2023
Young Adults at the National Epicenter of the COVID-19 Outbreak: Understanding the Impact and Future Challenges of Social Distancing on Mental Health Outcomes
Malik S, Opara I, Lardier D, Younger J, Greene R. Young Adults at the National Epicenter of the COVID-19 Outbreak: Understanding the Impact and Future Challenges of Social Distancing on Mental Health Outcomes. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2023, 21: 33. PMID: 38248498, PMCID: PMC10815492, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010033.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRates of depressionYoung adultsMental health servicesMental health diagnosesMental health outcomesMental health crisisDiverse population of young adultsPopulation of young adultsLifetime mental health diagnosisSocio-demographic variablesIncreased alcohol useHealth outcomesHealth servicesNational epicenterMental healthHealth diagnosisDepressive symptomsPrevention researchSevere anxietyAlcohol useNew YorkSevere depressionSocial distancingArea of New YorkDiverse populationsSexual Health and Drug Use Prevention for Black Girls (The Dreamer Girls Project): Protocol for an Intervention Development
Opara I, Gabriel C, Duran-Becerra B, Bond K, Hill A, Hussett-Richardson S, Alves C, Kershaw T. Sexual Health and Drug Use Prevention for Black Girls (The Dreamer Girls Project): Protocol for an Intervention Development. JMIR Research Protocols 2023, 12: e45007. PMID: 37556188, PMCID: PMC10448282, DOI: 10.2196/45007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERSexual risk behaviorsSexual healthDrug useAim 1Protective factorsAim 3Risk behaviorsAim 2HIV/STI preventionSubstance useIntervention developmentTarget sample sizeWorse health outcomesDrug use preventionADAPT-ITT frameworkYouth advisory boardMisuse drugsSTI preventionInfection diagnosisHealth outcomesUse preventionBlack girlsEducation interventionAdvisory BoardUtilizing Community-Centered Approaches to Address Black Maternal Mortality
Falako S, Okoli N, Boateng M, Sandoval J, Gumudavelly D, Larsuel S, Opara I. Utilizing Community-Centered Approaches to Address Black Maternal Mortality. Health Education & Behavior 2023, 50: 500-504. PMID: 37525982, PMCID: PMC11161891, DOI: 10.1177/10901981231177078.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAddressing 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
What happens when we ask? A phenomenological focus group on HIV prevention and sexual health education among emancipated foster care youth
Opara I, Lizarraga A, Lardier D, Herrera A, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. What happens when we ask? A phenomenological focus group on HIV prevention and sexual health education among emancipated foster care youth. Children And Youth Services Review 2022, 140: 106583. PMID: 35910532, PMCID: PMC9337728, DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106583.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV/STI preventionPoor sexual health outcomesHealth promotion activitiesKnowledge of HIVSexual health outcomesSexual health educationFocus groupsFoster care youthSTI preventionHIV preventionHealth outcomesHealth educationSafer sexPromotion activitiesPreventionHIVVulnerable groupsGroupParticipatory action research methodsMajor themesFoster careCareA 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 ResearchConceptsPoor sexual health outcomesSexual health outcomesHealth outcomesDrug useSexual healthSystematic reviewEarly pregnancySearch criteriaPrevention interventionsUnwanted pregnancyBlack girlsAdolescent femalesAdolescent girlsInterventionOutcomesHIVPregnancyHigh ratePrevention researchersGirlsBlack adolescent femalesReviewHealthInfectionLarge sample
2020
Comment on 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, Baxter A, Trusdell M, Kelly J. Comment on Project THANKS: Examining HIV/AIDS-Related Barriers and Facilitators to Care in African American Women: A Community Perspective. Journal Of The International Association Of Providers Of AIDS Care (JIAPAC) 2020, 19: 2325958220936406. PMCID: PMC7436835, DOI: 10.1177/2325958220936406.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAfrican American womenAmerican womenCommunity-based health centersHealth literacy needsMultiple chronic diseasesSubstance use disordersMental health outcomesChronic diseasesChronic illnessHealth centersUse disordersDual diagnosisHealth outcomesHIVMental healthFuture interventionsComorbiditiesWomenSocial supportInterventionLicensed social workersComplicationsIllnessDiseaseDiagnosis
2017
The Effects of School-Based Discrimination on Adolescents of Color Sexual Health Outcomes: A Social Determinants Approach
Respress B, Amutah-Onukagha N, Opara I. The Effects of School-Based Discrimination on Adolescents of Color Sexual Health Outcomes: A Social Determinants Approach. Social Work In Public Health 2017, 33: 1-16. PMID: 29199912, DOI: 10.1080/19371918.2017.1378953.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSexual risk behaviorsSexual health outcomesHealth outcomesRisk behaviorsFuture prevention workSocial determinants approachSexual risky behaviorAdolescent sexual risk behaviorInfection diagnosisSignificant predictorsSexual behaviorAfrican AmericansAdolescentsRisky behaviorsRepresentative sampleOutcomesPrevention workAdolescents of colorSchool performanceClear disparityHigh school-aged studentsEffects of schoolDisparitiesFindingsDiagnosisProgresses and Challenges of Utilizing Traditional Birth Attendants in Maternal and Child Health in Nigeria
Amutah-Onukagha N, Rodriguez M, Opara I, Gardner M, Assan M, Hammond R, Plata J, Pierre K, Farag E. Progresses and Challenges of Utilizing Traditional Birth Attendants in Maternal and Child Health in Nigeria. International Journal Of Maternal And Child Health And AIDS (IJMA) 2017, 6: 130-138. PMID: 29367889, PMCID: PMC5777388, DOI: 10.21106/ijma.216.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTraditional birth attendantsBirth attendantsMaternal mortalityMaternal healthHealth outcomesRole of TBAsTBA training programsMaternal health outcomesMaternal health careChild health outcomesGlobal Health ImplicationsMajor electronic databasesEnglish-language studiesHealth education trainingDelivery complicationsInclusion criteriaChild healthTBA practicesElectronic databasesHealth servicesBirthing processHealth careHealthcare facilitiesHealth implicationsPotential role