2024
A Qualitative Exploration on Risk and Protective Factors of Substance Use Among Black Adolescent Girls
Opara I, Brooks-Stephens J, Aneni K, Asabor E, Weerakoon S, Duran-Becerra B. A Qualitative Exploration on Risk and Protective Factors of Substance Use Among Black Adolescent Girls. Journal Of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology 2024, ahead-of-print: 1-14. PMID: 38748661, DOI: 10.1080/15374416.2024.2344171.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBlack adolescent girlsSubstance useAdolescent girlsFactors of substance useProtective factorsAbuse prevention programsSubstance abuse prevention programsPrevention programsEcological systems theoretical frameworkSystems theoretical frameworkParticipants' narrativesLived experienceGender-specificSocial environmentDrug useUnique risk factorsCoping mechanismsQualitative explorationFocus groupsThematic analysisTheoretical frameworkStudy findingsIntervention developmentSub-themesGirls
2023
Neighborhood Characteristics and the Burden of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-Associated Lung Injury: An Ecological Comparison Study
Lee H, Weerakoon S, Harrell M, Messiah S, Rao D. Neighborhood Characteristics and the Burden of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-Associated Lung Injury: An Ecological Comparison Study. Pediatric Allergy Immunology And Pulmonology 2023, 36: 16-22. PMID: 36930825, DOI: 10.1089/ped.2022.0133.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSocioeconomic statusZip codesHealth insuranceE-cigarettesEVALI casesNeighborhood-level characteristicsPatient's zip codeElectronic medical recordsTargeted prevention programsProduct use-associated lung injuryHigh school educationUse-associated lung injuryAt-risk communitiesPrivate health insuranceData of adolescentsAmerican Community SurveySES characteristicsChildren's Medical Center DallasNeighborhood characteristicsPrevention programsInvestigate associationsCommunity SurveyNinety-five percentMedical recordsVaping products
2020
An Implementation Approach Comparison of a Child Care Center-Based Obesity Prevention Program.
Natale R, Atem F, Weerakoon S, Lebron C, Mathew M, Sardinas K, Chang C, Shelnutt K, Spector R, Altare F, Messiah S. An Implementation Approach Comparison of a Child Care Center-Based Obesity Prevention Program. Journal Of Developmental And Behavioral Pediatrics 2020, 42: 135-145. PMID: 32947578, PMCID: PMC9336224, DOI: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000000861.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImprove dietary intake patternsCluster randomized controlled trialTrain-the-trainer approachObesity prevention interventionsPhase 1Obesity prevention programsChild dietary practicesBody mass index percentileSnack food consumptionTrain-the-trainerDietary intake patternsUniversity-based research teamPhase 2Randomized controlled trialsVegetable intakeUnhealthy foodsEthnic minority familiesFruit consumptionPreventive interventionsDietary practicesTeam implementationPrevention programsIntake patternsControlled trialsHealthy range