Faculty Research and Publications

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An exploratory cohort study of serum estradiol, testosterone, osteoprotegerin, interleukin-6, calcium, and magnesium as potential biomarkers of cervical spondylosis
(Springer, 2023) Igwe, Augustine A.; Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.; Adandom, Israel; Onyeso, Kelechi M.; Anyachukwu, Canice C.; Awosoga, Olu A.; Ezema, Charles I.; Okoye, Goddy C.
Background: Exploration of biomarkers for debilitating diseases such as cervical spondylosis is important to revolutionize clinical diagnosis and management of such conditions. The study aimed to determine the correlation between neck pain and disability and serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), osteoprotegerin (OPG), estradiol (E2), testosterone (TES), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) among individuals with symptomatic cervical spondylosis. Methods: This study was a cohort design. The participants were new referrals to two Nigerian physical therapy clinics. Participants’ neck pain intensity (PI), neck disability index (NDI), IL-6, OPG, E2, TES, Ca, and Mg were measured at baseline and after 13 weeks of follow-up. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t test, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression. Results: Forty individuals aged 52.40 ± 8.60 years participated in the study. Women had significantly higher levels of IL-6 (t = − 2.392, p = 0.026), OPG (t = − 3.235, p = 0.005), E2 (t = − 6.841, p = 0.001), but lower TES (t = 17.776, p = 0.001). There were no significant sex differences in PI and NDI. There were significant correlations between PI and OPG (r = 0.385, p < 0.001), NDI and OPG (r = 0.402, p < 0.001), and IL-6 (r = 0.235, p = 0.036). Significant predictors of PI were OPG (β = 0.442, p < 0.001) and E2 (β = − 0.285, p = 0.011), and NDI were OPG (β = 0.453, p < 0.001), E2 (β = − 0.292, p = 0.005), and IL-6 (β = 0.225, p = 0.024). Conclusion: High serum levels of IL-6 and OPG were associated with cervical spondylosis severity. However, high serum levels of E2 and TES correlated with lesser severity. Moreover, TES inversely correlated with the proinflammatory cytokines.
Association between sociodemographic factors and mobility limitation among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
(BioMed Central, 2023) Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.; Odole, Adesola C.; Scott, David R.; Akinrolie, Olayinka; Kalu, Michael E.; Awosoga, Olu A.
Background Mobility is an independent predictor of physical functionality, healthy ageing, and quality of life. Various literatures have associated mobility limitation in older adulthood with demographic and socioeconomic factors. Hence, we propose a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesise the association between sociodemographic factors and mobility limitations in older adults. Methods and analyses This protocol was written according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. We will perform a comprehensive search of all observational studies that assessed the relationship between age, gender, race, place, education, income, occupation, social status, and walking distance, time, or speed. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, AgeLine, and SPORTDiscus) will be searched from inception to 28 February 2023. We will supplement the database search by manually searching the reference lists of all identified and relevant full-text articles. Two independent reviewers will be responsible for screening articles, data extraction, and assessment of bias. We will appraise the study quality and risk of bias using the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST). A meta-analysis will be considered if data from the selected studies are homogeneous, otherwise, a narrative synthesis of the extracted data will be presented. Discussion Mobility limitation leads to frequent falls, dependency, morbidity, and death among older adults. This review is necessary, to identify and prioritise important sociodemographic factors during older adults’ clinical assessment and policy development. It is the first phase of a multi-methods study seeking to develop a prognostic mobility trajectory for community-dwelling older adults.
Caring for paid professional caregivers: investigating the health status of long-term care and assisted living facilities workers in Alberta
(University of Lethbridge, 2020) Awosoga, Olu A.; Doan, Jon B.; Steinke, Claudia; Sajobi, Tolulope T.; Murphy, Sheli; Baerg, Scott; Bolarinwa, Remi; Nord, Christina; Varsanyi, Stephanie E.; Dosu, Benjamin; Lucchesi, Annita
This is a report on the health status of paid professional caregivers in long-term care (LTC) and Assisted Living (AL) Facilities that was carried out in Alberta Province between June 2017 and October 2019.
A comparison of meta-analytic methods for synthesizing evidence from explanatory and pragmatic trials
(BioMed Central, 2018) Sajobi, Tolulope T.; Li, Guowei; Awosoga, Olu A.; Wang, Meng; Menon, Bijoy K.; Hill, Michael D.; Thabane, Lehana
Background: The pragmatic–explanatory continuum indicator summary version 2 (PRECIS-2) tool has recently been developed to classify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) as pragmatic or explanatory based on their design characteristics. Given that treatment effects in explanatory trials may be greater than those obtained in pragmatic trials, conventional meta-analytic approaches may not accurately account for the heterogeneity among the studies and may result in biased treatment effect estimates. This study investigates if the incorporation of PRECIS-2 classification of published trials can improve the estimation of overall intervention effects in meta-analysis. Methods: Using data from 31 published trials of intervention aimed at reducing obesity in children, we evaluated the utility of incorporating PRECIS-2 ratings of published trials into meta-analysis of intervention effects in clinical trials. Specifically, we compared random-effects meta-analysis, stratified meta-analysis, random-effects meta-regression, and mixture random-effects meta-regression methods for estimating overall pooled intervention effects. Results: Our analyses revealed that mixture meta-regression models that incorporate PRECIS-2 classification as covariate resulted in a larger pooled effect size (ES) estimate (ES=−1.01, 95%CI=[−1.52, −0.43]) than conventional random-effects meta-analysis (ES=−0.15, 95%CI=[−0.23, −0.08]). Conclusions: In addition to the original intent of PRECIS-2 tool of aiding researchers in their choice of trial design, PRECIS2 tool is useful for explaining between study variations in systematic review and meta-analysis of published trials. We recommend that researchers adopt mixture meta-regression methods when synthesizing evidence from explanatory and pragmatic trials.
Congruence Couple Therapy for alcohol use and gambling disorders with comorbidities (part I): outcomes from a randomized controlled trial
(Wiley, 2022) Lee, Bonnie K.; Ofori Dei, Samuel M.; Brown, Matthew M. R.; Awosoga, Olu A.; Shi, Yanjun; Greenshaw, Andrew J.
A nonblinded randomized trial was conducted at two Canadian provincial outpatient addiction clinics that tested the effectiveness of a systemic congruence couple therapy (CCT) versus individual-based treatment-as-usual (TAU) on nine clinical outcomes: (1) primary outcomes—alcohol use and gambling, psychiatric symptoms, and couple adjustment; (2) secondary outcomes—emotion regulation, substance use, depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and life stress. Data of primary clients and partners (N = 46) were analyzed longitudinally across baseline, posttreatment (5 months), and follow-up (8 months). Alcohol use disorder (95%) and gambling disorder (5%) were in the severe range at baseline, and co-addiction was 27%. Psychiatric comorbidity was 100%, and 18% of couples were jointly addicted. Between-group comparison favored CCT in primary outcomes with medium-to-large effect sizes (Cohen's h = 0.74–1.44). Secondary outcomes were also significantly stronger for CCT (Cohen's h = 0.27–1.53). Within-group, for all primary outcomes, a significant proportion of symptomatic CCT clients and partners improved, converging with ANOVA results of large effect sizes (0.14–0.29). All secondary outcomes improved significantly in CCT with large effect sizes (0.14–0.50). TAU showed significant within-group improvement in alcohol use, other substance use, and life stress with large effect sizes (0.16–0.40). Primary clients and partners made largely equivalent improvement within CCT and within TAU. Results were triangulated with clients' satisfaction ratings and counselors' reports. Overall, significant within-group effects were detected for CCT both clinically and statistically and between-group difference favored CCT. Future trials are required to validate these promising findings.
Couples seeking CCT treatment for alcohol and gambling problems in a randomized trial
(University of Lethbridge, 2017) Lee, Bonnie K.; Shi, Yanjun; Gaelzer, Jessica; Awosoga, Olu A.; Christensen, Darren R.
Exploring the relationship between falls, fall-related psychological concerns, and personality traits in adults: a scoping review protocol
(Wiley, 2024) Adandom, Henrietha C.; Nwankwo, Henry C.; Adandom, Israel I.; Akinrolie, Olayinka; Odole, Adesola C.; Scott, David R.; Awosoga, Olu A.
Background and Aims Personality traits, such as neuroticism and extraversion, are emerging as important predictors of falls. Despite their significance, existing fall prevention programs often overlook these traits, creating a notable research gap. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive scoping review to explore the existing literature on the relationships among personality traits, falls, and fall-related psychological concerns (FrPCs). Methods This scoping review will adhere to the framework established by Arksey and O'Malley, incorporating extensions recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute and using the PRISMA-ScR checklist. A thorough search strategy will be employed, aligning with the population, concept, and context (PCC) selection criteria. Electronic databases, including MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus, will be searched from their inception to the present. Additionally, a manual search of the reference lists of identified and relevant full-text articles will be conducted. Two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts, perform full-text reviews, and extract data from pertinent articles. Discussion Personality traits are increasingly recognized as influential predictors of falls and related psychological concerns. This review aims to make a substantial contribution to the existing literature by being the first to comprehensively explore and provide a descriptive synthesis of the relationship between personality traits and falls, as well as FrPCs in adults. It is hoped that the outcomes of this review will enhance our comprehension of the role of personality traits in falls, potentially informing future research and strategies for this critical area of study.
Families and children : responses to wildfires, links to community resiliency
(University of Lethbridge, 2012) Kulig, Judith Celene; Pujadas Botey, Anna; Townshend, Ivan; Awosoga, Olu A.; Shepard, Blythe; Reimer, William; Edge, Dana; Lightfoot, Nancy
The May 2011 Slave Lake wildfires were unprecedented event in recent provincial and national history. They provide dramatic examples of the general increase in the number and intensity of wildfires specifically and natural disasters in general. It is prudent, therefore, to learn as much as we can from those who have experienced this event in order to improve our understanding and responses to such disasters.
Families and children : responses to wildfires--links to community resiliency
(University of Lethbridge, 2012) Kulig, Judith Celene; Pujadas Botey, Anna; Townshend, Ivan; Awosoga, Olu A.; Shepard, Blythe; Edge, Dana; Reimer, William; Lightfoot, Nancy
Understanding the impacts of wildfires on families and children is in its infancy. The mixed methods study reported here offers insights and perspectives that can be considered for future research on the topic. Simultaneously, continuing to examine resiliency within communities that are challenged by adversity will also enhance our understanding of topics vital to disaster planning and mitigation. In this way, we can identify services and policies that will be useful for health and human services, community development and disaster management.
Health and work-related quality of life, wellbeing, and quality of clinical care: a multicentre cross-sectional survey of health care workers in south-western Nigeria
(University of Lethbridge, 2022) Awosoga, Olu A.; Odole, Adesola; Odunaiya, Nse; Mbada, Chidozie; Oyewole, Olufemi; Ogunlana, Michael; Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.; Orimojunje, Ayomikun; Adegoke, Mercy; Sanuade, Comfort; Odole, Moyosooreoluwa; Odole, Iyanuoluwa
Homelessness, urban Aboriginal people, and the need for a national enumeration
(University of Alberta, 2013) Belanger, Yale D.; Awosoga, Olu A.; Weasel Head, Gabrielle
The growing rate of urban Aboriginal homelessness is a concern in Canada, yet, to date, no national enumeration of the homeless community has been attempted. Consequently, policies implemented to guarantee vulnerable populations access to housing are being struck in the absence of reliable data. Obtaining good data on the prevalence of this homeless community is one step in improving our collective understanding and response to urban Aboriginal homelessness. According to our calculations, that homelessness is staggering: on any one night, 6.97 percent of the urban Aboriginal population in Canada is homeless, as compared to a national average of .78 percent. This paper highlights the academic and bureaucratic construction of homelessness while urging academics and front-line agencies to align their research agendas in order to help combat the issues that create homelessness in what is a uniquely challenging environment for urban Aboriginal individuals seeking services. The paper concludes with a series of recommendations that will assist in this matter.
Household survey results Slave lake, AB 2012 : technical report
(University of Lethbridge, 2012) Kulig, Judith Celene; Townshend, Ivan; Awosoga, Olu A.; Shepard, Blythe; Reimer, William; Edge, Dana; Lightfoot, Nancy
Results of a household survey that was conducted to assess the following variables within a larger population within the Slave Lake area postwildfire: 1. What were the evacuation experiences of the Slave Lake area residents? 2. What were the impacts of the wildfires on the families and children that experienced it? 3. What were the impacts of the wildfires on the community’s social relations?
Housing and aboriginal people in urban centres: a quantitative evaluation
(University of Alberta, 2012) Belanger, Yale D.; Weasel Head, Gabrielle; Awosoga, Olu A.
This paper explores the current state of urban Aboriginal housing in Canada, by providing an up-to-date mapping of national urban Aboriginal housing conditions. This paper demonstrates that home ownership helps to reduce the gap between mainstream and Aboriginal rates of core housing need, for Aboriginal renters are substantially worse off than their non-Aboriginal counterparts in terms of core housing need and overcrowding. Métis and Non-Status Indians are also more likely to become homeowners than Status Indians and Inuit. A cyclical process is identified that hinders urban Aboriginal homeownership, and home rental advancement is also discussed. Existing federal housing programs are inadequate to address the housing and homeless issues identified. We highlight the need to establish proactive policies, the goal being to facilitate individual transition into urban centres, thereby helping to ameliorate existing housing disparities.
How adults in selected urban and rural communities in southwest Nigeria perceive cardiovascular disease, risk factors, and their risk status: a critical factor in preventing and managing cardiovascular disease
(University of Lethbridge, 2024) Awosoga, Olu A.; Odunaiya, Nse A.; Odole, Adesola C.; Adegoke, Opeyemi M.; Adeoye, Abiodun M.; Oyewole, Olufemi O.; Aweto, Happiness A.; Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.; Alumona, Chiedozie J.
Influence of well-being and quality of work-life on quality of care among healthcare professionals in southwest, Nigeria
(Springer Nature, 2023) Odole, Adesola C.; Ogunlana, Michael O.; Odunaiya, Nse A.; Oyewole, Olufemi O.; Mbada, Chidozie E.; Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.; Ayodeji, Ayomikun F.; Adegoke, Opeyemi M.; Odole, Iyanuoluwa; Sanuade, Comfort T.; Odole, Moyosooreoluwa E.; Awosoga, Olu A.
The Nigerian healthcare industry is bedevilled with infrastructural dilapidations and a dysfunctional healthcare system. This study investigated the influence of healthcare professionals’ well-being and quality of work-life (QoWL) on the quality of care (QoC) of patients in Nigeria. A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted at four tertiary healthcare institutions in southwest, Nigeria. Participants’ demographic information, well-being, quality of life (QoL), QoWL, and QoC were obtained using four standardised questionnaires. Data were summarised using descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics included Chi-square, Pearson’s correlation, independent samples t-test, confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation model. Medical practitioners (n = 609) and nurses (n = 570) constituted 74.6% of all the healthcare professionals with physiotherapists, pharmacists, and medical laboratory scientists constituting 25.4%. The mean (SD) participants’ well-being = 71.65% (14.65), QoL = 61.8% (21.31), QoWL = 65.73% (10.52) and QoC = 70.14% (12.77). Participants’ QoL had a significant negative correlation with QoC while well-being and quality of work-life had a significant positive correlation with QoC. We concluded that healthcare professionals’ well-being and QoWL are important factors that influence the QoC rendered to patients. Healthcare policymakers in Nigeria should ensure improved work-related factors and the well-being of healthcare professionals to ensure good QoC for patients.
Investigating academic dishonesty in post-secondary institutions in Canada: a case study of the University of Lethbridge before the COVID-19 pandemic
(University of Lethbridge, 2021) Awosoga, Olu A.; Meadows, Jeff; Nord, Christina; Varsanyi, Stephanie E.; Barley, Randall
Nursing students achieving community health competencies through undergraduate clinical experiences: a gap analysis
(De Gruyter, 2015) Pijl, Em; Barton, Sylvia; Awosoga, Olu A.; Konkin, Jill
In Canada, it is widely believed that nursing practice and health care will move from acute care into the community. At the same time, increasing numbers of nursing students are engaged in non-traditional clinical experiences for their community health rotation. These clinical experiences occur at agencies not organizationally affiliated with the health care system and typically do not employ registered nurses (RNs). What has yet to be established is the degree to which nursing students are actually being prepared for community health nursing roles through their community health clinical rotations. In this paper we report the findings of a mixed method study that explored the gap between desired and observed levels of competence in community health of senior nursing students and new graduates. The gap was quantified and then the nature of the gap further explored through focus groups.
Pattern and perception of wellbeing, quality of work life and quality of care of health professionals in Southwest Nigeria
(Springer Nature, 2022) Awosoga, Olu A.; Odunaiya, Nse A; Oyewole, Olufemi O.; Ogunlana, Michael O.; Mbada, Chidozie E.; Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.; Adegoke, Opeyemi M.; Ayodeji, Ayomikun F.; Odole, Adesola C.
Background: Personal wellbeing (PW) including quality of life and work life is a very complex concept that influences health professionals’ commitment and productivity. Improving PW may result in positive outcomes and good quality of care. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the pattern and perception of wellbeing, quality of work life (QoWL) and quality of care (QoC) of health professionals (HPs) in southwest Nigeria. Methods: The study was a convergent parallel mixed method design comprising a cross-sectional survey (1580 conveniently selected participants) and a focus group interview (40 purposively selected participants). Participants’ PW, quality of life (QoL), QoWL, and QoC were assessed using the PW Index Scale, 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index, QoWL questionnaire, and Clinician QoC scale, respectively. The pattern of wellbeing, QoWL and quality of care of HPs were evaluated using t-test and ANOVA tests. Binary regression analysis was used to assess factors that could classify participants as having good or poor wellbeing, QoWL, and quality of care of HPs. The qualitative findings were thematically analyzed following two independent transcriptions. An inductive approach to naming themes was used. Codes were assigned to the data and common codes were grouped into categories, leading to themes and subthemes. Results: Of 1600 administered questionnaires, 1580 were returned, giving a 98.75% response rate. Only 45.3%, 43.9%, 39.8% and 38.4% of HP reported good PW, QoL, QoC and QoWL, respectively; while 54.7%, 56.1%, 60.2% and 61.6% were poor. There were significant gender differences in PW and QoC in favor of females. With an increase in age and years of practice, there was a significant increase in PW, QoWL and QoC. As the work volume increased, there was significant decrease in QoWL. Participants with master's or Ph.D. degrees reported improved QoWL while those with diploma reported better QoC. PWI and QoC were significantly different along the type of appointment, with those who held part-time appointments having the least values. The regression models showed that participant’s characteristics such as age, gender, designation, and work volume significantly classified health professionals who had good or poor QoC, QoWL, PW and QoL. The focus group interview revealed four themes and 16 sub-themes. The four themes were the definitions of QoC, QoWL, and PW, and dimensions of QoC. Conclusion: More than half of health professionals reported poor quality of work life, quality of life and personal wellbeing which were influenced by personal and work-related factors. All these may have influenced the poor quality of care reported, despite the finding of a good knowledge of what quality of care entails.
Perception of safe horizontal reaching distance changes with repetitive occupational loading in novice lifters
(Elsevier, 2015) McCubbing, Dustin C.; Shan, Gongbing; Gonzalez, Claudia L. R.; Awosoga, Olu A.; Doan, Jon B.
Safe work behaviours rely on accurate perceptions of injury risks, and workers who have a misperception of risk can be injured. Despite the importance of perception-action coupling, little is known about modification of those perceptions with changing physical or cognitive STATE. It is hypothesized that changing values for perceived affordances could evidence these modifications. A better understanding of how worker characteristics (e.g., level of fatigue) affect perceptions of affordance and their corresponding behaviours, may help when developing strategies for ergonomic best practices, particularly in manual material handling (MMH) activities. The aim of this study was to compare safe perceptions of affordance from workers that completed repetitive STATE loading. Seventy-five novice MMH workers (23 male; mean age = 21.43, SD = 3.24) made perceived affordances of their safest horizontal reaching distance (acceptable limit) to complete a model task. STATE loading consisted of physical or cognitive fatigue or a control. The levels of fatigue were assessed at five-minute intervals using Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) values and Multi-Fatigue Inventory (MFI) values, respectively. A significant main effect of TIME indicated a decrease of perceived safest reaching distance observed from baseline through subsequent measurements (p<.001). The magnitude of these changes did not differ significantly between groups, suggesting that general learning more than specific STATE loading may be a major contributor to modification of affordance perceptions. However, it remains important to consider TIME and STATE influences on perceptions for safe occupational handling. Novice workers’ initial perceptions of safe working affordance may put them at risk for soft tissue injury. Physical and cognitive loading similarly affect perceived safe affordances.
A quantitative study exploring undergraduate nursing students' perception of their critical thinking and clinical decision making ability while using apps at the point of care
(Sciedu Press, 2016) Sedgwick, Monique G.; Awosoga, Olu A.; Grigg, Lance; Durnin, Jenna-Marie
The purpose of this study was to explore how a smartphone app inﬂuences undergraduate nursing students’ perceptions of their critical thinking and clinical decision making ability at the point of care. Using a pretest-posttest approach, the ﬁndings suggest that there were no statistically signiﬁcant differences in the participants’ perception of their critical thinking and clinical decision making ability over time. Statistically signiﬁcant ﬁndings on four questionnaire items pertaining to participants’ perception in their ability to engage in evidence based practice over time suggests that experience with the app, led the participants to believe the app provided them with the information they needed in order to engage in evidence based practice. Consequently, they were less likely to seek information from other sources. Although having learning resources available in clinical practice environments mightenhancecriticalthinkingability,perhapscounterintuitively,theﬁndingsinthisstudysuggestthathavingaccesstoaclinical mobile app did not positively inﬂuence the participants’ perceived critical thinking ability. Nurse educators therefore, must teach students how to be active learners as well as role model the proper use of critical thinking skills. Students need to be reminded to use institutional policies and procedure manuals as well as other appropriate sources of information. Last, students need to see registered nurses use critical thinking and clinical decision making dispositions by asking comprehensive questions, exploring assumptions and inferences, and incorporating varying resources into their decisions.