scholarly journals Writing Assignments in Epidemiology Courses: How Many and How Good?

2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ella August ◽  
Karen Burke ◽  
Cathy Fleischer ◽  
James A. Trostle
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Writing Process ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Learning Goals ◽  
Student Writing ◽  
Writing Assignments ◽  
Document Type ◽  
Public Health Programs

Objectives:Schools and programs of public health are concerned about poor student writing. We determined the proportion of epidemiology courses that required writing assignments and the presence of 6 characteristics of these assignments.Methods:We requested syllabi, writing assignments, and grading criteria from instructors of graduate and undergraduate epidemiology courses taught during 2016 or 2017. We assessed the extent to which these assignments incorporated 6 characteristics of effective writing assignments: (1) a description of the purpose of the writing or learning goals of the assignment, (2) a document type (eg, article, grant) used in public health, (3) an identified target audience, (4) incorporation of tasks that support the writing process (eg, revision), (5) a topic related to a public health problem that requires critical thinking (1-5 scale, 5 = most authentic), and (6) clear assignment expectations (1-5 scale, 5 = clearest).Results:We contacted 594 instructors from 58 institutions and received at least some evaluable materials from 59 courses at 28 institutions. Of these, 47 of 53 (89%) courses required some writing. The purpose was adequately described in 11 of 36 assignments, the required document type was appropriate in 19 of 43 assignments, an audience was identified in 6 of 37 assignments, and tasks that supported a writing process were incorporated in 19 of 40 assignments. Median (interquartile range) scores were 5 (1-5) for an authentic problem that required critical thinking and 4 (2-5) for clarity of expectations.Conclusions:The characteristics of writing assignments in public health programs do not reflect best practices in writing instruction and should be improved.

Tendency of Internet Search Data of Oral Neoplasms and Impact of Public Health Programs in European Union

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romain LAN ◽  
Fabrice CAMPANA ◽  
Delphine TARDIVO ◽  
Jean-Hugues CATHERINE ◽  
Jean-Noel VERGNES ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Oral Cancer ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Internet Research ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Public Health Programs ◽  
Prevention Campaign ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Tobacco Packaging

Abstract Background: Tobacco and alcohol are the main risk factors for oral squamous cell carcinoma, the low survival rate of which is a public health problem. European-wide health policies (prevention campaign, tobacco packaging) have been put in place to inform the population of the risks associated with their consumption. Due to the increase in smoking among women and changes in sexual practices, the incidence of this disease is still too high. The identification of data from internet research on the population could make it possible to measure the impact and better orient these preventive measures.The objective was to analyse the data on interest shown in oral cancers from several online databases, and to cross-reference them with the data on the introduction of European public health programs.Methods: A search of data from Google ©, Wikipedia © and Twitter © users in 28 European countries relating to oral cancer between 2004 and 2019 was carried out. Bibliometric analysis of press and scientific articles over the same period was also analysed. The association between these data and the introduction of public health programs in Europe has been studied.Results: Changes in tobacco packaging correlated with a significant increase in internet research on oral cancer in 7 countries. Unlike national policies and campaigns, the European awareness program Make Sense has had no influence on internet research. There was an asymmetric correlation in internet searches between publications on oral cancer from scientific articles or "traditional" media (weak association) and those from internet media such as Twitter © or Wikipedia © (strong association).Conclusion: Our work highlights 7 areas of work around which oral cancer awareness in Europe could be refocused.

A disconnect between classroom and professional writing: we are not teaching public health students to write effective titles

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 412-415
Author(s):  
Olivia Anderson ◽  
Ella August
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Professional Writing ◽  
Student Writing ◽  
Health Practice ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Writing Assignments ◽  
Document Type ◽  
Grant Applications ◽  
Professional Workplace

ABSTRACT Titles are considered a crucial element of grant applications, journal articles, reports and other public health documents, but they are often overlooked in student writing assignments. In this article, we argue that public health instructors should teach students how to write compelling document titles. Our argument about titles is part of a broader assertion that public health students should be asked to write in professional formats such as grant applications, reports and journal articles. Requiring students to engage with important writing conventions like titles that are used in the professional workplace helps them make connections between the content they are writing about and the activities, roles, values and context of public health practice. We recommend that instructors explicitly incorporate titles into their assigned writing in three ways: first, instructors should require titles; second, instructors should provide criteria for a good title that are appropriate to the document type and finally, instructors should award points for a good title.

scholarly journals Prevalence and correlates of substance use by Egyptian school youth

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher A. Loffredo ◽  
Yousri Edward Shaker ◽  
Irene A. Jillson ◽  
Dina N.K. Boulos ◽  
Doa'a A. Saleh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Drinking Alcohol ◽  
Public Health Programs ◽  
Oral Medications ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
School Youth

Loffredo, C., Shaker, Y., Jillson, I., Boulos, D., Saleh, D., Garas, M., Ostrowski, M., Sun, X., Chen, X., Shander, B., & Amr, S. (2017). Prevalence and correlates of substance use by Egyptian school youth. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 6(1), 37-51. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v6i1.242Aims: Substance use among Egyptian youth is an emerging public health problem, yet there is a paucity of information on the prevalence and correlates of these behaviors. To address this gap, we conducted surveys at 25 schools in Egypt in 2013 and 2014.Design: We calculated associations between substance use prevalence and age, gender, residence area, living arrangement, and employment status, along with adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).Setting: Cairo region and southern Egypt.Participants: School youth ages 12-18 (N=1,415).Measures: Self-administered survey on the use of cigarettes, waterpipes, alcohol, hashish, bango, heroin, Tramadol, other oral medications, injected substances, and glue/petrol sniffing; together with the amount and frequency of each substance used and age at initiation, in addition to demographic characteristics.Findings: Seventy-two percent of participants were male. Tobacco and cannabinoids were the most commonly used substances by both genders. Males reported smoking cigarettes (25%), waterpipes (15%), and hashish (6%), drinking alcohol (16%), and taking Tramadol (3%). Younger age (12–14 years) and residence outside of Cairo were somewhat protective. Among males, but not females, having a job increased the odds of smoking cigarettes (OR = 1.8, 95% CI [1.3, 2.6]), waterpipes (OR = 1.9, 95% CI [1.2, 2.9]), or hashish (OR = 2.0, 95% CI [1.1, 3.7]).Conclusions: These findings, consistent with reports from other countries, can inform the design and direct the resources of future public health programs targeting adolescents to prevent the onset of substance use and ultimately addiction in Egypt and elsewhere.

Risk Attitudes and Behavior Among Norwegian Adolescents

2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilde Iversen ◽  
Torbjørn Rundmo ◽  
Hroar Klempe
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Behavior Modification ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Risk Attitudes ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Public Health Programs ◽  
The Core ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Attitudes And Behavior

Abstract. The core aim of the present study is to compare the effects of a safety campaign and a behavior modification program on traffic safety. As is the case in community-based health promotion, the present study's approach of the attitude campaign was based on active participation of the group of recipients. One of the reasons why many attitude campaigns conducted previously have failed may be that they have been society-based public health programs. Both the interventions were carried out simultaneously among students aged 18-19 years in two Norwegian high schools (n = 342). At the first high school the intervention was behavior modification, at the second school a community-based attitude campaign was carried out. Baseline and posttest data on attitudes toward traffic safety and self-reported risk behavior were collected. The results showed that there was a significant total effect of the interventions although the effect depended on the type of intervention. There were significant differences in attitude and behavior only in the sample where the attitude campaign was carried out and no significant changes were found in the group of recipients of behavior modification.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Effectiveness in Ghana (TyVEGHA) Using a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Phase IV Trial: Trial Design and Population Baseline Characteristics

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 281
Author(s):  
Andrea Haekyung Haselbeck ◽  
Birkneh Tilahun Tadesse ◽  
Juyeon Park ◽  
Malick M. Gibani ◽  
Ligia María Cruz Espinoza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Blood Culture ◽  
Typhoid Fever ◽  
Conjugate Vaccine ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Public Health Programs ◽  
High Burden ◽  
Pan African ◽  
Cluster Randomized

Typhoid fever remains a significant health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, with incidence rates of >100 cases per 100,000 person-years of observation. Despite the prequalification of safe and effective typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCV), some uncertainties remain around future demand. Real-life effectiveness data, which inform public health programs on the impact of TCVs in reducing typhoid-related mortality and morbidity, from an African setting may help encourage the introduction of TCVs in high-burden settings. Here, we describe a cluster-randomized trial to investigate population-level protection of TYPBAR-TCV®, a Vi-polysaccharide conjugated to a tetanus-toxoid protein carrier (Vi-TT) against blood-culture-confirmed typhoid fever, and the synthesis of health economic evidence to inform policy decisions. A total of 80 geographically distinct clusters are delineated within the Agogo district of the Asante Akim region in Ghana. Clusters are randomized to the intervention arm receiving Vi-TT or a control arm receiving the meningococcal A conjugate vaccine. The primary study endpoint is the total protection of Vi-TT against blood-culture-confirmed typhoid fever. Total, direct, and indirect protection are measured as secondary outcomes. Blood-culture-based enhanced surveillance enables the estimation of incidence rates in the intervention and control clusters. Evaluation of the real-world impact of TCVs and evidence synthesis improve the uptake of prequalified/licensed safe and effective typhoid vaccines in public health programs of high burden settings. This trial is registered at the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry, accessible at Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (ID: PACTR202011804563392).

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