Health Sciences, Faculty of

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    A 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, Nimesh
    The 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.
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    Predictors 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, Bonnie
    Detoxification 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.
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    How 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, Peter
    The 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.
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    The experience of being a novice nursing preceptor in western rural Canada
    (Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2024) Hawke, Tyrel L.; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences; Oosterbroek, Tracy
    This qualitative study explores the experiences of novice nursing preceptors in rural healthcare settings, aiming to highlight the unique challenges and opportunities they face. Drawing on an extensive literature review, the research identifies gaps in the current understanding of rural preceptorship, emphasizing the need for enhanced preparation, communication, and organizational support. Investigating the lived experiences of novice preceptors, the study employs semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of participants, providing in-depth insights into the realities of rural nursing preceptorship. The sample consists of nursing professionals who have recently undertaken preceptor roles in rural settings, offering an underexplored perspective on the challenges and needs of novice preceptors. Key findings reveal significant ambiguity in preceptors' roles and responsibilities, exacerbated by inadequate formal training and support. Communication barriers, heightened by geographical isolation, further complicate the preceptorship experience. The study also notes a pronounced lack of recognition and resources available to preceptors, underscoring the vital role of organizational support in enhancing the effectiveness of rural nursing preceptorship programs. The implications of this research are far-reaching, suggesting that targeted interventions are necessary to support novice preceptors, thereby enriching the preceptorship experience and strengthening the nursing workforce in rural communities. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on nursing education and preceptorship, offering practical recommendations for healthcare organizations, educational institutions, and policymakers to address the identified gaps.
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    Exploring the intersectional factors that influence the development of mental health challenges amongst West African women immigrant students in Lethbridge, southern Alberta, Canada: an exploratory-descriptive qualitative study.
    (Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2024) Ejetavbo, Vivienne O.; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences; Kellett, Peter
    The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences of West African women immigrant students in Southern Alberta and the subsequent influence on mental health. Employing an exploratory-descriptive qualitative (EDQ) research design, an in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve (12) West African women immigrant students. Thematic analysis found that these women faced overlapping obstacles in Canada, caused by intersecting factors such as race, gender, social class, and immigration status, significantly impacting their mental health. Nonetheless, the participants used a variety of coping strategies to mitigate these barriers, with culture having an important role in influencing views and coping mechanisms. The study emphasizes the need of stakeholders, policymakers, universities, and mental health practitioners to establish culturally sensitive initiatives to help West African women immigrant students, transition and integrate successfully into their new environment.