Steven Rowe, Author at Health Behavior and Policy Review

Active Duty to Veteran: Challenges Faced by Service Men and Women Reintegrating to Civilian Life in the South Carolina Lowcountry

An Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.

Authors:

Alyssa B. Mayer, PhD, MPH
Taylor McCune, MOT, OTR/L
Justin T. McDaniel, PhD, MBA
Diana Gill, PhD, CHES
Robert J. McDermott, PhD, FAAHB

Objective:

One in 4 active-duty US military personnel report needing support for mental health issues. This proportion increases to 41% of all US military veterans, suggesting mental health status may worsen by the transition from active duty to civilian life. In this study, we explore the lived experiences of veterans in the South Carolina Low country as they transition from active service to civilian life, with an emphasis on identifying services and support for this population.

Methods:

We used a qualitative design employing a grounded theory approach. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 veterans in the first year of reintegration to civilian life that examined the following areas: (1) social isolation; (2) physical isolation; and (3) self-reported levels of mental distress.

Results:

Thematic saturation was reached with the following emerging themes: (1) perceived mental distress due to social and physical isolation, (2) difficulty transitioning from the military “family” to one’s actual family, (3) confusion regarding identity and place in society, and an expressed (4) need for services to support this critical period in a veteran’s life.

Conclusions:

Our interview data provide insight about the experiences of military veterans as they return to civilian life and offer evidence for the need for better integration into the social and physical fabric of the population using both existing and enhanced community-based support programs.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.10.3.5

Steven Rowe2023-08-19T15:40:16-06:00August 6th, 2023|Mental Health, Veterans|

Addressing Community Health Worker Wellness and Self-care: A Formative Evaluation

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An Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.

Authors:

Chelsey Kirkland, PhD, MPH, CHW
Jeffrey S. Hallam, PhD, FRSPH

Objective:

Community health workers (CHWs) experience higher than average risks for chronic diseases and poor health and are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to being from historically marginalized populations. Despite limited literature, these factors indicate a need for CHW-specific support programming for wellness and self-care. Therefore, we conducted formative evaluation using virtual focus groups (N = 5) using descriptive and interpretive qualitative research methods to inform a program called “HANS KAI.”

Methods:

The focus groups included CHWs (N = 35) and CHW supervisors (N = 5) to explore CHW-support programming needs and understand their perceptions of HANS KAI. Two moderators followed a semi-structured focus group guide with questions and prompts focused on 5 primary domains: (1) Intervention Initiation, (2) Impact of Agency Culture, (3) HANS KAI Meeting Details, (4) HANS KAI Meeting Topics, and (5) Intervention Incentives. Audio-transcribed data were aggregated and analyzed for each domain with inductive codes involving iterative cycles of descriptive and in vivo coding. Salient themes and sub-themes were developed based on the domains.

Results:

We developed 8 salient themes within the domains.

Conclusions:

Our findings reveal that CHW HANS KAI components reflect CHWs’ needs, may benefit CHWs, and provide insights into CHW-specific programming.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.10.3.2

Steven Rowe2023-08-19T15:38:25-06:00July 26th, 2023|Community Health, Physical Activity, Program Planning|

Dynamic Topic Modeling to Mine Themes and Evolution during the Initial COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout

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An Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.

Authors:

Ankita Agarwal
Dixit Bharatkumar Patel
Emily Burwell
William Romine
Tanvi Banerjee

Objective:

In this paper, we identify the topics in the form of themes being discussed on Twitter about the COVID-19 vaccine during the period of initial rollout of the vaccines and their evolution every month with the scientific advancement and major events on the COVID-19 vaccine timeline.

Methods:

We collected tweets from Twitter API over a period of 3 months from December 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021 using the keyword, ‘COVID-19 vaccine’ and implemented dynamic topic modeling to identify topics in the form of themes being discussed. We then visualized the evolution of these themes every month with the news events during that time.

Results:

We found that 8 themes were discussed on Twitter during the initial rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. Within each theme, there were some unique key words found in a particular month or new key words that emerged from the previous month. These themes evolved with the trending news during that time period.

Conclusions:

Public discussions and health behavior of people about COVID-19 vaccines across different themes evolved over time. There was a dynamic and temporal shift in the perception of people regarding these vaccines coinciding with the scientific advancement and news events around the development, distribution, and administration of these vaccines.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.10.3.1

Steven Rowe2023-08-19T15:36:13-06:00July 3rd, 2023|COVID19, Social Media|

What the Data Say: The Utility of Better Health Literacy during and beyond COVID-19

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A Fast Track Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.
The full article is available for subscribers, subscribe here.

Authors:

Sandra Vamos
Michelle Vine

Objective:

The aim of this paper was to identify the reported need for health literacy related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We explored the role of health literacy in people’s understanding and acceptance of scientific evidence and digital information during the COVID-19 infodemic and beyond.

Methods:

We followed PRISMA guidelines to guide our scoping review and synthesize relevant sources of literature related to health literacy and COVID-19. PRISMA guidelines helped to identify inclusion/exclusion criteria to assess time period and quality sources from academic papers.

Results:

A total of 397 articles were screened, with 44 articles meeting criteria. We identified the necessity of health-literate individuals and data through examples of “information pollution” contributing to the infodemic. We reflected on some key COVID-19 lessons learned, sharing examples and approaches using a health literacy lens in our public health response within our digital landscape.

Conclusions:

This review highlights the need to enhance health literacy skills among individuals, organizations, and governments to empower citizens and communities by bridging the digital health information gap among scientists, public health officials, and the public. More work is needed for effective health literacy capacity building to navigate science, enhance accurate online health communication, and minimize controversies for future public health crises.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.10.2.5

Steven Rowe2023-06-09T15:03:00-06:00May 31st, 2023|COVID19, Health Education|

The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity and Related Health Outcomes: Where Do We Go from Here?

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A Fast Track article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.
The full article is available for subscribers, subscribe here.

Authors:

Emily Stevens
Paul Gallo
Jaimy Dyer
Ethan Balk

Objective:

COVID-19 has presented challenges to public health, including mental and physical health risks attributed to reductions in physical activity (PA) and social isolation that resulted from quarantine. Barriers to community engagement and PA have persisted. In this paper, we review the literature on behavioral changes associated with COVID-19 on aerobic exercise, resistance training, and related mental and physical health outcomes, including barriers to PA, to guide recommendations for post-COVID community-based exercise programming.

Methods:

We identified 63 relevant studies related to COVID-19 and PA (N = 22), aerobic exercise (N = 11), and discreet resistance exercise (N = 30). We reviewed studies while trying to focus on synthesizing the impact of the pandemic on rates of PA, barriers to PA, and resulting health outcomes to guide recommendations for post-pandemic community-based programming.

Results:

COVID-19 lockdown resulted in substantial reductions in PA, which led to increased risk for comorbidities attributed to inactivity and social isolation. Typical barriers to PA among adults were exacerbated with closure of gyms and balancing work and family care from home.

Conclusions:

We recommend moderate physical activity, such as walking and discreet resistance training, for community-based programming in a post-pandemic society. These modes of exercise address key barriers to PA among community-dwelling adults.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: hhttps://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/psp/hbpr/pre-prints/content-psp_hbpr_10_2_3

Steven Rowe2023-05-31T08:57:34-06:00May 31st, 2023|Community Health, COVID19, Physical Activity|

Qualitative Study of Health Disorders of Traditional Divers

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A Fast Track article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.
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Authors:

Tri Niswati Utami
Dewi Agustina
Noeroel Widajati

Objective:

In this study, we examined the characteristics of health problems associated with traditional divers (N = 10) so as to provide responsive prevention and intervention for persons engaged in this informal occupation.

Methods:

For this qualitative research we used a phenomenological design. We conducted data analysis in 2 ways: (1) we mapped the responses of our participants to interview questions, and (2) we applied ATLAS.Ti22 software for analytic description.

Results:

Complaints of muscle cramps were felt by 4 participants who consumed <2 liters of water per day, 2 persons with a body mass index (BMI) in the obese category, and one diver who was overweight. Ear complaints were related to diving depth, diving duration, cigarette smoking, and BMI. Muscle complaints were related to water consumption, dive depth, and BMI is 0.22.

Conclusions:

Education, surveillance, and policy initiatives are necessary to minimize the negative health effects of traditional diving.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/psp/hbpr/pre-prints/content-psp_hbpr_10_2_4

Steven Rowe2023-05-31T08:56:36-06:00May 31st, 2023|Diving, Occupational Health|

Systematic Review of College-based Bystander Interventions to Reduce Sexual Violence

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A Fast Track article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.
The full article is available for subscribers, subscribe here.

Authors:

Kelsey Banton
Ronald D Williams
Keff M Housman

Objective:

Up to 20% of female students experience some form of sexual violence while attending college. Bystander intervention programs to reduce sexual violence among university students are increasingly common, yet their effectiveness is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of literature on issues of sexual violence on college campuses, as well as the role of bystander intervention programs and bystander behavior.

Methods:

Using PRISMA guidelines, database and reference list reviews generated a total of 530 resources from 1972 to 2020.

Results:

Screenings resulted in a total of 106 resources including peer-reviewed articles, governmental reports, and other scholarly references.

Conclusions:

Research into campus-based sexual violence has documented the increasing popularity of bystander intervention programs. Although these bystander programs are popular, literature highlights their limited effectiveness in reducing campus based sexual violence. Future research should explore methods to increase understanding of how bystander intervention programs impact immediate and long-term behavior. Research also should explore motivations to intervene during lower risk situations on the sexual violence continuum which could help explain motivations to intervene during higher-risk situations.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/psp/hbpr/pre-prints/content-psp_hbpr_10_2_2

Steven Rowe2023-05-22T14:50:52-06:00May 22nd, 2023|College Health, Sexual Health, Women's Health|

School Art Murals Reflecting the Immigrant Experience: A Mixed-methods Social-ecological Approach to Assess Perceptions of Staff and Students

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A Fast Track Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.

Authors:

Ross Shegog
Michelle Zhao
Jamila Raja
Evan Shegog
Elizabeth Leass
Aisha Siddiqui

Objective:

The objective of this study was to explore the perceived social-ecological impacts of school-based art mural installations that represented the immigrant and refugee experience in a major urban center in southeast Texas.

Methods:

We adapted surveys (ixia and National School Climate Center) to assess 4 theory-based individual- and community-level constructs with school personnel (N = 9) and students (N = 23) in 3 ethnically diverse inner-city schools in Houston, Texas. Focus groups and interviews captured their perceptions and experiences with the art murals in their own voice.

Results:

Most participants (> 90%) agreed that the art murals were socially valuable to the school community, neighborhood, and interpersonal relationships, in addition to providing increased economic value (p < .01). Participants responded that there were better relationships between the school communities and their neighborhoods and increased school pride. Student reflections and behaviors were commensurate with the murals’ inspirational messages.

Conclusions:

Findings contribute to understanding the benefits of public art in predominantly minority school settings that reflect the immigrant and refugee experience and aspirations for improving health within a community.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.10.2.1

Steven Rowe2023-06-09T15:04:12-06:00May 22nd, 2023|Community Health, Immigration Health|

Facilitators of a Campus Tobacco-free Policy: Navigating the Politics

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An Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.
The full article is available for subscribers, subscribe here.

Authors:

Maxim Gakh, JD, MPH
Timothy J. Grigsby, PhD
Courtney Coughenour, PhD
Malcolm Ahlo, MPA
Kacie Washburn, BS
Shawn Gerstenberger, PhD

Objective:

In this paper, we discuss prioritization, formulation, and adoption of a comprehensive campus tobacco-free policy on a large, diverse campus at a public university in the United States.

Methods:

We examined the comprehensive campus tobacco-free policy experience through Kindgon’s Multiple Streams Framework, which stipulates that policy change can happen when problem, policy, and politics align. We focus on the factors that led the political stream to align with the problem and policy streams to create a “window of opportunity” for adopting this policy.

Results:

The campus experience with COVID-19 helped spur policy adoption. Support from leadership, a committed faculty-administration team, engagement with stakeholders and community partners, knowledge of the policy adoption process, and sustained advocacy all contributed to policy adoption.

Conclusions:

Campus tobacco-free policy advocates can navigate the politics of prioritizing, formulating, and adopting a campus smoke-free policy by knowing the context and process, being comfortable with policy work, engaging with tobacco prevention stakeholders, sustaining their efforts and advocating in multiple ways, and considering implementation and evaluation early.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review, Volume 10, Number 1, February 2023, pp. 1165-1172(8)
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.10.1.3

Steven Rowe2023-04-22T15:43:33-06:00March 19th, 2023|College Health, Tobacco|

Examining Flavor Appeal (Liking), Emotions and Openness to Use in Adults Who Do Not Use E-cigarettes

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An Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.
The full article is available as a PDF download.

Authors:

Ban Majeed, MBChB, PhD
Hailey Treadaway, MS
Mishma Ahmad Farsi, BS
Christos Hatzigeorgiou, DO, MPH, FACP
Kate O’Connor, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM
Vahe Heboyan, PhD
Thomas Eissenberg, PhD

Objective:

In this study, we examined emotional profiles, the pattern of intensities of evoked emotions, and the associations between emotions and openness in the use flavored e-cigarettes among adults who do not currently use e-cigarettes – younger/never smoked and older/currently smoked.

Methods:

We conducted an Internet experiment in women (N = 141) who do not currently use e-cigarettes. Experiment stimuli appeared as flavor names (classic tobacco, cool mint, fresh strawberry, top-shelf bourbon) and were randomly presented to participants who rated their evoked emotions using the EsSense^TM Profile. Overall liking and openness to use were assessed per flavor. Seemingly unrelated regression models were constructed to determine factors associated with openness.

Results:

All flavors evoked greater intensities of negative emotions (disgusted, worried, and guilty) in younger/never smoked adults. The majority of the ratings on positive emotions (enthusiastic, interested, and satisfied) were positively and significantly correlated with flavor liking, whereas disgusted, was negatively correlated with flavor liking. Perceived harm was high whereas overall liking and openness were low. Flavor liking was significantly greater for “classic tobacco” in older/currently smoked (p < .001).

Conclusions:

Low intensities of positive emotions to flavor names suggest disinterest in e-cigarettes as a class product irrespective of flavor.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review, Volume 10, Number 1, February 2023, pp. 1153-1164(12)
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.10.1.2

Steven Rowe2023-04-22T15:51:44-06:00February 27th, 2023|Tobacco, Women's Health|

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