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The School of Nursing, a national leader in health sciences research, public service, and patient care, is dedicated to creating a research-intensive environment that will advance the science of nursing through research and scholarship.
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A Comparative Study of Preventive Healthcare Behaviors Among African Immigrant Women (AIW) and African American Women (AAW): Barriers and Facilitators of Cervical Cancer PreventionAbstract Background: Early screening, detection, and treatment of cervical pre-cancerous cells could prevent up to 80% of cervical cancers and reduce cervical cancer mortality by 52% globally. In the United States cervical cancer incidence has decreased by as much as 50% over the past 40 years due to widespread utilization of preventive health services. Yet, health disparities in cervical cancer persist among African immigrant women (AIW) and African American women (AAW) in the US. There is limited research exploring the barriers and facilitators of preventive health services for AIW and AAW. Purpose: To explore perceived barriers and facilitators, and lived experiences of AIW and AAW related to cervical cancer prevention services. Methods: A qualitative study included 14 AIW and 14 AAW, residing in the Washington, DC-Baltimore Metropolitan area. Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit participants from churches,community center, grocery stores and a radio station. A semi-structured interview guide and a demographic questionnare were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using the Intepretative Phenomenological Analysis Method. Nvivo software was used to organize and code the data. Results: The mean age of participants was 41.1(11.9), with most of the women being college educated (93%), with health insurance (96%) that paid for cervical cancer prevention (89%). Many (79%) had not received HPV vaccine and 82% had a pap smear within 1-4years. AIW and AAW data were triangulated and revealed few differences between the groups. Six broad themes emerged grounded in the Health Belief Model. Barriers identified included limited knowledge and awareness of HPV infection, risk, and vaccines; myths related to abstinence, fear, and cleanliness of healthcare facilities; lack of trust and reliance on God for healing. Facilitators included the need to feel safe and healthy; prevent and treat disease; utilize informal and formal support systems; and receive recommendation from providers and public health education related to preventive services. Conclusion: Study findings can be used to mitigate barriers and enhance facilitators to develop culturally tailored interventions for AAW and AIW. The active engagement of health providers, the community and faith based partners can be leveraged to strengthen the development of prevention research.
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Firearm Injuries in Maryland, 2005-2014: Trends, Recidivism, and CostsBackground: Violent injuries related to firearms are common in the U.S., whether accidental or intentional. Restrictions on use of Federal dollars for research on injury prevention involving firearms has limited our knowledge of how firearm injury impacts the health care system. The objectives of this study are to characterize firearm injuries (FI) in Maryland, quantify recidivism, and to describe hospital treatment and their associated costs for Maryland. Methods: ED and inpatient hospital records utilizing E codes consistent with FI were linked across visits to create unique cases from 2005-2014. Recidivism was defined as any subsequent ED visit or hospitalization for FI. The relationship of social determinants of health derived from US Census data to the rate of FI hospitalization by zip code were examined with generalized linear models, as were FI associated hospital costs. Results: Those with a FI are primarily single young black males, with overall hospitalizations decreasing over the time period. While 9% died in their initial FI, recidivism occurred in 3% of the individuals. Personal Disadvantaged (IRR = 1.13) and Working Disadvantaged (IRR = 1.04) factors were associated with increased rates of FI within zip codes. Hospital costs were significantly predicted by being self-pay/charitable and injury severity, with estimated mean costs for one FI of $47,364. In 2013, FI hospitalizations totaled $14m, of which 25% (n=129) accounted for over $10m. Discussion and Implications: FI hospitalizations are decreasing and are increasingly linked to social determinants of health, which require multifaceted interventions with short term goals of interrupting ongoing violence and long-term goals of preventing future violence. The states are absorbing much of the health cost burden. Further research is needed, which should include developing a registry linking hospitalizations, deaths, and crime data that can be used to evaluate trends and effectiveness of interventions.
