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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultBlack or African AmericanChildFemaleHealth EducationHumansMaleNew JerseyParent-Child RelationsSubstance-Related DisordersUrban PopulationConceptsINTERNATIONAL 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
Racial/ethnic disparities in PM2.5-attributable cardiovascular mortality burden in the United States
Ma Y, Zang E, Opara I, Lu Y, Krumholz H, Chen K. Racial/ethnic disparities in PM2.5-attributable cardiovascular mortality burden in the United States. Nature Human Behaviour 2023, 7: 2074-2083. PMID: 37653149, PMCID: PMC10901568, DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01694-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBlack or African AmericanCardiovascular DiseasesEthnicityHispanic or LatinoHumansParticulate MatterRacial GroupsUnited StatesWhiteConceptsNon-Hispanic White peopleCVD deathMortality burdenNon-Hispanic black peopleCardiovascular disease mortality ratesDisease mortality ratesNon-Hispanic blacksRace/ethnicityMortality rateLong-term exposureWhite peopleEthnic disparitiesHealth benefitsHispanic peopleSignificant differencesBurdenDeathUS countiesEthnic groupsAbsolute disparityAssociationExposureEthnic minoritiesDisparitiesAmbient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrationsUtilizing 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsBlack or African AmericanCommunity-Based Participatory ResearchFemaleHealthcare DisparitiesHumansMaleMaternal MortalityTransgender PersonsAddressing 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
A 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentBlack or African AmericanFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansPregnancySexual BehaviorSexual HealthSexually Transmitted DiseasesSubstance-Related DisordersUnited StatesConceptsPoor sexual health outcomesSexual health outcomesHealth outcomesDrug useSexual healthSystematic reviewEarly pregnancySearch criteriaPrevention interventionsUnwanted pregnancyBlack girlsAdolescent femalesAdolescent girlsInterventionOutcomesHIVPregnancyHigh ratePrevention researchersGirlsBlack adolescent femalesReviewHealthInfectionLarge sample
2021
Reframing Sexual Health for Black Girls and Women in HIV/STI Prevention Work: Highlighting the Role of Identity and Interpersonal Relationships
Opara I, Abrams JA, Cross K, Amutah-Onukagha N. Reframing Sexual Health for Black Girls and Women in HIV/STI Prevention Work: Highlighting the Role of Identity and Interpersonal Relationships. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2021, 18: 12088. PMID: 34831855, PMCID: PMC8621381, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212088.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBlack or African AmericanFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansIntersectional FrameworkSexual HealthSexually Transmitted DiseasesAssociations between Parent–Child Communication on Sexual Health and Drug Use and Use of Drugs during Sex among Urban Black Youth
Boyd D, Opara I, Quinn C, Waller B, Ramos S, Duncan D. Associations between Parent–Child Communication on Sexual Health and Drug Use and Use of Drugs during Sex among Urban Black Youth. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2021, 18: 5170. PMID: 34068128, PMCID: PMC8152761, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105170.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2020
Parenting profiles of academic and racial socialization: Associations with academic engagement and academic self-beliefs of African American adolescents
Metzger I, Cooper S, Griffin C, Golden A, Opara I, Ritchwood T. Parenting profiles of academic and racial socialization: Associations with academic engagement and academic self-beliefs of African American adolescents. Journal Of School Psychology 2020, 82: 36-48. PMID: 32988462, PMCID: PMC8219402, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsp.2020.07.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcademic SuccessAdolescentAdolescent BehaviorBlack or African AmericanChildFemaleHumansMaleMidwestern United StatesParentingRacismSelf ConceptSocial ValuesSocializationConceptsAdolescents' academic outcomesAcademic outcomesSocialization practicesRacial socializationAcademic engagementParental socialization practicesLatent profile analysisAfrican American adolescentsParenting profilesProfile membershipSchool psychologistsAdolescent participantsAfrican American caregiversAmerican adolescentsSocializersAmerican caregiversAcademic socializationSocializationAdolescentsProfile analysisCurrent investigationEngagementSchool systemPsychologistsEthnic minoritiesNativity 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultBiomarkersBlack or African AmericanBlack PeopleCardiovascular DiseasesEmigrants and ImmigrantsFemaleHeart Disease Risk FactorsHumansMaleNutrition SurveysUnited StatesConceptsNutrition 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
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 schoolDisparitiesFindingsDiagnosis