Document Type

Capstone Experience

Graduation Date

5-2024

Degree Name

Master of Public Health

Department

Epidemiology

First Committee Member

Kendra Ratnapradipa, PhD, MSW

Second Committee Member

Ariane Rung, PhD, MPH

Third Committee Member

Ishrat Kamal-Ahmed, PhD, MSc

Fourth Committee Member

Anthony Blake, MPH

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the research is to examine the association between mental health status as measured by number of mentally healthy days in the past month and deafness and binge drinking.

Methods: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) study was conducted via telephone survey in 50 states, including the District of Columbia and US territories. The sample size is 402,156 participants. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate regressions, odds ratio, and 95% confidence interval were used to measure the data.

Results: Deaf respondents have 1.56 times the odds of having poor mental health than those who are not deaf. (95% CI=1.44, 1.69). Age groups and education do not have a significant association with poor mental health. Black and multiracial people have higher odds of poor mental health.

Conclusion: There is an association between poor mental health and deafness. Lack of accessibility to mental health services may contribute to poor mental health. Further studies are needed to analyze improving accessibility to mental health services.

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