Patience Afulani, PhD, MD, MPH
Associate Professor
Epidemiology & Biostatistics
School of Medicine

My research focuses on the social and health system factors underlying disparities in reproductive, maternal, neonatal, and child health (RMNCH). I am particularly interested in how RMNCH outcomes are shaped by quality of care in health facilities as well as by social determinants.

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I also seek to contribute to improved measurement of quality of care, particularly person-centered care, and to the development of evidence-based interventions to improve RMNCH outcomes and reduce disparities.

My current projects include developing an intervention to improve person-centered maternity care (PCMC) in Kenya with a focus on provider stress and unconscious bias; examining drivers of poor PCMC in Ghana; adaptation of the PCMC scale for women of color in California; and examining healthcare workers' perceived preparedness for COVID-19 and associated factors in Ghana and Kenya.

My PhD dissertation examined sources of disparities in quality of antenatal care and how this affects use of skilled birth attendants and birth outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. My post-doctoral work focused on measurement of person-centered maternity care; research into sources of disparities in PCMC and barriers to providing PCMC; and design and evaluation of interventions to improve quality of care including PCMC — in Kenya, Ghana, and India. I have also conducted research on the health and reproductive behavior of migrants from Africa, and on the consequences of food insecurity in the United States.

I obtained my Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) from the University of Ghana Medical School, and an MPH with a certificate in Global Health and a PhD in Public Health from the University of California, Los Angeles. I also completed a post-doctoral fellowship with the Preterm Birth Initiative at UCSF.

Awards

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  • Population Health and Health Equity Scholar, UCSF School of Medicine, 2022
  • Academy of Medical Educators Excellence in Teaching Award, UCSF School of Medicine, 2021
  • Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow, Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program, 2020
  • Watson Faculty Scholar, UCSF School of Medicine, 2020
  • Dean’s Outstanding Student Award, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, 2015
  • Nomination for membership in the IOTA chapter of Delta Omega Honorary Society, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, 2015
  • Delta Omega Poster Competition Award, Delta Omega Honorary Society, 2014
  • Nominee, Teaching Assistant of the year, UCLA Public Health Students Association, 2011
  • Best student in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology Award, University of Ghana Medical School, 2007
  • Best student in Gynecology Award, University of Ghana Medical School, 2007
  • Best female student in Obstetrics and Gynecology Award, University of Ghana Medical School, 2007
  • Best female student in University of Ghana, University of Ghana Women’s Commission, 2003
  • Best Physiology student, University of Ghana Medical School, 2002
  • Best female Biological Science student, University of Ghana, 2001
  • Head of State Award, Best student in the Basic Education Certificate Examination, Upper East Region,, Ghana Education Service, 1995

Education & Training

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  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training University of California 2019
  • Postdoctoral fellowship Preterm Birth Initiative University of California 2018
  • PhD School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences Dept. University of California 2015
  • MPH School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences Dept. University of California 2011
  • MBChB University of Ghana Medical School University of Ghana 2007

Interests

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  • Respectful maternity care
  • Implementation Science
  • Migrant Health
  • Person-centered care
  • Quality of care
  • Reproductive
  • Maternal
  • Neonatal
  • Child Health
  • Food security
  • Global Health
  • Minority health
  • Health equity

Websites

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Grants and Projects

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Publications (80)

Top publication keywords:
PregnancyProfessional-Patient RelationsHealth PersonnelDelivery, ObstetricLabor, ObstetricPersonal AutonomyHealth FacilitiesPatient-Centered CareParturitionPrenatal CareGhanaKenyaAttitude of Health PersonnelMaternal Health ServicesQuality of Health Care

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