BHAC awards two research grants and two evidence-based practice grants. Each submitted grant is reviewed by the BHAC Research & EBP Committee, chaired by Adrienne Martinez-Hollingsworth from Alta Med.
We are pleased to announce the 2024 BHAC Funding Recipients:
Western Kentucky University’s Ergonomics Assessment to Meet the Needs of Employees’ Health and Wellness
The study will utilize the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ergonomic checklist for computer workstations to conduct an ergonomics assessment of staff at Western Kentucky University (WKU). The aim of the study is to identify common issues with workstations that could be modified to fit the work to the worker and reduce the incidence and prevalence of musculoskeletal issues in the workforce, a priority issue among the population.
The objectives of the study are 1) use the OSHA Computer Workstation Checklist to assess CHHS employees’ workstations; 2) identify factors related to equipment, posture, and position that may be contributing to MSDs; and 3) make recommendations for changes to the workstation to reduce the risk of MSDs, such as changes in position of equipment and worker and the provision of ergonomic tools.
The sample is a convenience staff of 25 in the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS). The study design will be a one-time cross-sectional design and will include the administration of an ergonomics pre-assessment, and the OSHA Computer Workstation Checklist administered by a trained member of the research team. Outcome measures will include the prevalence of MSD, as well as percent of time spent on various tasks, job functions, job processes related to workstation, discomfort levels in arms, back, shoulders, neck, eyes, and lower body. Additionally, outcomes will be determined via the checklist such as whether the workstation (chair, monitor, mouse, keyboard, phone, etc.) are positioned currently.
The team is led by Tania Basta, Dean, College of Health & Human Services. Members of the project include Dr. Gretchen Macy, Dr. Katrina Burch, Dr. Ritchie Taylor and a student worker in the Environmental and Occupational Health Science (EOHS) Program. For questions, please contact tania.basta@wku.edu
Jacksonville State University’s Cocky Cares: A Program to Increase Students’ Awareness and Confidence of University Support for Wellbeing
Cocky Cares is a health and safety program at Jacksonville State University that educates students about issues related to healthy relationships, hazing, coping skills, alcohol, bystander intervention, and engaging in difficult conversations. The Cocky Cares program is a part of the larger Gamecock Wellness Initiative that seeks to embed wellness and wellbeing into the campus culture. Education and prevention work is communicated through printed materials, online resources, and campus-wide campaigns.
The specific aims of the project include 1) increase student awareness of wellness programming on campus; 2) improve student confidence of university support; 3) increase health-seeking behaviors among students; 4) implement campaigns promoting help-seeking programming; 5) integrate well-being practices into residential life programming; 5) educate students on university-wide wellness support; and 6) develop a comprehensive online wellness resource hub. These aims and objectives will be accomplished by a robust campaign on campus that will include updated printed materials, a social norms campaign, events to increase awareness of wellness and prevention services.
The project includes a needs assessment and student focus groups to understand existing wellness needs, barriers, and opportunities; reviewing existing campus policies, resources, and infrastructure related to wellness; and using data from the needs assessment survey and focus groups to evaluate the success through the number of programs offered, confidence surveys and attendance.
The team is led by Joshua Robinson, Dean of Students, as well as Tracey Matthews, Dean of the College of Health Professions and Wellness, and Gina Mabrey, Kinesiology Department Head and Program Chair for Exercise Science and Wellness. For questions, please reach out to Joshua at jrobinson6@jsu.edu
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing’s Expand your MIND: Integrating Mindfulness and Innovation to Build Resiliency in Nursing Academia
This project aims to address the integration of a mobile well-being toolkit as an expansion of the MIND lab immersive to enhance nursing faculty and student wellbeing through increased utilization and subsequently alleviate the long-term impact of stress, fatigue and burnout often associated with working and studying in nursing academia.
This study will use a quasi-experimental design to assess the impact of a mobile mindfulness toolkit intervention on stress levels among students and faculty. A sample of about 400 nursing students and faculty within a school of nursing will be invited to participate. Participants will have access to a mobile mindfulness toolkit designed to provide mindfulness exercises, VR immersion techniques and additional resources. The intervention will be introduced to participants for a specified duration, during which they will be encouraged to use the toolkit as a means of managing stress. Participants will be assessed for stress levels before and after the intervention to measure changes over time. Stress levels will be measured using a validated assessment tool administered before and after the intervention. Data on the frequency and duration of toolkit use will be collected to assess participants' engagement with the intervention. Qualitative data may be collected through the survey to gather insights into participants' experiences with accessing and utilizing the toolkit, and any barriers encountered.
The team is led by Susan Andrews, DNP, RN, CPN, CNE. Members of the team include Kelly Aldrich, DNP, MS, RN-BC, FHIMSS, FAAN, and Jo Ellen Holt, DNP RN, CHSE, CSSBB.
For questions, please reach out to Susan at susan.p.andrews@vanderbilt.edu
University of Iowa’s Thrive in 3 Program: Community Alcohol Harm Reduction at Your Fingertips
Students are prevented from making changes to their alcohol use due to perceived pressure from their peers. Thrive in 3 leverages the influence peers have on alcohol use by supporting students in trying alcohol harm reduction strategies in community with their friends, while continually prompting them to reflect on their experiences through a series of questions and educational content texted to them throughout this 3-week program.
The aims of the project are to 1) determine the feasibility of students continuing to engage with a 3-week text messaging program; 2) determine if students can reflect on their experience in the program and demonstrate growth; and 3) determine if the intervention reduces average number of drinks consumed in a night by participants. The intervention will focus on student groups (e.g. cultural organizations, fraternities/sororities) and will employ a quasi-experimental design. Outcome Measures will include a qualitative assessment of responses to reflection questions and the number of drinks before, during and after the program.
The team is led by Becca Don, Senior Behavioral Health Consultant, as well as Trisha Welter. For questions, please reach out to Becca Don at rebecca-don@uiowa.edu