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- Creators: School of Life Sciences
- Member of: Theses and Dissertations
- Status: Published
Description
This study evaluates the level of human papillomavirus (HPV) awareness and knowledge among students and healthcare workers at Arizona State University (ASU). The significance of understanding HPV awareness and knowledge is paramount in the context of global public health as HPV is the most commonly sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States and can cause various health conditions, most notably cervical cancer. This study employed an anonymous, cross-sectional survey design to test for HPV awareness and knowledge among ASU students and healthcare workers. It most notably found that while approximately 90% of students are aware of HPV as a potential STI, only 54% are aware that HPV can cause various warts, only 30% are aware that HPV can cause six types of cancers, only 61% have been and/or know someone who has been vaccinated against HPV, and 80% have never been tested for HPV. Data was unable to be collected from healthcare workers on campus due to logistical conflicts with ASU Health Services. Overall, the study showed general awareness of HPV among ASU students but less functional knowledge about HPV, such as the health conditions it can cause, that could play a part in prevention behaviors, most notably with getting vaccinated and tested. While this study is a good start and baseline for ASU, it should be noted that it may not be entirely reflective of the university as a whole due to the majority of participants being white, cis, and female, so future work for data collection and subsequent outreach prevention programs is recommended to be complete.
ContributorsEsquerra, Sebastian (Author) / Quezada, Blanca (Thesis director) / Leaver, Jill (Committee member) / Ackerley, Hunter (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The social determinants of drug use are critical factors that influence patterns of substance use across urban and rural populations. This paper explores these determinants by comparing the prevalence and types of drug use within these diverse environments, drawing upon data and insights from recent studies. In urban areas, the variety and availability of drugs, coupled with socioeconomic disparities and cultural diversity, lead to distinct patterns of drug use. Conversely, rural areas face challenges like limited healthcare access and higher rates of prescription opioid misuse, often exacerbated by economic and social isolation. Significant differences in the social fabric between urban and rural settings influence drug use behaviors. Urban environments, characterized by dense populations and a wide array of available substances, report higher incidences of cocaine, heroin, and synthetic drug use. These areas often benefit from more extensive healthcare services but also face challenges such as higher levels of homelessness and crime, influencing substance use patterns. In contrast, rural areas deal with issues such as limited healthcare services and greater social stigma, which can deter individuals from seeking help, thus perpetuating cycles of substance abuse. This study underscores the importance of understanding the social determinants of health as they pertain to drug use. Factors like socioeconomic status, education, age, religion, gender, and sexual orientation play significant roles in shaping these patterns. By addressing these root causes through targeted public health interventions and policies, it is possible to effectively mitigate the impact of drug use across both urban and rural landscapes. This approach not only aids in substance abuse prevention but also ensures that interventions are equitable and culturally sensitive, thereby improving public health outcomes for diverse populations. The findings highlight the need for comprehensive strategies that consider both the unique and shared challenges faced by urban and rural communities in managing drug use. This nuanced understanding is crucial for developing interventions that are not only effective but also inclusive, addressing the broader social and economic dynamics that contribute to substance abuse.
ContributorsBahl, Shivani (Author) / Smith, Lisa (Thesis director) / Daniulaityte, Raminta (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Extinction of experience is a phenomenon characterized by a decline in people’s contact with nature and impoverishment of local wildlife, which can result in negative changes in human attitudes towards the environment and overall well-being. In this study, I piloted a survey and an interview with my own immediate and extended family members to gain insight regarding specific nature experiences, including the factors that may inhibit such experiences. Through interviews, I found that many respondents were uncertain whether their own backyards counted as a nature space; if so, this significantly impacts their reported frequency and duration or time spent outdoors. The inclusion of yard spaces as nature spaces may therefore be necessary to fully understand the diverse nature experiences of a community.
ContributorsEscobedo, Isabella (Author) / Hall, Sharon (Thesis director) / Minteer, Ben (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found organically in psychedelic mushrooms, is currently classified as a Schedule I drug with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule I classification regulations on psilocybin largely makes doing significant research infeasible due to bureaucratic and financial barriers. Despite this classification, some researchers have studied the impact of ingesting psilocybin as a means of treating mental disorders and other conditions. Current and past research shows promising results for psilocybin’s ability to alleviate symptoms associated with mental disorders while also having a low abuse potential. In the interest of public benefit for the discovery of novel treatments and insight into brain function, psilocybin must be redesignated to allow for more extensive research in order to determine its therapeutic potential.
ContributorsPuttick, Jessica (Author) / Zarazua, Cristal (Co-author) / Rigoni, Adam (Thesis director) / Fong, Benjamin (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Complex Adaptive Systems (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Abstract: With the advent of the prophet Muhammad in the seventh century CE, Arabia was unified under a single state. Such a historical development is essential to understand and appreciate. The life and career of the Prophet has been analyzed by both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. There is generally a lot of overlap between both groups of interpretations. However, the hierarchy of contributing factors to the unification of Arabia remains controversial. In my thesis, I put forth the significance of the Islamic religious teachings in this process of unification and centralization of power.
ContributorsKhatib, Ahmad (Author) / Liew, Han (Thesis director) / Kefeli, Agnes (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This project offers a multi-perspective overview of why art matters in ecology. Combining the research of others with my own art and insight from within the academic system, I address the breadth of applications that art has in science education. The goal of this project is to show that creative engagement can foster a sustainable mindset, make science-learning more accessible, and encourage progress in social and environmental justice in an integrative, interdisciplinary way.
ContributorsSvitak, Lo (Author) / Barca, Lisa (Thesis director) / Chew, Matthew (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Refugees are considered to be at risk for poorer health outcomes and it becomes important to understand the barriers for these individuals and providers who work with this population. There was no literature specifically addressing the inconveniences refugee providers face in having patients continue long-term medical care. This paper qualitatively investigated barriers to continuing care by looking from the perspective of professionals who work with these populations. Through conducting interviews with professionals within Arizona working with refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers using guiding questions, qualitative data was gathered on key areas like communication barriers, cultural competency training needs, logistical hurdles, and resource limitations.
The findings reveal that the most significant obstacles faced by providers in achieving continuity of care are related to transferring medical records and referrals, health literacy, data tracking, language interpretation barriers, and transportation limitations. The most common barriers noted were gaps in patient education and health literacy, as well as budgeting and expenditure tracking. In discussion of these barriers, solutions found to be most effective, respectively, are scheduling upcoming appointments in-office, clear after-care visit summaries, community outreach/workshops, centralized tracking documents, and better utilization of cultural health workers.
Organizations working with refugee, immigrant, and/or asylum-seeker populations should consider these insights from providers when developing strategies to improve continuity of care. Though there is still a need to expand research on provider tools to ease long-term care to refugee patient populations, this study shows preliminary evidence of effective approaches that can inform policy decisions in refugee health.
ContributorsAbdullah, Mena (Author) / DeLargy, Pamela (Thesis director) / DiVito, Brittany (Committee member) / Kenny, Katherine (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The overturning of Roe v. Wade in June of 2022 has left a lasting mark on the United
States as it entered a Post Roe era that has dramatically changed the course of reproductive
freedom, leaving much uncertainty throughout the country. With termination laws now at the
discretion of the states rather than the federal government, the fate of access to pregnancy
termination for medical indications is at stake. One area in healthcare where the overturning of
Roe v. Wade is expected to demonstrate a significant impact is within prenatal care for
individuals and couples at an increased risk of having a child affected by a genetic condition.
This study aims to understand the impact the Post Roe Era has had on the conversations
prenatal genetic counselors have with their patients considering termination in the southwest
of the United States across the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. The
complexities of prenatal genetic counselors’ experiences with Roe v. Wade will be described by
analyzing survey responses and informational interviews with practicing genetic counselors.
When Roe v. Wade was overturned, it changed how prenatal genetic counselors care for their
patients. The types of discussions providers have surrounding pregnancy termination now vary
widely across the fifty states.
ContributorsCasey, Allison (Author) / Hunt Brendish, Katherine (Thesis director) / Haskin, Jennifer (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Within ocean conservation marketing and campaigns, two schools of thought can be identified. The species savior mindset uses emotionally provoking imagery of specific keystone species like the polar bear or sea turtle in order to promote conservation. This method of marketing relies on audience familiarity and emotions and is easily exploitable for greenwashing by companies like Starbucks and Coca-Cola. Alternatively, the ecosystem mindset emphasizes a bottom-up view of the non-hierarchical interconnections between species in the food web, rather than just the minimizing trickle-down effects of keystone species. This form of marketing relates importance of all species to the health of ecosystems, as well as the vitality of biodiversity. This marketing is better suited to the future needs of the conservation movement and would translate better to lasting, meaningful change.
ContributorsStooks, Jacqueline (Author) / Han, Lisa (Thesis director) / Broglio, Ron (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) accounts for 10% of patients on dialysis and leads to a complete life transformation, as patients suffer from pain, fatigue, and isolation. With 22% of ADPKD patients experiencing depression, this study hoped to unveil specific coping strategies that mediate the link between patients’ sources of social support and levels of depression (Simms et al., 2016). Online survey data was collected with a sample of ADPKD adults (N= 81, 67.9% female), administering measures that capture social support (SS), coping strategies (CS), and depression. Mediation analyses revealed that the relationship between three types of social support (e.g., family, friends, and significant others) and depression, were significantly mediated by two types of coping strategies: acceptance (p < 0.05 - 0.01) and planning (p < 0.001). More specifically, acceptance coping partially mediated the link between the social support of family and significant others and depression, whereas acceptance coping demonstrated a trend towards partial mediation in the link between friends’ social support and depression, with acceptance mitigating depression. Interestingly, utilizing planning coping masked the link between familial social support and depression, such that planning increased depression. Taken together, ADPKD patients who learn to accept their diagnosis are less depressed, while those who plan ahead experience greater depression.
ContributorsFusciello, Chiara (Author) / Taylor, Teri (Thesis director) / Flores, Valerie (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05