Meet Dr. Florence Tochukwu Sibeudu, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Nursing Science at Nnamdi Azikiwe University

We started the new year by getting to know Dr. Florence Tochukwu Sibeudu, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Nursing Science and Coordinator for the Health Economics Research Group at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Nnewi, Nigeria.

I am also currently working on another study titled “Exploring individual and contextual factors influencing the prevalence of sexual assault among female young people in Anambra state.” I am passionate about gender health, especially for women and girls. With the rising incidence of sexual assault among young people in my country including Anambra state, I felt it is important to understand the possible contextual issues that got us to this point by using this study as my post-doctoral fellowship project. The study is ongoing, and I believe that the findings will inform policies that will curb sexual assault in Anambra state.

How did you get started in immunization economics? I am basically a public health nurse. In the early years of my career, between 2004 and 2006, I worked as a healthcare provider at a primary healthcare facility. At that time, I was the officer in charge of a health post which is the lowest level of primary health facility in my country. The position exposed me to immunization services especially routine immunization. Within the same period, I was involved in several supplemental immunization activities (SIAs), especially for polio vaccines. I served in virtually all capacities for SIA implementation within the state. There was a campaign on which I worked as a vaccinator and other instances as a team supervisor, local government area (LGA) core trainer, and LGA technical facilitator.

I was exposed to most if not all technicalities of routine immunization and supplemental immunization for most antigens, especially polio and measles. I remember the first SIA for measles in 2006 named the Integrated Measles Campaign, for which I served as an LGA technical facilitator, the campaign was a very intensive campaign with lots of experiences. With all this exposure, I grew curious to find answers to some burning questions in my mind related to the management of immunization resources and immunization outcomes. This led me to enroll in a Master of Science (MSc.) in health administration and management where I specialized in health economics. My work for my MSc. program was a cost-effectiveness analysis of routine immunization and supplemental immunization of polio and measles vaccines for children in Anambra state. The findings provided some of the answers I was looking for. One answer always leads to another question, and here I am today as a member of the Immunization Economics community of practice.

What immunization economics topics are you most interested in? I am most interested in the economic evaluation of immunization programs.

Are there any new methods or other topics you would like to learn about? Yes! I’d like to learn more about immunization impact analysis. Just thinking of understanding the long-term positive and negative effects of these vaccines.

Which part of conducting research do you like best? I like field work although analysis is not very far from my choice. Fieldwork provides firsthand experience after writing the protocol which is more of critical thinking and desk review. It provides a more realistic perspective of the whole study and even the practicability of study findings. An analysis is always fun to see the results of your efforts.

Do you have any tips for aspiring health economists? Sure! You see, having a passion for something may not likely take you to where you want to go. Mentorship is very vital. As a young graduate, I knew where I was, my passion, and where I wanted to go but without mentorship from Professor Benjamin S.C. Uzochukwu and Professor Obinna Onwujekwe, I wouldn’t have made significant headway toward my goal. Remember, mentorship goes with loyalty and commitment from the mentee. Having said that, I will advise anyone, first be sure of your interest and your goal then identify people that will add value to your course and work under them diligently. That is an apprenticeship in academics.

What do you like the most about the Immunization Economics Community of Practice? The “News and Events” on the website. It is very informative and motivates members to visit the site regularly.

How do you like to spend time outside of work? I enjoy having a lot of quality time with my kids and husband sharing stories of daily activities, playing indoor games like Ludo and chess, and watching home movies. I also enjoy religious activities like praise and worship events at the church. Sightseeing is not left out.

Where are you based and what would you recommend to a visitor? I am based in Anambra state, Nigeria, and Anambra state is also my state of origin. The people of Anambra state are very lively, entrepreneurial, and hospitable. The state is known as the “Light of The Nation” which succinctly explains our character and attitude to the environment.

What are you looking forward to at the moment? I’m looking forward to seeing the Health Economics Research Group provide quality scientific evidence that will be used to inform health policies. I also want to improve my knowledge and skills in economic evaluation and impact evaluation of health programs to bring positive changes in the regional and national health systems.

What have you recently read that you would recommend to other community members? I read the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) framework for program evaluation, and I found it valuable for other members. This is not my first time reading it but it always gives me reading pleasure. When you bring together the steps and standards it presents, it provides a great concept for program evaluation.

Tea or coffee? Let me go for tea!