"Environmental & Health Perceptions of Ocean Users Along the Imperial and Coronado Beaches in Southern California" Research Proposal

1. M.S. Thesis Proposal
“Environmental and Health Perceptions of
Ocean Users Along the Imperial and
Coronado Beaches in Southern California”
IRB Protocol # Pro00012014
Presented by Trista Brophy
May 1st, 2014

2. Overview
1. Research Problem & Purpose
2. Study Area
3. Conceptual Framework
4. Research Design & Methodology
5. Benefits of Proposed Research
6. Project Time Line
7. Q & A

3. Problem Statement
Garbage & sewage runoff pollute the
Pacific Ocean at the shoreline along
the U.S./Mexico Border region
posing serious health and
environmental threats.

4. Purpose of the Research
• Identify health outcomes
experienced by ocean users on
the U.S. side of the border and
address the community needs in
regards to polluted ocean water.

5. Rationale & Justification
• Frequent beach closures associated with
a high frequency of ocean contamination
• Many people continue to enter the water
during beach closures
• Previous 2009 study1 shows correlation of
specific water activities & frequency of
contact with illness rates

6. Research Questions
1. What are the health outcomes, if any,
associated with the ocean pollution along
San Diego County beaches?
2. Who are the most vulnerable beach users at
risk in this area?
3. How has the data changed in the last 5
years?

7. Hypothesis
Even with beach closures and public
health notices when water quality is
below standard, I believe beach users
continue to experience illness from
contaminated ocean water in the area. I
expect no change in illness rates since
2009.

8. Approaches of Similar Studies
• Framework of previous studies is based on:
1. Cohort Interviews2,3,4
• Bather vs non-bather groups
• Water quality samples collected from surf zone
• Follow up interviews
• Establish dose-response relationships
2. Surveys5,6,7
• Target beach users (mainly surfers & swimmers)
• Self-reported data about health symptoms &
recreational water exposure

9. Ill in past year
Not ill in past year
Number of
reported cases of
illness/non-illness
by degree of
typical bodily
contact with
ocean water
(2009 SD Survey6)

10. Number of reported cases of illness by frequency
of contact with ocean water (2009 SD Survey6)

11. Number of reported cases of illness by type of
activity with ocean water (2009 SD Survey6)

12. Study Area

13. Methodology
• Previous study (2009 SD survey6) serves
as base line model for consistency &
comparison
• This survey adds:
– Usage patterns during beach closures
• This survey removes:
– Annual Household Income

14. Data Collection
• Survey Form
– Paper & Online version
– English & Spanish
– About 10 minutes to complete
• Survey Distribution
– Summer 2014
– Adults 18+ in the study area
– Imperial Beach to Coronado Island
– Flyers with website distributed

15. Online Tools
• Qualtrics Online Survey
• Border Water Website

16. Results Analysis
• IBM SPSS statistical analysis software
– Wilcoxon & Kruskal Walis tests
• Informal analysis of relevant
documents, news releases and health
reports in the area

17. Limitations
1. Survey Distribution Must Be Sufficient
– Target of 500 respondents
– Need 250 completed surveys for proper
comparison
1. Accuracy of Self-Reporting
– Likely there will be inaccuracies in recall
of exposure & illness
– Personal beliefs about water quality could
influence reporting

18. Importance of the Research
• New Health Data
• Education
• Environment
• International Policy

19. Project Time Line
1. Defend thesis proposal to advisory
committee at the University of South Florida
– May 1st, 2014
2. Conduct surveys in study areas
– May-June, 2014
3. Analysis of data and report write-up
– June-July, 2014
4. Research defense
– July 31st, 2014

20. References
1. IB Clinic. (2011) Imperial Beach Ocean Water Quality and Community Health. Imperial
Beach Community Clinic. www.ibclinic.org/environmental_health_ocean.html
2. Fleisher, Jay, David Kay, Roland Salmon, Frank Jones, Mark Wyer and Alan Godfree. (1996).
Marine Waters Contaminated with Domestic Sewage: Nonenteric Illnesses Associated with
Bather Exposure in the United Kingdom. American Journal of Public Health. Vol. 86(9): 1228-
1234.
3. Fleisher, Jay, David Kay, Mark Wyer and Alan Godfree. (1998). Estimates of the Severity of
Illnesses Associated with Bathing in Marine Recreational Waters Contaminated with Domestic
Sewage. International Journal of Epidemiology. Vol. 27: 722-726.
4. Orozco-Borbón, Rico-Mora, Weisber, Noble, Dorse, Leecaster and McGee. (2006).
Bacteriological Water Quality Along the Tijuana-Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico Shoreline.
Marine Pollution Bulletin. Vol. 52(10): 1190-1196.
5. Dwight, Ryan, Deen Baker, Jan Semenza and Betty Olson. (2004). Health Effects Associated
With Recreational Coastal Water Use: Urban Versus Rural California. American Journal of
Public Health. Vol. 94(4): 565-567.
6. IB Clinic. (2011). Imperial Beach Ocean Water Quality and Community Health. Imperial Beach
Community Clinic. www.ibclinic.org/environmental_health_ocean.html
7. Turbow, David, Erin Kent and Sunny Jiang. (2007). Web-based Investigation of Water
Associated Illness in Marine Bathers. Environmental Research.
doi:10.1016/j.envres.2007.06.006

21. Thank You!