Chukwuemeka Okafor, PhD, MPH

Peer-reviewed journal articles

1. De Jesus, M, Ware D, Meanley S, Brennan-Ing M, Okafor CN, Shoptaw S, Haberlen S, James E, Stosor V, Reuel Friedman & Plankey M. Disrupting the path from depression to loneliness: Multilevel resilience among older sexual minority men with and without HIV. AIDS and Behavior.
2. Brennan-Ing, Haberlen S, Ware D, Meanley S, Pallela J, Bolan R, Cook JA, Okafor CN, Reuel Friedman, & Plankey W. Does resilience mediate the relationship between negative self-image and psychological distress in middle-aged and older gay and bisexual men? Research on Aging.
3. Okafor CN, Carmody T, Stotts L Angela, Bart Gavin, Mayes LT, Karns-Wright T, Trivedi M, Shoptaw S & Potter JS. Sociodemographic and patient reported outcomes by racial and ethnicity status among participants in a randomized controlled trial for methamphetamine use disorder. Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports.
4. Okafor CN, Eaton L, & Watson R. Willingness to use Long-Acting Injectable PrEP among a nationally recruited sample of PrEP naïve Black and Hispanic Sexual Gender Minority Men. AIDS and Behavior.
5. Okafor CN, Somasunderam A, Lake JE, Gelfond J, Javanbakht M, Gorbach P, Shoptaw S & Schmitz J. Cannabis use and biomarkers of inflammation, immune activation, and microbial translocation in persons with HIV. In Press with Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
6. Meireles P, Ware D, Henriques A, Nieves-Lugo K, Stosor V, Brennan-Ing M, Meanley S, Haberlen S, Okafor CN, Shoptaw S, Friedman MR, & Plankey M. Loneliness and Frailty among Middle-Aged and Aging Sexual Minority Men Living with or without HIV: A Longitudinal Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis. August 2023, Innovation in Aging.
7. Jacobsen AP, Polanka BM, Ware D, Haberlen SA, Brennan-Ing M, Meanley S, Okafor CN, Palella FJ, Bolan RK, Reuel Friedman M, & Plankey M. Self-perception of Aging and Hypertension in a Cohort of Sexual Minority Men. August 2023, Cureus.
8. Okafor CN, Ware D, Meanley S, Brennan-Ing M, Haberlen S, Teplin L, Mimiaga M, Friedman M, Plankey M. Individual-level psychosocial resiliencies as mediators of the relationship between internalized homophobia and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older men living with and without HIV. March 2023. AIDS and Behavior.
9. Okafor CN, Kaliszewski C, Okafor NC & Wang L. Association between electronic cigarette use and cardiometabolic risk biomarkers among U.S. adults.  July 2022 at Annals of Epidemiology.
10. Okafor CN, Haberlen, Ing M, Ware D, Meanley S, Brown E, Stosor V, Shoptaw S, M Freidman, Plankey M. Grit is associated with lower symptoms of distress among older sexual minority men with and without HIV. In Press with Aging & Mental Health.
11. Paltzer J, Okafor CN, Chiluba B, Taylor KT. (2021). Cross-sectional Study of Alcohol Preferences and Expenditures on Food Insecurity between Urban and Rural Settings in Zambia. In Press with African Journal Drug and Alcohol Studies, 20(1). 
12. Li MJ, Richter I, Okafor CN, Kalmin M, Dalvie S, Takada S, Gorbach P, Shoptaw S, Cole SW. Social genomics of methamphetamine use, HIV viral load and intimate partner violence. In Press with Annals of Behavioral Medicine.
13. Opara I, Malik S, Lardier DT, Gamble-George J, Kelly RJ, Okafor CN, Greene N & Parisi D. Alcohol use cravings as a mediator between associated risk factors on increased alcohol use among youth adults in New York during the COVID-19 pandemic. In press. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly.
14. Okafor CN, Asare M, Bautista KJ & Opara I. Symptoms of distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. In press. American Journal of Health Studies.
15. Brennan-Ing M, Haberlen S, Ware D, Egan JE, Brown AL, Meanley S, Palella, FJ, Bolan R, Cook JA, Okafor CN, Friedman, MR & Plankey MW. Psychological connection to the gay community and negative self-appraisals in middle-aged and older men who have sex with men: the mediating effects of fitness engagement. J Gerontol G Psychol Sci Soc Sci. May 2021. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbab076.
16. Le MG, Li M, Okafor CN, Diep NB & Shoptaw SJ. Correlates of methamphetamine use severity among patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment for opioid use disorder in Vietnam. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment May 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108461
17. Okafor CN, Asare M, Opara I, Bautista K. Coping in the time of COVID-19: Buffering stressors with coping strategies. Journal of Loss and Trauma. April 2021. DOI: 10.1080/15325024.2021.1914987
18. Asare M, Okafor CN, Popelsky B & Bautista K. Assessments of perceptions and impacts of COVID-19 and adherence to public health recommendations among black/African Americans.  American Journal of Health Studies, 35(4). December 2020.  Retrieved from https://amjhealthstudies.com/index.php/ajhs/article/view/260
19. Noor SW, Hart TA, Okafor CN, Ware D, Chew KW, D’Souza GD, Ho K, Friedman MR, Plankey M. Staying or Moving: Results of a latent transition analysis examining intra-individual stability of recreational substance use among MSM in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study from 2004 to 2016. In Press with Drug and Alcohol Dependence, January 2021.
20. Ware D, Plankey MW, Mackey F, Teplin LA, Okafor CN, Surkan P. The longitudinal impact of employment, retirement, and disability status on depressive symptoms among men living with HIV in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study. PLOS One, October 2020. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239291
21. Okafor CN, Li M, Paltzer J. Self-reported cannabis use and biomarkers of inflammation among adults in the United States. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity-Health. August 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2020.100109
22. Meanley S, Brennan-Ing M, Brown A, Egan JE, Haberlen S, Okafor CN, Teplin AL, Ware D, Plankey MW. Lifetime Exposure to Conversion Therapy and Psychosocial Health Among Midlife and Older Adult Men Who Have Sex with Men. The Gerontologist. September 2020. doi:10.1093/geront/gnaa069
23. Okafor CN, Hucks-Ortiz C, Hightow-Weidman LB, Magnus M, Emel L, Beauchamp G, Kuo I, Hendrix C, Mayer KH, Shoptaw S. Brief Report: Associations between self-reported substance use behaviors and PrEP acceptance and adherence among black MSM in the HPTN 073 study. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. September 2020. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000002407.
24. Krsak M, Wada N, Plankey MW, Kinney G, Epeldegui M, Okafor CN, Friedman M, Palella F, Erlandson K. Self-reported cannabis use and markers of inflammation in men who have sex with men with and without HIV. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. March 2020. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2019.0083
25. Okafor CN, Plankey MW, Goodman-Meza D, Li M, Bautista K, Bolivar H, Phyllis T, Brown T, Shoptaw SJ. Association between self-reported marijuana use and incident diabetes in women and men with and at risk for HIV. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. February 2020. 209, 107935. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107935
26. Okafor CN, Li M, Hucks-Ortiz C, Mayer KH, Shoptaw S. Disclosure of HIV Status and HIV Sexual Transmission Behaviors among HIV-Positive Black Men who have Sex with Men in the BROTHERS (HPTN061) Study. Journal of Urban Health: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine. February 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-020-00419-9
27. Quinn B, Okafor CN, Shoptaw S, Gorbach PM & Brookmeyer R. Investigating possible syndemic relationships between structural and drug use factors, sexual HIV transmission and viral load among men of colour who have sex with men in Los Angeles County. Drug and Alcohol Review, February 2020 39(2), 116–127. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.13026
28. Okafor CN, van Nunen L, Ipser J, Dannat L, Lake M, Shoptaw S, Stein DJ, London E. Contingency Management for Methamphetamine Use Disorder in South Africa. Drug and Alcohol Review. December 2019: doi.org/10.1111/dar.13019
29. Li M, Takada S, Okafor CN, Gorbach PM, Shoptaw SJ & Cole SW. Experienced Homophobia and Gene Expression Alterations in Black and Latino Men who have Sex with Men in Los Angeles County. Brain Behav Immun. October 2019: doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2019.09.021
30. Meanley SP, Stall RD, Dakwar O, Egan JE, Friedman MR, Haberlen SA, Okafor CN, Teplin LA, Plankey MW. Characterizing Experiences of Conversion Therapy Among Middle-Aged and Older Men Who Have Sex with Men from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). Sexuality Research and Social Policy. June 2019: doi.org/10.1007/s13178-019-00396-y
31. Okafor CN, Xinguang C, Surkan P, Martin EM, Plankey M, Shoptaw S, Cook RL, Li M. Association of Marijuana Use with Changes in Cognitive Processing Speed and Flexibility for 17-years in HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative . Subst Use Misuse. January 2019: doi: 10.1080/10826084.2018.1495736
32. Okafor CN, Barnett W, Zar HJ, Nhapi R, Koen N, Shoptaw S, Stein DJ. Associations of Emotional, Physical, or Sexual Intimate Partner Violence and Depression Symptoms among South African Women in a Prospective Cohort Study. J Interpers Violence. August 2018:886260518796522. doi:10.1177/0886260518796522.
33. Li MJ, Okafor CN, Gorbach PM, Shoptaw S. Intersecting burdens: Homophobic victimization, unstable housing, and methamphetamine use in a cohort of men of color who have sex with men. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2018;192:179-185. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.07.039.
34. Okafor CN, Christodoulou J, Bantjes J, Qondela T, Stewart J, Shoptaw S, Tomlinson M, Rotherman-Borus MJ.  Understanding HIV Risk Behaviors Among Young Men in South Africa: A Syndemic Approach. AIDS Behav. July 2018. doi:10.1007/s10461-018-2227-x.
35. Chen X, Yu B, Stanton B, Cook RL, Chen D-GD, Okafor CN. Medical Marijuana Laws and Marijuana Use Among U.S. Adolescents: Evidence From Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Data. J Drug Educ. October 2018:47237918803361. doi:10.1177/0047237918803361.
36. Okafor CN, Gorbach PM, Ragsdale A, Quinn B, Shoptaw S. Correlates of Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Los Angeles, California. J Urban Health Bull N Y Acad Med. June 2017. doi:10.1007/s11524-017-0172-z.
37. Kelso-Chichetto NE, Okafor CN, Cook RL, Abraham AG, Bolan R, Plankey M. Association Between Depressive Symptom Patterns and Clinical Profiles Among Persons Living with HIV. AIDS Behav. June 2017. doi:10.1007/s10461-017-1822-6.
38. Okafor CN, Cook RL, Chen X, Surkan PJ, Becker JT, Shoptaw S, Martin E, Plankey MW. Prevalence and correlates of marijuana use among HIV-seropositive and seronegative men in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), 1984–2013. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2016;0(0):1-11. doi:10.1080/00952990.2016.1245738.
39. Okafor CN, Zhou Z, Burrell LE, Kelso NE, Whitehead NE, Harman JS, Cook CL, Cook RL. Marijuana use and viral suppression in persons receiving medical care for HIV-infection. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. July 2016:1-8. doi:10.1080/00952990.2016.1191505.
40. Okafor CN, Cook RL, Chen X, Surkan PJ, Becker JT, Shoptaw S, Martin E, Plankey MW. Trajectories of Marijuana Use among HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative MSM in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), 1984–2013. AIDS Behav. June 2016:1-14. doi:10.1007/s10461-016-1445-3.
41. Okafor CN, Kelso NE, Bryant V, Burrell LE, Míguez MJ, Gongvatana A, Tashima KT, de la Monte S, Cook RL, Cohen RA. Body mass index, inflammatory biomarkers, and neurocognitive impairment in HIV-infected persons. Psychol Health Med. June 2016:1-14. doi:10.1080/13548506.2016.1199887.
42. Kelso-Chichetto NE, Okafor CN, Harman JS, Canidate SS, Cook CL, Cook RL. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use for HIV Management in the State of Florida: Medical Monitoring Project. J Altern Complement Med N Y N. 2016;22(11):880-886. doi:10.1089/acm.2016.0190.
43. Hu X, Chen X, Cook RL, Chen D-G, Okafor CN. Modeling Drinking Behavior Progression in Youth with Cross-sectional Data: Solving an Under-identified Probabilistic Discrete Event System. Curr HIV Res. 2016;14(2):93-100.
44. Okafor CN, Hu X, Cook RL. Racial/ethnic disparities in HPV vaccine uptake among a sample of college women. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2015;2(3):311-316. doi:10.1007/s40615-014-0074-7.
45. Xiao H, Li S, Chen X, Yu B, Gao M, Yan H, Okafor CN. Protection Motivation Theory in Predicting Intention to Engage in Protective Behaviors against Schistosomiasis among Middle School Students in Rural China. PLOS Negl Trop Dis. 2014;8(10): e3246. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003246.

Manuscripts currently under revision or review

1. Okafor CN, & Jean-Berluche D. Prevalence, motivations, and mode of Delta-8 THC use among U.S adults. Under review with Drug and Alcohol Dependence
2. Opara I, Lardier DT, Okafor CN, Parisi D, Garcia-Reid P, Reid RJ. Perception of marijuana risks and benefits among youth living in an urban city: A qualitative exploration. Under review with PLOS ONE. 
3. Okafor CN, Yoon J, Ducel J, Mayes TL, Shoptaw S, Trivedi MH, Potter J & Schmitz J. Exploring the Impact of Reduction in Methamphetamine Use on Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Men who have Sex with Men and Women: Findings from the ADAPT-2 Trial. Under review Archives of sexual behavior.
4. Macchia L, Piper A, Breedlove T, Okafor CN, Koichiro S, Johnson B, VanderWeele T. Demographic variation in physical pain across 22 countries: A cross-country analysis. Under review with Communications Medicine.
5. Macchia L, Piper A, Breedlove T, Okafor CN, Koichiro S, Johnson B, VanderWeele T. Childhood predictors of physical pain: A cross-national analysis. Under review with Communications Medicine.
6. Okafor CN, Ducel J, Paltzer J, Kwon E, Grigoropoulou N, VanderWeele T, Johnson B. Demographic variation in self-reported mental health across 22 countries: A cross-national analysis. Under review with Communications Medicine
7. Wilkinson R, Shiba K, Gibson C, Okafor CN, Chen Y, Bradshaw M, Johnson B, VanderWeele T. Life course insights into social relationship quality: A cross-national analysis of 22 countries. Under review with Scientific reports.
8. Okafor CN, Yoon J, Heads A, & Schmitz J. Understanding intentions to discuss Long-Acting Injectable PrEP with healthcare providers among Black and Hispanic gay and bisexual men in Texas. Under review Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care

Abstracts and presentations at scientific meetings.

1.Okafor CN, Carmody T, Stotts L Angela, Bart Gavin, Mayes LT, Karns-Wright T, Trivedi M, Shoptaw S & Potter JS. Sociodemographic and patient reported outcomes by racial and ethnicity status among participants in a randomized controlled trial for methamphetamine use disorder. College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), 2024 Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions (Oral Presentation).

2.Freidman, Ing M, Meanley S, Okafor CN, Ware C, Shoptaw S, Haberlen S, Egan JE & Plankey MW. Protective Effects of Intersecting Resiliences on Stress and Anxiety Among Aging Sexuality Minority Men in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study. Poster presentation at the 25th International Workshop on HIV and Hepatitis Observational Databases (IWHOD).

3.Ware C, Okafor CN, De Jesus M, Shoptaw S, M Freidman, Ing M, Haberlen S, Meanley S, Stosor V, Plankey MW. Disrupting the Path between Depression and Loneliness: Multilevel Resilience among Older Sexual Minority Men Living with and without HIV. Poster presentation at the 24th International Workshop on HIV and Hepatitis Observational Databases (IWHOD

4.Ware D, Okafor CN, Haberlen, Ing M, Brown E, Stosor V, M Freidman, Plankey M, Teplin L, Mimiaga M. Individual-level psychosocial resiliencies mediate the relationship between internalized homophobia and depressive symptoms among middle aged and older men living with and without HIV. Poster presentation at the 24th International Workshop on HIV and Hepatitis Observational Databases (IWHOD)

5.Okafor CN, Opara I &Bautista K. Associations between electronic and combusted cigarette use and biomarkers of systemic inflammation among U.S adults. College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), 2021 Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions (Virtual: Oral Presentation).

6.Asare, M., Okafor, CN., Bautista, K., & Popelsky (April 12 – 16, 2021). Using the Health Belief Model constructs to predict Blacks/African Americans adherence to COVID-19 Public Health Safety Recommendations. Society of Behavioral Medicine's 2021 Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions (Virtual: Oral Presentation).

7.Asare, M., Okafor, CN., Bautista, K., Popelsky, B (April 6-9, 2021). Assessment of Blacks/African Americans Perceptions and impacts of COVID-19, and adherence to Public Health Recommendations. 72nd Annual Conference of the Society for Public Health Education (Virtual: Oral Presentation)

8.Okafor CN, Plankey MW, Goodman-Meza, Li M, Bautista KJ, Bolivar H, Phyllis TC, Brown TT, Shoptaw SJ. Association between self-reported marijuana use and incidence diabetes in men and women with and without HIV. College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), 2020 Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions (Virtual: Poster Presentation).

• Le G, Dao T, Okafor CN, Li M, Nguyen T, Shoptaw S. Severity of methamphetamine use among methadone patients in Vietnam: Prevalence and Correlates. Poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, June 2019.
• Okafor CN & Shoptaw S. Contingency management treatment for methamphetamine use disorder in Cape Town, South Africa. Poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, June 2019.
• Okafor CN, Shoptaw S, Rico M, Gelberg L. Associations between abstinence and reduction in marijuana use and changes in mental and physical health well-being among primary care patients in Los Angeles. Poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, June 2018.
• Rico M, Okafor CN, & Gelberg L. Opioid misuse among Latino primary care patients in Los Angeles. Poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, June 2018.
• Okafor CN, Xinguang C, Surkan P, Martin EM, Plankey M, Shoptaw S, Cook RL, Li M. Associations between Current and Cumulative Exposure to Marijuana and Changes in Cognitive Processing Speed and Flexibility for 17-years in HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative Men in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study. Poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research, June 2018
• Okafor CN, Lasopa S, Striley CW, Cook RL, Cottler LB. ADHD and the risk of initiation of marijuana use among a national sample of youth 10 to 18 years of age. Poster presentation: at the 77th annual meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), June 2015.
• Okafor CN, Zhou Z, Burrell LE, Whitehead NE, Harman J, Cook C, Cook RL. Marijuana use, antiretroviral therapy adherence, viral suppression among persons living with HIV in Florida. Oral presentations at the annual meeting of the American Psychopathological Association, NIDA meeting in Columbia University, New York. March 2015 and at the Public Health and Health Professions Research Day, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, April 2015.  Awarded: Top abstract in the college.
• Okafor CN, Cook RL, Cohen R. Is body mass index associated with neurocognitive functioning of persons with HIV infection? Oral presentation: Public Health and Health Professions Research Day, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, January 2014. Awarded: Top abstract in the college.

Okafor CN, Kelso N, Friary J, Cook RL. Racial and age disparities in HPV vaccine uptake in college women. Poster presentation: annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, November 2013.

• Okafor CN, Kelso N, Friary J, Cook RL. Pap testing in college women: Individual behaviors and characteristics as important factors. Oral presentation: annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, November 2013.
• Cook RL, Okafor CN, Hillier S, Wiesenfeld H, Philip S, Saylor L, Schwebke J. Adherence to repeated home screening for bacterial vaginosis and STIs among young women participating in the BRAVO randomized clinical trial. Poster presentation: International Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research, Vienna, Austria, July 2013.
• Okafor CN, Friary J, Barkley P, Cook RL. Racial/Ethnic Differences in initiating and completing the HPV vaccine among college women. Poster presentation: Public Health and Health Professions Research Day, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, April 2013. Awarded: Top abstract in the college.
• Kelso N, Friary J, Okafor CN, Barkley P, Cook RL. The association between different types of oral sexual behaviors and oral HPV in college women: are all sexual behaviors equal? Poster presentation: UF Shands cancer research day, Florida, Gainesville, FL, March 2013.

Okafor CN, Shareef Z, Scites M, Drayton B, Edwards G, Singleton L, Mirza A, & Rathore M.     Measuring retention in care of HIV-infected pregnant women at UF CARES: a quality improvement project. Poster presentation: Public Health Research Conference, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, July 2012.

Invited Presentations.

1. Okafor CN. Cannabis, cannabinoids, and HIV treatment outcomes. Oral presentation at the substance use working group, TX Development Center for AIDS Research. November 2nd, 2021.
2. Okafor CN. Cannabis, cannabinoids, and health outcomes in persons with HIV. UTHSCSA Department of Medicine, Ground Rounds. March 2023
3. Okafor CN. Understanding intentions to use long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis among Black/African American and Hispanic Gay and Bisexual Men. TX Development Center for AIDS Research, Annual Conference. April 2023.
4. Okafor CN. Landing a tenure-track academic position. NIDA T32 Chalk Talk. Informal discussion about career development to post-doctoral trainees at Department of Pharmacology, UTHSCSA, May 2023.
5. Okafor CN. Stigma, COVID-19, and their Impact on Substance Use, Substance Use Disorder & Overdoses. Be Well Texas C-STAT COVID & Substance Use Seminar Series. February 21, 2024.

 Letters to the editor

1. Okafor CN. Marijuana use and health in primary care. J Gen Intern Med 2013; 1525-1497. PMID: 24249114.
2. Acheampong A, Okafor CN, Scheidell J. Regarding driving after drug and alcohol use among US high school seniors. Am J Public Health. 2014; Vol 104, No 4.

 Book Chapter

1. Cottler LB, Okafor CN. Recent Epidemiological Trends in Marijuana Use. In Winters K, Sabet K (Eds), Contemporary Health Issues in Marijuana. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2016.

Media Appearances

1. Okafor CN. Overdose deaths in Bexar County hit a historic high in 2023. Methamphetamine is mostly to blame. Public Health Watch, July 2024. Overdose Deaths in Bexar County Hit a Historic High in 2023. Methamphetamine Is Mostly to Blame. - Public Health Watch