err aA spatial evaluation of socio demographics surrounding National Priorities List sites in Florida using a distance-based approach

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Over the last two decades, various spatial techniques have been demonstrated using geographical information systems (GIS) to adequately estimate and characterize inequities of minority populations living near environmentally hazardous facilities. However, these methods have produced mixed results. In this study, we use recently developed variations of the "distance based" approach to spatially evaluate and compare demographic and socioeconomic disparities surrounding the worst hazardous waste sites in Florida.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used data from the 2000 US Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to identify selected socio and economic variables within one (1) mile of 71 National Priorities List (NPL) or Superfund sites in Florida. ArcMap (ESRI, v. 9.2) was used to map the centroid locations of each of the NPL sites as well as identify and estimate the number of host and non-host tracts. The unit of analysis in this study was at the census tract level. Logistic regression (SAS v9.1.3) was used to determine if race/ethnicity and socioeconomic indicators are significant predictors of the location of NPL sites.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were significant differences in race/ethnicity composition and socio-economic factors between NPL host census tracts and non-host census tracts in Florida. The percentages of Blacks (OR = 5.7, p < 0.001), the percentage of Hispanic/Latino (OR = 5.84, p < 0.001), and percent employed in blue collar occupations (OR = 2.7, p < 0.01) were significant predictors of location of NPL facilities.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The recently developed distance-based method supports previous studies and suggests that race and ethnicity play substantial roles in where hazardous facilities are located in Florida. Recommendations include using distance-based methods to evaluate socio and demographic characteristics surrounding other less known environmental hazardous facilities, such as landfills, or Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) sites.</p

Trends and Correlates of Breast Cancer Screening among Florida Women: Analysis of 2001 and 2008 BRFSS Data

This study examined trends and correlates of breast cancer screening among women aged ≥40 years old by race/ethnicity using the 2001 and 2008 Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Breast cancer screening was measured using both mammography and clinical breast examination (CBE). The total sample size was 10,386, with 4,938 women in the 2001 BRFSS and 5,448 in 2008. Significant disparities in breast cancer screening by race/ethnicity were found both in 2001 and 2008, with Hispanics having the lowest screening participation, compared to non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic Blacks. In 2008, non-Hispanic Black women had the highest percentage of timely mammography, CBE, and both mammography and CBE combined than non- Hispanic white and Hispanic women. Not having health insurance was a strong predictor of non-screening across all racial/ethnic groups. Whereas age, being married, and having a college education or higher were negatively correlated with lack of timely breast cancer screening among non-Hispanic Whites, poor health status was positively associated with lack of timely screening. Among Hispanics, the variables of having some college education or college degree or higher were positively associated with lack of CBE and with mammography and CBE. Our findings suggest that both an expansion of health insurance coverage as well as the timely promotion of screening across education and racial/ethnic segments may be important for breast cancer prevention

Let’s Talk Sex: A Pilot Study of Sexual History Elicitation by Providers of STD Services in Leon County, Florida

An estimated one million sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are reported annually in the United States. Florida has some of the highest HIV and STD rates in the country. STDs are a particular problem for minorities, women, and adolescents. Sexual history elicitation is a tool available to clinicians to assess patients’ sexual risk behaviors and to counsel, test, and treat STDs. Previous barriers to sexual history elicitation include subject matter, patient –physician communications, provider training, and physician perceptions. This pilot study was designed to test a survey questionnaire that measures primary care provider (PCP) sexual elicitation practices. PCPs included obstetricians and gynecologists, family practitioners, internal medicine physicians, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in Leon County Florida. Between January 2010 and March 2010 a convenience sample of 50 PCPs in Florida were administered a pencil-and-paper survey. The survey instrument was constructed and tested to measure PCP sexual elicitation practices. The survey instrument was found to be an internally consistent and reliable assessment tool for sexual history elicitation. These preliminary pilot study findings warrant a larger study

Practice Patterns for Sexual History-taking among Florida Nurses

Florida has some of the highest reported sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates in the country. STDs are a particular problem for minorities, women, and adolescents. Sexual history elicitation is a tool available to clinicians to assess patients’ sexual risk behaviors and to counsel, test, and treat STDs. Nurses play an important role in caring for patients’ sexual health problems, including unwanted pregnancies and STDs. We examined the sexual history-taking practices among advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) in Florida. We mailed an anonymous pencil-and- paper survey to measure sexual history-taking practices to a stratified random sample of 795 ARNPs. We analyzed the data with SPSS. Overall, 185 ARNPs completed the survey (23% response rate). We found that sexual history-taking practices varied. Approximately 71% of Florida ARNPs reported taking sexual histories. Targeted interventions are needed to increase sexual history-taking practices

Social networks and contraceptive dynamics in southern Ghana

There is accumulating evidence that social diffusion processes affect the pace of the adoption of modern contraception in societies undergoing fertility transition. In settings where mortality has declined and many other social and economic changes are underway, decisions about contraception are fraught with uncertainty and risk. In such circumstances, couples may rely on other persons for information and guidance. In this paper, we examine the influence of informal social networks on the contraceptive behavior of reproductive-age women, using longitudinal data collected in six communities in southern Ghana. Our results confirm the hypothesis that adoption of modern contraception is strongly affected by the reproductive attitudes and behaviors of social network partners. What might be termed “social contagion” accelerates the adoption of contraception. Finally, our data reveal that social networks are structured along the lines of social, economic, and cultural characteristics, suggesting further pathways by which socioeconomic variables can influence reproductive behavior

Farming Systems, Resource Management and Household Coping Strategies in Nothern Ethiopia : Preliminary report of a Social and Agro-Ecological Baseline Study in Central Tigray

Fra Noragric. Prepared by the Relief Society of Tigray (REST) in collaboration with NORAGRIC at the Agricultural University of Norway. Gebremedhn Gebru (Relief Society of Tigray), Dr. Arne Olav Øyhus (NORAGRIC at the Agricultural University of Norway), Euphrates Zeray (REST's Fund Raising Unit), Abeba Tesfa Lidet, Tesfaye Gebre Wold (The Relief and Rehabilitation Commission), Gebre Egziabher Kiros (Addis Ababa University), and Barbara Hendrie (Department of Anthropology, University College London). Ethiopia.Tigray, as other parts of northern Ethiopia, belongs to that zone of the African drylands which is often called the Sudano-Sahelian region, and, as such, faces the same problems as the whole region since dryland environments denote distinctive challenges to development. The drylands are driven by sparse, highly uneven distribution of seasonal rainfall, and by the erratic occurrence of drought. Though some soils are rich, most are poor and thin. Attacks of pests are unpredictable and sometimes devastating (UNSO 1992: 6).