Browsing by Subject "hispanic"
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Item Beneficial hispanic stroke mortality: An exploration of potential explanatory factors(2009-06-11) Bret Howrey; James S. Goodwin; Mukaila Raji; Ken Ottenbacher; Karl Eschbach; Jean Freeman; David Espino; Daniel FreemanStroke mortality rates are reported to be lower for Hispanics than non-Hispanic Whites. This project investigates factors that contribute to this lower rate in three ways: 1) examine the role of immigrant status in stroke incidence and mortality, 2) investigate the impact of cause of death ambiguity, and 3) examine the role of misreport of ethnicity on death certificates. \r\nIn examining the effect of immigrant status I used the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (EPESE) and the East Boston EPESE. This research compares baseline health characteristics of immigrants with native-born respondents. Additionally, I examine differences in stroke mortality, as well as the risk of stroke between waves. In both EPESE samples significant differences in demographics and co-morbidities existed at baseline between immigrants and the US born. However, the odds of stroke mortality or having a stroke during follow-up were not significantly different for immigrants and the US born in either the East Boston or Hispanic data. \r\n To examine the impact of cause of death coding and misreport of ethnicity on death certificates, I used national vital registration data for the years 1989-1991 and 1999-2002, including foreign and US born Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites. Hispanic deaths were adjusted for misclassification of ethnicity on the death certificate. These data were linked to census estimates and 5% census samples for the corresponding time periods, allowing for estimates of the foreign born population. Adjustment for nativity and death certificate misclassification removed the stroke mortality advantage for US born Hispanic men, but not women. After adjustment, US born Hispanic men and women have higher rates of mortality from subarachnoid stroke than Whites (RR 1.27 and 1.27 respectively), but lower rates of mortality from Ischemic (RR 0.85 and 0.79 respectively) and chronic effects of stroke (RR 0.95 and 0.79 respectively). \r\n These results suggest that health benefits immigrants receive do not continue in older age with regards to stroke. Additionally, after adjustment for misclassification, the lower stroke mortality advantage for Hispanic men disappears, while an advantage still remains for Hispanic women. Part of the previously reported advantage is a combination of imprecise measurement and data quality.\r\nItem Stress in Hispanic women enrolled in selected medical schools in Texas(Texas A&M University, 2005-02-17) Anita, Connelly NicholsonLittle uniquely identifiable information about Hispanic women who gain entrance into medical school is known. A few studies that focus just on stress in Hispanic women in medical school have found ?unique? stressors. This research examines stress in Hispanic women students (all four years) at Texas A&M University System ? Health Science Center ? College of Medicine (TAMUS-HSC) at College Station and at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston, Texas. Twenty- four women took part in this project. Data was gathered using a packet of questionnaires, incorporating Sheridan and Radmacher?s Comprehensive Scale of Stress Assessment and the Personal Style Inventory (1987 and 1991) and The Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) Student Project: Stress in First-Year Medical Students (Lensky, Noori, Matsukuma, Melamud & Chen, 1999). Each woman was personally interviewed. The results suggest increased stress and ?unique? stressors found by others who have researched Hispanic women in medical school. The intensity of medical school coupled with the stress that engulfs them from fear and sometimes anger (two stress emotions) stemming from worry about failure in school and worry about student loans that they are fearful they may not be able to repay causes high stress. Social, ethnic, and cultural bias and norms barriers to which they struggle to overcome anger them. Results from investigation of coping strategies suggest the women are coping as well as can be expected and are joyous over what they are doing. They rely on social groups to give them support. The knowledge they have obtained that there is prejudice toward their academic qualifications seems to make them more determined. They appear to be non-traditional and strong women who feel they are destined to become medical doctors This research should add valuable information to future research in this area. It is suggested by this author that there is a need for substantial, active, immediate and constant support for all minority students in Texas medicine. It is of necessity that minority mentors be trained and efforts made to put in place a program that works to support the women who are struggling and in fear of failing out.Item The effects of nutrition education and gardening on attitudes, preferences and knowledge of 2nd-5th graders regarding fruits and vegetables(Texas A&M University, 2006-04-12) Nolan, Geralyn A.Child obesity has become a national concern. Obesity in children ages 6-17 has more than doubled in the past 30 years. Only 20% of children today consume the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. This trend is even more pronounced in minority populations. Past studies have reported that a horticulture-based curriculum, including gardening, can improve children's attitudes toward eating fruits and vegetables. To investigate whether children of a minority population can benefit from gardening supplemented with a curriculum on nutrition, research was conducted with elementary schools in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas (Hidalgo County). Elementary school teachers participating in this research agreed to have school gardens and complete all activities in a curriculum on nutrition provided to them through the Texas Extension Service. One hundred forty one children in the participating schools completed a pre- and posttest evaluating their attitudes and snack preferences toward fruits and vegetables and their knowledge before and after gardening supplemented with information on nutrition. Statistically significant differences were detected between pre- and posttest scores for all three variables. After comparing pre-and posttest scores, it was concluded that gardening with supplemental instruction, had a positive effect on all three variables including students attitudes and snack preferences toward fruits and vegetables and their knowledge of nutrition.