Honors College
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Browsing Honors College by Author "Abel, Erika"
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Item Addressing Cervical Cancer Prevention in McLennan County, TX(2022-05-20) Jones, Sarah; Abel, Erika; University Scholars.Persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is known to cause up to 99.7% of all cervical cancers. Two highly effective cervical cancer prevention methods exist – vaccination against HPV and cervical screening. Studies have documented the motivating effects of clinical intervention on preventative care compliance. Through the use of Bayesian time-series forecasting and a thorough healthcare needs assessment, this study identifies McLennan County, Texas as a candidate for population-level cervical cancer care intervention. Currently, only 54.9% of Texas residents have completed the series of HPV vaccinations, and predictive modeling anticipates stagnation in the rate of vaccination within McLennan County, a county with a high percentage of people who experience barriers to healthcare. Annual health promotions clinics that combine the services of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening can be implemented to address this problem. Cervical cancer is an easily preventable disease, thus effective clinical strategies for its prophylaxis should be introduced to medically underserved populations of McLennan County.Item The Effects of Prior Exposure to Methylphenidate on Later Methamphetamine Self-Administration(2020-05-22) Haacker, Clifton; Abel, Erika; Neuroscience.; Dr. Nicholas Goeders; honors collegeMethylphenidate is the most common stimulant drug of choice for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. With a growing ADHD population, there is concern of overdiagnosis that may lead to the inappropriate use of stimulant medication. This study was designed to examine the impacts of MPH use in individuals who do not have ADHD. It is hypothesized that prior exposure to stimulant medication may have on later substance use, particularly illicit stimulants Research implicates that prior exposure to stimulant medication may play a role in later psychostimulant use and is effected by dose. This study demonstrates, both through experimentation and a review of the literature, how prior stimulant exposure relates to Methamphetamine self-administration. Further research is need to fully assess the impact that Methylphenidate use has in the general population regarding methamphetamine use. This work also proposes comparative studies for ADHD populations and possible age-related effects of Methylphenidate use.Item Exploration of Attitudes Toward HPV Vaccination Among Hispanic College Students(2023-05-22) Mahler, Lindsay; Abel, Erika; University Scholars.; Dr. Brian PooleHuman Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, with an estimated 79 million Americans currently infected with HPV (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). HPV is associated with the development of several cancers, including cervical, oropharyngeal, and others (de Martel et. al., 2017). The Hispanic population is disproportionately affected by negative health consequences attributable to HPV. Hispanic women are 40% more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 30% more likely to die from the disease than non-Hispanic White women (American Cancer Society, 2021). Despite these statistics, only 53.7% of Hispanic adolescents have completed the HPV vaccination series (CDC, 2021a). It is unclear why HPV vaccination rates in the Hispanic population fall short of the target rate. To address this question, we conducted a survey of undergraduate students at Baylor University to identify reasons for hesitancy toward the HPV vaccine in the Hispanic student population. The results of this study have implications for future promotion of the HPV vaccine in the Hispanic populationItem Influence of Religious Beliefs on Attitudes Towards HPV Vaccination Among College Students(2022-05-18) Hittson, Hannah; Abel, Erika; Biochemistry.A hallmark example of vaccine hesitancy due to religious beliefs is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Approximately 79 million Americans, both men and women, are currently infected with HPV, a DNA virus from the Papillomaviridae family. HPV is regarded as the most commonly spread sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States, with over 40 different prevalent types. While the HPV vaccine has been proven to significantly reduce rates of HPV-related cancers, HPV vaccination rates remain below target. Christian church affiliation and religious commitment have been suggested as strong indicators of whether or not a parent will vaccinate their child against HPV. However, it is unclear whether Christian affiliation versus familial, cultural or religious values most directly influence the decision to vaccinate a child against HPV. To address this idea, we conducted a survey of predominantly religiously affiliated undergraduate students at Baylor University to characterize their views on HPV vaccination. This thesis explores the complex interaction between students’ views on sexual activity and their likelihood to vaccinate future children. The results of this survey have important implications for planning promotion of the HPV vaccine among religious people.Item Preliminary Analysis of Body Mass Index and Long-Term Health Effects in Adolescent and Young Adult Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Survivors(2020-05-19) Sandblom, Lily; Abel, Erika; Biology.; Baylor University.; MD Anderson Cancer Center; Dr. Michelle Hildebrandt; honors collegeHodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL) is among the most common malignancy diagnosed in the adolescents and young adults (AYA). Fortunately, prognosis for HL patients is positive, and many return to normal life after treatment. Nonetheless, both radiation therapy and anthracyclines are known to cause heart damage and other health effects. The longer post-cancer survival of AYAs led us to hypothesize about the long-term treatment effects these patients experience. Through retrospective chart abstraction, the records of 147 AYA HL survivors treated at MD Anderson were examined for long-term health outcomes. Our preliminary analysis revealed that survivors are at risk of dramatic weight gain assessed over an average of 7.58 years post-treatment, which may stress the cardiovascular system, exacerbating the heart damage associated with certain chemotherapy regimens. Greater knowledge of these risk factors will allow high-risk patients to be closely monitored by cardiologists and nutritionists to curb these negative effects of cancer treatment through early intervention and continued follow-up.