Miguel A. Perez | California State University, Fresno (original) (raw)

Papers by Miguel A. Perez

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, Aug 1, 2011

e purpose of this study was to assess in uenza preparedness levels among Spanish-speaking adults ... more e purpose of this study was to assess in uenza preparedness levels among Spanish-speaking adults ages 18 and older in two rural communities in Central California. Data were collected from 209 participants using the 21-item Emergency Preparedness Measurement Scale, an instrument designed and validated for this study. Results suggest that adult Spanish-speaking Latinos are not prepared for a pandemic in uenza regardless of their gender, age, number of years living in the United States, education, or income level. Furthermore, study participants cited lack of insurance, limited knowledge about needed emergency supplies, and preference for fresh foods as reasons for lacking emergency supplies at home.

Computational Urban Science, Aug 20, 2022

By using data collected from a self-administered survey, this study evaluates the variation of me... more By using data collected from a self-administered survey, this study evaluates the variation of mental wellbeing between individuals and neighborhoods and its personal and neighborhood determinants in Fresno, California. It reveals the disparities of mental wellbeing, physical activity, and neighborhood environment between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged neighborhoods in Fresno. Residents in disadvantaged neighborhoods report slightly lower levels of mental wellbeing and physical activity, significantly weaker neighborhood social capital, and much lower neighborhood environment quality. Our path analysis suggests that outdoor physical activity and perceived neighborhood social capital are the only two factors that influence mental wellbeing after controlling for personal socioeconomics and personality. Neither perceived nor objectively measured neighborhood environmental factors show significant and direct impacts on mental wellbeing. Neighborhood environment, however, shows indirect associations with mental wellbeing through their correlations with outdoor physical activity and perceived neighborhood social capital.

Revista de la Facultad de Medicina Humana, 2020

Introduction: While different contraceptive attitudes have been reported among different ethnic g... more Introduction: While different contraceptive attitudes have been reported among different ethnic groups in the US, little if any research has been conducted to understand the reproductive health needs and attitudes among Hmong young adults. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the relationship among contraceptive perception of this community. Objective: The purpose of this research was to identify attitudes that influence Hmong college students' contraceptive practices. Methods: A campus-wide online survey was used as part of the data collection at a midsize institution in Central California. The questionnaire was a 32-items scale instrument called Contraceptive Attitude Scale (CAS), developed by Dr. Black. Results: Three hundred and forty-four students successfully completed the 32-items scale instrument CAS, which measured general contraceptive attitudes among Hmong young adults in rural California. The data reveals a high prevalence of unmarried (85%) Hmong college students reporting being sexually active (67%), with 62% having at least one sexual partner over the past 12 months; however, only 36% reported to use condom compared to 58% who did not use condoms during the last time of sexual intercourse. Conclusion: The findings indicated statistically significant differences between groups on the characteristics of sexual partners, contraceptive methods, marital status, birthplace, primary language spoken at home, years spent in college and years lived in the United States. The findings greatly contribute to the understanding of factors that influence contraceptive choices among the Hmong college population. More importantly, the information is crucial in designing programs to promote contraceptive knowledge and practices that are specific to the Hmong.

Salud, Jun 21, 2023

COVID-19 has changed educational opportunities for students around the world, and, in the process... more COVID-19 has changed educational opportunities for students around the world, and, in the process, affected their lifestyle, happiness, and engagement. The present research is part of a project from six universities in different countries across Latin America to examine the impact of COVID-19 on university students. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the impact of COVID-19 on lifestyle changes, orientations to happiness, and student engagement among a sample of college students in Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and the US. Methods: Participants were 1764 students from the six previously identified countries. Data were collected using the Student Health Behavior Inventory, the Orientations to Happiness Scale, and the University Student Engagement Inventory. Results: Student respondents were mostly female, with a median age of 22. Most reported no changes in academic performance and statistically significant changes in some lifestyle behaviors such as nutrition and physical activity.

Revista de la Facultad de Medicina Humana, Apr 10, 2019

La carga mundial de diabetes, una de las principales causas de muerte, morbilidad y gastos en ate... more La carga mundial de diabetes, una de las principales causas de muerte, morbilidad y gastos en atención médica, ahora representa una de las mayores amenazas para la salud y el desarrollo mundiales. Los principales determinantes biológicos y de comportamiento de la diabetes son las dietas de azúcares y grasas procesadas, los bajos niveles de actividad física, el sobrepeso y la obesidad (Birn, Pillay, y Holtz, 2017). Como una de las cuatro principales enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT), Diabetes Mellitus (DM) ha atraído una gran atención por parte de las autoridades sanitarias mundiales. De hecho, la Organización Mundial de la Salud ha desarrollado una estrategia para abordar las crecientes tasas de DM, incluida la prevención, la gestión, el acceso a medicamentos esenciales y la vigilancia. Un enfoque integral que integre la política de atención médica, la promoción de la salud y la educación para la salud es necesario para la prevención y posterior tratamiento de la diabetes en todo el mundo.

Revista de la Facultad de Medicina Humana, Jan 15, 2020

Objective: To discuss the development and implementation of a service learning experience designe... more Objective: To discuss the development and implementation of a service learning experience designed to improve the health status of vulnerable populations in a middle-income country through the implementation of science-based programs designed to address the World Health Organization's "Ten Threats to Global Health. " Methods: Describes the pragmatic development of a service learning experience designed to provide hands-on experiences to public health and medical students as they develop into professionals in high-middle-and low-income countries. Results: "Exploring Global Social Determinants of Health in the Dominican Republic, " originally designed as an observational experience of social determinants of health, has evolved into an experiential learning experience designed to assist students in the application of their public health knowledge and experience. Conclusion: Public health professionals, including those in training, have a responsibility to implement actions designed to improve the health status of populations around the world. Service learning programs such as "Exploring Global Social Determinants of Health in the Dominican Republic, " provide those hands-on opportunities.

The international electronic journal of health education, 2005

English: The Hmong are a group of people from Southern China, Laos, Northern Vietnam, and Thailan... more English: The Hmong are a group of people from Southern China, Laos, Northern Vietnam, and Thailand who have immigrated to the US and who have settled in rural counties in Central California. The literature suggests, the Hmong routinely use the services of shamans as part of their health care services. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in the levels of satisfaction among Hmong clients who use shamans and their services in Fresno County with regard to factors associated with animal sacrifice, gender of the shaman and the practices inside or outside of the client's home. Data were collected from 115 study participants in a rural California county. Findings from this study suggest that clients who had shamans conduct the rituals at their own homes and those who used live animals were significantly more satisfied than those had to travel to meet the shaman and those whose shamans' use dead animals. There were no significant differences in clients' satisfaction by the gender of the shaman.

Global journal of health education and promotion, 2015

Revista Científica Salud Uninorte, Dec 15, 2005

Uso del tabaco entre los jóvenes colombianos. Retos para los profesionales en salud pública

Revista de la Facultad de Medicina Humana

Mr. Editor The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental,... more Mr. Editor The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. This definition, first proposed in 1948, has evolved and currently includes more domains than those originally cited by the WHO. In fact, contemporary definitions of health focus on the person’s ability to deal with life’s demands through a balance between the absence of disease and impairment, and their ability to function in their social and physical environments. Regardless of the definition employed, human health does not exist in a vacuum, as it represents the total socioeconomic realities of the person.

Salud Uninorte, 2015

ambiente, la alimentación y nutrición y el acceso a servicios públicos y de saneamiento básico, e... more ambiente, la alimentación y nutrición y el acceso a servicios públicos y de saneamiento básico, entre otros. Dado que el uso racional de los recursos alimenticios viene acompañado de prácticas culturales para la obtención y preparación de los alimentos, estos aspectos deben ser intervenidos desde perspectivas intersectoriales e interdisciplinarias que abarquen todos los ámbitos: individual, familiar, local, nacional e internacional. En la Declaración de Roma sobre Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial en 1996 los Estados se comprometieron con la erradicación del hambre en todos los países a la mitad de su número, sin embargo en 2015 la cifra aumentó con respecto al a 1996. Colombia, a pesar de no haber legislación sobre el tema, presenta un interés por un cambio, por lo que se ha abordado un interés en todos los sectores. La seguridad alimentaria y sus avances en Colombia requiere revisar experiencias de otros países en materia de políticas de Estado e implementación de estrategias efectivas, ya que este problema es un asunto de Estado y de seguridad nacional.

The World Health Organization (OMS) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and so... more The World Health Organization (OMS) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, not just the absence of disease and illness. Wermuth inferred that 56% of health status variations could be explained by social and ecological factors, 21% by health behaviors, 19% by the quality of health services and public health systems, and only 4% by

Revista Salud Uninorte, 2008

Conclusiones: Las conductas de riesgo son prevalentes por lo que se hacen imprescindibles estrate... more Conclusiones: Las conductas de riesgo son prevalentes por lo que se hacen imprescindibles estrategias para modular su influencia sobre la salud a corto y largo plazo.

Californian journal of health promotion, Dec 1, 2012

Data from the 2010 US Census Bureau, Latinos are one of the largest non-White groups in the Unite... more Data from the 2010 US Census Bureau, Latinos are one of the largest non-White groups in the United States, a trend expected to continue during the next two decades. Despite their status as the largest non-White populations in the US, Latinos continue to be poorly understood and their heterogeneous backgrounds are often ignored. The purpose of this paper is to describe an interactive learning activity designed to explore Latino demographics, food preferences, and culturally-specific health practices and beliefs among this population that traces its roots to many Latin American countries extending from Mexico to Tierra del Fuego and some Caribbean islands. The activity described in this paper is designed for English speaking audiences and may be used with junior or senior high school or college students

Global journal of health education and promotion, 2014

Migration world magazine, 1998

Journal of Religion & Health, Aug 27, 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between religiosity, spirituality, sexu... more The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between religiosity, spirituality, sexual attitudes, and sexual behaviors among Latino and non-Latino college students. The sample included 230 undergraduate college students enrolled at a mid-sized University in the western USA. Sexual behaviors among Latinos were significantly correlated with sexual attitudes and spiritual disclosure in close relationships. However, sexual behaviors for non-Latino respondents were only significantly related to sexual attitudes, not indices of religiousness or spirituality. Sexual educators, health educators, college-level instructors, and counselors can use these results to help Latino and non-Latino students alike understand the relationship between their religious and spiritual beliefs, sexual attitudes, and sexual behaviors.

International Journal of Educational Psychology, 2022

Positive personal characteristics such as happiness or wellbeing can motivate students to elevate... more Positive personal characteristics such as happiness or wellbeing can motivate students to elevate their school performance in higher education. Orientation to happiness is a construct that combines three sources of happiness: pleasure, meaning, and engagement, all of which have been identified as a predictor of university student’s engagement. However, most research in this area has been conducted during ideal situations or face-to-face education, and no cross-country research has been published examining the relationship between these two concepts during the COVID-19 era, where online education was predominant. This study aimed to investigate the relation between orientation to happiness and student engagement after twelve months of distance education in a sample of 1723 students from six American countries, including the USA, Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. Results indicate that university student´s' engagement is influenced by the orientation ...