Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 215-257). Also available on the Internet.

Obesity is a widespread problem in the United States that has profound health implications. Obesity rates also differ across different racial and ethnic groups. Among women, an important time period in their lives is the pregnancy period as gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention may influence and contribute to noticeable differences in weight gain and retention. Maternal weight retention has implications for future health related problems and therefore needs to be addressed. One such group that is of specific interest is African Americans as data shows that obesity is more prevalent among African American adults, with the highest rates occurring in African-American women. Weight loss intervention programs for postpartum women may be useful in helping new mothers lose weight. This study was aimed at observing changes in areas such as weight loss and body image perception from a pilot-tested randomized controlled culturally tailored weight loss intervention program.

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One of the leading causes of mortality for African-American women is breast cancer. The national breast cancer mortality rate for African-American women is 28.0 per 100,000. However, African-American women residing in Northwest Louisiana have a breast cancer mortality rate of 34.5 per 100,000 (American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute; Landis, Murry, Boldern & Wingo, 1998). This is the fourth highest of all women living in the United States (Early Cancer Detection Program, Annual Report, 1999). Breast cancer mortality is correlated to the stage at diagnosis. The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed and treated, the more likely women can survive the disease (Davis, Axelrod, Osborne & Telang, 1997). African-American women are frequently diagnosed with breast cancer at an advanced stage (Phillips, Cohen, & Moses, 1999). The frequent advanced stage diagnosis may be due to African-American women breast cancer screening practices. When done correctly and as recommended, breast cancer screening can help women detect breast cancer at an early stage, when it is most treatable. Since African-American women residing in Northwest Louisiana have the fourth highest national mortality rate, and little is known about their compliance with the recommendations of the American Cancer Society regarding breast cancer screening, there is a need to identify these practices of African-American women in Northwest Louisiana.The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between select variables and breast cancer screening practice. A questionnaire was used to gather information from a convenient sample of 273 African-American women recruited from two sites located in Northwest Louisiana -- Grambling State University and the Willis-Knighton Neighborhood Clinic. The questionnaire was used to gather information about: demographics, knowledge, and individual breast cancer risk factors (age of menarche, full term pregnancy, history of breast condition or disease, type of breast condition or disease, age when gave birth to first child, menopause, age menopause began). Andersen's theoretical framework served as the guiding theory for the study. The hypotheses were analyzed by the chi square test of independence and logistic regression.Results from the chi-square test of independence indicated that breast cancer screening is dependent upon age, education, income, age when gave birth to first child, menopause, and age menopause began. In contrast, breast cancer screening is independent of breast cancer knowledge, age of menarche, full term pregnancy, history of breast condition or disease, type of breast condition or disease, and family history of breast cancer. Logistic regression was used to predict the odds of breast cancer screening compliance by the women in this study. The analysis found that having an annual income of 25,000 - 39,999 as the strongest income predictor of non-compliance. Logistic regression analysis found that having a Master's degree was the strongest educational attainment predictor of non-compliance. / Ph. D.

Since the early 1980's, when HIV was first recognized in the U.S., the HIV disease epidemic has undergone many changes. It is no longer considered a disease of gay men, but is now the fourth leading cause of death in women aged 25 to 44. Worldwide, HIV transmission through vaginal or anal intercourse among heterosexuals has increased rapidly, and women are at a greater risk of infection from vaginal intercourse than are men. In particular, African American women comprise a large percentage of the population with HIV disease, raising an important question: Why are a disproportionate number of African American women infected with HIV? The purpose of this study is to examine selected factors that have been associated with non-compliant behavior in HIV prevention in African American women, such as partner influences, gender-related factors, and acculturation. The methodology used is a literature review of relevant research articles and scholarly works published between the years 1990 and 1999.

Domestic violence has been ingrained into the fabric of American culture. In the past, such violence against women has been overlooked by society, even condoned. It has gone from being a private problem to a social ill. Its affect has reached epidemic proportions in the United States of America. Although men and women are victims of this violence, women overwhelmingly comprise the majority of those who are victimized. Among these women, African American women experience higher rates of victimization than women from other ethnic groups. This thesis defines and discusses domestic violence in the context of the dynamics of violent relationships, the functions of violence, the characteristics of abusers and victims, the causes of violence, and its prevalence in the United States. It also highlights domestic violence from the unique prospective of African American women. Particular emphasis was focused toward the experiences of African American women in the United States of America, And the impact these experiences have had on their romantic relationships. Data obtained from 36 African American college students was used to highlight information presented in the literature.