Dr. Tamara A Clapper

Introduction: Gulf Coast Kid's House is an advocacy center for children who have experienced abuse. A significant issue for the agency is the lack of awareness of how to recognize the signs of child abuse. Study findings show child protection training programs can significantly improve the reporting of child abuse and neglect.
Aims: The purpose of this project was to increase the ability of the community to recognize the signs and symptoms of child abuse. The aim was to increase the number of people in Escambia County who have successfully completed the “Know Child Abuse” training from an average of 381 people over three months to 481 by December 2024.
Methods: The group created an infographic on child abuse, covering its impact, signs and symptoms, risk factors, recognition, legal and ethical considerations, prevention strategies, professional responsibilities, and resources available through Gulf Coast Kid’s House. The infographic provides a QR link to the “Know Child Abuse” training.
Results: The group distributed the infographic to five daycares in the county area, targeting those who interact with children, such as daycare providers, teachers, and caregivers. Gulf Coast Kid’s House will evaluate the average number of people who completed the training after project implementation to assess the impact.
Conclusion: The child abuse is an essential problem for healthcare professionals. Raising awareness for individuals in the community who are in a position to recognize and respond to signs of abuse could lead to early identification and prevent further trauma.

Introduction: The University of West Florida (UWF) Student Health Services serves the student population to promote the overall well-being of students. The identified problem was the lack of knowledge about the differences between bacterial and viral illness. Study findings show a correlation between decreased adolescent health literacy and poor health outcomes in adulthood.
Purpose/Goals: The purpose of this project was to educate students at UWF about the differences between bacterial and viral infections. The goals for students were: (1) identify the differences between bacterial and viral infections. (2) Discuss treatment and prevention techniques for bacterial and viral infections. (3) Recognize when to seek medical attention.
Method: The group created an Canva infographic targeting the student population, that included differences between bacterial and viral illnesses, and treatment options. The infographic included QR codes for vaccination appointments and the online version of the infographic.
Results: The infographic was placed in the UWF Student Health Center and distributed on social media (Facebook and Instagram) with the assistance of the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health communications department. Engagement numbers from social media implementation and flu vaccination rates at the end of the semester will determine impact.
Conclusions: Health literacy is low among college students, which contributes to poor health outcomes as adults. Educating this population on proper illness prevention techniques can reduce incidence rates and poor health outcomes.