Last data update: May 13, 2024. (Total: 46773 publications since 2009)
Records 1-10 (of 10 Records) |
Query Trace: Okechukwu C[original query] |
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Effect of Nigeria Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria
Bolu O , Mustapha B , Ihekweazu C , Muhammad M , Hassan A , Abdulwahab A , Asekun AA , Nsirim R , Okechukwu E , Attah I , Swaminathan M , Greby S , Adebiyi A , Alex-Okoh M , Okwor T , Ilori E , Mba N , Mutah J , Akujobi J , Battah N , Haggai W , Okatubo G , Okigbo A , Castle E , Abubakar I , Akataobi C , Adekunle O , Aliyu SH . Emerg Infect Dis 2022 28 (13) S168-s176 Nigeria had a confirmed case of COVID-19 on February 28, 2020. On March 17, 2020, the Nigerian Government inaugurated the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to coordinate the country's multisectoral intergovernmental response. The PTF developed the National COVID-19 Multisectoral Pandemic Response Plan as the blueprint for implementing the response plans. The PTF provided funding, coordination, and governance for the public health response and executed resource mobilization and social welfare support, establishing the framework for containment measures and economic reopening. Despite the challenges of a weak healthcare infrastructure, staff shortages, logistic issues, commodity shortages, currency devaluation, and varying state government cooperation, high-level multisectoral PTF coordination contributed to minimizing the effects of the pandemic through early implementation of mitigation efforts, supported by a strong collaborative partnership with bilateral, multilateral, and private-sector organizations. We describe the lessons learned from the PTF COVID-19 for future multisectoral public health response. |
Executive summary: Clinical practice guideline for the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with obesity
Hampl SE , Hassink SG , Skinner AC , Armstrong SC , Barlow SE , Bolling CF , Avila Edwards KC , Eneli I , Hamre R , Joseph MM , Lunsford D , Mendonca E , Michalsky MP , Mirza N , Ochoa ER , Sharifi M , Staiano AE , Weedn AE , Flinn SK , Lindros J , Okechukwu K . Pediatrics 2023 151 (2) Obesity is a common, complex, and often persistent chronic disease associated with serious health and social consequences if not treated.1 Yet, despite the disease’s complexity, treatment of obesity can be successful.2–4 The current and long-term health of 14.4 million children and adolescents is affected by obesity,5,6 making it one of the most common pediatric chronic diseases in the United States.5,7,8 | | Obesity has long been stigmatized as a reversible consequence of personal choices but has, in reality, complex genetic, physiologic, socioeconomic, and environmental contributors. An increased understanding of the impact of social determinants of health (SDoHs) on the chronic disease of obesity—along with heightened appreciation of the impact of the chronicity and severity of obesity-related comorbidities—has enabled broader and deeper understanding of the complexity of both obesity risk and treatment.9,10 |
Clinical practice guideline for the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with obesity
Hampl SE , Hassink SG , Skinner AC , Armstrong SC , Barlow SE , Bolling CF , Avila Edwards KC , Eneli I , Hamre R , Joseph MM , Lunsford D , Mendonca E , Michalsky MP , Mirza N , Ochoa ER , Sharifi M , Staiano AE , Weedn AE , Flinn SK , Lindros J , Okechukwu K . Pediatrics 2023 151 (2) You have in your hands, or at your fingertips, the first edition of the American Academy of Pediatrics clinical practice guideline for evaluation and management of children and adolescents with overweight and obesity. Putting together this guideline was no small task, and the Academy is grateful to the efforts of all the professionals who contributed to the production of this document. This work is a true testament to their passion and dedication to combatting childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity. |
Monitoring the physical and insecticidal durability of the long-lasting insecticidal net DawaPlus((R)) 2.0 in three States in Nigeria
Obi E , Okoh F , Blaufuss S , Olapeju B , Akilah J , Okoko OO , Okechukwu A , Maire M , Popoola K , Yahaya MA , Uneke CJ , Awolola S , Pigeon O , Babalola S , Koenker H , Kilian A . Malar J 2020 19 (1) 124 BACKGROUND: Following guidance from the US President's Malaria Initiative, durability monitoring of DawaPlus((R)) 2.0 brand of long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) distributed during the 2015/16 mass campaign was set up in three ecologically different states: Zamfara, Ebonyi and Oyo. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of representative samples of households from each location, recruited at baseline, 1 to 6 months after the mass campaign. All campaign nets in the households were labelled and followed up over a period of 36 months in Zamfara and Ebonyi and 24 months in Oyo. Primary outcome was the "proportion of nets surviving in serviceable condition" based on attrition and integrity measures and the median survival in years. The outcome for insecticidal durability was determined by bio-assay from sub-samples of campaign nets. RESULTS: A total of 439 households (98% of target) and 1096 campaign nets (106%) were included in the study. Definite outcomes could be determined for 92% of the cohort nets in Zamfara, 88% in Ebonyi and 75% in Oyo. All-cause attrition was highest in Oyo with 47% no longer present after 24 months, 53% in Ebonyi and 28% in Zamfara after 36 months. Overall only 1% of all campaign nets were used for other purposes. Estimated survival in serviceable condition of the campaign nets was 80% in Zamfara, 55% in Ebonyi (36 months follow-up) and 75% in Oyo (24 months follow-up) corresponding to median survival of 5.3, 3.3, 3.2 years, respectively. Factors associated with better survival were exposure to social messaging combined with a positive net-care attitude and only adult users. Failing to fold the net when hanging and having children under 5 years of age in the household negatively impacted net survival. Insecticidal effectiveness testing at final survey showed knock-down rates of 50-69%, but 24-h mortality above 95% resulting in 100% optimal performance in Ebonyi and Oyo and 97% in Zamfara. CONCLUSIONS: Results confirm the strong influence of net-use environment and behavioural factors in the physical survival of the same LLIN brand, which can increase the time until 50% of nets are no longer serviceable by up to 2 years. |
Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents
Wolraich ML , Hagan JFJr , Allan C , Chan E , Davison D , Earls M , Evans SW , Flinn SK , Froehlich T , Frost J , Holbrook JR , Lehmann CU , Lessin HR , Okechukwu K , Pierce KL , Winner JD , Zurhellen W . Pediatrics 2019 144 (4) Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is 1 of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood and can profoundly affect children's academic achievement, well-being, and social interactions. The American Academy of Pediatrics first published clinical recommendations for evaluation and diagnosis of pediatric ADHD in 2000; recommendations for treatment followed in 2001. The guidelines were revised in 2011 and published with an accompanying process of care algorithm (PoCA) providing discrete and manageable steps by which clinicians could fulfill the clinical guideline's recommendations. Since the release of the 2011 guideline, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has been revised to the fifth edition, and new ADHD-related research has been published. These publications do not support dramatic changes to the previous recommendations. Therefore, only incremental updates have been made in this guideline revision, including the addition of a key action statement related to diagnosis and treatment of comorbid conditions in children and adolescents with ADHD. The accompanying process of care algorithm has also been updated to assist in implementing the guideline recommendations. Throughout the process of revising the guideline and algorithm, numerous systemic barriers were identified that restrict and/or hamper pediatric clinicians' ability to adopt their recommendations. Therefore, the subcommittee created a companion article (available in the Supplemental Information) on systemic barriers to the care of children and adolescents with ADHD, which identifies the major systemic-level barriers and presents recommendations to address those barriers; in this article, we support the recommendations of the clinical practice guideline and accompanying process of care algorithm. |
Design, implementation, and evaluation of a school insecticide-treated net distribution program in Cross River State, Nigeria
Acosta A , Obi E , Ato Selby R , Ugot I , Lynch M , Maire M , Belay K , Okechukwu A , Inyang U , Kafuko J , Greer G , Gerberg L , Fotheringham M , Koenker H , Kilian A . Glob Health Sci Pract 2018 6 (2) 272-287 BACKGROUND: In 2013, the World Health Organization recommended distribution through schools, health facilities, community health workers, and mass campaigns to maintain coverage with insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). We piloted school distribution in 3 local government areas (LGAs) of Cross River State, Nigeria. METHODS: From January to March 2011, all 3 study sites participated in a mass ITN campaign. Baseline data were collected in June 2012 (N=753 households) and school distribution began afterward. One ITN per student was distributed to 4 grades once a year in public schools. Obubra LGA distributed ITNs in 2012, 2013, and 2014 and Ogoja LGA in 2013 and 2014 while Ikom LGA served as a comparison site. Pregnant women in all sites were eligible to receive ITNs through standard antenatal care (ANC). Endline survey data (N=1,450 households) were collected in March 2014. Data on ITN ownership, population access to an ITN, and ITN use were gathered and analyzed. Statistical analysis used contingency tables and chi-squared tests for univariate analysis, and a concentration index was calculated to assess equity in ITN ownership. RESULTS: Between baseline and endline, household ownership of at least 1 ITN increased in the intervention sites, from 50% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 44.7, 54.3) to 76% (95% CI: 71.2, 81.0) in Ogoja and from 51% (95% CI: 35.3, 66.7) to 78% (95% CI: 71.5, 83.1) in Obubra, as did population access to ITN, from 36% (95% CI: 32.0, 39.5) to 53% (95% CI: 48.0, 58.0) in Ogoja and from 34% (95% CI: 23.2, 45.6) to 55% in Obubra (95% CI: 48.4, 60.9). In contrast, ITN ownership declined in the comparison site, from 64% (95% CI: 56.4, 70.8) to 43% (95% CI: 37.4, 49.4), as did population ITN access, from 47% (95% CI: 40.0, 53.7) to 26% (95% CI: 21.9, 29.9). Ownership of school ITNs was nearly as equitable (concentration index 0.06 [95% CI: 0.02, 0.11]) as for campaign ITNs (-0.03 [95% CI: -0.08, 0.02]), and there was no significant oversupply or undersupply among households with ITNs. Schools were the most common source of ITNs at endline and very few households (<2%) had nets from both school and ANC. CONCLUSION: ITN distribution through schools and ANC provide complementary reach and can play an effective role in achieving and maintaining universal coverage. More research is needed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of such continuous distribution channels in combination with, or as a potential replacement for, subsequent mass campaigns. |
Effect of stressful life events on changes in smoking among the French: longitudinal findings from GAZEL
Tamers SL , Okechukwu C , Marino M , Gueguen A , Goldberg M , Zins M . Eur J Public Health 2015 25 (4) 711-5 BACKGROUND: Changes in life events may play a contributing role in changes in smoking behaviors. The objective was to examine the impact of stressful life events (SLEs) on smoking among French adults. METHODS: We examined smoking prevalence in 20 625 employees of the French GAZEL cohort for up to 5 years before and after a SLE during three time periods (years -1 vs. -5; years +1 vs. -1; years +5 vs. +1). Repeated measures analysis of time series data indexed to events were used, employing generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: For women, comparing 1 year after vs. 1 year before SLEs, decreased odds of smoking were found for employment promotion (OR: 0.80; 95% CI = 0.67-0.95), marriage (OR: 0.57; 95% CI = 0.48-0.68) and divorce (OR: 0.78; 95% CI = 0.68-0.90). Comparing 5 years after to 1 year after SLEs, women had decreased odds of smoking for important purchase (OR: 0.87; 95% CI = 0.79-0.96), children leaving home (OR: 0.83; 95% CI = 0.74-0.93), retirement (OR: 0.73; 95% CI = 0.64-0.83) and death of loved one (OR: 0.86; 95% CI = 0.79-0.93). For men, decreased odds of smoking were observed in all three time periods for all SLEs except when comparing 1 year before to 5 years before marriage (OR: 1.66; 95% CI = 1.09-2.52) and divorce (OR: 1.49; 95% CI = 1.25-1.77). CONCLUSION: Time surrounding SLEs during which individuals are susceptible to changing smoking behaviors may be an important consideration. |
Discrimination, harassment, abuse, and bullying in the workplace: contribution of workplace injustice to occupational health disparities
Okechukwu CA , Souza K , Davis KD , de Castro AB . Am J Ind Med 2014 57 (5) 573-86 BACKGROUND: This paper synthesizes research on the contribution of workplace injustices to occupational health disparities. METHODS: We conducted a broad review of research and other reports on the impact of workplace discrimination, harassment, and bullying on workers' health and on family and job outcomes. RESULTS: Members of demographic minority groups are more likely to be victims of workplace injustice and suffer more adverse outcomes when exposed to workplace injustice compared to demographic majority groups. A growing body of research links workplace injustice to poor psychological and physical health, and a smaller body of evidence links workplace injustice to unhealthy behaviors. Although not as well studied, studies show that workplace injustice can influence workers' health through effects on workers' family life and job-related outcomes. CONCLUSION: Injustice is a key contributor to occupational health injustice and prospective studies with oversample of disadvantaged workers and refinement of methods for characterizing workplace injustices are needed. |
Integration of health protection and health promotion: rationale, indicators, and metrics
Sorensen G , McLellan D , Dennerlein JT , Pronk NP , Allen JD , Boden LI , Okechukwu CA , Hashimoto D , Stoddard A , Wagner GR . J Occup Environ Med 2013 55 S12-8 OBJECTIVE: To offer a definition of an "integrated" approach to worker health and operationalize this definition using indicators of the extent to which integrated efforts are implemented in an organization. METHODS: Guided by the question-How will we know it when we see it?-we reviewed relevant literature to identify available definitions and metrics, and used a modified Delphi process to review and refine indicators and measures of integrated approaches. RESULTS: A definition of integrated approaches to worker health is proposed and accompanied by indicators and measures that may be used by researchers, employers, and workers. CONCLUSIONS: A shared understanding of what is meant by integrated approaches to protect and promote worker health has the potential to improve dialogue among researchers and facilitate the research-to-practice process. |
Childhood lead poisoning associated with gold ore processing: a village-level investigation - Zamfara State, Nigeria, October-November 2010
Lo YC , Dooyema CA , Neri A , Durant J , Jefferies T , Medina-Marino A , de Ravello L , Thoroughman D , Davis L , Dankoli RS , Samson MY , Ibrahim LM , Okechukwu O , Umar-Tsafe NT , Dama AH , Brown MJ . Environ Health Perspect 2012 120 (10) 1450-5 BACKGROUND: During May-June 2010, a childhood lead poisoning outbreak related to gold-ore-processing was confirmed in 2 villages in Zamfara State, Nigeria. During June-September, villages with suspected or confirmed childhood lead poisoning continued to be identified in Zamfara State. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the extent of childhood lead poisoning (≥1 child with a blood lead level [BLL] ≥10 microg/dL) and lead contamination (≥1 soil/dust sample with a lead level >400 parts per million) among villages in Zamfara State and identified villages that should be prioritized for urgent interventions. METHODS: We used chain-referral sampling to identify villages of interest, defined as villages suspected of participation in gold-ore-processing during the previous 12 months. We interviewed villagers, determined BLLs among children aged <5 years, and analyzed soil/dust from public areas and homes for lead. RESULTS: We identified 131 villages of interest and visited 74 (56%) villages in 3 local government areas. Fifty-four (77%) of 70 villages that completed the survey reported gold-ore-processing. Ore-processing villages were more likely to have ≥1 child aged <5 years with lead poisoning (68% vs. 50%, p=0.17) or death following convulsions (74% vs. 44%, p=0.02). Soil/dust contamination and BLL ≥45 microg/dL were identified in ore-processing villages only [50% (p<0.001) and 15% (p=0.22), respectively]. The odds of childhood lead poisoning or lead contamination was 3.5 times as high in ore-processing villages than the other villages (95% CI: 1.1, 11.3). CONCLUSION: Childhood lead poisoning and lead contamination were widespread in surveyed areas, particularly among villages that had processed ore recently. Urgent interventions are required to reduce lead exposure, morbidity, and mortality in affected communities. |
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