2023
Learning from community-based HIV prevention to inform control and mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic
Abrams J, Rutledge J, Opara I. Learning from community-based HIV prevention to inform control and mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Preventive Medicine 2023, 169: 107445. PMID: 36750159, PMCID: PMC9899509, DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107445.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFuture viral pandemicsHIV preventionCommunity-based HIV preventionHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) preventionCOVID-19 pandemicViral pandemicHIV-negative individualsCommunity-based prevention strategiesHIV testing behaviorsPublic health initiativesCommunity-based effortsTertiary prevention effortsHealth communication strategiesMode of transmissionCommunity-based strategiesHIV screeningHIV testingTreatment initiationTreatment adherenceCurrent COVID-19 pandemicPrevention strategiesNegative individualsHealth initiativesCondom useCurrent COVID-19
2021
Alcohol Use Cravings as a Mediator Between Associated Risk Factors on Increased Alcohol Use among Youth Adults in New York During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Opara I, Malik S, Lardier D, Gamble-George J, Kelly R, Okafor C, Greene R, Parisi D. Alcohol Use Cravings as a Mediator Between Associated Risk Factors on Increased Alcohol Use among Youth Adults in New York During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 2021, 39: 415-429. PMID: 34898835, PMCID: PMC8664084, DOI: 10.1080/07347324.2021.1950091.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCOVID-19 diagnosisAlcohol useCOVID-19 pandemicAssociated risk factorsYears of ageMental health symptomsYoung adult populationPublic health professionalsAlcohol use preventionResidents 18Mean ageRisk factorsSleep disturbancesHealth professionalsTreatment resourcesHealth symptomsAdult populationUse preventionSpecific psychological factorsCOVID-19 eraSocial isolationCravingMediatorsDiagnosisTotal sampleSymptoms of distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.
Okafor C, Asare M, Bautista K, Opara I. Symptoms of distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. American Journal Of Health Studies 2021, 36 PMID: 34335012, PMCID: PMC8321393, DOI: 10.47779/ajhs.2021.638.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOdds of feelingSymptoms of distressAcute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemicSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemicCoronavirus 2 pandemicGeneral healthRecent smokingPsychosocial factorsTreatment interventionsTargeted preventionYounger ageMental healthCOVID-19 pandemicSymptomsDepressionOddsUnited StatesDistressHealthPandemicSmokingPrevention