Browsing by Author "Okonji, Emeka Francis"

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    Evaluation of a psychosocial support intervention on adherence and retention in care among adolescents on antiretroviral treatment in Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Mpumalanga, South Africa
    (University of the Western Cape, 2022) Okonji, Emeka Francis; van Wyk, Brian
    In 2021, it was estimated that globally approximately 1.8 million adolescents (aged 10-19 years) were living with HIV, of whom over 90% resided in sub-Saharan Africa. While the global number of adolescents living with HIV fell by 57% from 2000 to 2020, the number of AIDS-related deaths amongst adolescents in eastern and southern Africa increased during the same period. Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) face many challenges related to adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and remaining engaged in care. Some of these challenges result from the physiological and psychosocial characteristics of their stage of development. It is hypothesized that providing psychosocial support may mitigate high levels of anxiety, fear of disclosing their HIV-positive status, low self-esteem, low self-efficacy, depressive disorders, and suicide reported amongst adolescents living with HIV.
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    Monkeypox during Covid-19 era in Africa: Current challenges and recommendations
    (Elsevier, 2022) Okonji, Osaretin Christabel; Okonji, Emeka Francis
    In May 2022, monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak was confirmed amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in many parts of the world including Africa. This is the largest outbreak since monkeypox (MPX) was first detected in humans in 1970. The MPX outbreak in Africa is an added burden to the fragile healthcare systems that are already overburdened with several reoccurring epidemics. Although several efforts are in place to effectively contained the outbreak. Several measures such as improved surveillance and diagnostic are necessary to contain the spread of the disease in Africa. This commentary highlights the challenges with the MPX outbreak in Africa and discusses the measures that can be taken to limit the spread of the disease, particularly in high-risk countries.
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    A qualitative exploration of factors influencing non-use of sexual reproductive health services among university students in South Africa
    (MDPI, 2023) Mazibuko, Ntombenhle E.; Saruchera, Munyaradzi; Okonji, Emeka Francis
    : (1) Background: There is growing concern in South Africa about risky sexual behaviour, sexual transmitted infections (STIs), and unplanned pregnancy among young people. Many sexually active students engage in several risky behaviours, including sex with multiple sexual partners, low condom use, and low contraceptive use. This paper qualitatively explores factors influencing non-use of sexual reproductive health services by students at Mangosuthu University of Technology in South Africa (MUT). (2) Methods: Data was collected through 20 in-depth interviews with MUT students and subjected to inductive thematic analysis. Informed consent was obtained before all data collection. (3) Results: The main themes identified were risky sexual behaviours translating to multiple intimate partners, perceived quality of condom use, perceived benefits of contraceptives, negotiating safer sex with partners, developing a greater sense of autonomy, alcohol and drug abuse, perceived benefits of health education provided by the MUT, and lack of open communication. (4) Conclusions: The findings suggest that university students need multi-faceted interventions designed to address challenges with risky sexual behaviours including knowledge and benefits of condom and contraceptive use to prevent STIs and unwanted pregnancies, as well as providing psychosocial interventions to support these students’ autonomy.
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    Understanding varying COVID-19 mortality rates reported in Africa compared to Europe, Americas and Asia
    (Pub med, 2021-07) Okonji, Emeka Francis; Okonji, Osaretin Christabel; Mukumbang, Ferdinand C
    The SARS-CoV-2 infection, which causes the COVID-19 disease, has impacted every nation on the globe, albeit disproportionately. African countries have seen lower infection and mortality rates than most countries in the Americas Europe and Asia. In this commentary, we explore some of the factors purported to be responsible for the low COVID-19 infection and case fatality rates in Africa: low testing rate, poor documentation of cause of death, younger age population, good vitamin D status as a result of exposure to sunlight, cross-immunity from other viruses including coronaviruses, and lessons learnt from other infectious diseases such as HIV and Ebola. With the advent of a new variant of COVID-19 and inadequate roll-out of vaccines, an innovative and efficient response is needed to ramp up testing, contact tracing and accurate reporting of infection rates and cause of death in order to mitigate the spread of the infection.