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Prof. Samuel Adjorlolo

Associate Professor

Contact Info Email: sadjorlolo@ug.edu.gh

About

Samuel Adjorlolo (PhD) is an Associate Professor in Mental Health and the Head of the Department of Mental Health Nursing, University of Ghana. Professor Adjorlolo obtained his PhD in Behavioural Sciences from the City University of Hong Kong, and master’s degrees in clinical psychology and Telemedicine and e-health from the University of Ghana and the UiT-Arctic University of Norway, respectively. Before that, he graduated from the University of Ghana with a first-class degree in Nursing and Psychology. As a research scientist, Dr. Adjorlolo has a strong multi-disciplinary training and expertise in health sciences, mental health, research ethics and integrity, and implementation research. His research focuses on cross-cutting health issues affecting vulnerable populations, including young people, women, and individuals diagnosed with infectious and non-infectious diseases. Dr. Adjorlolo examines climate change and health outcomes among vulnerable populations, including pregnant and post-delivery women. Local and international organizations, including CIHR, WHO-Alliance, and Anesvad Foundation, have funded his research. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. He was a fellow of the ACHIEVE and Research Integrity Program funded by the National Institute of Health. He is currently a Fellow of the POSSIBLE-Africa Fellowship program hosted and funded by the Science for Africa Foundation. Dr. Adjorlolo features on major news outlets in Ghana on mental health and related topics.

Education and Qualification

POSSIBLE-Africa Fellowship, Science for Africa Foundation (2024-2026)

NIH ACHIEVE Research Fellowship, Washington University (2022-2023)

NIH Fellowship in Research Integrity, New York University and University of Ghana (2021-2022)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Behavioral Sciences, City University of Hong Kong (2014-2017)

Master of Science (MSc) in Telemedicine and e-health, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway (2011-2013)

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Clinical Psychology, University of Ghana (2009-2011)

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Nursing and Psychology, University of Ghana (2004-2008)

Research Areas

Mental health (e.g., Maternal and child mental health)

Women’s health (e.g., obstetric fistula, GBV, and sexual reproductive health)

Communicable diseases (e.g., HIV, Tuberculosis)

Climate change and health

Health systems research, evaluation, and innovation

Research Projects

  1. Co – Investigator. Understanding witchcraft beliefs and practices in transnational spaces: Exploring the case of children in Ghana and among African newcomers in Canada. Principal Investigator: SSHRC Insight development grant $74, 456.
  2. Co-Investigator (Mental health expert): Research Network for Design and Evaluation of Adolescent Health Interventions and Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa (DASH). German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, €684,077.92
  3. Principal Investigator: The Impact of Flood Events on Maternal Health in Two Coastal Cities: Accra and Kingston Upon Hull (MRF-RGL-ICCH-23-155). Medical Research Foundation, £289,178
  4. Principal Investigator: “Multiple-Family Group Intervention Programming to Improve Mental Health of Adolescents Living with HIV in Ghana: An Implementation Science Approach (Grant # POS-24-07); Science for Africa Foundation, $65,000
  5. Principal Investigator: Unveiling the Silence: Developing and Evaluating a Feasibility Study to Improve Access and Utilization to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services for Kayayei (Head Porters) in Ghanaian Markets; Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR-IRSC:0406020334), CAD $868,276: Nominated PI: Professor Solina Ritcher.
  6.  Principal Investigator: Unveiling the Silence: Developing and Evaluating a Feasibility Study to Improve Access and Utilization to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services for Kayayei (Head Porters) in Ghanaian Markets; University of Saskatchewan Bridge Fund, CAD $40,000: Nominated PI: Professor Solina Ritcher.
  7. Principal Investigator: Integrating Mental Health and Stigma Reduction Programs into Primary and Community Care of Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases in Ghana. Grant # 0014; ANESVAD Foundation, € 165,000.
  8. Principal Investigator: Digital Health Information Management in Healthcare Systems Strengthening in Ghana. Alliance for Health Policy Systems Research-WHO, $70,000
  9. Co-Principal Investigator: Mental health of young people in Ghana and Tanzania. Grand Challenges Canada Grant # R-BEING-2302-64700, Grand Challenges Canada, $242,753.07
  10. Co-Principal Investigator: Midwifery Research and Education development in Palestine and Ghana (MIDRED). Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). $743,990.
  11. Principal Investigator: Push and Pull Factors of Migration Intention of Nursing and Midwifery Workforce in Ghana. Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana. GH¢ 40,000.00 
  12. Principal Investigator: Maternal Mental Illness in the Pregnancy and Postpartum Periods: A Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study. Queen Elizabeth Advanced Scholars Program, ≈$ 30,000. 
  13. Co- Principal Investigator: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adolescents’ Sexual and Reproductive Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. The Worldwide Universities Network – Research Development Fund. £ 10,000; Principal Investigator: Dr. Salima Meherali.
  14. Co-Principal Investigator: Stigma, Violence Experience and Mental Wellbeing among COVID-19 Survivors in Ghana: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study. National Research Foundation, South Africa, $ 100,000. Principal Investigator: Professor Joseph Osafo.
  15. Principal Investigator: Adolescent Mental Health in Ghana: A Nation-Wide Study of Senior High School Students. University of Ghana Research Fund (Early Career Researcher Grant). Award # PD/19-04/0046; GH¢ 7,500
  16. Co-Principal Investigator: Development of Home Visit Guidelines in Ghana. Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR) of the World Health Organization. ≈$100,000; Principal Investigator-Professor Lydia Aziato.
  17. Principal Investigator: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programming for Women with Obstetric-Fistula-Induced Incontinence in Ghana. ELRHA-HIF. Award #45407; ≈£84,361.
  18. Co-Principal Investigator: Mental Health Impact and Access to Health and Social Care Services for Women Victims of Intimate Partner Violence. The Worldwide Universities Network – Research Development Fund. £ 10,000; Principal Investigator- Dr. Ali Parveen.
  19. Principal Investigator (Ghana): COVID-19 and Psychological Wellbeing of Frontline Workers in Ghana. Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund. Award# G105693; ≈£ 20,000. Cambridge principal investigator – Dr. Justice Tankebe
  20. Co-Principal investigator: Transition and Innovation in Nursing and Midwifery Research, Practice, Education and Policy in Ghana”. A commissioned project by Nurses and Midwifery Council of Ghana. GH¢ 100,000. Principal Investigator- Professor Lydia Aziato.

 

Publications

  1. Adjorlolo, S., Boakye, D.S., Xatse, E., Akorli, V.V., Adjorlolo, P.K., Battanis,Y.Y., Frempong, A.B., Ocansey,L.K., & Yeboah, C. (2025). Mental Health Interventions for Young People Living With HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review.  AIDS Research and Treatment. https://doi.org/10.1155/arat/5323539 
  2. Meherali, S., Nisa, S., Aynalem, Y. A., Kennedy, M., Salami, B., Adjorlolo, S……..Lassi, Z. S (2024). Impact of climate change on adolescents' health outcomes: An evidence gap map review. Journal of Adolescence. doi.org/10.1002/jad.12455.
  3. Boakye D.S., Xatse. E., Akorli, V.V., Adjorlolo, P. K., Battanis, Y.Y.,...…….Adjorlolo, S. (2024). Mental health interventions for adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: protocol for a systematic review. BMJ Open;14: e088433. doi:10.1136/ bmjopen-2024-088433. 
  4. Symon, A., Mortensen, B., Pripp, A.H., Chhugani, M., Adjorlolo, S., Badzi, C., Kharb, R., Prussing, E., McFadden, A., Gray, N.M. and Cummins, A. (2024), Validating the Quality Maternal and Newborn Care Framework Index: A Global Tool for Quality-of-Care Evaluations. Birth. https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12895
  5. Boakye, D. S., Kwashie, A. A., Adjorlolo, S., & Korsah, K. A. (2024). Nursing education for sustainable development: A concept analysis. Nursing Open, 11(10), e70058.
  6. Meherali, S., Aynalem, Y. A., Nisa, S. U., Kennedy, M., Salami, B., Adjorlolo, S., ... & Lassi, Z. S. (2024). Impact of climate change on child outcomes: An evidence gap map review. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 8(1), e002592.
  7. Meherali, S., Nisa, S., Aynalem, Y. A., Kennedy, M., Salami, B., Adjorlolo, S., ... & Lassi, Z. S. (2024). Impact of climate change on maternal health outcomes: An evidence gap map review. PLOS Global Public Health, 4(8), e0003540.
  8. Boakye, D. S., Kumah, E., & Adjorlolo, S. (2024). The Fight for an AIDS-Free World: Confronting the Stigma, Reaching the Marginalized. Annals of Global Health, 90(1).
  9. Boakye. D. S,. Kuma. E., & Adjorlolo S. (2024). Policies and practices facilitating access to and uptake of HIV testing services for adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: A narrative review.  Current HIV/AIDS Report. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-024-00701-4 
  10. Awortwe.V., Daivadanam. M., Adjorlolo S., Olsson, M. G. E., Coumoundouros, C., & Woodford, J. (2024). Prevalence and social determinants of anxiety and depression among adults in Ghana: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. BMJ Open ;14:e081927. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081927
  11. Rosato-Scott, C., Adjorlolo, S., Farrington, M., & Barrington, D. J. (2024). ‘Do not forget us’: the shared experiences and needs of people living with incontinence in humanitarian contexts. Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 14(3), doi: 10.2166/washdev.2024.199. 
  12. Adjorlolo. S., Emma Efua Adimado, E. E., Setordzi, M., & Akorli V. V. (2024) Prevalence, Assessment and Correlates of Mental Health Problems in Neglected Tropical Diseases: A systematic Review. https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihae001
  13. Boakye. D. S,. Setordzi. M., Dzansi. G., & Adjorlolo S. (2024). Mental health burden among females living with HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. PLOS Glob Public Health 4(2): e0002767. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002767.
  14. Akorli, V. V., Adjorlolo, S., & Puplampu, G. (2023). Negative life events and maternal mental illness: A study of elite pregnant women in Accra Metropolis. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, doi: 10.1016/j.ijans.2023.100634
  15. Boakye. D. S., & Adjorlolo, S. (2023). Achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 treatment target by 2025 in Ghana: A myth or a reality? Global Health Action, 16:1, 2271708, doi: 10.1080/16549716.2023.2271708. 
  16. Jarvis, K., Richter, S., Adjorlolo, S., Swab, M., Tenkorang, E., Mao, Y., ... & Petrucka, P. (2023). Interventions impacting the accessibility of sexual reproductive health services for head porters in sub-Saharan Africa-A scoping review protocol. Plos one, 18(8), e0289564. 

Click on the link for more publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=spMNZY4AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

 

Courses Taught

Undergraduate Courses

NURS114: Psychology for Nurses 

NURS 128: Introduction to Mental Disorders

NURS 455: Biostatistics

MNUR 402: Forensic Mental Health Nursing

MNUR 308: Adult Mental Health Nursing

MNUR 303: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nursing

Postgraduate Courses

NURS 615: Advanced Statistics and Data Analysis

NURS 617: Forensic Nursing

NURS 701: Advanced quantitative research

NURS 709: Systematic reviews in healthcare