Sitara M Weerakoon, PhD, MPH
Associate Research Scientist in Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences)Cards
About
Research
Publications
2025
Teen Dating Violence Among Asian American Adolescents: Insights from a National Survey (2015–2021)
Weerakoon S, Srikanth N, Hansoti E, Takenaka B, Wan X, Opara I, Markham C, Lau M. Teen Dating Violence Among Asian American Adolescents: Insights from a National Survey (2015–2021). Journal Of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma 2025, 34: 331-347. DOI: 10.1080/10926771.2025.2471348.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTeen dating violenceSexual dating violenceDating violenceSchool violenceBullying victimizationAmerican adolescentsPhysical dating violenceSubstance useAsian American adolescentsU.S. high school studentsOdds ratioViolenceAssociated with increased oddsLogistic regression analysisCluster sampling studyVictimsBullyingSexual behaviorPublic health problemDepressive symptomsAdolescent malesUnited StatesAdolescent femalesHigh school studentsNational surveyT10 Sexual Risk Behaviors and Drug Use Correlates With HIV and STI Testing Among Black Youth
Srikanth N, Weerakoon S, Aivadyan C, Takenaka B, Rose R, Rutledge J, Opara I. T10 Sexual Risk Behaviors and Drug Use Correlates With HIV and STI Testing Among Black Youth. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2025, 267: 111778. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111778.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2024
Predictors of HIV and STI testing among sexually active Black adolescents: Results from YRBSS 2019–2021
Weerakoon S, Srikanth N, Aivadyan C, Takenaka B, Rose R, Rutledge J, Sissoko G, Opara I. Predictors of HIV and STI testing among sexually active Black adolescents: Results from YRBSS 2019–2021. Journal Of HIV/AIDS & Social Services 2024, ahead-of-print: 1-16. DOI: 10.1080/15381501.2024.2435882.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSexually transmitted infection testingSexually transmitted infectionsPredictors of HIVE-cigarettesOdds of testingE-cigarette useYouth Risk Behavior Surveillance SystemBehavior Surveillance SystemBlack adolescentsCurrent substance usersCondom useHIVSexual partnersTesting behaviorInfluence testing behaviourPreventive health measuresSubstance usersSubstance useAdolescentsOddsPredictorsRegression modelsAgeSexMaleA Nationally Representative Analysis of Substance Use and Sexual Health Correlates Associated with HIV and STI Testing among Adolescents
Weerakoon S, Srikanth N, Aivadyan C, Takenaka B, Rose R, Rutledge J, Wan X, Opara I. A Nationally Representative Analysis of Substance Use and Sexual Health Correlates Associated with HIV and STI Testing among Adolescents. AIDS And Behavior 2024, 29: 919-932. PMID: 39661294, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04575-w.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOdds of HIVSTI testingYouth Risk Behavior Surveillance SystemIncreased odds of HIVSexual healthIncreased oddsCDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance SystemOdds of HIV testingStepwise multivariate logistic regression modelsSubstance use behaviorsLifetime cocaine useSubstance useMultivariate logistic regression modelNationally representative analysisBehavior Surveillance SystemLogistic regression modelsPrescription drug misuseHIV/STI testingTailored HIVHIV testingSex of sexual partnersUnited StatesCocaine useHealth correlatesTesting servicesApplying a community‐engaged participatory machine learning model
Asabor E, Aneni K, Weerakoon S, Opara I. Applying a community‐engaged participatory machine learning model. American Journal Of Community Psychology 2024, 74: 262-268. PMID: 39279135, DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12765.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHealth researchCommunity psychologistsPublic health researchExperiences of peopleStructural humilityHealth inequalitiesHealth careCommunity stakeholdersPriority settingMachine learning techniquesTarget populationCommunity contextHealthLived experienceImprove outcomesCommunity insightsLearning techniquesProblem formationPsychologistsPositive membersStage of machine learningMachine learning researchCommunityDecision-makingCareRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INCREASED POLYSUBSTANCE USE, ANXIETY, AND STRESS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: RESULTS FROM THE COVID-19 CANNABIS HEALTH STUDY
Weerakoon S, Diggs B, Messiah S, Weiner M, Vidot D. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INCREASED POLYSUBSTANCE USE, ANXIETY, AND STRESS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: RESULTS FROM THE COVID-19 CANNABIS HEALTH STUDY. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2024, 260: 110077. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110077.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchT129 Prevalence of Psilocybin and Cannabis Concurrent Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of the COVID-19 Cannabis Health Study
Vidot D, Baral A, Diggs B, Weerakoon S, Baquai M, Iyi R, Weiner M, Messiah S. T129 Prevalence of Psilocybin and Cannabis Concurrent Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of the COVID-19 Cannabis Health Study. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2024, 260: 110578. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110578.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchS11 Cannabis Use and Mental Health Coping Behavior Among Minority Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From the COVID-19 Cannabis Health Study
Diggs B, Fellah R, Lebron C, Weerakoon S, Messiah S, Vidot D. S11 Cannabis Use and Mental Health Coping Behavior Among Minority Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From the COVID-19 Cannabis Health Study. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2024, 260: 110122. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110122.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchT126 High Blood Pressure Among Psilocybin and Cannabis Consumers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of the COVID-19 Cannabis Health Study
Vidot D, Diggs B, Baral A, Larson M, Weerakoon S, Baquai M, Iyi R, Weiner M, Camacho-Rivera M, Messiah S. T126 High Blood Pressure Among Psilocybin and Cannabis Consumers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of the COVID-19 Cannabis Health Study. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2024, 260: 110575. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110575.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchA 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