Amar Kanekar

• PhD, MPH, MB,BS, MCHES, CPH
• Professor (Full) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Many adolescents face mental health challenges but are often hesitant to seek help. This qualitative study investigates barriers that deter Iranian adolescent girls from seeking support, drawing insights from students, parents, and teachers. Using directed content analysis based on the PRECEDE model in female high schools of Behbahan City, Iran. Da...

Abstract Background/Objectives: Social isolation (SI) and loneliness (L) are the long-standing critical concerns impacting the mental well-being of older adults. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, leading to a notable rise in perceived social isolation (PSI) and its associated risks among an aging population. Reportedl...

Many ageing initiatives have been developed in the past decades, but the “Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021–2030” is a promising flagship initiative intended to support older adults. This chapter aims to provide a health promotion perspective to this initiative. This chapter suggests that support intended for older adults through the initiative should...

Environmental gerontologists recognise neighbourhood services as a key component of the social and physical environment where people age. Such services play an important role in ageing by facilitating the use of other neighbourhood resources such as parks and social networks. This role, though, depends on the availability, accessibility, and releva...

The call for articles for the special section entitled ‘Innovations in Health Behavior Change’ is currently open and is gaining interest from editors and authors worldwide [...]

Background: In 2022, about 25% of U.S. adults reported engaging in no leisure-time physical activity, and among those who reported being physically active, only 24% engaged in enough physical activity to meet both aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity guidelines. Physical inactivity has been linked to a higher risk of all-cause mortali...

Chat GPT is an open-AI model, a third version of Generative pertaining transformer (GPT) which was launched in November 2022 based on Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback. Since its advent, its use in various aspects of daily activities such as healthcare, research, education, etc. are in the area under research. Chat GPT is a fast-growing ap...

Background Research to date suggests that information technology use by older adults can be positively associated with social activity, but whether neighbourhood walkability can play a role in this relationship has not been investigated. Aim To assess the associations between information technology use and social activity as well as the moderating...

Online learning continues to grow year after year and majority of the growth is seen in public institutions of higher education. The purpose of this book chapter is to acquaint the readers to group-based learning in an online environment as an innovative practice for engaged learning. Diverse facets of group-based learning are discussed such as rol...

In the realm of behavioral interventions, a combined approach of yoga and a cognitive-behavioral strategy in the form of introspective meditation (manan-dhyana) may offer benefits as a stress management tool. This pilot study focuses on introspective meditation performed before seeking pleasurable activities, which is a self-reflection about whethe...

Meditation is gaining popularity as adjuvant therapy for many chronic ailments, mental well-being, and spiritual growth. Behavioral theories have been underutilized in understanding meditation behavior. This study aimed to test if a fourth-generation multi-theory model (MTM) could explain the intent for starting and maintaining meditation behavior...

Background Successful management of diseases, especially COVID-19, a disease by a novel virus, is often contingent upon health literacy (HL), as it directly impacts understanding preventative mandates, testing, and treatment modalities. Many vulnerable populations have preexisting conditions and lack of insurance or access to health care. Such disp...

This chapter involves the use and application of various humorous strategies and ancedotes for teaching public health.

Introduction. Vaccine hesitancy in parents is a composite of multiple dimensions such as confidence, complacency, and convenience. A large proportion of parents can be deemed vaccine hesitant, meaning that their vaccine behaviors can range from delaying vaccines, skipping select vaccines, to refusal of all vaccinations. Furthermore, parental vaccin...

Use and application of pedagogical technique of ' reflection' in an e-hybrid service learning course

Service-learning provides a multitude of benefits to students including: increased engagement of civic responsibility and the development of effective communication, leadership, and social skills. The current narrative review highlights various applications of service-learning pedagogy such as traditional vs. online classroom approaches to service...

he purpose of this commentary is to discuss the current modes of scholarship disseminationand evaluation in higher education, particularly from the prism of Boyer’s Scholarship typesand provide a forum for the readers to actively examine ‘scholarship’ as it applies to academicsin higher education. Emerging modes of scholarship-such as ‘digital scho...

Social media or web-based interventions are powerful and effi cient tools that have been widely applied in several areas of public health. Social media has become one of the most important approaches for recruitment or intervention, increasing awareness and knowledge of health issues, and in uencing attitudes towards health behavior change. The fol...

Positive mental weel being strategies for coping with the current COVID 19 pandemic

The raging COVID-19 pandemic has been a great source of anxiety, distress, and stress among the population. Along with mandates for social distancing and infection control measures, the growing importance of managing and cultivating good mental well-being practices cannot be disregarded. The purpose of this commentary is to outline and discuss some...

Nature contact is an emerging health behavior and is defined as the interaction between human beings and animals, plants, natural scenic views, or outdoor activities. Studies have shown that exposure to the outdoors (as a means of contact with nature) reduces perceived stress and promotes health and wellbeing among varying populations in many setti...

The purpose of this review is twofold to investigate the literature for best practices for online blended learning format in higher education institutions and examine a graduate public health course that was national peer reviewed and received Quality Matters (QM) recognition. This narrative review supported positive influences of implementing QM s...

A contributing factor to the U.S. national obesity epidemic is the built environment-the physical aspects of a community in which we live, work and engage in our everyday activities. Therefore, modifying the built environment can be a solution to address the epidemic. Such an example is the Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention (ArCOP) Growing...

The purpose of this coaching article is to assist health education academicians and specialist practitioners to understand the design of a fully distance learning health program and planning course applying the Quality Matters and Blackboard Exemplary Course rubric frameworks. Quality Matters is a nationally recognized, faculty-centered, peer-revie...

The concept of perfection quotient (PQ) that imbibes the basics of intelligence quotient (IQ), emotional quotient (EQ), X quotient (XQ) and spiritual dimension has been proposed to measure readiness for individual-level health behavior change. PQ can be defined as a sum total of combined cognitive capacity, balanced emotions, desirable personality...

Application and seeing how Quality Matters applies into Boyer's Scholarship Paradigm

End-of-life care decision making carries paramount importance due to the advancements in medical sciences. Since medical science has evolved over the time and now has a potentiality to reshape the circumstances during death and in turn prolong lives, various ethical issues surround end-of-life care. The purpose of this narrative review is to discus...

Scholars approaching an area of study that is new to them can count on running into terms or phrases that carry a great deal more significance than they might have assumed. And so it is with Pedagogy in Health Promotion (PHP)'s subtitle: the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. This phrase has a fascinating history, has played a significant role i...

The scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) has a fascinating history, has played a significant role in higher education for the past 25 years, and has a specific meaning that has developed over time and with much debate. It has been part of national and international conversations that have questioned the role of scholarship and whether its in...

This roundtable will cover the expectations of the CPH exam as it relates to applying social and behavioral health sciences to practice.

The mission of National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) is to enhance the professional practice of Health Education by promoting and sustaining a credentialed body of Health Education Specialists. The Seven Areas of responsibilities set forth by the (NCHEC) assesses competencies and sub competencies defining the role of health...

Background: Childhood obesity rates in the United States have skyrocketed thus making it a major public health concern. The impact of childhood obesity is also reflected on the economic status of the country and is leading to increased health care spending. Public health policies, laws and other intervention policies can have a substantial impact o...

Background: In the current era of social media and information overload, it is imperative to have librarian assistance for public health faculty to build and deliver student engaging public health education courses. Faculty-librarian collaboration in developing health education research guides assist students not only in enhancing their public heal...

A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that over 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV infection and close to 18.1% of the country's population are unaware that they are infected. HIV rates across the United States vary by region, with a greater proportion of infections found in the So...

Background: Over 60 million individuals have been infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) in the United States (U.S.). Although there has been a decline of HIV over the last decade, incidence of HIV among elderly has recently increased. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge and awareness related to HIV/AIDS and self-ef...

Seasonal affective disorders and associated depressive states are well recognized; as is the documented increase in domestic violence during the holidays. However, the ongoing economic recession is birthing an increased level of interpersonal malice and violence in our communities. This presentation uses Haddon's Matrix and a paradigm that examines...

Since it was first reported in 1981, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has infected more than 40 million people worldwide of which over 25 million have died because of the disease. Most of the studies related to HIV/AIDS have been conducted in stable populations across the globe. Few of these studies have been devoted to displaced populations, par...

Ethics is a discipline, which primarily deals with what is moral and immoral behavior. Public Health Ethics is translation of ethical theories and concepts into practice to address complex multidimensional public health problems. The primary purpose of this paper was to conduct a narrative literature review-addressing role of ethics in developing c...

Childhood obesity is a major public health crisis nationally and internationally. The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased over few years. It is caused by imbalance between calorie intake and calories utilized. One or more factors (genetic, behavioral, and environmental) cause obesity in children. Physical, psychological, and social health...

Despite changes purported in the epidemiological transition, both developed and developing countries are now facing a deluge of chronic conditions and communicable diseases. Recent examples include the bird flu and avian flu pandemics, and the epidemic of obesity among youth and adults. These devastating disease conditions are occurring alongside o...

The presentation will describe common processes for preparing for the CPH exam, including study materials and resources available. The presenter will provide information about the format of the CPH exam, including question types and timing, and what to expect when testing.

Public health workforce training is moving quickly towards competency-based academic curriculums and competency-based public health practice training. Ethics related courses in schools and programs of public health are rarely found across the nation. The ethics of relying on a non-competent and untrained public health workforce needs to be question...

More than 40 million people worldwide have been infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) since it was first reported in 1981. Over 25 million of these have lost their lives to the disease. Most of the studies related to HIV/AIDS have been conducted in stable populations across the globe. Few of these studies have been devoted to displaced p...

Psychological distress has a deleterious impact on the mental health of college students. The purpose of this study was to specify a theoretical, sense of coherence, and hardiness-based regression model to predict the mental health of college students. The instruments employed to build the model included the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale K-6...

Introduction: Alcohol intake and alcohol related consequences continue to be a huge problem on college campuses across the nation. Binge drinking has proven to negatively affect college student's academic performance, social relationships and health. A National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Study estimated that about 1,700 college stude...

Background: The prevalence of HIV positive infection is growing amongst the Latino population. According to Kaiser Family Foundation Study (2009), there are approximately 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S including 200,000 Latinos accounting for 18% of the people living with the disease in 2006. The estimated AIDS prevalence increa...

Introduction: Latinas(Latino Women) make up approximately 25% of the total number of Latinos in the United States with AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and 20% of all women ever diagnosed with the disease Cultural influences and attitudes significantly impact Latina's sexual decision making and openness in HIV/AIDS prevention communication...

The human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemic is in its third decade and has reached to alarming proportions worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one million people are living with HIV with an estimated 56,300 infections happening each year in the United States....

More than 40 million people worldwide have been infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) since it was first reported in 1981. Over 25 million of these have lost their lives to the disease. Most of the studies related to HIV/AIDS have been conducted in stable populations across the globe. Few of these studies have been devoted to displaced p...

Background: Safer sex is important for protection against STDs and HIV/AIDS. Most of the HIV-related research is targeted towards high-risk groups such as prostitutes, gays and substance abusers but there is substantial evidence that HIV/AIDS is increasing in college students as well. The purpose of this study was to study the predictors based on s...

Issue: HIV/AIDS is an epidemic that has been steadily rising globally.There is a proven association between oral manifestations and HIV/AIDS. 40-50% of HIV positive persons have oral fungal, bacterial or viral infections often occurring early in the course of the disease.One of the goals of the WHO oral health program is to co-ordinate and facilita...

Background:The HIV/AIDS epidemic has grown to alarming proportions. Consistent and correct usage of condoms along with monogamous relationships are two important aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention. The purpose of this analysis is to present studies addressing the determinants and interventions for safer sex behaviors among college students. Methods: In...

Overweight and obesity among children and adolescents continue to be a global public health epidemic. Current national data on childhood and adolescent obesity show alarming statistics of overweight and obese children and adolescents. This epidemic runs across various continents and affects various ethnic populations. The current weight management...

Biomarkers in predicting the progression of HIV infected individuals to a state of HIV disease (AIDS) are studied over more than a decade. Use of surrogate markers in the past for tracking clinical progression of the disease was limited, as little knowledge existed about the disease. The aim of this review was to address various changes in biomarke...

Safer sex behaviors (monogamy, sexual abstinence, correct and consistent condom usage) are important for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS among college students. The purpose of this article was to review studies addressing determinants of safer sex behaviors among college students. In order to collect materials for this stud...

Vitamin D deficiency is not uncommon even in the sunny land of India. Lack of sun exposure and inadequate oral intake are both responsible for vitamin D deficiency. This article provides a retrospective, examining the effects of Vitamin D deficiency in 71 patients. The study's inclusion criterion was low vitamin D level combined with musculoskeleta...

The HIV/AIDS epidemic has taken a tremendous toll on the population of United States. It is seen that the qualitative literature dealing with safer sex and HIV prevention is sparse and limited. The aims of this review were to discuss various published peer-reviewed literature conducted in the arena of qualitative studies concerned with safer sex am...

Safer sex is important for protection against STDs and HIV/AIDS. Most of the HIV-related research is targeted towards high-risk groups such as prostitutes, gays and substance abusers but there is evidence that HIV/AIDS is increasing in college students particularly among African American college students. The purpose of this study was to study the...

Safer sex is important for protection against STDs and HIV/AIDS. Most of the HIV-related research is targeted towards high-risk groups such as prostitutes, gays and substance abusers but there is evidence that HIV/AIDS is increasing in college students particularly among African American college students. Very few of the social cognitive theory con...

Objective: To review various published peer-reviewed literature conducted in the arena of qualitative studies concerned with HIV related sexual practice among adolescents and college students and discuss implications for research. Data source: An extensive search of five databases was completed. The inclusion criteria for all researches consisted o...

Objective: To review various published peer-reviewed literature conducted in the arena of qualitative studies concerned with HIV related sexual practice among adolescents and college students and discuss implications for research. Data source: An extensive search of five databases was completed. The inclusion criteria for all researches consisted o...

Safer sex is important for protection against STDs and HIV/AIDS. Most of the HIV-related research is targeted towards high-risk groups such as prostitutes, gays and substance abusers there is evidence that HIV/AIDS is increasing in college students particularly among African-American college students. The purpose of this study was to study predicto...

International students, upon relocation to a foreign country, undergo a major life event which can cause distress that can potentially affect their mental health. This study pilot tested an internet-based intervention to enhance the social support, hardiness, and acculturation among students of Asian Indian origin at a large midwestern university....

This study conducted a meta-analysis on the outcome indicator of body mass index from published school-based childhood obesity interventions done in the United States and the United Kingdom between 2000 and 2007. Electronic databases were searched for school-based childhood obesity interventions and a total of five studies were analyzed. The result...

Tobacco use is a major public health problem in our society. Tobacco addiction begins in adolescence and majority of smokers start using tobacco in the age group between 11-13 years. There are a number of tobacco prevention strategies targeted towards the youth such as school-based educational interventions, community-based interventions, advertisi...

The absence of consistent and correct usage of condoms increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV/AIDS. However, most studies done to date across the nation indicate a low usage of condoms among college students. This study identifies protective and risk factors associated with condom use among college students. The Nationa...

We report a patient with left jugular vein thrombosis, who was found to be HIV +ve, with increased homocysteine, decreased vitamin B12 and increased fibrinogen levels. Other markers for thrombophilia were absent. Whether HIV infection may be causally associated with venous thrombosis is discussed.

The absence of consistent and correct usage of condoms increases the risk of STI's and HIV/AIDS. However, most studies done to date across the nation indicate a low usage of condoms among college students. In fall of 2004, the National College Health Assessment was administered to a random sample of students at a state comprehensive university in s...