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- ItemAn assessment of provincial policy and youth vaping rates in Alberta(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2025) Hepp, Amanda; University of Lethbridge. Facutly of Health Sciences; Hallström, LarsTo date, no research has examined the impact of the new youth vaping policy in Alberta which was implemented July 2021. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in youth vaping and purchasing patterns in Alberta following the new legislation. Cross-sectional data collected before and after the policy's implementation were compared. Additionally, differences between sex, gender, and grade level were evaluated. Cross-sectional data were obtained through two cycles of the Canadian Student Tobacco Alcohol and Drugs Survey from students in grades 7 through 12 in 2018/19 and 2021/22 (pooled n = 15,578). The samples were weighted to represent youth in Alberta in each period. Changes in vaping prevalence and underage purchases between survey waves were analyzed using proportions and logistic regression models adjusted for confounders. In Alberta, there was a 5.1% reduction in the prevalence of youth vaping following 2021 legislation to restrict this activity. The weighed proportion of students who vaped decreased from 19.9% in 2018/19 to 14.8% in 2021/22. After adjustment for confounders, there was a statistically significant reduction on past 30-day vape use between survey waves (OR: 0.65, 99% CI: 0.56–0.76). This decrease was more pronounced in males and students in grades 10–12. In 2018/19, 12.6% of youth purchased vape products underage and this slightly increased to 13.3% in 2021/22, however, these changes, including stratification by sex/gender, were not statistically significant. There was a statistically significant decline in youth vaping between survey waves, particularly among older youth and males, during the introduction of a new prevention policy. However, unmeasured factors such as societal trends and cultural norms may have also played a role.
- ItemMuslim immigrant women's experiences of mental health challenges in Southern Alberta, Canada(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2025) Hosseinpour, Zohreh; Faculty of Health Sciences; Kellett, PeterThe purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of mental health challenges in Muslim immigrant women in Southern Alberta. Exploratory descriptive qualitative research design and semi-structured interviews with ten Muslim women were employed. Thematic analysis of these collected data showed that Muslim immigrant women participants experienced some mental health challenges due the intersection of pre-migration and post-migration factors. To cope with mental health challenges, Muslim women utilized a series of coping mechanisms including seeking professional help. However, some elements such as cultural and religious factors impacted their decisions. The study recommended that stakeholders, policy makers, and mental health professionals provide Muslim immigrant women with culturally safe services to promote their mental well-being.
- 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.