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 ResearchConceptsINTERNATIONAL 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
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 populations
2021
Ethnic Identity as a Moderator Between HIV Knowledge, Viral Hepatitis Knowledge, and Psychological Antecedents Among Racial-Ethnic Minority Youth Living in an Urban Community
Opara I, Lardier D, Durkee M, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. Ethnic Identity as a Moderator Between HIV Knowledge, Viral Hepatitis Knowledge, and Psychological Antecedents Among Racial-Ethnic Minority Youth Living in an Urban Community. Journal Of Racial And Ethnic Health Disparities 2021, 9: 1298-1307. PMID: 34041704, PMCID: PMC8617072, DOI: 10.1007/s40615-021-01069-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPsychological antecedentsViral hepatitis knowledgeEthnic identityMinority youthGender-specific prevention programsRisk-taking behaviorRisk behaviorsSexual negotiation skillsIdentity developmentAntecedent variablesFemale adolescentsHIV risk behaviorsLower perceptionsHepatitis knowledgeProtective factorsNegotiation skillsHIV knowledgeAntecedentsYouthUS urban communitiesLimited researchYouth LivingHIV prevention education programPrevention programsStudents of color
2020
Nativity and Cardiovascular Dysregulation: Evidence from the 2001–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Doamekpor L, Gleason J, Opara I, Amutah-Onukagha N. Nativity and Cardiovascular Dysregulation: Evidence from the 2001–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Journal Of Racial And Ethnic Health Disparities 2020, 8: 136-146. PMID: 32410072, PMCID: PMC8324316, DOI: 10.1007/s40615-020-00765-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNutrition Examination SurveyCardiovascular biomarkersCardiovascular dysregulationBlood pressureExamination SurveyNational HealthHigher mean diastolic blood pressureHigher mean systolic blood pressureMean diastolic blood pressureMean systolic blood pressureMultivariable-adjusted logistic regressionHealth advantagesDiastolic blood pressureSystolic blood pressureBiomarker risk scoreHealthy immigrant effectNativity-based differencesForeign-born blacksRisk scoreHealth behaviorsBlack adultsLogistic regressionSocioeconomic statusBiomarkersImmigrant effect
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