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Introduction: Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with over 186 million residents and 62% under age 25. It is plagued by public health problems disproportionately affecting young females, including prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS and unwanted pregnancy among the highest in the world. The purpose of this study was to (1) examine the association between age at first sex and sexual risk-taking behaviors and sexual abuse and (2) determine whether belief in sex-related social norms moderated those relationships. It extended previous research by exploring age at onset as a determinant and identifying targets for prevention activities to help policymakers and stakeholders prioritize limited resources for appropriate response efforts. Methods: Using data from the Violence Against Children Survey, secondary analysis of 899 Nigerian females aged 13-24 was conducted. The predictor variable of interest was early sexual debut before age 15 (ESD). Outcomes explored were condom use, multiple sex partnership, HIV testing (lifetime and past 12 months), and sexual violence victimization (lifetime and past 12 months). Study covariates included sexual norms, age, marital status, religion, school attendance, ethnicity, and food insecurity. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: ESD was positively associated with an increased risk of inconsistent condom use (OR=5.2; 95% CI: 1.2 – 23.1) and lifetime HIV testing (OR=2.1; CI: 1.1 – 4.0). Statistically significant interactions were not observed in any of the six hypothesized relationships. Conclusions: Using condoms inconsistently and never being tested for HIV were both more likely among those who debuted sexually before age 15. Endorsing at least one traditional sexual norms belief did not have a moderating effect. However, sex norms were independently associated with inconsistent condom use, not having an HIV test in the past 12 months, having experienced sexual abuse in one’s lifetime, and experiencing sexual violence in the past 12 months. Therefore, prevention programs should be designed to alter sociocultural views of what is deemed acceptable/unacceptable behavior for men and women, promote consistent condom use among girls and young women, and improve access to voluntary HIV testing and counseling.

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of teachers who form positive relationships with at-risk students in Title I middle schools. The theory guiding this study was Nel Nodding’s ethic of care as it relates to the teacher as a caregiver interested in the expressed needs of the students. Using a qualitative transcendental phenomenological design, 15 southeastern Title I middle school teachers were selected to participate in the study. The central question guiding this research was: How do teachers describe their experiences of forming positive relationships with at-risk students in Title I middle schools? Sub-questions to further refine the central question were: (a) What perceptions do teachers have about the factors that contribute to building and maintaining positive relationships with at-risk students? (b) How does modeling an ethic of care impact teachers’ relationships with at-risk students? (c) When modeling of an ethic of care, what do teachers perceive as the specific behaviors that help create a sense of security or belonging for at-risk students? Data collection included face to face interviews, a questionnaire, photo narratives, and a focus group. Data analysis used the Moustakas (1994) method for transcendental phenomenological research. This included the epoche, listing significant statements, writing a textural description, structural description, and composite description.

Ecological models that attempt to unite biodiversity and biogeography concepts have been used to describe and predict the distribution and abundance of species. Mechanistic ecological models theorize that demographic and distributional dynamics affect the success and persistence of the species making up the community. The community-level metapopulation model is one such model and assumes that the species at a particular island are determined by species-specific extinction and colonization rates which vary with island area and isolation from the mainland. In this dissertation, I tested the extent of the model’s ability to capture the underlying mechanisms shaping the community and compare that to another mechanistic model and a null model. I used simulated island-mainland systems with varying number of islands, island sizes, and distances to mainland along with mainland communities with varying numbers of species and densities. I found that there was a limited range of system and community variables where the community-level metapopulation model could accurately describe the species richness on islands created using metapopulation dynamics better than the alternative models. Using these guidelines for system and community structure, I empirically tested evidence for metapopulation dynamics structuring small mammal, tree, and moth communities within an island-mainland system that fit the requirements. The community-level metapopulation model was not found to be better than a null model for describing the species richness patterns of all three functional taxa. The moth taxon was best described by the diversity of host plant species. Lastly, the descriptive ability of the community-level metapopulation model is dependent upon the accuracy of the underlying single-species model. An assumption of the metapopulation model that is often violated is the assumption of a constant density-area relationship. I incorporate a method to correct for variable density-area relationships within the single-species metapopulation model estimate of extinction risk. I then compared estimates of extinction risk with and without accounting for variable density-area relationships on empirical data: the density of mammals, trees, and moths in an island-mainland system. I found 63% of species across the three taxa violated the assumption of a constant density-area relationship. I found variability in the relationship between density and area. Estimates of extinction risk were inflated for most species before accounting for a variable density-area relationship on smaller islands.

African Americans, particularly those who reside in rural areas, are at increased risk of developing several preventable health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and overweight/obesity. Because of several professional and personal experiences, I was inspired to use this thesis as an opportunity to propose an intervention that addresses these preventable health conditions. The proposed intervention, Project HEAL (Healthy Eating and Activity for Life), is a faith-based, theory driven education and comprehensive lifestyle management intervention for rural African Americans. This program is of public health importance because it may be particularly useful in positively impacting the health of rural African Americans, a traditionally hard-to-reach population, and in significantly reducing racial/ethnic and geographic health disparities.Project HEAL is informed by the Social Cognitive Theory and Health Belief Model. These theories were chosen because of their emphasis on self-efficacy, the individual, and the environment. Much of the content of Project HEAL was derived from the curriculum of the evidence-based lifestyle modification intervention of the Diabetes Prevention Program. The Project HEAL curriculum is a modified version that addresses specific constructs of the previously mentioned theories and that is more appropriate for rural African Americans churches and for small group settings. To ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the program, Project HEAL's evaluation strategy will be guided by the Reach, Efficacy, Adoption, and Implementation, and Maintenance framework for health behavior programs.Project HEAL will be implemented with the guidance of an advisory committee and with the help of lay health educators. Therefore, while this thesis describes the Project HEAL development and implementation in detail, there are several aspects of the program will need additional modifications to suit the participating church and its congregants. It is my sincere wish to implement this program to determine its feasibility and translatability to public health policy and research regarding rural African Americans.