Midwest Mission: Developing a Church Planting Prospectus for the City of Indianapolis

The Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) of Indianapolis, Indiana has a total population of 1,823,479 residents. (stats.indiana.edu) The North American Mission Board reports that only one out of every five `Indy\u27 residents attends a church. (namb.net) In order to reverse this trend, new churches need to be started. This thesis will provide a biblical church-planting prospectus that takes into account the culture of the Indianapolis MSA area, specifically Hamilton County. This thesis will introduce the reader to the research and development required in order to write a church-planting prospectus

The Relationship Between Social Integration and Physical Activity, Diet, and Sleep Among Youths: Cross-sectional Survey Study

Background: Social integration has been shown to predict physical activity (PA), diet, and sleep in adults. However, these associations have not been well-studied in youth samples. Using a life course perspective, it is imperative to study this in youths as social and health behaviors are established early in life. Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between social integration and PA, diet, and sleep for urban, middle-school youth. Methods: Cross-sectional baseline data from middle-school youths (N=73) who participated in an afterschool health behavior intervention were included in this study. Results: Time with friends significantly predicted moderate to vigorous intensity PA (β=.33, P=.02). Time spent with family was significantly related to fruit consumption (t66=1.38, P=.005) and vegetable consumption (t72=1.96, P=.01). Conclusions: Social integration appears to be related to both PA and nutrition behaviors in youths. Future research should expand on our findings to explain how different domains of social integration may impact youths’ health behaviors

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ON FORT RILEY ARMY INSTALLATION: A FIELD EXPERIENCE REPORT

Master of Public HealthPublic Health Interdepartmental ProgramKatie M. HeinrichThis report was focused on my field experience at the Department of Public Health at Fort Riley Army Installation. The purpose of this report was two-fold. First, I have outlined and described my experiences with various groups within the Department of Public Health. Second, I aimed to evaluate policies and programs focused on promoting environmental change for walking and biking and gave direction to the Army Corp of Engineers on best practices for walking and biking for transportation. The objectives were to identify key agencies responsible for bike and pedestrian infrastructure, understand how those agencies could work together to improve the built environment for walking and biking and develop intervention strategies to improve walking and biking on Fort Riley

Sexual orientation and physical activity for men

Doctor of PhilosophyDepartment of KinesiologyKatie M. HeinrichEngagement in regular physical activity is essential to prevent chronic diseases, yet few individuals are active enough to receive health benefits. Social factors such as relationship status, social support, and social capital are important for engagement in physical activity, although research investigating this area has not accounted for sexual orientation, including gay and bisexual men. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the associations between relationship status, social support, and social capital by sexual orientation for men by using national-level epidemiologic data from the National Institutes of Health. Chapter one reviewed the literature examining the relationship among social variables, physical activity and sexual orientation to identify the gaps in sexual orientation/physical activity research. Chapter two used logistic regression to identify the prevalence of meeting physical activity recommendations for single and coupled gay and straight men by determining the association between relationship status and physical activity by sexual orientation. Coupled gay men were 1.61 (95% CI: 1.01-2.56) times more likely to meet physical activity recommendations compared to coupled straight men. Chapter three used linear and logistic regression to test the relationships between social support and physical activity by sexual orientation. Social support was not related to increases in physical activity for gay (AOR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.49-1.97) or bisexual (AOR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.28-1.51) men as it was for straight men (AOR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.44-1.90). Chapter four used multiple group structural equation modeling to test the association between social capital and physical activity by sexual orientation. Social capital was related to more light/moderate-intensity physical activity for gay (β = .14, p <.05) and straight men (β = .06, p <.001), and social capital was related to more vigorous-intensity physical activity for straight men only (β = .06, p <.001). Lastly, chapter 5 introduces a conceptual model of how sexual orientation is related to social variables, and ultimately, physical activity. These results provide insight into the complex associations among a social determinant of health and physical activity while highlighting the need for future descriptive and intervention studies

The role of social networks in the building of physical activity trails in the state of Kansas

Master of Public HealthDepartment of KinesiologyKatie M. HeinrichBackground and Purpose: Trails can help increase community physical activity levels but little is known about the role that collaborations play in building a trail. Social network analysis may be a useful tool to examine collaborations among various stakeholders, such as municipal public works, parks and recreation, community organizations, hospitals, local businesses, universities, and schools. The purpose of this project is threefold: a) to identify the number and type of organizations involved in trail building, b) to examine the centrality and density of social networks in the trail building process and c) to determine whether collaborations differ between the three phases of trail building (generation, grant funding and construction). Methods: Thirty-four successful trail project builders funded by the Sunflower Foundation of Kansas participated in an online survey designed to explore collaborations throughout the trail building process. Social network analysis adapted from procedures developed by Wickizer and colleagues (1993) was used to identify key organizations in building trails, to estimate the overall density and centrality of connections between the organizations, and to determine differences in collaborations by project phase. Results: Fifteen different groups (e.g. non-profit community organizations, city parks and recreation department, city public works, schools) were identified as part of the trail building process. Non-profit community organizations were most central to trail building during all three phases (generation (.36) grant writing (.38), and construction (.41)). All three phases of trail building were only weakly connected as indicated by density of social network scores measured during the generation (5.7%), grant writing (6.2%) and construction phases (7.5%). Centrality of social networks was high for all three phases of the trail building process, the generation phase (0.32) the grant writing phase (0.27) and the construction phase (0.36). Conclusions: This exploratory analysis suggests Social Network Analysis may be a useful tool to study organizations that collaborate to build trails for physical activity. During the distinct phases of trail-building, the role of collaborations changed. Some organizations were more important in the planning phase, grant writing or construction, while others (e.g. non-profit community organizations) were important throughout the entire process. Additionally, the density of social network increased as the trail projects progressed. The relationships between organizations were often weak but provided a flow of necessary information and skills to successfully build a trail. Future research should attempt to understand these time-dependent collaborations and encourage them in future trail and other built environment projects that support physical activity

Organic structural spectroscopy

568 tr., VIII; 28 cm

The social network of medical case managers, housing providers, and health department staff in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program: A Midwest case study.

BackgroundBroad networks of providers in the Ryan White system are essential to end the HIV epidemic. Yet, there is little evidence that has assessed social networks of providers within HIV care networks. The purpose of this study is to provide a cross-sectional analysis of the role medical case managers (MCM), housing providers (HP), and health department staff (HDS), play in a Ryan White-funded area.MethodsAll MCMs, HPs, and HDS (N = 57) in a Midwest Transitional Grant Area were invited to participate in a social network survey. Social network composition scores, exponential random graph modeling and ANOVA tests were conducted using SPSS and R Studio.ResultsCommunication in this network was significantly more likely between SW of the same provider type (e.g. MCMs communicating with other MCMs, β = .87, pDiscussionHDS play an important role in communicating across provider types in care delivery for HIV. Our results indicate that health departments represent essential agencies for broad dissemination of resources and knowledge, and may bridge communication barriers for coordination of housing support and HIV care delivery

The Effectiveness of an After-school Sport Sampling Intervention on Urban Middle School Youth in the Midwest: Posttest-Only Study

BackgroundEffective and scalable interventions are needed to combat chronic low levels of youth physical activity. After-school sport sampling programs may be vital interventions for teaching sports and increasing physical literacy and physical activity, which result in healthy lifelong habits that are maintained into adulthood. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of an after-school sport sampling intervention among underserved youth in the Midwest. MethodsYouth (n=81) in 3 middle schools within a large Midwest city participated in an 8-month, after-school physical activity intervention that aimed to increase moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity, improve physical literacy, and decrease BMI. Difference scores for this 2-group, posttest-only design were calculated. A series of 2-tailed t tests were conducted to assess between-group differences. ResultsThe intervention group had significantly better physical literacy (t115=7.57; P=.004) and engaged in more moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity minutes per week (t115=4.28; P=.04) and steps per day (t115=4.29; P=.03). ConclusionsAn after-school sport sampling program may be an effective solution for combating youth physical inactivity. Future research should assess the scalability of this intervention with larger populations and in different areas. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.2196/3712

It Comes in Steps and Stages: Experiences of People Living with HIV in Achieving Employment.

People living with HIV who are seeking jobs experience unique barriers to obtaining employment at the individual, group, and community levels. Traditional employment assistance programs can provide support but may not be tailored to some people living with HIV who often experience barriers to work related to their social needs (such as housing instability) or their lack of consistent engagement in the workforce. To understand how people living with HIV return to work, in-depth interviews were conducted with 43 participants enrolled in interventions coordinating HIV care with housing and employment services at eight sites across the US. Four themes emerged on strategies to increase employment: (1) assessing and responding to employment needs that align with their socio-economic environment; (2) using social networks among family and friends for referrals and support; (3) engaging with navigators who are able to connect clients to skills building opportunities and job resources; and (4) addressing the system barriers such as helping with unmet basic needs (e.g. transportation), finding employers who can accommodate workers with income limits associated with public benefits, and helping immigrants, transgender individuals, and people experiencing homelessness secure legal documentsthat facilitate entry into employment by reducing stigmatized identities

Physical activity, balance, and bicycling in older adults

Falls are a critical public health issue among older adults. One notable factor contributing to falls in older adults is a deterioration of the structures supporting balance and overall balance control. Preliminary evidence suggests older adults who ride a bicycle have better balance than those who do not. Cycling may be an effective intervention to prevent falls among older adults. This study aims to objectively measure the relationship between bicycling, physical activity, and balance for older adults. Older adult cyclists (n = 19) and non-cyclists (n = 27) were recruited to (1) complete a survey that assessed demographics; (2) wear an accelerometer for 3 weeks to objectively assess physical activity; and (3) complete balance-related tasks on force platforms. Mann-Whitney U-tests were performed to detect differences in balance and physical activity metrics between cyclists and non-cyclists. Cyclists were significantly more physically active than non-cyclists. Cyclists, compared to non-cyclists, exhibited differences in balance-related temporospatial metrics and long-range temporal correlations that suggest a more tightly regulated postural control strategy that may relate to higher stability. Cycling was observed to correlate more strongly with balance outcomes than other physical activity. Taken together, these results demonstrate the possible implications for cycling as an effective intervention to improve balance and reduce fall risk