Dr. Charity Oga-Omenka is an Assistant Professor at the School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, where she leads a research program focused on improving healthcare access and navigation for marginalized populations using mixed-methods approaches.
Her research interests focus on deepening the understanding of the intersection between health and the social determinants of health, particularly as they influence access to healthcare. In many resource-limited settings and among marginalized populations, access to quality healthcare is shaped by disparities rooted in sociodemographic factors such as income, education, gender, and geography. These challenges remain significant barriers to achieving equitable health outcomes and strengthening health systems in low- and middle-income countries. To date, her work has primarily explored the barriers and facilitators to accessing both public and private healthcare services. She has a strong interest in HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) care, as these areas reflect broader global health issues, ranging from the impact of social inequities, political trends and government will, global health priorities and roles of donor agencies.
Dr. Oga-Omenka completed her postdoctoral fellowship at McGill University (2020-2022) under the mentorship of Dr. Madhukar Pai, where she contributed to a Gates Foundation-funded study examining COVID-19 disruptions on TB services across Nigeria, India, and Indonesia. This work has resulted in over 12 publications that contributed to global TB care guidelines. In addition, she is engaged in research on antimicrobial stewardship, with a focus on practices within the private healthcare sector. Given the growing global concern around antimicrobial resistance, this work aims to support more responsible prescribing practices and inform policy. Through her research, she aims to contribute to evidence-based solutions that promote equitable, effective, and sustainable healthcare delivery across diverse settings.
Current Research Projects:
- Antibiotic Stewardship Education for Pharmacists (A-STEP): a pre-post intervention study in Nigeria. Funding source: CIHR Project Grant.
Study examining antimicrobial resistance and stewardship practices in resource-limited healthcare facilities, with a focus on the private healthcare sector.
- Developing a global framework to address gender-based violence in women affected by TB. Funding source: SSHRC Partnership Development Grant.
The study is aimed at developing a global framework to address the intersection of gender-based violence and tuberculosis care.
- A feasibility study of a context-specific antibiotic stewardship intervention among physicians in Nigeria’s private outpatient facilities. Funding source: CIHR Project Grant.
Study examining antimicrobial resistance and stewardship practices in resource-limited healthcare facilities, with a focus on the private healthcare sector.
Email: cogaomenka [at] uwaterloo.ca
