Browsing by Author "Hughes, Virginia C."
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Item Correlations with Congenital Syphilis in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study(International Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2023-07-18) Hughes, Virginia C.Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and is transmitted from human to human through sexual contact. Congenital syphilis (CS) occurs when the mother transmits the infection to the fetus. Clinical manifestations of CS include anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, blindness, deafness, meningitis, and deformities in bone structure. The number of cases of CS have increased over the past decade in the United States according to the CDC. A study was conducted correlating the number of Medicaid enrollees in 2020, the number of uninsured persons in 2020, and the number of cases of COVID-19 in 2020 to cases of CS in the United States in 2021. A Spearman rank correlation analysis was done using SPSS. Results were statistically significant for all three pairs of variables with positive correlations; Medicaid enrollment and CS cases (r = 0.735, P<.05), uninsured persons with CS cases (r = 0.713, P<.05), COVID-19 cases and CS cases (r = 0.689, P<.05). Reasons for the increase in CS cases are multifactorial, including variations in state laws regarding syphilis screening in the prenatal period, differences in provider processes for persons on Medicaid, persons uninsured, and restrictions to accessing healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies should include questionnaires and interviews with women on their experiences during prenatal visits in regards to syphilis screening, particularly women covered by Medicaid, and surveys completed by healthcare providers to gain insight and to identify factors that affect a woman not being tested for syphilis during her pregnancy.Item The Impact of Cancer Cases, Marijuana possession Arrests, and Opioid Deaths on Cannabis Policies in the United States: A Logistic Regression Study(American Journal of Public Health Research, 2022-09-14) Hughes, Virginia C.Recreational cannabis is currently legal in nineteen states and the District of Columbia. The history of each states pathway for passing laws codifying fully legal status varies greatly across the United States. A study was conducted with the aim of identifying factors that significantly impact a states fully legal status on cannabis employing a logistic regression design. Independent factors analyzed included the marijuana possession arrest rate (MPAR), new cancer cases, and opioid overdose rate. All data were from 2010 to assess if these factors impacted passage of laws approving recreational cannabis, as all such laws were passed after 2010. The dependent variable was dichotomous toward fully legal status or not fully legal status in states. Results showed statistically significance with the MPAR variable (P<.05). The opioid over dose rate and cancer cases did not yield statistically significant results. Consistent with the federalist system, select state legislatures have made the decision to pass laws regarding recreational cannabis propelled by public support when cannabis is still illegal under federal law. This paper delineates both recreational cannabis and medical cannabis laws, and provides salient discussion on variables analyzed and ideas for future policy studies.Item The Medical Diagnostics Major: Gateway to Medical School and Physician Assistant School(American Journal of Educational Research, 2022-05-25) Hughes, Virginia C.Medical diagnostics, offered at the University of Delaware College of Health Sciences, represents a novel major in higher education. This major incorporates courses similar to the preclinical content of professional schools along with the standard science and mathematics prerequisites. Students have the option of taking a pre-physician assistant (PA) concentration or non-pre-PA concentration. Students in the non-pre-PA concentration typically apply to medical or dental school, while students in the pre-PA concentration apply to PA school. The medical diagnostics major began in 2013 in a 2+2 format. Students completed prerequisite courses in their first two years and then applied to the permanent major, medical diagnostics. In 2021, the format for both concentrations transitioned to a direct admissions model. A study was conducted with the goal of ascertaining if there was an increase or decrease in enrollment from 2020 to 2021. Results of the study indicated a ten percent increase in enrollment for Medical Diagnostics pre -PA and a nineteen percent decrease in enrollment for Medical Diagnostics non-pre PA. This paper outlines the critical role of the pre-health advisor for students who plan to apply to medical school or PA school as well as administrative procedures associated with a 2+2 model compared to a direct admissions model.