Ifeoma Onyeka

Dr Ifeoma Onyeka MBBS, MScPH, MBA, PhD, RSA, SFHEA

Senior Lecturer in Public Health, Course Leader of the MSc Public Health


Summary

I joined Sheffield Hallam University in 2021 as a Senior Lecturer in Public Health, and Course Leader of the MSc Public Health (September cohorts).

About

I trained as a medical doctor in Nigeria but transitioned from clinical practice to academia via acquiring further education in Public Health (MSc and PhD) from Finland. I have worked in different universities in Finland, Norway and UK during which I amassed a wealth of experience in conducting research on various public health topics, especially in the area of mental health and substance use disorders. I have skills in conducting research with primary, secondary and routine/administrative data, and skills in using quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research methodologies.

I have a strong track record of multidisciplinary collaborative research with professionals in Africa, Europe and North America, and a strong track record of winning competitive internal and external research grants including the prestigious European Union-funded Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship. My expertise has enabled me to build strong publication records of over 30 peer-reviewed full text papers on mental health/substance use disorders, comorbidity of mental health and other conditions, and general public health. I currently conduct research to better understand the link between mental health and other conditions (comorbidity/multimorbidity). Outside academia, I worked as an intern at United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna, Austria and at World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.  

In my role as a Senior Lecturer in Public Health, I teach and support students’ learning in various capacities. Apart from course leadership and module leadership, I have undertaken a range of tasks to support students. I had Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) leadership responsibility during 2023-2024 academic year during which I worked with Dr Gary Taylor (who was the Departmental lead for EDI at that time) to coordinate students from ethnic minority backgrounds to undertake various student voice projects as part of the university’s EDI goals, and to lead the Minoritised Student Group for the Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics. I am a mentor on the Accomplished Study Programme in Research Excellence (ASPIRE) scheme designed to support Black and Mixed-Black heritage students in the UK aspiring for doctoral studies by providing personalised mentorships. I have been involved as a supervisor for a summer intern on the Sheffield Hallam University’s Research Experience Summer Internship programme.

 

Teaching

Sheffield Institute of Social Sciences

College of Social Sciences and Arts

Course taught: 

MSc Public Health

Modules taught: 

Module Leader of the Foundations of Epidemiology B (Applied Epidemiology)

Tutor on other modules

 

Research

Current research projects: 

Research interests
Mental health
Comorbidity/multimorbidity
General public health

 

Publications

Journal articles

Cooper, J.A., Onyeka, I., Cardwell, C., Paterson, E., Kirk, R., O'Reilly, D., & Donnelly, M. (2023). Record linkage studies of drug-related deaths among adults who were released from prison to the community: a scoping review. BMC Public Health, 23. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15673-0

Aminoff, S.R., Onyeka, I.N., Ødegaard, M., Simonsen, C., Lagerberg, T.V., Andreassen, O.A., ... Melle, I. (2022). Lifetime and point prevalence of psychotic symptoms in adults with bipolar disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine. http://doi.org/10.1017/s003329172200201x

Cooper, J.A., Onyeka, I., O'Reilly, D., Kirk, R., & Donnelly, M. (2022). Record linkage studies of drug-related deaths among former adult prisoners who have been released to the community: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open, 12 (3). http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056598

McKenna, S., Donnelly, M., Onyeka, I.N., O'Reilly, D., & Maguire, A. (2021). Experience of child welfare services and long-term adult mental health outcomes: a scoping review. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 56, 1115-1145. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-021-02069-x

Chikezie, E.U., Ebuenyi, I.D., Allagoa, E.L.P., & Onyeka, I. (2021). Perception of substance use disorder training: a survey of general psychiatry residents in Nigeria. Academic Psychiatry, 45 (3), 360-365. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-021-01433-y

Onyeka, I.N., O’Reilly, D., & Maguire, A. (2021). The association between self-reported mental health, medication record and suicide risk: a population wide study. SSM - Population Health, 13. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100749

Ebuenyi, I.D., Chikezie, E.U., & Onyeka, I. (2021). Addressing challenges in addiction treatment and training in Africa. African journal of drug and alcohol studies, 20 (2), 159-164. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajdas/article/view/242351

Onyeka, I.N., Maguire, A., Ross, E., & O'Reilly, D. (2020). Does physical ill-health increase the risk of suicide? A census-based follow-up study of over 1 million people. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 29. http://doi.org/10.1017/S2045796020000529

Onyeka, I., Collier Høegh, M., Nåheim Eien, E.M., Nwaru, B.I., & Melle, I. (2019). Comorbidity of Physical Disorders Among Patients With Severe Mental Illness With and Without Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 15 (3), 192-206. http://doi.org/10.1080/15504263.2019.1619007

Olubamwo, O.O., Onyeka, I.N., Aregbesola, A., Ronkainen, K., Tiihonen, J., Föhr, J., & Kauhanen, J. (2018). Determinants of hospitalizations for pneumonia among Finnish drug users. SAGE Open Med, 6. http://doi.org/10.1177/2050312118784311

Aregbesola, A., Onyeka, I.N., Olubamwo, O., Ronkainen, K., Tiihonen, J., Föhr, J., & Kauhanen, J. (2018). Diabetes hospitalizations and deaths in a cohort of treatment-seeking illicit drug users. SAGE Open Med, 6, 2050312118768164. http://doi.org/10.1177/2050312118768164

Olubamwo, O., Onyeka, I.N., Aregbesola, A., Ronkainen, K., Tiihonen, J., Föhr, J., & Kauhanen, J. (2017). Association between route of illicit drug administration and hospitalizations for infective endocarditis. SAGE Open Medicine, 5. http://doi.org/10.1177/2050312117740987

Onubogu, C.U., Onyeka, I.N., Esangbedo, D.O., Ndiokwelu, C., Okolo, S.N., Ngwu, E.K., & Nwaru, B.I. (2016). Changes in breastfeeding and nutritional status of Nigerian children between 1990 and 2008, and variations by region, area of residence and maternal education and occupation. Paediatrics and International Child Health, 36 (4), 248-259. http://doi.org/10.1179/2046905515y.0000000048

Onyeka, I.N., Basnet, S., Beynon, C.M., Tiihonen, J., Föhr, J., & Kauhanen, J. (2016). Association between routes of drug administration and all-cause mortality among drug users. Journal of Substance Use, 21 (6), 559-565. http://doi.org/10.3109/14659891.2015.1112847

Olubamwo, O.O., Onyeka, I.N., Miettola, J., Kauhanen, J., & Tuomainen, T. (2016). Hepatitis C as a risk factor for carotid atherosclerosis – a systematic review. Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging, 36 (4), 249-260. http://doi.org/10.1111/cpf.12229

Onyeka, I.N., Beynon, C.M., Vohlonen, I., Tiihonen, J., Föhr, J., Ronkainen, K., & Kauhanen, J. (2015). Potential Years of Life Lost Due to Premature Mortality Among Treatment-Seeking Illicit Drug Users in Finland. Journal of Community Health, 40 (6), 1099-1106. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-015-0035-z

Nwaru, B.I., Onyeka, I.N., Ndiokwelu, C., Esangbedo, D.O., Ngwu, E.K., & Okolo, S.N. (2015). Maternal and child dietary patterns and their determinants in Nigeria. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 11 (3), 283-296. http://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12011

Onyeka, I.N., Olubamwo, O., Beynon, C.M., Ronkainen, K., Föhr, J., Tiihonen, J., ... Kauhanen, J. (2015). Factors Associated with Hospitalization for Blood-Borne Viral Infections Among Treatment-Seeking Illicit Drug Users. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 53, 71-77. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2015.01.005

Onyeka, I.N., Beynon, C.M., Ronkainen, K., Tiihonen, J., Föhr, J., Kuikanmäki, O., ... Kauhanen, J. (2015). Hospitalization in a Cohort Seeking Treatment for Illicit Drug Use in Finland. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 53, 64-70. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2014.12.009

Basnet, S., Onyeka, I.N., Tiihonen, J., Föhr, J., & Kauhanen, J. (2015). Characteristics of drug-abusing females with and without children seeking treatment in Helsinki, Finland. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 43 (3), 221-228. http://doi.org/10.1177/1403494814567754

Onyeka, I.N., Ilika, A.L., Ilika, F.N., Umeh, D.C., Onyibe, R.I., Okoye, C.J., ... Onubogu, C.U. (2014). Experiences from polio supplementary immunization activities in Anambra State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice, 17 (6), 808. http://doi.org/10.4103/1119-3077.144406

Onyeka, I.N., Beynon, C.M., Hannila, M.-.L., Tiihonen, J., Föhr, J., Tuomola, P., ... Kauhanen, J. (2014). Patterns and 14-year trends in mortality among illicit drug users in Finland: The HUUTI study. International Journal of Drug Policy, 25 (6), 1047-1053. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.07.008

Uosukainen, H., Kauhanen, J., Bell, J.S., Ronkainen, K., Tiihonen, J., Föhr, J., ... Korhonen, M.J. (2013). Mortality among clients seeking treatment for buprenorphine abuse in Finland. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 133 (2), 391-397. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.06.022

Onyeka, I.N., Beynon, C.M., Uosukainen, H., Korhonen, M.J., Ilomäki, J., Bell, J.S., ... Kauhanen, J. (2013). Coexisting social conditions and health problems among clients seeking treatment for illicit drug use in Finland: The HUUTI study. BMC Public Health, 13 (1). http://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-380

Uosukainen, H., Kauhanen, J., Voutilainen, S., Föhr, J., Paasolainen, M., Tiihonen, J., ... Bell, J.S. (2013). Twelve-year trend in treatment seeking for buprenorphine abuse in Finland. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 127 (1-3), 207-214. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.07.002

Onyeka, I., Miettola, J., Ilika, A.L., & Vaskilampi, T. (2012). Becoming pregnant during secondary school: findings from concurrent mixed methods research in Anambra State, Nigeria. East African journal of public health, 9 (1), 19-25.

Onyeka, I.N., Uosukainen, H., Korhonen, M.J., Beynon, C., Bell, J.S., Ronkainen, K., ... Kauhanen, J. (2012). Sociodemographic Characteristics and Drug Abuse Patterns of Treatment-Seeking Illicit Drug Abusers in Finland, 1997–2008: The Huuti Study. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 31 (4), 350-362. http://doi.org/10.1080/10550887.2012.735563

Onyeka, I., Miettola, J., Ilika, A.L., & Vaskilampi, T. (2011). Unintended pregnancy and termination of studies among students in Anambra state, Nigeria: are secondary schools playing their part? African Journal of Reproductive Health, 15 (2), 109-115.

Onyeka, I.N. (n.d.). Health research in Africa: Are we communicating our findings to relevant stakeholders? African Health Sciences, 14 (3), 779. http://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v14i3.43

Conference papers

Onyeka, I., Ross, E., Maguire, A., & O’Reilly, D. (2019). Does physical ill-health increase the risk of suicide? A Census-based follow-up study of over 1 million people [abstract only]. International Journal of Population Data Science, 4 (3). http://doi.org/10.23889/ijpds.v4i3.1223

Onyeka, I., Maguire, A., & O’Reilly, D. (2019). Hidden Harms of Hypnotics: a population based record linkage study of psychotropic medication and suicide risk [abstract only]. International Journal of Population Data Science, 4 (3). http://doi.org/10.23889/ijpds.v4i3.1224

Onyeka, I., Maguire, A., & O’Reilly, D. (2018). Which best predicts suicides in Northern Ireland - self-rated mental health or medication record? (Abstract). International Journal of Population Data Science, 3 (2). http://doi.org/10.23889/ijpds.v3i2.529

Other activities

Other external responsibilities: 

Membership of professional bodies 
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy 
Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health
Member of the International Epidemiological Association
Member of the Society for Social Medicine and Population Health
Member of Marie Curie Fellows Alumni Association
Recognised Senior Advisor, UK Advising and Tutoring Association 

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