Publications by authors named "Jane Okwuzu"

Article Synopsis
  • - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is linked to cervical cancer, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the mortality rate is over 90%, highlighting the need for targeted interventions based on local data regarding prevalence and risk factors among women in Nigeria.
  • - A study involving nearly 1,000 participants found that while awareness of HPV and its vaccines was low (37% and 27%, respectively), vaccination rates were even lower at just 6%; higher HPV prevalence was noted in women with certain marital statuses and lifestyle factors like alcohol use and smoking.
  • - The research indicates that increasing education and awareness about HPV could lead to better prevention efforts, especially for vulnerable groups, including HIV-positive women and those with risky behaviors like smoking
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Background: Mobile health (mHealth) interventions among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are increasingly available in African low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). For example, the unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) could be used to verify HIV self-testing (HIVST) among AYAs with poor bandwidth.

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the creation of an USSD platform and determine its feasibility and usability to promote the verification of HIVST results among AYAs in Nigeria.

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Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and performance of self-collected vaginal swab samples for HPV screening among women in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was implemented from March to August 2020 among sexually active women. Study participants provided same-day paired vaginal swab samples.

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Introduction: Youth are often the intended beneficiaries of HIV programs but are rarely involved in program design. Engaging youth in program design is one potential way of identifying promising approaches for HIV service delivery. The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of using a crowdsourcing contest to solicit ideas on ways to promote HIV self-testing (HIVST) services among Nigerian youths.

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Background: Despite the global expansion of HIV self-testing (HIVST), many research studies still rely on self-reported outcomes. New HIVST verification methods are needed, especially in resource-limited settings.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the user experience of a mobile health (mHealth) app to enhance HIVST result reporting and verification.

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Background: Youth are at high risk for HIV, but are often left out of designing interventions, including those focused on adolescents. We organized a designathon for Nigerian youth to develop HIV self-testing (HIVST) strategies for potential implementation in their local communities. A designathon is a problem-focused event where participants work together over a short period to create and present solutions to a judging panel.

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Background And Objective: A third of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections occur among young people and the majority of young people living with HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa. We examined the strength of Nigerian youth preferences related to HIV testing and HIV self-testing (HIVST).

Methods: Discrete choice experiments were conducted among Nigerian youth (age 14-24 years).

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Introduction: sickle cell disease and HIV infection are prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. While Haemoglobin S (HbS) contributes to significant morbidity and mortality in the homozygous or double heterozygous states, in the carrier state it confers a survival advantage in disease conditions such as malaria. However the interaction between sickle haemoglobin and HIV infection, especially in children remains largely unknown.

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Background: The unrefined nature of the herbal preparations from (VA) and toxicity potentials of Sniper may both have severe consequences on the biochemical and genetic systems.

Objectives: To assess the microscopic and macroscopic effects of these substances.

Methods: VA leafs and Sniper were prepared and dissolved in distilled water to give different concentrations.

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