2024
Brief Parent-Child Substance Use Education Intervention for Black Families in Urban Cities in New Jersey: Protocol for a Formative Study Design
Opara I, Pierre K, Cayo S, Aneni K, Mwai C, Hogue A, Becker S. Brief Parent-Child Substance Use Education Intervention for Black Families in Urban Cities in New Jersey: Protocol for a Formative Study Design. JMIR Research Protocols 2024, 13: e55470. PMID: 38722676, PMCID: PMC11117129, DOI: 10.2196/55470.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultBlack or African AmericanChildFemaleHealth EducationHumansMaleNew JerseyParent-Child RelationsSubstance-Related DisordersUrban PopulationConceptsINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERBlack youthBlack familiesSubstance useUrban communitiesPrevention programsCulturally tailored interventionsAdvisory boardCommunity advisory boardFamily advisory boardEvidence-based interventionsEnvironment-level factorsInfluence substance useDelay substance useSubstance use educationPrevention education programUrban citiesProtective factorsPublic health issueParent-child dyadsADAPT-ITTTheater testingNew JerseyTailored interventionsEducational intervention
2023
Addressing Gendered Racism Against Black Girls Using a Strengths-Based Empowerment-Intersectional Framework for Sexual Health and Substance Use Prevention Programming
Opara I, Martin R, Hill A, Calhoun A. Addressing Gendered Racism Against Black Girls Using a Strengths-Based Empowerment-Intersectional Framework for Sexual Health and Substance Use Prevention Programming. Health Promotion Practice 2023, 24: 617-622. PMID: 37166152, PMCID: PMC11161910, DOI: 10.1177/15248399231171145.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHealth outcomesSexual healthSubstance use prevention programmingSubstance useHealth promotion effortsWorse health outcomesSexual risk behaviorsPrevention programmingQuality health careTreatment optionsHealth promotionRisk behaviorsBlack girlsProtective factorsCritical mediatorHealth carePromotion efforts
2022
A Systematic Review on Sexual Health and Drug Use Prevention Interventions for Black Girls
Opara I, Pierre K, Assan M, Scheinfeld L, Alves C, Cross K, Lizarraga A, Brawner B. A Systematic Review on Sexual Health and Drug Use Prevention Interventions for Black Girls. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2022, 19: 3176. PMID: 35328864, PMCID: PMC8950684, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063176.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentBlack or African AmericanFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansPregnancySexual BehaviorSexual HealthSexually Transmitted DiseasesSubstance-Related DisordersUnited StatesConceptsPoor sexual health outcomesSexual health outcomesHealth outcomesDrug useSexual healthSystematic reviewEarly pregnancySearch criteriaPrevention interventionsUnwanted pregnancyBlack girlsAdolescent femalesAdolescent girlsInterventionOutcomesHIVPregnancyHigh ratePrevention researchersGirlsBlack adolescent femalesReviewHealthInfectionLarge sample
2021
Effects of Brief Interventions on Internalizing Symptoms and Substance Use in Youth: A Systematic Review
McDanal R, Parisi D, Opara I, Schleider J. Effects of Brief Interventions on Internalizing Symptoms and Substance Use in Youth: A Systematic Review. Clinical Child And Family Psychology Review 2021, 25: 339-355. PMID: 34731373, PMCID: PMC9061892, DOI: 10.1007/s10567-021-00372-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAnxietyAnxiety DisordersCrisis InterventionDepressionHumansSubstance-Related DisordersConceptsSubstance use outcomesInternalizing problemsBrief interventionSubstance useUse outcomesInternalizing symptomsCo-occurring internalizing problemsProgram effectsYouth internalizing symptomsYouth substance useYouth-focused interventionsYouth difficultiesEvidence-based interventionsYoung peopleSchool settingsVoicemail messagesIntervention effectsInternalizingYouthTest interventionsIntervention characteristicsInterventionOnline designAssociations between Parent–Child Communication on Sexual Health and Drug Use and Use of Drugs during Sex among Urban Black Youth
Boyd D, Opara I, Quinn C, Waller B, Ramos S, Duncan D. Associations between Parent–Child Communication on Sexual Health and Drug Use and Use of Drugs during Sex among Urban Black Youth. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2021, 18: 5170. PMID: 34068128, PMCID: PMC8152761, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105170.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2020
Intrapersonal psychological empowerment profiles on ethnic identity, social support, and lifetime drug use among Hispanic adolescent girls
Opara I, Lardier D, Fernandez Y, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. Intrapersonal psychological empowerment profiles on ethnic identity, social support, and lifetime drug use among Hispanic adolescent girls. Journal Of Ethnicity In Substance Abuse 2020, 21: 886-913. PMID: 32787746, PMCID: PMC8191478, DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2020.1803780.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentEthnicityFemaleHispanic or LatinoHumansPower, PsychologicalSocial IdentificationSocial SupportSubstance-Related DisordersConceptsHispanic adolescent girlsIntrapersonal psychological empowermentPsychological empowermentAdolescent girlsSocial supportSociopolitical Control ScaleEthnic identityTwo-factor structureConfirmatory factor analysisHigh social supportDrug useControl ScaleFactor structureLatent class analysisLifetime drug useFactor analysisDistinct cluster groupsRelated variablesClass analysisGirlsPrevention researchCluster groupsEmpowermentHigh levelsSupport
2019
Increasing Viral Hepatitis Knowledge Among Urban Ethnic Minority Youth: Findings from a Community Based Prevention Intervention
Opara I, Lardier D, Herrera A, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. Increasing Viral Hepatitis Knowledge Among Urban Ethnic Minority Youth: Findings from a Community Based Prevention Intervention. Journal Of Community Health 2019, 45: 269-277. PMID: 31515664, PMCID: PMC7065932, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-019-00740-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEthnic minority youthMinority youthUrban communitiesUrban ethnic minority youthNortheastern urban communityHepatitis knowledgeViral hepatitis knowledgeLogistic regression analysisHIV/AIDSYouthUnited StatesKnowledge interventionOpioid epidemicPrevention interventionsVH casesSubstance abuseEducation interventionBaseline surveyCommunityInterventionU.S.Significant increaseRegression analysisInfectionInnovative approach
2018
Project THANKS: Examining HIV/AIDS-Related Barriers and Facilitators to Care in African American Women: A Community Perspective
Amutah-Onukagha N, Mahadevan M, Opara I, Rodriguez M, Trusdell M, Kelly J. Project THANKS: Examining HIV/AIDS-Related Barriers and Facilitators to Care in African American Women: A Community Perspective. AIDS Patient Care And STDs 2018, 32: 119-128. PMID: 29630851, PMCID: PMC5972771, DOI: 10.1089/apc.2017.0215.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultBlack or African AmericanCommunicationCommunity-Based Participatory ResearchComorbidityDrug UsersFemaleFocus GroupsHealth Services AccessibilityHIV InfectionsHumansNew JerseyPerceptionPhysician-Patient RelationsQualitative ResearchSocial StigmaSocial SupportSubstance-Related DisordersTrustConceptsAfrican American womenHIV/AIDSHealth centersAmerican womenHIV treatment regimenMental health referralsSubstance abuse disordersMental health symptomsFemale substance abusersMental health needsGroup sessionsEvidence-based interventionsPhysician-patient trustCommunity-based participatoryFocus group sessionsTreatment regimenSocial support needsHealth referralsChronic diseasesAbuse disordersHealth educationHealthcare providersHIVHealth symptomsHealth needs