Publications by authors named "Ezinne S Melikam"
African American adults have the highest mortality rate for most cancers in the United States, and meaningful, community-driven research is needed to inform optimal strategies for addressing these disparities. Unfortunately, research mistrust, often driven by historical inequities, is well-documented among African Americans.This study explored trust, attitudes, and preferences regarding participation in cancer research activities among primarily African American and other medically underserved communities in South Carolina from August 2020 to December 2021.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: To examine 1) the rate of lung cancer screening (LCS) utilization in a large healthcare system in South Carolina; 2) associations of urbanicity and travel time with LCS utilization.
Methods: LCS-eligible patients from 2019 were identified. The outcome was LCS utilization.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the awareness and willingness to donate biological samples for neurobiobanking in Ghana and Nigeria, revealing low levels of knowledge about blood and brain donation among community members.
- About a third of respondents knew about blood donation, while only 18.8% were willing to donate their brain after death, primarily due to cultural beliefs and lack of information.
- The research highlights the importance of targeted public education regarding neurobiobanking and informed consent in sub-Saharan Africa, taking into account the region's sociocultural diversity.
Background And Purpose: To identify the qualitative and quantitative contributions of conventional risk factors for occurrence of ischemic stroke and its key pathophysiologic subtypes among West Africans.
Methods: The SIREN (Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network) is a multicenter, case-control study involving 15 sites in Ghana and Nigeria. Cases include adults aged ≥18 years with ischemic stroke who were etiologically subtyped using the A-S-C-O-D classification into atherosclerosis, small-vessel occlusion, cardiac pathology, other causes, and dissection.
Article Synopsis
- Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in sub-Saharan Africa, prompting a research initiative aimed at understanding its risk factors in Ghana and Nigeria.
- The study involved focus groups with stroke survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to explore attitudes and beliefs about stroke.
- Key findings reveal community fears and misconceptions about stroke, leading to recommendations for improving treatment and supporting community engagement in stroke awareness and education.
Background: Africa has a growing burden of stroke with associated high morbidity and a 3-year fatality rate of 84%. Cardiac disease contributes to stroke occurrence and outcomes, but the precise relationship of abnormalities as noted on a cheap and widely available test, the electrocardiogram (ECG), and acute stroke outcomes have not been previously characterized in Africans.
Objectives: The study assessed the prevalence and prognoses of various ECG abnormalities among African acute stroke patients encountered in a multisite, cross-national epidemiologic study.