Dr Aaron Akpu Philip, PhD, MSPH.
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
22K followers
500+ connections
About
Dr Aaron Akpu Philip is a Public Health Practitioner with up to a decade of experience researching, working and volunteering in the development and not-for-profit settings in Nigeria, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Dr AAP is a postdoctoral research fellow at Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, an organisation that has been delivering one of the world's safest supplies of blood and blood products for more than 90 years, as well as world-class research and expertise. At Lifeblood, Dr AAP works within the Donor Research team to conduct research on sexual health and diversity projects related to the donation of blood and other blood products.
Dr AAP holds a PhD in Public Health from Queensland University of Technology, Australia where he explored the topic: "Double Wahala for Dead Body – Adherence of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) among Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Nigeria". He graduated with a distinction in M.Sc. Public Health-Health Promotion from Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom. His first degree was in Microbiology from Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
To learn more about Dr AAP and his work, visit his website https://aaronakpuphilip.com/
Experience
Education
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Activities and Societies: Higher Degree Representative Sessional Academic
Research title: "Double Wahala for Dead body": Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) among Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Nigeria"
Nominated for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award -
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Thesis: Traditional/Cultural beliefs about the cause of HIV and HIV related stigma among black Africans in Leeds, UK (published)
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Activities and Societies: Biological Science Student Association (BIOSSAN)-Member & Adviser to the President (2012) National Association of Microbiology Students (NANS)-Member Natural & Applied Science Student Association (NASSA)-Presidential Advisor 2012
Thesis: Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C among Blood donors in FMC Keffi, Nigeria (published)
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Activities and Societies: Debate Team, Choir,
Senior Prefect/Head boy who ensured smooth running of all Student daily activities in the School.
Volunteer Experience
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Volunteer
VSO
- Present 9 years 11 months
Politics
Volunteered in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria with a team of young volunteers from the UK on the International Citizen Service (ICS) project. We worked on the project "Youth Participation in governance" by setting up Local Youth Parliament and mentored other young people to be accountable for their personal and community development.
Trainings, workshops and youth-led transforming community projects were organized and implemented to empower young people and fashion them out of…Volunteered in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria with a team of young volunteers from the UK on the International Citizen Service (ICS) project. We worked on the project "Youth Participation in governance" by setting up Local Youth Parliament and mentored other young people to be accountable for their personal and community development.
Trainings, workshops and youth-led transforming community projects were organized and implemented to empower young people and fashion them out of developmental negligence.
The cross cultural learning between the Nigerian and UK volunteers was priceless in speeding up team work and program implementation. -
Volunteer
BHALleedsSkyline UK
- 1 year 4 months
Health
Working with staff of the prevention and support team of the organization in conducting outreaches and mentoring members of support groups towards positive living.
Closely assisting in HIV testing and counseling as a trained HIV test verifier. -
Community Speaker
Save the Children UK
- 1 year
Children
Delivering talks on all thematic areas implemented by Save the Children in the Uk and all around the world. Talks are delivered to children, young and old and also championed towards drawing in support for the cause of development.
Publications
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Lived experiences of persons with disabilities living with HIV in accessing HIV services in Africa: a qualitative systematic review
Disability and Rehabilitation/Taylor and Francis
Purpose: This qualitative review applies an intersectional lens to explore the lived experiences of persons with disabilities (PWDs) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in accessing HIV services.
Methods: Using thematic analysis, the intersections relating to HIV, disability, gender, stigma, and poverty were explored.
Results: Three themes were identified from the analysis: (1) intersection of gender, HIV, and disability – “For a man, it is easier because we women…Purpose: This qualitative review applies an intersectional lens to explore the lived experiences of persons with disabilities (PWDs) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in accessing HIV services.
Methods: Using thematic analysis, the intersections relating to HIV, disability, gender, stigma, and poverty were explored.
Results: Three themes were identified from the analysis: (1) intersection of gender, HIV, and disability – “For a man, it is easier because we women have a lot to take care of at the home and would not have
enough time to go get services”; (2) intersection of stigma, HIV, and disability – “ …Look at that one. He’s disabled, at the same time HIV-positive. He doesn’t even feel sorry for himself … to die quietly at home”; (3) intersection of poverty, HIV, and disability – “ …maybe you don’t even have money to buy food and if you’re on medication you need to eat frequently”. The findings highlighted how stigma, poverty, and gen-
der collide in a hierarchy of identities to impede accessibility to HIV services.
Conclusions: Researchers and programme implementers should note the intersecting issues of marginalisation that influence inequities in access to HIV services for PWDs living with HIV. National Strategic Plans should address these specific barriers to ensure accessibility for this marginalised population.Other authorsSee publication -
Exploration of traditional beliefs about human immunodeficiency virus and associated stigma among black Africans in the UK: a pilot study with implication for practice in Africa
International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health
ABSTRACT
Background: In the UK, black Africans account for the most affected ethnic population with HIV. Black Africans hold traditional beliefs which have been reported to cause certain misconceptions about the cause of HIV. Also, despite being in a developed country like the UK, it has been noted that Black Africans still hold these beliefs. This study was aimed at exploring the influence of traditional beliefs about the cause of HIV and HIV related stigma among Black Africans in the…ABSTRACT
Background: In the UK, black Africans account for the most affected ethnic population with HIV. Black Africans hold traditional beliefs which have been reported to cause certain misconceptions about the cause of HIV. Also, despite being in a developed country like the UK, it has been noted that Black Africans still hold these beliefs. This study was aimed at exploring the influence of traditional beliefs about the cause of HIV and HIV related stigma among Black Africans in the diaspora.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted among six individuals (M-4, F-2), three of which were people living with HIV (PLHIV). Participants were selected purposively. The study included male and/or female English- speaking Black Africans who were 18 years+ and not born in the UK but had migrated to live there.
Results: The resulting data was analysed thematically, and three themes were developed: “...God created disease as a punishment for mankind...”: Punishment from God, “...witches, they can make HIV...”: HIV as related to witchcraft and “hanging on to traditional beliefs thus mistreating people with HIV”: Traditional African beliefs cause stigma.
Conclusions: The main finding of this study reveals that participants who are knowledgeable about HIV still hold traditional beliefs about HIV. These beliefs are reported to exacerbate stigma against PLHIV. The study recommends that traditional beliefs should be prioritised when planning HIV prevention programs.
Keywords: Traditional beliefs, Cultural beliefs, HIV-related stigma, HIV, Black Africans, AfricaOther authorsSee publication -
Dying To Be Men: Masculinity and Early Cancer Detection Among Nigerian Men
International Quarterly of Community Health Education
Abstract
Cancer incidence and mortality in Nigeria are increasing at an alarming rate, especially among Nigerian men. Despite the numerous public health campaigns and education on the importance of early cancer detection in Nigeria, there exist high rate of fatal/advanced stage cancer diagnoses among Nigerian men, even among affluent Nigerian men. However, there is limited information on patterns of cancer screening and psychosocial predictors of early cancer detection behaviors among…Abstract
Cancer incidence and mortality in Nigeria are increasing at an alarming rate, especially among Nigerian men. Despite the numerous public health campaigns and education on the importance of early cancer detection in Nigeria, there exist high rate of fatal/advanced stage cancer diagnoses among Nigerian men, even among affluent Nigerian men. However, there is limited information on patterns of cancer screening and psychosocial predictors of early cancer detection behaviors among Nigerian men. In this cross-sectional study, we examined demographic and psychosocial factors influencing early cancer detection behaviors among Nigerian men. Participants (N = 143; Mage = 44.73) responded to survey assessing: masculinity, attachment styles, current and future cancer detection behaviors, and sociodemographic characteristics. We found that among the participants studied, education, masculinity and anxious attachment were significantly associated with current cancer detection behaviors. Additionally, education and anxious attachment were significantly associated with future cancer detection behaviors. Our finding is best served for clinicians and public health professionals, especially those in the field of oncology in Sub-Saharan Africa. Also, the study may be used as a groundwork for future research and health intervention programs targeting men in Sub-Saharan Africa.Other authorsSee publication -
Plasmodium falciparum infection among Febrile Patients Attending a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Central Nigeria: Prevalence, Hematologic and Sociodemographic Factors
International Journal of Tropical Diseases
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Ascaris lumbricoides Infection Using Microscopy and IgG4 Detection Techniques in a School Children Population in Central Nigeria: An Epidemiological Study
Journal of Infectious Diseases and Treatment
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Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C viruses among eligible blood donors in a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Journal of Advances in Microbiology
http://www.journalrepository.org/media/journals/JAMB_57/2017/Jun/Victor422017JAMB34352.pdf
Other authorsSee publication
Courses
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Ebola in Context: Understanding Transmission, Response and Control
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Foundations of Public Health
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HIV/AIDS Surveillance
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Health Promotion Enquiry
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Heath Communication
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People Power and Communities
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Policies for health in the 21st Century
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Professional Practice
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Public Policy
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Research Methods in Health and Wellbeing
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Languages
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English
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Hausa
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Pidgin English
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