Public Health Education Research Articles

“Too Clean, Too White”: Resistance to the Racial Politics of Hygiene in Helena María Viramontes’s Under the Feet of Jesus

Abstract The central characters of Helena María Viramontes’s 1996 novel about Mexican American farm workers, Under the Feet of Jesus, are plagued by dirt and grime wherever they go. Subsequently, these characters frequently face racial discourses of hygiene—popular forms of communication (advertisements, public health education, etc.) that associate cleanliness with whiteness and wealth, and dirtiness with poverty and nonwhite identity. Through their encounters with dirt, cleaning products, and racial discourses of hygiene, Viramontes’s characters demonstrate how ideas about cleanliness inform US racial formation. In particular, the novel’s engagement with the American ideals of white cleanliness foisted on the central teenage farm worker, Estrella, and her family reveals how personal hygiene is weaponized as a tool of neoliberalism to obscure the material conditions of laborers and the systemic environmental racism they face. In the novel, individual hygiene is presented, most often by white or white-coded characters, as the path toward environmental, racial, and economic justice in ways that distract from the structural roots of the environmental injustices nonwhite farm workers face daily. Through white color imagery and active engagement with dirty materiality, Under the Feet of Jesus challenges racial discourses of hygiene and demonstrates systemic and restorative ways of thinking about public health and the value of communal care.

Development of a U.S./U.K. Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) partnership for undergraduate education in public health

Preparing future public health (U.S.) or health and social care (U.K.) professionals for international settings is imperative in today’s higher education landscape. Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is an innovative form of virtual exchange (VE) that provides students with international experience, cultural competence, and an understanding of global healthcare needs. This practice report summarizes how two universities in the U.S. and U.K. co-developed a COIL unit for their public health and health and social care students to learn about international healthcare systems. Public health faculty used SUNY COIL planning strategies and backward course design to guide the planning of the COIL unit. The learning processes and outcomes were designed to support program and campus learning outcomes that align with domain areas required by the Council on Education for Public Health. The planning process, curriculum, and technology used for the COIL unit are outlined. Evaluation of the unit included achieving student learning outcomes at the course, program, and campus levels; changes in intercultural awareness based on the Intercultural Knowledge and Competence VALUE Rubric; benefits to students, research assistants, and faculty; and alignment with the qualities of VE.

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Position Statement: Gun violence and pregnancy

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) acknowledges gun violence as a public health crisis in the United States, with a significant impact on pregnant and postpartum people. We recognize the urgent need for a robust, equitable, data-driven approach to mitigate the impact of access to firearms and accompanying violence on pregnant and postpartum individuals and communities. As such, SMFM endorses the following policy principles:- SMFM calls on relevant government agencies and public funders to support and finance anti-violence and firearm safety research, public health surveillance activities, education, and other initiatives. These initiatives should acknowledge and address the connection between access to firearms and the health and safety of pregnant and postpartum people, as well as their families and communities.- SMFM strongly opposes legislation or regulations that impede or limit clinician-patient discussions about firearms.- SMFM calls for enhanced access to mental health care services for pregnant and postpartum people.- SMFM calls for additional support for individuals experiencing intimate partner violence and their families.- SMFM supports the creation of and funding for training programs for maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) subspecialists and all clinicians about firearms and domestic violence prevention.- SMFM supports laws and regulations that restrict individuals with protective or restraining orders and those with intimate partner violence or stalking convictions from purchasing and owning firearms.

Evaluating the effectiveness of artificial intelligence-based tools in detecting and understanding sleep health misinformation: Comparative analysis using Google Bard and OpenAI ChatGPT-4.

This study evaluates the performance of two major artificial intelligence-based tools (ChatGPT-4 and Google Bard) in debunking sleep-related myths. More in detail, the present research assessed 20 sleep misconceptions using a 5-point Likert scale for falseness and public health significance, comparing responses of artificial intelligence tools with expert opinions. The results indicated that Google Bard correctly identified 19 out of 20 statements as false (95.0% accuracy), not differing from ChatGPT-4 (85.0% accuracy, Fisher's exact test p = 0.615). Google Bard's ratings of the falseness of the sleep misconceptions averaged 4.25 ± 0.70, showing a moderately negative skewness (-0.42) and kurtosis (-0.83), and suggesting a distribution with fewer extreme values compared with ChatGPT-4. In assessing public health significance, Google Bard's mean score was 2.4 ± 0.80, with skewness and kurtosis of 0.36 and -0.07, respectively, indicating a more normal distribution compared with ChatGPT-4. The inter-rater agreement between Google Bard and sleep experts had an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.58 for falseness and 0.69 for public health significance, showing moderate alignment (p = 0.065 and p = 0.014, respectively). Text-mining analysis revealed Google Bard's focus on practical advice, while ChatGPT-4 concentrated on theoretical aspects of sleep. The readability analysis suggested Google Bard's responses were more accessible, aligning with 8th-grade level material, versus ChatGPT-4's 12th-grade level complexity. The study demonstrates the potential of artificial intelligence in public health education, especially in sleep health, and underscores the importance of accurate, reliable artificial intelligence-generated information, calling for further collaboration between artificial intelligence developers, sleep health professionals and educators to enhance the effectiveness of sleep health promotion.

Emerging Health Care Leaders: Lessons From a Novel Leadership and Community-Building Program.

Although there are guidelines and ideas on how to improve public health education, translating innovative approaches into actual training programs remains challenging. In this article, we provide an overview of some initiatives that tried to put this into action in different parts of the world, and present the Emerging Health Care Leader (EHCL), a novel training program developed in Switzerland. Looking at the experience of the EHCL, we propose policymakers and other interested stakeholders who wish to help reform public health education to support these initiatives not only through funding, but by valuing them through the integration of early career healthcare leaders in projects where their developing expertise can be practically applied. By openly sharing the experiences, strengths, weaknesses, and lessons learned with the EHCL program, we aim to foster a transparent debate on how novel training programs in public health can be organised.

Teaching Statistics in Health Sciences: The Potential of Simulations in Public Health

This paper is a collection of thoughts from multiple discussions about the importance of appreciating and embracing statistical thinking in public health research and education. We think that statistical simulations can play an important role in fostering statistical reasoning in public health and that they can be a great didactic tool for students to generate and learn from data. Two main points are of relevance here. First, simulations can foster critical thinking and improve our reasoning about public health problems by going from theoretical thoughts to practical implementation of designing a computer experiment. Second, simulations can support researchers and their students to better understand statistical concepts used when describing and analysing population health in terms of distributions. Overall, we advocate for the use of more simulations in public health research and education to strengthen statistical reasoning when studying the health of populations.

Fearful when not feared: The plight of dermatologists in public health education for syphilis

Fearful when not feared: The plight of dermatologists in public health education for syphilis

Pursuance of a Yoruba name for cervical cancer in Southwest Nigeria: a case study

ObjectivesParticipants’ comprehension of research process affects the quality of research output, which is the reason why translation of research instruments into local languages is standard practice. Literature has consistently reported...

192 Developing a community laundromat intervention to increase reproductive health literacy outreach

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The project goal was to conduct formative work using community-based participatory research (CBPR) to inform the development of a laundromat-based reproductive health literacy intervention (LI)informed by Passhe-Orlow and Wolf’s Conceptual Model. We provide insights to support the development of similar health literacy interventions. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: In Phase I, we recruited female patrons over the age of 18 living in DC from 4 community laundromats. Participants completed a survey with validated measures to assess reproductive health knowledge, self-efficacy, and intentions to seek care. Open-ended questions assessed participants’ experiences accessing care, communication with health providers, and laundromat use. Data informed the development of a 2-3 minute reproductive health literacy intervention (LI) storyboard. In Phase II, in-depth interviews were conducted with reproductive health providers (midwives, obstetricians-gynecologists, women’s health registered nurses, women’s health nurse practitioners) working in the communities where the laundromats are located. LI acceptability and appropriateness were explored. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: For Phase I, we recruited 60 patrons. Participants (68.3%) expressed interest in a laundromat-based reproductive health literacy intervention (LI). Identified reproductive knowledge gaps included: unaware of fertile days (50.0%); believe prenatal care should begin after 2nd trimester of pregnancy (50.0%); unclear about pregnancy spacing (85.0%); unable to identify use for folic acid (91.7%); believe once a cesarean always a cesarean (53.3%). In Phase II, all 14 providers supported increasing community accessibility to health information: “we have to move beyond doing public health education in a provider’s office. That’s very outdated.” Providers identified the LI as an approachable, informative, and accessible way to disseminate health information. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Patron and provider input informed our choice of content, style, and delivery of the reproductive health literacy intervention. An essential aspect of our CBPR approach, this research will inform effective, appropriate reproductive health education despite barriers presented by access, transportation, and work schedules.

Depressive symptoms and activity engagement in autistic adolescents and those with other developmental disabilities

BackgroundAutistic adults and those with other developmental disabilities (DD) have increased depressive symptoms and decreased activity engagement when compared to those with no DD. Few studies explore activities related to depressive symptoms in autistic people and those with other DD during adolescence. ObjectiveThe objectives of this analysis were to describe depressive symptoms and activity engagement among autistic adolescents and those with other DD and no DD and explore types of activities associated with depressive symptoms, stratified by study group. MethodsParents of adolescents completed a multi-site case-control study of autism and other DD when their child was 2–5 years of age and a follow-up survey when their child was 12–16 years of age. Questions asked about the adolescent's current diagnoses, depressive symptoms (i.e., diagnosis, medication use, or symptoms), and engagement in club, social, sport, vocational, volunteer, and other organized activities. ResultsAutistic adolescents (N = 238) and those with other DD (N = 222) were significantly more likely to have depressive symptoms than adolescents with no DD (N = 406), (31.9 %, 30.6 %, and 15.0 % respectively). Lower percentages of autistic adolescents participated in activities than peers with other DD, who had lower percentages than peers with no DD. Participation in sports was associated with lower likelihood of depressive symptoms in all groups. ConclusionsAutistic adolescents and those with other DD are at increased risk for depressive symptoms and reduced activity engagement. Participation in sports may be especially important for adolescent mental health regardless of disability status. Implications for public health education and intervention are discussed.

History of development of undergraduate public health education in Bulgaria.

The study aims to present a historical review and analysis of the establishment and development of undergraduate public health (PH) education in Bulgaria from 1878 until 2019. А search and selection of historical documents was performed, including laws, rules, regulations, government plans, programmes, scientific publications from periodical medical press, journals, specialized monographs, and books. A retrospective analysis of the normative documents related to the organization of the sanitation and public health activities, and to the provision of professional undergraduate education of the public health workforce in Bulgaria has been carried out. The required competences and tasks of the specialists exercising public health control services were extracted. The development in the public health educational activities were followed in three consecutive periods: the newly independent state (1878-1944); the socialist state (1945-1990); the democratizing state (1990-2019). The development of organized PH activities began after the liberation of Bulgaria in 1878. The historical analysis reveals a direct link between the major socioeconomic changes in the country and the organization of PH undergraduate education which passed through dynamic transformations. The professional education in the sphere of PH started with the training of feldshers, followed by sanitary feldsher and sanitary health inspectors performed in secondary vocational medical schools during the socialist period, reaching the stage of undergraduate university PH education provided by medical colleges associated with universities in the third period. Despite the continuous development in the organization of undergraduate PH education in Bulgaria, its content is still not fully compatible with the basic European PH services and actions. There is a growing need for wider standardization and integration of undergraduate PH education in the EU so that the specialty can reach the status of a regulated health profession similar to medicine, nursing, and others.

The Role Of Public Health Education In Preventing Non- Communicable Diseases

This article discusses the importance of public health education in preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. By evaluating educational programs aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles, the research highlights effective strategies for increasing awareness and behavioral change among populations. The findings suggest that targeted public health education initiatives can play a crucial role in reducing the prevalence of NCDs and improving overall community health.

Exploring the Influence of Religious Institutions on the Implementation of Technology for Stunting Understanding

Exploring the Influence of Religious Institutions on the Implementation of Technology for Stunting Understanding

The preventive direction of modern theories of health and health-saving in public health and education

Background. The modern understanding of health is related to the need to prevent diseases caused by infections, lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors. Ukrainian legislation guarantees health care, but the practice of implementing laws is imperfect. The teaching of valeological disciplines in educational institutions is of great importance for the prevention of diseases. But the content of these disciplines requires constant revision from the point of view of evidence-based medicine, and the creation of new preventive programs requires theoretical justification. Aim. To determine the content and practical significance of the modern understanding of health care in public health care and education. Materials and Methods. Methods of bibliosemantic and system analysis were used. Results. The theory of health and health-saving is considered using cross-cultural, discursive, norm-centric, phenomenological, holistic, axiological and integral approaches, from the perspective of evidence-based and "4P" medicine. Health-saving is shown as derived from a healthy lifestyle and valeological competence formed in the population. The best environment for the formation of a healthy lifestyle is shown to be an educational environment, the tools of formation are valeological disciplines and education of medical and social non-government organizations. The need for joint efforts of the population and medical workers to achieve better results in the prevention of socially significant diseases is determined. Conclusions. Improvement of the preventive direction of valeological education is closely related to the competence approach, in particular, with the formation of valeological competence. The public health system should use the potential of educational valeological programs to form a healthy lifestyle in new generations during their studies at higher education institutions. For the formation of high-quality valeological programs, a permanent partnership of educators and medical professionals is necessary. Keywords: valeological competence, evidence-based medicine, 4P medicine, Health Pedagogy.

Mapping the Terrain of Learning: A Study on the Association between Self-Directed Learning Readiness and Learning Environment Dynamics among Students studying in a Public Health Institute At Kolkata, India

Introduction: Self-directed learning (SDL) is the process in which individuals take the initiative and learning environment involves all other aspects of the institute. Good SDL ability is the foundation of lifelong learning. Students’ perception of the educational environment plays a subtle role in learning and contributes to learning input and students’ achievement. Self- directed learning is integral to public health teaching. Objectives: To assess the perceptions of learning environment and self-directed learning readiness and association between the two among public health researchers and also to elicit the factors associated with SDLRS. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2023 in a public health institute in Kolkata. A total of 102 participants across five courses were selected by Complete Enumeration method and their self-directed learning readiness (SDLRS) and perceptions of learning environment were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. The data was analysed in SPSS, version 16. Ethical approval was taken. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 26.7 years and 64.7% of the study participants were from MBBS background. The median academic hours was 18 hours per week, 37.3% of the participants were studying in the institute for less than 6 months and 20.6% for more than 24 months. The overall perception of learning environment was more positive than negative. There was significant positive correlation between SDLRS and Learning Environment (Spearman’s rho=0.281, p=0.004). Age (p=0.015) and prior academic qualification (p=0.016) were significantly associated with SDLRS. Conclusion: SDLRS was associated with positive Learning Environment. The overall perception of SDLRS was average and the SDL ability improved with duration of study in the institute and deteriorated with age of the study participants

Assessing the role of public education in enhancing food safety practices among consumers

Public education plays a crucial role in enhancing food safety practices among consumers, addressing the growing concern of foodborne illnesses globally In the contemporary landscape of food safety, public education emerges as a fundamental tool in empowering consumers with knowledge and practices to mitigate risks associated with foodborne illnesses. This paper delves into the pivotal role of public education initiatives in enhancing food safety practices among consumers. Through a systematic review of existing literature, this paper elucidates various strategies and approaches employed in public education campaigns aimed at promoting food safety awareness. The effectiveness of traditional media, social media platforms, educational programs, and targeted campaigns in disseminating key messages regarding proper food handling, storage, and preparation is examined. Additionally, the impact of these educational interventions on influencing consumer behavior towards adopting safe food practices is scrutinized, with a particular focus on understanding the correlation between education levels and adherence to recommended guidelines. Furthermore, the paper sheds light on the collaborative efforts of regulatory bodies, non-governmental organizations, and public health institutions in spearheading educational initiatives. It explores the synergistic relationship between education and policy enforcement, advocating for integrated approaches that combine educational interventions with regulatory measures to ensure comprehensive food safety management. Challenges and limitations in public education endeavors, such as information overload and cultural barriers, are also addressed. The paper emphasizes the importance of evidence-based strategies and innovative technologies in overcoming these obstacles and enhancing the efficacy of educational campaigns The indispensable role of public education in fostering a culture of food safety among consumers. By providing insights into the effectiveness of various educational approaches and their impact on consumer behavior, it offers valuable guidance for policymakers, public health professionals, educators, and stakeholders striving to promote food safety and safeguard public health.

Sounding the Alarm on Public Health Education: A Need for Equity-Focused Teaching

This Perspectives on Pedagogy acknowledges ongoing inequities in public health teaching and learning and describes the importance of implementing equity-focused teaching (EFT) approaches to serve present and future diverse public health student populations. Current equity-focused pedagogies being implemented within the field of public health are described, along with current limitations among public health instructors surrounding EFT training. We conclude with an example, offering recommendations to instructors on how to create transparently-designed writing assignments to support equitable learning in public health.

Comprehensive Analysis of Salmonella Species Antibiogram and Evolving Patterns in Empirical Therapy: Insights From Tertiary Care Hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Background Typhoid fever presents a significant challenge in developing nations, exacerbated by the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains due to widespread prevalence and overuse of antibiotics. This study seeks to assess the antibiogram profiles of Salmonella species isolated from blood cultures of patients hospitalized at two prominent tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan: Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) and Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC). By examining these profiles, the research aims to provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of antibiotic resistance in the context of typhoid fever management. Materials and Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study utilized data gathered from two hospitals in Peshawar, KTHandHMC. Cases of enteric fever were identified based on positive blood cultures for Salmonella species. The study encompasses demographic information, seasonal prevalence, and antibiogram profiles of 3,137 cases that were presented between 2017 and 2023. Results Among the total 3,137 cases, males accounted for the majority, comprising 63% (2,044 cases). Particularly notable was the clustering of cases among children and adolescents aged one to 24 years. The incidence peaked during the months of summer and spring, from April to September. In terms of Salmonella Typhi isolates, considerable resistance was noted against first-line antibiotics such as amoxicillin/clavulanate (80.1%), co-trimoxazole/trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (66.6%), and chloramphenicol (86.9%), as well as against ceftriaxone (79.7%) and ciprofloxacin (51.6%). Conversely, certain antibiotics displayed higher sensitivity patterns, including meropenem (97.8%), doripenem (99.5%), imipenem (97.7%), ertapenem (96.5%), polymyxin B (99.4%), colistin (98.1%), and tigecycline (97.3%). Despite a limited sample size of 214 specimens, fosfomycin demonstrated a remarkable sensitivity of 93.4%. Sensitivities of amikacin and gentamicin were 90.7% and 81.5%, respectively. However, the sensitivity of azithromycin was concerning, standing at 66.5%. The antibiogram pattern for Salmonella exhibited significant and drastic changes. Conclusion In conclusion, this study sheds light on a higher prevalence of typhoid fever among males, with a notable seasonal peak observed during the summer and spring months. The age group most affected spans from one to 24 years. Salmonella isolates displayed significant resistance to conventional first-line antibiotics, alongside ciprofloxacin and third-generation cephalosporins. Azithromycin exhibited lower sensitivity compared to amikacin, gentamicin, and fosfomycin. The research advocates for the empirical use of amikacin, gentamicin, fosfomycin, and meropenem in the treatment of typhoid fever in Pakistan. Urgent measures, including regular Salmonella antibiogram surveillance, antibiotic stewardship, public health education, and Salmonella vaccination programs, are deemed crucial for primary disease prevention.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Brucellosis among the Rural Population in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Abstract Introduction: Brucellosis is a disease that can have severe consequences for both humans and animals, resulting in considerable economic losses due to its impact on human health and animal productivity. To prevent the transmission of this disease from animals to humans, it is essential to improve the community’s knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP). This study aimed to evaluate the KAP and associated risk factors for human brucellosis among rural populations in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. Materials and Methods: Using closed-ended questionnaires, a cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data on demographics and risk exposure variables from 382 participants. The collected data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate demographic features and KAP. Results: 78.5% were male, and 21.5% were female. Their ages ranged from 18 to 90 years, and 92.1% were married. Only 4.5% of respondents had heard of brucellosis, 21.5% consumed unpasteurized milk, 3.9% used protective gloves while assisting during calving, and 15.4% milked the animal. Furthermore, 21.2% buried animal birth products, 10.9% burned animal birth products, and 13.6% threw animal birth products in the dustbin. Overall, the respondents’ attitude was average to poor. Conclusion: This study revealed that the rural population has poor knowledge and high-risk self-reported practices and behaviors for brucellosis. Therefore, enhancing public health education and local organizational involvement is imperative to increase the community’s capacity to prevent brucellosis as an integral part of the National Control Program on Brucellosis in India.

Identification of a Clinical Spirometra mansoni Plerocercoid Isolate Using Molecular and Morphological Data.

Sparganosis has been a neglected parasitic zoonosis for a long time. The accurate identification of Spirometra tapeworms in clinical practice is poorly understood. A case of breast sparganosis was reported in Henan Province of central China. One plerocercoid approximately 3.5cm in length was collected from the patient. The clinical isolate was identified as Spirometra mansoni based on the barcoding sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1). Finally, the epidemiology of sparganosis in central China was reviewed. Comprehensive public health education should be carried out, and the risky habit of eating live tadpoles must be discouraged in Henan Province.