Doctor's work in Nigeria supported by Monroeville Rotary

After her mother passed away in 2016 from colorectal cancer, Dr. Abi Fapohunda wanted to use her education and background to focus on early detection.

“I knew I had to give back, to do something,” said Fapohunda, an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health.

Fapohunda focused her efforts in Nigeria, her native country. With a population of more than 230 million, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa.

According to Fapohunda, the “big four” cancers – breast, cervical, colon and prostate – are the most prevalent cancers in Nigeria. And cancer is the fifth leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa (regions that lie south of the Sahara).

After conducting a survey of health care practitioners, Fapohunda discovered limited competency regarding cancer awareness, limited access to services and a lack of oncologists, adequate facilities, awareness and educational efforts.

“People are very vulnerable,” Fapohunda said, adding oftentimes individuals will forgo cancer treatment due to their religious or cultural beliefs.

In February 2019, Fapohunda conducted an in-person training in Lagos, Nigeria, that focused on teaching health care workers about cancer care and referrals. With 114 attendees, the initial training was a success.

But when the covid pandemic happened, Fapohunda needed to switch gears. In August 2022, with funding through a Rotary Global Grant from Monroeville Rotary, Fapohunda and her team in Lagos employed a developer, created content and developed a curriculum. Pitt students volunteered as assistants.

“I collaborated with Lakeshore Cancer Center in Nigeria, where we developed an e-learning training program on cancer awareness, diagnosis and treatment for Nigerian health care practitioners,” Fapohunda said.

“We put a whole team together. We had to do pilot tests, add graphics and respond to feedback from learners … it took about six months to complete.”

In July 2023, the team launched “Learn with Lakeshore.” The four-week curriculum is geared toward doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians and community health workers.

“The goal of the online course is to enhance the knowledge and competency of health care providers in early diagnosis, screening techniques and patient referrals,” Fapohunda said.

During a presentation to the Monroeville Rotary’s last month, Fapohunda updated members on the program’s progress.

Since launching “Learn with Lakeshore,” the team has conducted six cohorts of learners, issued 83 certificates, registered 286 users and reached 26 out of the 36 states in Nigeria. A total of 121 learners completed the course, with a student engagement rate of 86%.

“It takes a lot of coordinating to have the team here in Monroeville and in Lagos,” Fapohunda said, adding that the entire team met virtually for two hours every Friday for 18months in order to prepare and identify their strengths and weaknesses.

During her presentation, Fapohunda credited Monroeville Rotary for being so supportive, particularly Susan Delaney and Gerry Maynard.

“Susan planted the seed in my heart, which sowed a seed in Nigeria,” Fapohunda said.

Maynard indicated that Fapohunda was able to secure funding so quickly due to her proficiency in completing the grant application.

“It’s a laborious process,” Maynard said. “Abi did such a thorough job on the application that it was approved in six weeks.”

Fapohunda’s future goals include reaching all 36 states in Nigeria and to work with nursing and pharmaceutical schools.

Fapohunda received the 2023-24 Global Academic Partnership Award from the Global Studies Center from Pitt to organize the transnational, student-led initiative Global TEACH.

The team includes eight students at Babcock University in Nigeria, seven at the University of Pittsburgh’s main campus and eight students at Pitt Johnstown. Students will learn about cancer care, develop awareness and propose real-world solutions in both Appalachian areas in the U.S. and in Nigeria.

“In the United States, the Appalachian region has a higher rate of cancer and a higher rate of death,” Fapohunda said. “The question becomes how do we now sit down and address this.”

In addition to Monroeville Rotary, Fapohunda is on the board of trustees for Foundation Cancer Care, Lagos, Nigeria; American Public Health Association and the board of directors for East Liberty Family Health Care Center.

In 1985, Fapohunda received a diploma in hotel, catering institutional management from Norwich City College in England. She earned a master’sdegree in food and nutrition from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1992.

Fapohunda went on to obtain master’s and doctoral degrees in epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health.

She teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in African American health, social determinants of health, health disparities/inequities, global health and research methods and intervention in minority communities.

In 2024, Fapohunda received the provost’s award for diversity in the curriculum from the University of Pittsburgh.

Additionally, Fapohunda has run a public health consulting business for more than 20 years – conducting needs assessments, qualitative and quantitative analyses and evaluating program effectiveness.

“My training, education, community engagement and professional experience significantly influenced my teaching and research interests,” Fapohunda added.