Browsing by Author "Onyeaka, H.K."
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Item Epidemiology of suicidal behaviours amongst school-going adolescents in post-conflict Sierra Leone(Journal of Affective Disorders, 2021) Asante, K.O.; Quarshie, E.N-B.; Onyeaka, H.K.Background: Children and young people living in post-conflict contexts are at an increased risk of suicidal behaviours (ideations and attempts). Not much is known about the extent of suicidal behaviours amongst adolescents in most notable post-conflict countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Sierra Leone. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of data from the 2017 Sierra Leone World Health Organisation Global School-based Student Health Survey conducted amongst students in secondary schools nationwide. We estimated the 12-month prevalence and performed bivariable and multivariable analyses to assess the correlates of suicidal behaviours. Results: Of the 2,798 analytic sample, 14.6% (males = 15.1%, females = 14.0%) reported suicidal ideation, and the 12-month prevalence estimate of suicide attempt was 19.6% (male = 20.9%, females =17.8%). The factors associated with suicidal behaviours were multi-layered. While no statistically significant gender association with suicide ideation or attempt was observed at the personal level, being aged 18 or older, loneliness, and health risk behaviours (cannabis use, and leisure time sedentary behaviour) were associated with increased odds of suicidal behaviours. Within the family context, parental monitoring was associated with increased odds of suicidal ideation, but parental supervision was associated with reduced odds of suicide ideation. Limitations: The cross-sectional nature of the data did not support causal inferences. Conclusions: Taken together, professional mental healthcare would be helpful in treating adolescent emotional problems (e.g., depression and loneliness) related to suicidal behaviours; but prevention and intervention programmes targeted at addressing adolescent health risk behaviours, and familial and interpersonal problems may yield more favourable outcomes.Item Perceived racial discrimination and polysubstance use among racial/ethnic minority adolescents in the United States(Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2023) Baiden, P.; Onyeaka, H.K.; Mets, V.E.; et al.Objective: Polysubstance use among adolescents is a significant public health concern, yet most studies on adolescent substance use focus on a singular substance. This study is one of the first to investigate the association between perceived racial discrimination (PRD) in school and polysubstance use among racial/ethnic minority adolescents using a nationally representative sample. Methods: Data was from the 2021 Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey. The sample included 4145 racial/ethnic minority adolescents (52.8% female). Hierarchical binary logistic regression was used to examine the association between PRD in school and polysubstance use among racial/ethnic minority adolescents. Results: About 12% of racial/ethnic minority adolescents engaged in polysubstance use and 23.4% reported experiencing PRD in school sometimes/most of the time/always. Controlling for other factors, experiencing PRD in school sometimes/most of the time/always was associated with 1.52 times higher odds of polysubstance use when compared to adolescents who never experienced PRD in school (OR=1.52, p=.044, 95% CI=1.01–2.30). Cyberbullying victimization, symptoms of depression, and being emotionally abused by a parent during COVID 19 were also associated with polysubstance use. Conclusion: Controlling for demographic characteristics and psychosocial stressors, PRD in school was significantly associated with higher odds of polysubstance use among racial/ethnic minority adolescents. The findings of this study could inform clinicians and policymakers of the association between PRD in school and polysubstance use, which could contribute to early identification of polysubstance use among racial/ethnic minority adolescents.Item Prevalence and determinants of alcohol use among adolescents in post-conflict Liberia(Taylor & Francis Group, 2021) Onyeaka, H.K.; Asante, K.O.Alcohol use remains a major public health concern among youths world wide because of its deleterious effects on physical and mental health. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of alcohol use and misuse among adolescents in Liberia. Using the 2017 Liberia Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS), 2,744 adolescents aged 11– 18 years responded to the 2017 cross-sectional survey. Students responded to questions on sociodemographic factors, substance use, psychological distress, and other health risk behaviors. Logistic regression was employed to study the relationship between alcohol use variables and socio-demographic characteristic, mental health problems, psycho social variables, and parental involvement. The prevalence of alcohol use behaviors was 24.9% and 20.11% for current alcohol use and lifetime drunkenness, respectively. Significant risk factors for alcohol use include personal and lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking, sexual behavior, having been physically attacked, substance use (methamphetamine and cannabis), and truancy. These findings underscore the need for screening and early intervention policies to identify adolescents who may be at risk of misusing alcohol.Item The Role of Health Information Technology in Improving Awareness of Human Papillomavirus and Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Among U.S. Adults(TELEMEDICINE and e-HEALTH, 2023) Onyeaka, H.K.; Muoghalu, C.; Asante, K.O.; et al.Objective: Although human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines prevent cancer-causing HPV infections and cervical precancers, there is suboptimal awareness and limited global accessibility of HPV and HPV vaccine. Emerging evidence suggests that health information technology (HIT) may influence HPV-related awareness and improve vaccine adoption. The objective of this study was to evaluate the link between HIT and HPV-related awareness Methods: Data were obtained from 1,866 U.S. adults aged 18–45 years who completed the 2017 and 2018 Health Information National Trends Survey. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to analyze the association between HIT utilization and HPV-related awareness. Results: Awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine were 72.7% and 67.5%, respectively. Participants who used electronic means to look up health information (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.05; p = 0.001), communicate with health care provider (aOR = 1.68; p = 0.026), look up test results (aOR = 1.94; p = 0.005), and track health costs (aOR = 1.65; p = 0.04) were more likely to report HPV awareness than those who did not. Participants who used an electro nic device to look up health information (aOR = 3.10; p = 0.003), communicate with clinicians (aOR = 1.72; p = 0.008), look up test results (aOR = 1.63; p = 0.021), and track health care charges (aOR = 1.90; p = 0.006) were more likely to report HPV vaccine awareness than those who did not. Discussion and Conclusion: Our findings suggest a positive association between HIT utilization and HPV-related aware ness. Given the rapid and exponential increase in mobile technology access globally, these results are encouraging and offer a potential opportunity to leverage digital technology in primary cancer prevention for HPV-related cancers, especially in low- and middle-income countries with unsophisticated health infrastructures.