Health Sciences, Faculty of
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- ItemNo longer "us and them": integrating a recreation-based intervention as an interdisciplinary care approach in residential care settings(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2025) Scott, Katelyn T.; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Heath Sciences; Caspar, SiennaRecreation and leisure activities play a pivotal role in enhancing the holistic health for residents in residential care settings. Despite their proven benefits, these activities are often underutilized as an interdisciplinary care approach. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Feasible and Sustainable Culture Change Initiative (FASCCI) model on the integration of a recreation-based intervention (Tovertafel gaming console) as a routine interdisciplinary care approach in a residential care setting. Using an exploratory single-case, time series design, we assessed the impact of the FASCCI model training on outcomes across six-sequential time intervals (18-weeks total) by collecting baseline Tovertafel data (before the training) on two care floors and monitored its use post-training. Descriptive statistics and linear modeling were utilized to examine changes in Tovertafel use by interdisciplinary care team members from baseline across post-training intervals. Interviews (n = 7) and a feedback survey were also conducted to ascertain the participants’ perceptions of the process for implementing practice changes using the FASCCI model. Tovertafel use by interdisciplinary team members increased significantly according to a positive linear trend (F(1, 2) = 37.590. p<0.05, R2 = 0.949, r=0.974). Qualitative data indicated the application of the FASCCI model showed promise in breaking down interdisciplinary silos, and resulted in strengthened interdisciplinary relationships, holistic care provision, and shared decision-making. Quantitative and qualitative data demonstrated that it empowered nursing staff to view and utilize recreation as a means to assess resident needs and support daily care routines, leading to positive outcomes for the interdisciplinary team and residents.
- ItemPandemic babies: infant communication development in a global disaster(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2025) Swisterski, Mahala E. C.; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences; Currie, Cheryl L.; Gibb, Robbin L.Infant communication development is influenced by the home environment, particularly in low-income families where stressors and resource limitations are common. This thesis investigates the impact of two key factors (pandemic unemployment benefits and reading frequency) on infant communication development during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were drawn from the Baby’s First Years Study, a longitudinal study of approximately 600 mother-infant dyads living in low-income households across several U.S. cities. Chapter two examined whether pandemic unemployment benefits were associated with communication development. The outcome variable was measured using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire at age one and the McArthur-Bates Communication Development Index at age two. Pandemic unemployment benefits were weakly but significantly associated with higher infant communication scores over a one-year period, even after adjusting for confounders. Infants in households receiving benefits scored, on average, 0.15 standardized units higher than those in non-recipient households (95% CI: 0.02 – 0.29). Chapter three investigated whether maternal reading frequency was associated with changes in infant communication scores over a one-year period. Reading frequency was measured categorically, and results were stratified based on whether the age one data were collected before or during the pandemic. Infants whose mothers read to them daily scored 0.33 units higher in communication z-score (95% CI: 0.15 – 0.52). Stratified analyses showed significant associations prior to the pandemic but not during, suggesting that pandemic stress may have attenuated this association. These findings highlight the potential of economic and educational supports to promote communication development in low-income families. This research underscores the importance of policies and interventions that buffer against crises and support equitable developmental outcomes for infants in vulnerable populations.
- ItemA time series analysis of trending dengue cases in Sri Lanka.(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2025) Kurukulasuriya Perera, Ruvani; Oosterbroek, Tracy; Patel, NimeshThe study aimed to predict dengue case numbers in Sri Lanka from January 2024 to December 2025. The prediction will assist the National Dengue Control Unit of Sri Lanka in assessing the potential dengue case numbers before a seasonal dengue crisis. This allows the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka to plan effective healthcare mobilization and manage its resources during dengue seasons. Secondary data on all island dengue cases was obtained from the National Dengue Control Unit's national surveillance system from 2015 to 2023. A seasonal ARIMA(0,1,1)(0,0,2)[12] model was generated in R software by the forecast package’s time series function based on the Box-Jenkins method. The ARIMA model was validated as a good fit for prediction with the Ljung-Box (p-value >0.05), Shapiro-Wilk (p-value >0.05), and ADF (p-value <0.05) tests. The prediction’s MAPE was estimated as accurate for forecasting (4.46). The seasonal ARIMA model demonstrated the ability to make a short-term prediction in univariate analyses.
- ItemPredictors of detoxification services use in Alberta: a provincial socio-demographic and utilization analysis(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2025) Mekonnen, Abreham M.; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences; Lee, BonnieDetoxification is the first step in the substance use and addictive behaviours recovery process, serving as the transition between dependency and reduced use or abstinence. Completing detoxification is an important milestone in initiating recovery and remission of withdrawal symptoms, as well as facilitating follow-up treatment. However, high non-completion rates, low transition to residential treatment, and frequent use of detoxification services pose significant challenges to substance use disorder and behavioural addiction treatment and detox programs. This is the first study of the predictors in detoxification programs in Alberta, marking a significant step in understanding the predictors of completion and non-completion rates of detoxification, transfer to residential treatment, and repeated use of detox services based on data from five residential withdrawal management services in Alberta, Canada. The thesis consists of three manuscripts: (1) The first manuscript identifies the factors that predict detoxification service use, estimates program completion and non-completion rates, and the proportion of clients who cycle between completion and non-completion; (2) The second manuscript estimates clients' transition rates from detoxification to residential treatment services and identifies predictors of such transitions; (3) The third manuscript estimates the prevalence of repeated use of residential withdrawal management services in Alberta, Canada and identifies predictors of frequent use.
- ItemHow do social and demographic characteristics interact to influence the perceived mental health of Canadian immigrants compared to the total population of Canadians(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, 0025) Thapa, Rama; Kellett, PeterThe immigration process and settlement are stressful, and the mental well-being of immigrants is of particular concern. Epidemiological studies suggest that first-generation (foreign born) immigrants experience better mental health than the Canadian-born population. Still, it is unclear whether this pattern varies substantially by the intersection of science & demographic factors. Cross-sectional data from public-use Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 2017/2018 was used, representing the Canadian population aged 12 years of older residing in all ten provinces. The perceived mental health of Canadian immigrants was assessed, and the influence of social and demographic factors on the mental health of Canadian immigrants was explored. Descriptive statistics and logistics regression were used to describe demographic characteristics, and their association with perceived mental health of immigrants comparing to the total Canadian population. Younger individuals in the general population and older immigrants had a higher proportion of reporting poor mental health. Immigrants with longer residency (more than 10 years) in Canada reported higher odds of poor mental health. Canadians who had a household size 2 and owned their house reported poor mental health, whereas immigrants who rented and lived alone, reported poor mental health. There was an increased odds of reporting poor mental health among the middle-aged Canadians (35-49 yrs.), while non-significant results among immigrants suggests that age plays less of a rold in immigrants. Similar results were noted for sex, sexual orienation, household size, racial background and dwelling ownership among immigrants, suggesting that results may vary due to multiple factors intersecting with each other which potentially plays a more substantial role in immigrants' mental health outcomes.