Obinna Ekwunife Ph.D.
Obinna Ekwunife
Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Adolescent Medicine; Community Based Participatory Research; Community Health Research; Community Pharmacy; Global Health; Health Disparities Research; Health Outcomes Research; Health Services Research; Implementation Science; Program Evaluation; Public Health; Qualitative Methods
Professional Summary:
Dr. Obinna Ekwunife is a health economist and implementation scientist, currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Population Health, at the University at Buffalo. His research focuses on developing, testing, and implementing cost-effective strategies to address health inequalities in adults with chronic diseases. He works on establishing cost-effective interventions to inform decision-making, particularly in low-income and marginalized settings. He also focuses on implementing strategies to enhance access to health interventions for underserved populations. As the health economist in a multidisciplinary research team focused on improving health equity, he employs econometric methodologies to identify cost-effective interventions that improve health outcomes and population health.
His ongoing project in Nigeria explores the potential of private community pharmacies as a novel avenue for PrEP delivery, specifically targeting young individuals at high risk of HIV acquisition to improve accessibility. Obinna also serves as a co-investigator on two research projects, contributing to the health economics evaluation components. The first is an NIH R01 grant focused on Cardiovascular Risk Reduction for Adults with Food Insecurity Using Structured Incentives (CVD-FIT). The second is a project funded by the American Diabetes Association that examines a novel, continuous glucose monitoring–enhanced Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) intervention aimed at preventing type 2 diabetes in adults with prediabetes.
Education and Training:
- Fellowship, Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (2024)
- Certificate, Certificate in Health Economics & Outcomes Research, University of Washington Professional & Continuing Education (2023)
- Certificate, Professional Certificate Program in Data Science, Purdue University/Simplilearn (2023)
- Fellowship, Takemi Fellowship, Harvard School of Public Health (2022)
- Fellowship, Postdoctoral Fellowship, Leibniz Institute of Preventive Research and Epidemiology (BIPS)/University of Bremen (2016)
- PhD, Health Economics, University of Nigeria (2012)
- MS, Clinical Pharmacy, University of Nigeria (2008)
- BPharm, Pharmacy, University of Nigeria (2004)
Employment:
- Assistant Program Director, Health Services Research, Division of Population Health, Department of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo (2024-present)
Awards and Honors:
- IDM Annual Symposium Travel Grant (2024)
UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:
- Civic Engagement and Public Policy
- Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- September 2024–March 2029
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction for Adults with Food Insecurity Using Structured Incentives (CVD-FIT)
NIH NIMHD
Role: Co-Investigator - July 2025–June 2028
A novel continuous glucose monitoring enhanced DPP intervention to prevent type 2 diabetes in adults with prediabetes
American Diabetes Association
Role: Co-Investigator - Enhancing PrEP Access for At-Risk Young People through Pharmacy-delivered Oral PrEP in Nigeria
University of Washington/Fred Hutch Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)
Role: Principal Investigator
Journal Articles:
- Egede LE, Campbell JA, Walker RJ, Fraser RA, Ekwunife O. (2025) Understanding the Roles of Fatalism and Self-Efficacy on Clinical and Behavioral Outcomes for African American with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review. Current diabetes reports (May), 25(1): 31.
- Ekwunife OI, Omenoba TC, Eyong U, Okelu V, Alagbile M, Ume I, Eze A, Fisayo A, Aidoo-Frimpong G, Shroff F, Anyakora C. (2024) Collaborative design of a care pathway for pharmacy-based PrEP delivery in Nigeria: insights from stakeholder consultation. BMC health services research (Dec), 24(1): 1621. doi:10.1186/s12913-024-12107-4
- Nduka I.J., Umeh I.B., Okafor C.V., Orih D., Nduka S.O., Ekwunife, O.I. (2024) Cost–benefit analysis of mammography screening: the perspective of Nigerian healthcare providers. Journal (Nov), 2(2): e001356. doi:10.1136/bmjph-2024-001356
- Bonnet G, Bimba J, Chavula C, Chifamba HN, Divala TH, Lescano AG, Majam M, Mbo D, Suwantika AA, Tovar MA, Yadav P, Ekwunife O, Mangenah C, Ngwira LG, Corbett EL, Jit M, Vassall A. (2024) Cost-effectiveness of COVID rapid diagnostic tests for patients with severe/critical illness in low- and middle-income countries: A modeling study. PLoS medicine (Jul), 21(7): e1004429. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1004429
- Roche SD, Ekwunife OI, Mendonca R, Kwach B, Omollo V, Zhang S, Ongwen P, Hattery D, Smedinghoff S, Morris S, Were D, Rech D, Bukusi EA, Ortblad KF. (2024) Measuring the performance of computer vision artificial intelligence to interpret images of HIV self-testing results. Frontiers in public health (Jan), 12: 1334881. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1334881
- Isah A, Chukwu PO, Abba A, Igboeli NU, Ebere A, Omotola OF, Alozie FA, Ekwunife OI, Adibe MO. (2023) Cost-effectiveness of dolutegravir vs. efavirenz-based combined antiretroviral therapies in HIV-infected treatment-naive patients in a Nigerian treatment centre. African health sciences (Mar), 23(1): 157-169. doi:10.4314/ahs.v23i1.18
- Onwunduba A, Ekwunife O, Onyilogwu E. (2023) Impact of point-of-care C-reactive protein testing intervention on non-prescription dispensing of antibiotics for respiratory tract infections in private community pharmacies in Nigeria: a cluster randomized controlled trial. International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases (Feb), 127: 137-143. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2022.12.006
- Ekwunife OI, Anetoh MU, Kalu SO, Ele PU, Egbewale BE, Eleje GU. (2022) Impact of conditional economic incentives and motivational interviewing on health outcomes of adolescents living with HIV in Anambra State, Nigeria: A cluster-randomised trial. Contemporary clinical trials communications (Dec), 30: 100997. doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2022.100997
- Ekwunife OI, Ejie IL, Okelu V, Mita C, Durosinmi-Eti O, Powell A, Franke MF. (2022) Interventions to increase the uptake and continuation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) by adolescent girls and young women at high risk of HIV in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review. BMJ Glob Health (Dec), 12(7): e009474. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2022-009474
- Bayugo YV, Labarda M, Cruz JRB, Mier-Alpaño JD, Tiangco PMP, Oyene UE, Omoleke SA, Ulitin A, Ong A, Fajardo MS, Echavarria MI, Alger J, Mathanga D, Msiska BK, Ekwunife OI, Nwaorgu O, Abella Lizcano L, Gomez Quenguan N, Nieto Anderson CI, Beltran BY, Carcamo Rodriguez ED, Núñez ES, Nkosi-Kholimeliwa V, Mwafulirwa-Kabaghe G, Juban N. (2022) Description of global innovative methods in developing the WHO Community Engagement Package. BMJ open (Jun), 12(6): e063144. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063144
- Nduka IJ, Ejie IL, Okafor CE, Eleje GU, Ekwunife OI. (2022) Interventions to increase mammography screening uptake among women living in low-income and middle-income countries: a protocol for a systematic review. BMJ open (Mar), 12(3): e056901. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056901
- Mmoh IC, Ogbuagu CN, Modebe IA, Ogbuagu EN, Ogbuagu CM, Emelumadu OF, Okereke UC, Eleje GU, Ekwunife OI. (2022) Dipstick urinalysis profile of an asymptomatic female group in south-east Nigeria. SAGE open medicine (Jan), 10: 20503121221135575. doi:10.1177/20503121221135575
- Okafor CE, Ekwunife OI. (2021) Introducing rotavirus vaccine in eight sub-Saharan African countries: a cost-benefit analysis. The Lancet. Global health (Aug), 9(8): e1088-e1100. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(21)00220-5
- Ekwunife OI, Ofomata CJ, Okafor CE, Anetoh MU, Kalu SO, Ele PU, Eleje GU. (2021) Cost-effectiveness and feasibility of conditional economic incentives and motivational interviewing to improve HIV health outcomes of adolescents living with HIV in Anambra State, Nigeria. BMC health services research (Jul), 21(1): 685. doi:10.1186/s12913-021-06718-4
- Ejie IL, Eleje GU, Chibuzor MT, Anetoh MU, Nduka IJ, Umeh IB, Ogbonna BO, Ekwunife OI. (2021) A systematic review of qualitative research on barriers and facilitators to exclusive breastfeeding practice in sub-Saharan African countries. International breastfeeding journal (Jun), 16(1): 44. doi:10.1186/s13006-021-00380-6
- Okafor CE, Ekwunife OI, Nduaguba SO. (2021) Promoting the integrated community case management of pneumonia in children under 5 years in Nigeria through the proprietary and patent medicine vendors: a cost-effectiveness analysis. Cost effectiveness and resource allocation : C/E (Feb), 19(1): 12. doi:10.1186/s12962-021-00265-9
- Isah AUJ, Ekwunife OI, Ejie IL, Mandrik O. (2020) Effects of nutritional supplements on the re-infection rate of soil-transmitted helminths in school-age children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one (Jan), 15(8): e0237112. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0237112
- Mandrik O, Ekwunife OI, Meheus F, Severens JLH, Lhachimi S, Uyl-de Groot CA, Murillo R. (2019) Systematic reviews as a "lens of evidence": Determinants of cost-effectiveness of breast cancer screening. Cancer medicine (Dec), 8(18): 7846-7858. doi:10.1002/cam4.2498
- Akunne MO, Okonta MJ, Ukwe CV, Heise TL, Ekwunife OI. (2019) Satisfaction of Nigerian patients with health services: a protocol for a systematic review. Systematic reviews (Nov), 8(1): 256. doi:10.1186/s13643-019-1160-z
- Ekwunife OI, Anetoh MU, Kalu SO, Ele PU, Eleje GU. (2018) Conditional economic incentives and motivational interviewing to improve adolescents' retention in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy in Southeast Nigeria: study protocol for a cluster randomised trial. Trials (Dec), 19(1): 710. doi:10.1186/s13063-018-3095-4
- Okafor CE, Ekwunife OI. (2017) Cost-effectiveness analysis of diarrhoea management approaches in Nigeria: A decision analytical model. PLoS neglected tropical diseases (Dec), 11(12): e0006124. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0006124
- Ekwunife OI, Lhachimi SK. (2017) Cost-effectiveness of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination in Nigeria: a decision analysis using pragmatic parameter estimates for cost and programme coverage. BMC health services research (Dec), 17(1): 815. doi:10.1186/s12913-017-2758-2
- Khan Z, Khan S, Christianson L, Rehman S, Ekwunife O, Samkange-Zeeb F. (2017) Smokeless Tobacco and Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders in South Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (Dec), 20(1): 12-21.
- Anyakora C, Ekwunife O, Alozie F, Esuga M, Ukwuru J, Onya S, Nwokike J. (2017) Cost benefit of investment on quality in pharmaceutical manufacturing: WHO GMP pre- and post-certification of a Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturer. BMC health services research (Sep), 17(1): 665. doi:10.1186/s12913-017-2610-8
- Mandrik O, Ekwunife OI, Zielonke N, Meheus F, Severens JL, Lhachimi SK, Murillo R. (2017) What determines the effects and costs of breast cancer screening? A protocol of a systematic review of reviews. Systematic reviews (Jun), 6(1): 122. doi:10.1186/s13643-017-0510-y
- Ezennia IJ, Nduka SO, Ekwunife OI. (2017) Cost benefit analysis of malaria rapid diagnostic test: the perspective of Nigerian community pharmacists. Malaria journal (Jan), 16(1): 7. doi:10.1186/s12936-016-1648-0
- Ekwunife OI, O'Mahony JF, Gerber Grote A, Mosch C, Paeck T, Lhachimi SK. (2017) Challenges in Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Modelling of HPV Vaccines in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Practice Recommendations. PharmacoEconomics (Jan), 35(1): 65-82. doi:10.1007/s40273-016-0451-7
- Sweiti H, Ekwunife O, Jaschinski T, Lhachimi SK. (2017) Repurposed Therapeutic Agents Targeting the Ebola Virus: A Systematic Review. Current therapeutic research, clinical and experimental (Jan), 84: 10-21. doi:10.1016/j.curtheres.2017.01.007
- Khan Z, Khan S, Christianson L, Rehman S, Ekwunife O, Samkange-Zeeb F. (2016) Smokeless tobacco and oral potentially malignant disorders in South Asia: a protocol for a systematic review. Systematic reviews (Aug), 5(1): 142. doi:10.1186/s13643-016-0320-7
- Umeh IB, Nduka SO, Ekwunife OI. (2016) Mothers' willingness to pay for HPV vaccines in Anambra state, Nigeria: a cross sectional contingent valuation study. Cost effectiveness and resource allocation : C/E (Jan), 14: 8. doi:10.1186/s12962-016-0057-0
- Ekwunife OI, Ezenduka CC, Uzoma BE. (2016) Evaluating the sensitivity of EQ-5D in a sample of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in two tertiary health care facilities in Nigeria. BMC research notes (Jan), 9: 24. doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1832-2
- Sweiti H, Ekwunife O, Jaschinski T, Lhachimi SK. (2015) Repurposed therapeutic agents targeting the Ebola virus: a protocol for a systematic review. Systematic reviews (Nov), 4: 171. doi:10.1186/s13643-015-0153-9
- Ekwunife OI, Grote AG, Mosch C, O'Mahony JF, Lhachimi SK. (2015) Assessing cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccines with decision analytic models: what are the distinct challenges of low- and middle-income countries? A protocol for a systematic review. Systematic reviews (May), 4: 68. doi:10.1186/s13643-015-0057-8
- Offu O, Anetoh M, Okonta M, Ekwunife O. (2015) Engaging Nigerian community pharmacists in public health programs: assessment of their knowledge, attitude and practice in Enugu metropolis. Journal of pharmaceutical policy and practice (Jan), 8: 27. doi:10.1186/s40545-015-0048-0
- Ekwunife OI. (2014) Satisfaction of Hiv Patients with Pharmacy Services in South Eastern Nigerian Hospitals. Value in health : the journal of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (Nov), 17(7): A682.
- Okoye MO, Ukwe VC, Okoye TC, Adibe MO, Ekwunife OI. (2014) Satisfaction of HIV patients with pharmaceutical services in South Eastern Nigerian hospitals. International journal of clinical pharmacy (Oct), 36(5): 914-21.
- Ezenduka CC, Ogbonna BO, Ekwunife OI, Okonta MJ, Esimone CO. (2014) Drugs use pattern for uncomplicated malaria in medicine retail outlets in Enugu urban, southeast Nigeria: implications for malaria treatment policy. Malaria journal (Jun), 13: 243. doi:10.1186/1475-2875-13-243
- Ekwunife OI, Aguwa CN, Igboeli NU. (2013) Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) demonstrated construct validity in a Nigerian population with hypertension. Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation (Mar), 22(2): 455-8.
- Ekwunife OI, Okafor CE, Ezenduka CC, Udeogaranya PO. (2013) Cost-utility analysis of antihypertensive medications in Nigeria: a decision analysis. Cost effectiveness and resource allocation : C/E (Jan), 11(1): 2. doi:10.1186/1478-7547-11-2
- Ekwunife OI, Oreh C, Ubaka CM. (2012) Concurrent use of complementary and alternative medicine with antiretroviral therapy reduces adherence to HIV medications. The International journal of pharmacy practice (Oct), 20(5): 340-3.
- Ubaka CM, Ekwunife OI, Adibe MO. (2012) Does the clinical clerkship course improve students' attitudes towards pharmaceutical care?. The International journal of pharmacy practice (Aug), 20(4): 272-4.
- Njilele AC, Ukwe CV, Okonta JM, Ekwunife OI. (2012) Development of a patient satisfaction questionnaire for HIV/AIDS patients in Nigeria. International journal of clinical pharmacy (Feb), 34(1): 98-104.
- Ekwunife OI, Aguwa CN, Adibe MO, Barikpaoar E, Onwuka CJ. (2011) Health state utilities of a population of Nigerian hypertensive patients. BMC research notes (Dec), 4: 528. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-4-528
- Igboeli NU, Ukwe CV, Ekwunife OI. (2010) Increasing use of artemisinin-based combination therapy for treatment of malaria infection in Nigerian hospitals. Pharmacy practice (Oct), 8(4): 243-9. doi:10.4321/s1886-36552010000400007
- Ukwe CV, Ekwunife OI, Udeogaranya OP, Iwuamadi UI. (2010) Self-reported adherence to HAART in South-Eastern Nigeria is related to patients' use of pill box. SAHARA J : journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Research Alliance (Jul), 7(1): 10-5. doi:10.1080/17290376.2010.9724950
- Udeogaranya PO, Ukwe CV, Ekwunife OI. (2009) Assessment of attitudes of University of Nigeria pharmacy students toward pharmaceutical care. Pharmacy practice (Jul), 7(3): 145-9. doi:10.4321/s1886-36552009000300003
- Ukwe CV, Ekwunife OI. (2008) Drug utilisation study of antimalarials for the treatment of hospitalised children under five in south-eastern Nigeria. Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety (Dec), 17(12): 1183-8.
- Aguwa CN, Ukwe CV, Ekwunife OI. (2008) Effect of pharmaceutical care programme on blood pressure and quality of life in a Nigerian pharmacy. Pharmacy world & science : PWS (Jan), 30(1): 107-10.
Presentations:
- "Understanding the cost of pharmacy-delivered HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis services in Kenya: findings from a pilot study" Institute of Disease Modeling Symposium (2024)
Service Activities:
- As an Academic Editor for Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation, I oversee the peer review process, ensuring the quality and relevance of submitted manuscripts in health economics, cost-effectiveness analysis, and resource allocation.; Academic Editor (2024–present)