Study Background. The Framingham Heart Study began in 1948 under the direction of the National Heart Institute (now known as the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute). The objective of the Framingham Heart Study was to identify the common factors or characteristics that contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD) by following its development over a long period of time in a large group of participants who had not yet developed overt symptoms or CVD or suffered a heart attack or stroke. Researchers recruited 5,209 men and women between the ages of 30 and 62 from the town of Framingham, Massachusetts and began the first round of extensive physical examinations and lifestyle interviews that they would later analyze for common patterns related to CVD development. Since 1948, the study participants have continued to return to the study every two years for a detailed medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests. In 1971, the study enrolled a second generation – 5,124 of the original participants’ adult children and their spouses – to participate in similar examinations. In April, 2002 the study began enrollment of a third generation of participants, the grandchildren of the original cohort. Periodic exams have continued on all three generations since each started. The FHS is a joint project of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and Boston University.
Study Background. The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) is an NHLBI-funded observational study of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adults 65 years or older conducted across four field centers. The original predominantly Caucasian cohort of 5201 persons was recruited in 1989-1990 from random samples of the Medicare eligibility lists and an additional 687 African- Americ ans were enrolled subsequently for a total sample of 5888. Starting in 1989, and continuing through 1999, participants underwent annual extensive clinical examinations. Follow-up for events remains ongoing through the present. The CHS methods paper is published (Xxx Xxxxxxxxx 1991; 1: 263- 76).
Study Background. Chapter 3 of this thesis presented the findings from a comprehensive systematic review and meta- analysis conducted to explore if there was an association between a range of mental and physical health and lifestyle-related risk factors and MCI or dementia in ageing military veterans (see Appendix A for the PROSPERO registration). This chapter provided a premise for the epidemiological analysis conducted in subsequent chapters of this thesis.
Study Background. Chapter 5 presented the findings from a prospective cohort study to explore the association between depression and MCI.
Study Background. Chapter 6 of this thesis presented the findings from a prospective cohort study exploring the association between CVH and lifestyle-related risk factors and MCI.
Study Background. Chapter 7 of this thesis presented the findings from a cross-sectional study exploring the association between lifetime TBI and MCI.
Study Background. The JHS is a large, community-based, observational study whose participants were recruited from urban and rural areas of the three counties (Xxxxx, Madison and Xxxxxx) that make up the Jackson, Mississippi metropolitan statistical area (MSA). Participants were enrolled from each of 4 recruitment pools: random, 17%; volunteer, 30%; currently enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (XXXX) Study, 31%; and secondary family members, 22%. Recruitment was limited to non-institutionalized adult African Americans 35-84 years old, except in the family cohort where those 21 to 34 years of age were eligible. The final cohort of 5,301 participants includes 6.59% of all African American Xxxxxxx MSA residents aged 35-84 (N-76,426, US Census 2000). Major components of each exam include medical history, physical examination, blood/urine analytes and interview questions on areas such as: physical activity; stress, coping and spirituality; racism and discrimination; socioeconomic position; and access to health care. At 12-month intervals after the baseline clinic visit (Exam 1), participants are contacted by telephone to: update information; confirm vital statistics; document interim medical events, hospitalizations, and functional status; and obtain additional sociocultural information. Questions about medical events, symptoms of cardiovascular disease and functional status are repeated annually. Ongoing cohort surveillance includes abstraction of medical records and death certificates for relevant International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes and adjudication of nonfatal events and deaths.
Study Background. Unless otherwise addressed in a separate (attached) proposal/document, this section should include (but not be limited to) information about the researcher and her/his affiliated institution, the curriculum focus, the researcher’s experience or background in this specific research interest/focus, the research’s link to district work or reforms. Specify “See attachment” if applicable. (Delete these italicized instructions in final document.)
Study Background. The stakeholders of the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and the San Xxxx River Endangered Fish Recovery Program have been collecting large quantities of data on stocked and wild endangered fishes. These data are stored in separate datasets at individual program offices. Currently, fish are crossing between basins and it is difficult to identify individual fish and capture histories. The sharing of data between stakeholders is not streamlined and the current system impedes thorough data analysis. Furthermore, there is a need for an efficient way to collate data from the increasing number of Passive Interrogation Arrays. A web-based master database is needed to improve efficiency of data entry and retrieval, and to prevent duplication of records and efforts between stakeholders. The master database will standardize content and provide convenient, easy access to all available data. This will benefit the stakeholders and all involved by streamlining data.
Study Background. The Millennium Water Program in Kenya (MWP-K) is a consortium of non-governmental organizations including CARE, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Food for the Hungry, WaterAid and others that seeks to address these needs to improve the health of rural Kenyan communities. MWP-K constructs water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in arid and semi-arid lands through community promotion and training, school engagement and infrastructure development; facilitates the formation of school WASH clubs and disseminate health messages through schools to families; aims to alter behaviors by education, training and generating demand for WASH services and products. Within the consortium, partners apply different strategies to address the challenge. CARE shares costs of construction and provides technical support with communities, whereas CRS focuses solely on promotional campaigns and behavioral changes, without provision of financial compensation (Emory University Center for Global Safe Water, 2012). Emory Center for Global Safe Water is a partner with the MWP-K and provides research support to study and strengthen intervention methods. In 2010, a baseline survey conducted by Emory University Center for Global Safe Water in cooperation with MWP-K shows that that in Garissa, Northeastern Province, practice of proper sanitation is low, as 61.1% of households reportedly have no toilets, and most practice open defecation. In the area where there are community toilets, about 57.5% of the respondents do not use them (Emory University Center for Global Safe Water, 2010). These statistics indicate that more work is needed and perhaps new intervention method should be devised. Research Questions What are facilitators and barriers for latrine construction in Garissa and Xxxx River districts, Northeastern Kenya? • Identify all drivers and barriers for latrine construction and use that are pertinent to the local population and cultures • Explore gender discrepancy in ranking different drivers and barriers • Compare difference in attitudes and perceptions of sanitation uptake between supply-led intervention villages and motivation-driven intervention villages Study Site and Population Northeastern Kenya is generally dry and hot most of the year. Temperatures range between 20ºC to 38ºC. The district has bimodal types of rainfall: long rains (March to April) and short rains (October to December). The annual rainfall is within the range of 180 mm to 300 mm. The region is inhabited by pre...
