Dr. Temitope Olaniyi Oke is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of the District of Columbia’s College of Arts and Sciences. His teaching and research focus on HIV/AIDS; health disparities; sexual and gender minorities; mental health; substance use; and program evaluation. Dr. Oke has published widely on topics such as psychosocial health among sexual minorities, barriers to HIV prevention, and the impact of social support on psychological well-being. His work has been supported by grants, including "My STEPS to Care" funded by Gilead Sciences.
Experience
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare, University at Buffalo School of Social Work
Roles
Assistant Professor of Social Work, UDC, 2024-Present
Courses Taught
Social Work Practice II Human Behavior in the Social Environment Introduction to Substance Use Disorder
Expertise
Teaching and Research
Research Focus / Works in Progress
HIV/AIDS; health disparities; sexual and gender minorities; mental health; substance use; program evaluation and implementation science
Impact
Selected Publications
Turpin, R., Dangerfield II, D. T., Oke, T., Thorpe, R. J., Jr, & Hickson, D. A. (2025). Psychometric validation of the connectedness to the LGBT community scale among Black sexual minority men living with HIV. Journal of Community Health, 50(1), 63–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-024-01392-z
Ogunbajo, A., Brooks, M., Oke, T., Martinez, O., Latkin, C., Myers, K., & Hickson, D. A. (2023). Hepatitis C (HCV) among Black and Latino sexual minority men (SMM) in the Southern United States: Protocol of a prospective cohort epidemiological study.PloS One, 18(7), e0288129. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288129
Oginni, O. A., Ogunbajo, A., Oke, T. O., Ibigbami, O., Okanlawon, K., Oloniniyi, I. O., Abu-Ba'are, G. R., Mapayi, B. M., & Mosaku, K. S. (2021). Depressive and anxiety symptoms and COVID-19-related factors among men and women in Nigeria. PloS One, 16(8): e0256690. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256690
Turpin, R. E., Dangerfield, D. T. II, Oke, T., & Hickson, D. A. (2023). Parental sexuality disclosure, discrimination, and depression among Black sexual minority men and Black transgender women. Family & Community Health, 46(2), 95–102. https://doi.org/10.1097/FCH.0000000000000360
Ogunbajo, A., Oke, T., Okanlawon, K., Abubakari, G. M., & Oginni, O. (2021). Religiosity and conversion therapy is associated with psychosocial health problems among sexual minority men (SMM) in Nigeria. Journal of Religion and Health, 61(4),1–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01400-9
Selected Presentations
Oke, T., Ogunbajo, A., McQueens, A., & Hickson, D. A. (2023). Facilitators and barriers to gender-affirming healthcare and HIV services: An exploratory study among transgender individuals in Nigeria.The 22nd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Oke, T., Oguaghamba, A., & Hickson, D. A. (2023). “We don’t have anywhere to get condoms and lubricants”: Barriers to HIV prevention services among lesbian/bisexual women in Nigeria. The 22nd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Oke, T., & Hickson, D. A. (2023). Bringing visibility to the invisible: An exploration of the unique experiences of transgender individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria. The 27th Annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and Research, Phoenix, Arizona.
