Research


My major research interests include mental health, maternal and child health, and digital health. 

Major ongoing research projects/directions:

Publications

* denotes the corresponding author

11. Fan, Q.*, Hoang MN, DuBose L, Ory MG, Vennatt J, Salha D, Lee S, Falohun T. (2024). The Olera.care Digital Caregiving Assistance Platform for Dementia Caregivers: Preliminary Evaluation Study. JMIR Aging, 10.2196/55132.

10. Fan, Q.*, DuBose, L. L., Ory, M. G., Lee, S., Hoang, M. N., Vennatt, J., Kew, C. L., Doyle, D., Falohun, T. (2023). Financial, Legal, and Functional Challenges of Providing Care for People Living With Dementia and Needs for a Digital Platform: Interview Study Among Family Caregivers. JMIR aging, 10.2196/47577.

9. Ajayi, K. V.*, Flores, S., Fan, Q., Ezenwanne, F., Garney, W., Wachira, E. (2023). Prevalence, correlates, and source of women’s health information-seeking behaviors in the United States. Patient Education and Counseling, 107703.

8. Oloruntoba, O.*, Nuzhath, T., Aggad, R., Fan, Q., Smith., M. (2022) Meeting The Mentorship Needs of International Students in the United States. Health Behavior Research: Vol. 5: No. 3. https://doi.org/10.4148/2572-1836.1169

7. Fan, Q., DuPont-Reyes, M., Hossain,M.M., Chen, L.S., Lueck, J., Ma., P*. (2022) Racial and Ethnic Differences in Major Depressive Episode, Severe Role Impairment, and Mental Health Service Utilization in U.S. Adolescents. Journal of Affective Disorders. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2022.03.015

6. Fan, Q.*, Roque, M., Nuzhath, T., Hossain., Jin, X., Aggad, R., Myint, W.W., Zhang, G., McKyer, L., Ma, P. (2021). Changes in Levels and Determinants of Maternal Health Service Utilization in Ethiopia: Comparative Analysis of Two Rounds Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys. Maternal and Child Health Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-021-03182-8

5. Nuzhath, T., Ajayi, K. V., Fan, Q., Hotez, P., Colwell, B., Callaghan, T., Regan, A. K.* (2021). Childhood immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas. Vaccine. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine. 2021.04.050

4. Tan, J., Xu, H., Fan, Q., Neely, O., Doma, R., Gundi, R., Shrestha, B., Shrestha, A., Shrestha, S., Karmacharya, B., Gu, W., Ostbye, T., Yan, L*. (2020). Hypertension Care Coordination and Feasibility of Involving Female Community Health Volunteers in Hypertension Management in Kavre District, Nepal: A Qualitative Study. Global Heart. 15(1). https://doi.org/10.5334/gh.872

3. Hossain, MM.*, Sultana, A., Tasnim, S., Fan, Q., Ma, P., McKyer, E. L. J., Purohit, N. (2020). Prevalence of mental disorders among people who are homeless: an umbrella review. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 66(6):528-541

2. Fan, Q.*, Long, Q., De Silva, V., Guanarathna,N., Jayathilaka, U., Dabrera, T., Lynn, H., Ostbye, T.(2019). Prevalence and Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression in Sri Lanka: A Population-Based Study. Asian Journal of Psychiatry. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2019.101855

1. Hossain, MM.*, Sultana, A., Shaik, AF., Fan, Q., Faizah, F.(2019) Psychoanalysis in the era of precision psychiatry. Asian Journal of Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2019.10.020

Presentations

# denotes mentees

37. Fan, Q. “A Decade of Substance Use Among US Youth: The Impact of Parental Absence and Social Activities” (Oral presentation) 2024 Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research (SPER) Meeting, Virtual, April 16, 2024

36. Falohun, T., DuBose, L., Ory, M., Lee, S., Hoang, M.#, Vennatt, J.#, Fan, Q., “Developing and Evaluating an Online Platform to Increase Access to Personalized Educational and Professional Assistance for AD/ADRD Caregivers: Protocol for CARES study” (Lighting Talk presentation) 2024 American Academy of Health Behavior (AAHB) Meeting, Savannah, Georgia, USA, April 14-17, 2024

35. Fan, Q., Hoang, M.#, DuBose, L., Ory, M., Lee, S., Vennatt, J.#, Salha, D.#, Falohun, T. “Assessing the Caregiving Needs and Evaluating the Olera.Care Web-Based Platform for Caregiving of People Living with Dementia” (Poster presentation) 2024 American Academy of Health Behavior (AAHB) Meeting, Savannah, Georgia, USA, April 14-17, 2024

34. Hall, L.,#, Okon, M., #, Fan, Q., Shaw, M., Williams, J., Sherrill, W., Zhang, L.“Prevalence and Associated Factors of Marijuana Use Among Cancer Survivors in the US” (Poster presentation) 2024 American Academy of Health Behavior (AAHB) Meeting, Savannah, Georgia, USA, April 14-17, 2024

33. Hoang, M.#, DuBose, L., Fan, Q., Ory, M., Lee, S., Vennatt, J.#, Salha, D.#, Falohun, T. “Exploring elder care needs of Texas-based family caregivers for people living with dementia: A mixed-methods needs assessment study” (Poster presentation) Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium Symposium, February 8, 2024, Austin, TX

32. Hoang, M.#, DuBose, L., Fan, Q., Ory, M., Lee, S., Vennatt, J.#, Salha, D.#, Falohun, T. “Development and preliminary evaluation of the Olera.care: A novel digital caregiving assistance platform for dementia caregivers” (Poster presentation) Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium Symposium, February 8, 2024, Austin, TX

31. Fan, Q., Yang, Y.#, Lin, Q. “Predicting Depression Among Adolescents by Youth behaviors: Multiple Machine Learning Approaches” (Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association 2023 Annual Meeting, Atlanta, USA, Nov 13-15, 2023.

30. Hoang, M.#, DuBose, L., Fan, Q., Ory, M., Lee, S., Vennatt, J.#, Salha, D.#, Falohun, T. “Investigating the elder care needs and evaluating a web-based technology platform to address needs of people living with dementia: A pilot evaluation study” (Poster Presentation) Healthy Aging and Dementia Research Symposium, Oct 15-27, Lubbock, Texas, USA, 2023

29. Vennatt, J.#, Hoang, M.#, Fan, Q., Doyle, D., DuBose, L., Falohun, T., Kew, N., Lee, S., Ory, M. “Assessing elderly living, financial, and legal challenges of caregivers of elderly people with dementia in Texas to establish a digital health platform: a qualitative study” (Poster Presentation) American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry 2023 Annual Meeting, New Orleans, USA, March 3-6, 2023.

28. Ajayi, K.V., Flores, A. S., Fan, Q., Ezewanne, F., Garney, W., Wachira, E. “Health informationseeking behaviors in women. Result from the 2012-2019 Health Information National Trends Survey.” 44th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Phoenix, USA, April 26-29, 2023

27. Fan, Q., Jan, L.W.#, McDaniel, K.#, Olawoye, O.#, Le, K.#, Oloruntoba, O., Doyle, D.#, Hoang, M.#, Vennatt, J.#, Radocha, C.#, DuBose, L., Falohun, T., Smith, L. M., Ma, P.  “National trends, prevalence, and determinants of illicit drug use and alcohol use among older adults in the United States from 2010 to 2019” (Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association 150th Annual Meeting, Boston, USA, Nov 6-9, 2022.

26. Fan, Q., Oluruntoba, O., Jan L.W.#, McDaniel, K.#, Olawoye, M.#, Le, K.#, Doyle, D.#, Kew, N., DuBose, L., Falohun, T., Smith, L. M., Ory, M., Ma, P. “Disparities in the prevalence of mental illness and mental health treatment among U.S. older adults from 2010 to 2019” (Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association 150th Annual Meeting, Boston, USA, Nov 6-9, 2022.

25. Fan, Q., Yang, Y#. “National estimates of the prevalence and the correlation of vaping and major depressive episode in the United States in 2020” (Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association 150th Annual Meeting, Boston, USA, Nov 6-9, 2022.

24. Fan, Q., Nuzhath, T., Roque, M., Ajayi, K., Aggad, R., Ma, P. “Impact of negative childhood experience on developmental disabilities among U.S. children: evidence from 2016-2019 National Survey of Children’s Health” (Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association 150th Annual Meeting, Boston, USA, Nov 6-9, 2022.

23. Aggad, R., Fan, Q. “The Evolution of Community Health Development - A Scoping Review ” (Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association 150th Annual Meeting, Boston, USA, Nov 6-9, 2022.

22. Roque, M., Ma, P., Fan, Q., Sansom, G., Rhan, R., Burdine, J. “Assessing the Impact of Mentrual Hygiene Product Access on Adolescent Mental Health” (Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association 150th Annual Meeting, Boston, USA, Nov 6-9, 2022.

21. Nuzhath, T., Ajayi, K. V., Fan, Q., Hotez, P., Colwell, B., Callaghan, T., Regan, A. K. (2022). Childhood immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas (Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association 150th Annual Meeting, Boston, USA, Nov 6-9, 2022.

20. DuBose, L., Falohun, T., Fan, Q., Hoang, M.#, Doyle, D.#, Kew, N., Lee, S., Ory, M. “Development of a tailored digital platform to assist caregivers of persons living with dementia: Usability study.” (Poster Presentation) Public Health Opportunities and Challenges of Dementia Caregiving Conference 2022. Minneapolis, MN, U.S.

19. Fan, Q., Ma, P., Roque, M., Hossain, H H., Nuzhath, T., Zhang, Geng., Zhang, K., Jin, X. “Prevalence and correlates of learning disability among children with special healthcare needs: Evidence from the 2016-2019 National Survey of Children’s Health.” (Oral Presentation) American Public Health Association(APHA). 2021 Annual Meeting and Expo, Denver, U.S.

18. Fan, Q., Ma, P., Zhang, G., Guo, B., Zhang, K., Roque, M., Shikhare, G., Li, R. “Mental health crisis among Asian americans and Pacific islanders: Evidence from NSDUH 2010-2019.” (Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association(APHA). 2021 Annual Meeting and Expo, Denver, U.S.

17. Fan, Q., Ma, P., Roque, M., Hossain, H H., Zhang, G., Jin, X., Zhang, Yan., Zhang, K., Guo, B. “Ethnic and racial differences in major depressive episode and mental health service utilization for depression: Evidence from NSDUH 2008-2018.” (Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association(APHA). 2021 Annual Meeting and Expo, Denver, U.S.

16. Fan, Q., Ma, P. “Prevalence and correlates of learning disability among US children with special healthcare needs: Evidence from national representative data.” (Speed Talk Presentation: Health Equity) The 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research (SPER). 2021, Virtual, U.S.

15. Fan, Q., Ma, P. “Association between past negative experience with emotional or behavioral problems among US children: Evidence from the 2016-2019 National Survey of Children’s Health.” (Speed Talk Presentation: Child Health and Development) The 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research (SPER). 2021, Virtual, U.S.

14. Hossain, M M., Tasnim,S., Arman, A., Sarwar A S., Paromita, P., Nath, N., Fan, Q., R, Nuzhath, T., Ma, P., McKyer, L. “Applications of artificial intelligence technologies in opioid research and practice: An evidence-based systematic review ”(Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association(APHA). 2020 Annual Meeting and Expo, Virtual, U.S.

13. Jin, X., Cao, K., Zhu, T., Fan, Q., Zhang J., Zeng, Y., Yao, Y. “Residential proximity to major roadways and prevalent hypertension among Chinese elderly” (Oral Presentation) American Public Health Association(APHA). 2020 Annual Meeting and Expo, Virtual, U.S.

12. Hossain, M., Tasnim,S., Rahman, M.,Chakraborty,S., Nuzhath, T., Fan, Q., Ma, P., McKyer, L. “Interventions for preventing female genital mutilation/cutting: An umbrella review and realist synthesis of global evidence” (Oral Presentation) American Public Health Association(APHA). 2020 Annual Meeting and Expo, Virtual, U.S.

11. Nuzhath, T., Fan, Q., Hossain, MM., Ma, P., Colwell, B. “Prevalence, sources and associated risk factors of prescription opioid misuse among adolescents and young adults in the United States, 2015-2018 ”(Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association(APHA). 2020 Annual Meeting and Expo, Virtual, U.S.

10. Hossain, MM., Fan, Q.,Nuzhath, T., Tasnim,S., Chakraborty,S., Rahman, M., Sultana, A., Ma, P., McKyer, L., Ramirez, G. “Prevalence and risk factors of maternal depression in low and middle-income countries: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses”(Oral Presentation) American Public Health Association(APHA). 2020 Annual Meeting and Expo, Virtual, U.S.

9. Ma, P., Fan, Q., Hossain, M M.“Examining substance-impaired driving among a US nationally representative sample aged 16 years and older, 2016-2018” (Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association(APHA). 2020 Annual Meeting and Expo, Virtual, U.S.

8. Ma, P., Fan, Q., Hossain, M M., Roque, M., Chen LS. “Mental health and specialty mental health service utilization among Asian americans in the United States: 2008-2018 ” (Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association(APHA). 2020 Annual Meeting and Expo, Virtual, U.S.

7. Ma, P., Fan, Q., Hossain, M M., Roque, M., Chen LS. “The prevalence and determinants of substance use among Asian americans: Evidence from national survey of drug use and health, 2008-2018 ” (Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association(APHA). 2020 Annual Meeting and Expo, Virtual, U.S.

6. Ma, P., Fan, Q., Hossain, M M. “Prevalence and correlates of substance use and co-use among women of reproductive age in the United States: 2008-2018 ” (Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association(APHA). 2020 Annual Meeting and Expo, Virtual, U.S.

5. Fan, Q., Ma, P., Hossain, M M., Tasnim, S., Guo, B., Shah, N., Jin, X. “Prevalence and correlates of mental illness and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among US young adults” (Poster Presentation) American Public Health Association(APHA). 2020 Annual Meeting and Expo, Virtual, U.S.

4. Ma, P., Fan,Q, Nuzhath, T., Colwell, B. “Tobacco use and substance use among pregnant adolescents and young adults in the United States, 2008-2018.” (Poster Presentation) Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco(SRNT). 2020, New Orleans, U.S.

3. Fan,Q., Roque, M., Hossain MM., Zhang, B., Jin, X., McKyer, L., Ma, P. “Comparative Analysis of Maternal Health Service Utilization Among Maternal Women in Ethiopia from 2006 to 2016.” (Poster Presentation) 2020 Annual Conference of American Association of Health Behaviors (AAHB), Napa Valley, CA, U.S.

2. Fan,Q., Roque, M., Hossain,MM., McKyer, L.,Ma, P. “Prevalence and Correlates of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Non-medical Opioid Use Among Women of Reproductive Age in the United States.” (Poster Presentation)2020 annual conference of American Association of Health Behaviors (AAHB), Napa Valley, CA,U.S.

1. Fan,Q. “Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression in Sri Lanka: A Mixed-Methods Study”. (Poster Presentation) Global Health Showcase, Duke University, Durham, NC, October, 2018

In a public health meeting 

My first global health project took place in Sri Lanka, where I researched the prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression in two rural areas in Sri Lanka. I learned from the health records of over 1300 postpartum mothers and learned the socioeconomic disparities related to postpartum depression. I also learned from the interviews with public health midwives and medical doctors about the screening practices and transferring practice of postpartum depression in Sri Lanka. After this project, I wrote a policy brief with my classmates at Duke Global Mental Health classes, and the findings of my study were discussed at the meeting of regional public health officers. After this project, prenatal depression screening was introduced in the communities to intervene early and prevent postpartum depression. The findings of the study were also published in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry.

Using the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, my analysis found that major depressive episode (MDE) prevalence in adolescents grew from around 8 percent in 2010 to more than 14 percent in 2018. 

At the same time, use of mental health services remained low, with only about one-third of adolescents getting help from qualified professionals. 

Adolescents in racial and ethnic minority populations had higher MDE rates and lower services use than white adolescents. 

This study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders also found an association between participating in school, community or other activities and lower MDE prevalence.

Hypertension and related complications are major contributors to morbidity and mortality in Nepal. In this study, we explored existing workflows, needs and challenges for hypertension care coordination and to assess the feasibility of establishing a Female Community Health Volunteer (FCHV)-based hypertension management program in Kavre, Nepal.

We found that health literacy related to hypertension was low among both community members and Female Community Health Volunteers in Nepal. Additionally, delay in treatment initiation and loss to follow-up were common despite relatively high anti-hypertensive medication compliance. Health system-related barriers in research sites included underutilization of primary health-care institutions, communication gaps, and lack of grass-roots level educational campaigns. 

This study was published in the Journal of Global Heart, and we recommended that Female Community Health Volunteers should be provided with adequate training and financial incentives to promote hypertension management.

Antenatal care (ANC), delivery by skilled birth attendants, and postnatal care (PNC) are critical components of maternal health services for reducing maternal mortality. The study examined the utilization of maternal health services in the two most recent rounds of Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS) and identify the factors influencing the utilization of these services using the 2016 EDHS.

The study was published in the Maternal and Child Health Journal, and highlighted the inequalities in the utilization of maternal health services between rural and urban areas, and the need of addressing the social, economic, and physical barriers that prevent women from using these services in Ethiopia. Further, programs should be targeted at promoting the use of professional birth and postnatal services in Ethiopia.

Digital Health Solutions for Caregiving

There are currently about 5.8 million older adults living with Alzheimer’s dementia, and the numbers are only expected to grow in the coming decades. The majority of care for persons living with dementia (PLWD) is provided by family members who lack formal training in caregiving and thus need education, information, and assistance. 

I am involved in this important collaborative project -Caregiver Assistance, Resources, and Education for Seniors (CARES) study, involving industrial, academic, and community partners, supported by the National Institute of Aging (NIA). This study is oriented to developing a digital platform (Olera.care) based on a novel Dementia Care Personalization Algorithm and initial feasibility assessment and evaluating its acceptance and usability of the developed digital platform across racial/ethnic populations.

Our needs assessment results were published in JMIR Aging. We presented the challenges of caregiving related to functional care needs and financial and legal challenges. In addition, participants identified the need for an integrative digital platform where information could be supplied to foster education, share resources, and provide community support, enabling family caregivers to improve the quality of care and reducing caregiver burden. 

Furthermore, our preliminary evaluation of Olera.care in caregivers showed high satisfaction. The platform scored well in engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information quality. We are currently evaluating the platform among a broader population in Texas, expanding our database of service providers and facilities to a national level, and developing AI-intergrated specialized care assistance. 

I am ranked in the top 1% most highly cited authors publishing on topics in Mental Health over the past 4 years according to OpenAlex. These citations come from independent and leading researchers from well-regarded institutions and organizations around the world presented below.