for sustained policies were noted, within an affirmative framework embodying social justice and safeguarding the interests of the majority of patients.

<p> This research examines three factors &ndash; macroeconomic conditions, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, and <i>inter-vivos</i> transfers &ndash; that influence both the availability of long-term care services and the use of these services. The first essay explores how changes in the macroeconomy, specifically the 2007-2009 &ldquo;Great Recession,&rdquo; affect the utilization of paid and unpaid long-term care services. It is theoretically unclear how long-term care use should be affected by such downturns, as an individual&rsquo;s health status, wealth, insurance coverage and access to care are all likely to change during a significant downturn such as the &ldquo;Great Recession.&rdquo; Using data from the 1998-2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, a survey that follows Americans over the age of 50 as they begin to transition into retirement, we estimate the effects of changes in the unemployment rate at both the national and county levels on long-term care use. We find consistent evidence that overall care use declines significantly during downturns, with additional results suggesting that these results may be driven by reductions in individual wealth and improvements in individual health status. The second essay examines how the implementation of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, a policy that imposed stricter regulations about how individuals could &ldquo;spend down&rdquo; their assets to become Medicaid eligible, impacts both asset transfers and long-term care use among the elderly. Using data from the 1998-2010 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, I estimate the effects of this policy using a difference-in-difference framework. Overall, individuals seem to substitute from making inter-vivos transfers to holding assets in trusts in response to the enactment of the Deficit Reduction Act. With regard to care use, individuals seem to substitute from in-home long-term care to more visits to both doctors and adult day care facilities following the DRA, an effect primarily driven by the wealthiest and youngest individuals. The third essay investigates the relationship between parent-to-child inter-vivos asset transfers and future informal care provision by that child. Using data from the 1998 &ndash; 2010 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, I am able to use the timing of the transfers and the care use to describe this relationship. The results suggest that the receipt of an inter-vivos transfer during the previous two years is strongly positively correlated with that child&rsquo;s likelihood of providing care during the previous month. In addition, I confirm a previous finding in the literature that child&rsquo;s gender, relationship to the parent and geographical proximity to the parent all significantly influence the child&rsquo;s decision to provide care.</p>

<p>Objectives Past research has shown that low socioeconomic status (SES) and perceived discrimination are related to hypertension in African Americans. Past studies have used the Reserve Capacity Model (RCM; Gallo & Matthews, 2003; 2005; 2011) to understand these relationships which posits that stress can be mitigated by psychosocial resources which lead to healthy lifestyle behaviors predictive of cardiac health. However, few studies have examined the RCM resources to predict hypertension in African Americans and none have included discrimination as a stressor in the model. Methods We examined the mediational effects of RCM resources after low SES and discrimination experiences to predict health behavior (exercise) and hypertension in 1202 middle to older aged African Americans using structural equation modeling. Results Both low SES and perceived racial discrimination predicted a diagnosis of hypertension indirectly through levels of reserve capacity and exercise. Conclusions These findings provide support for the RCM as an explanatory framework for how social stressors affect health through modifiable psychosocial resources and health behaviors in middle to older aged African Americans.