Diversity Inclusion Wellbeing

DI-W.COM

"Uplifting Voices, Striving for Equity"

Dina Idriss-Wheeler

PhD (C), MHA, MSc., BScH

Diversity Inclusion Well-being

A LITTLE ABOUT ME

As a passionate researcher in health equity, I am committed to addressing disparities in healthcare access as well as health and social outcomes, both in Canada and globally.

I am a PhD candidate in Population Health at the University of Ottawa. Using a social justice and human rights perspective, I am exploring the social, political and economic factors impacting access to health services by marginalized populations.

For my doctoral thesis, I am focusing on access to health and inequities resulting from intimate partner violence (IPV) during COVID-19 lockdowns in Ontario, and now as we are transitioning into recovery.

I just completed a one year (2022-2023) Canadian Institute for Health Research Health Systems Impact (CIHR-HIS) Doctoral Fellowship at the Canadian Red Cross (CRC). Embedded in the Health in Long Term Care Programming (HiLP) and Health Intelligence Research Development (HiRD) Units at CRC, I worked on two key projects (i) investigating the CRC supported reproductive, maternal, newborn and child healthcare delivery initiatives in South Sudan using a gender equity lens, and (ii) documented lessons learned, facilitators and barriers from 15 years of CRC supported implementation of Community Health Worker programs in Africa.

I continue to collaborate with peers and faculty - locally, nationally and globally - facilitating panels and publishing on issues of institutionalized racism and inequities in academia, research and healthcare.

I have extensive experience in research methods, educational programming and project management, working in academia for over 15 years before embarking on my PhD journey.

Curriculum Vitae Sept. 2023

MY RESEARCH

In Canada, my research delves into the intricacies of health disparities among marginalized communities, working towards evidence-based solutions that uplift voices and strive for equity. Beyond national borders, I focus on humanitarian and low resources settings, employing a culturally sensitive approach to understanding health and social inequalities.

By championing research initiatives that prioritize the needs of groups rendered vulnerable, I hope to uplift voices, catalyze positive change, and advocate to influence policy decisions. I hope to contribute to a world where everyone has equitable access to good health.

Publications Highlights

Zegeye B, Idriss-Wheeler D, Oladimeji O, Yaya S. Exploring health insurance and knowledge of the ovulatory cycle: evidence from Demographic and Health Surveys of 29 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Reproductive Health. 2023 Aug 30;20(1):129.
Zegeye B, Idriss-Wheeler D, Ahinkorah BO, Ameyaw EK, Seidu AA, Adjei NK, et al. Association between women’s household decision-making autonomy and health insurance enrollment in sub-saharan Africa. BMC Public Health. 2023 Mar 30;23(1):610.
Idriss-Wheeler D, El-Khatib Z, Yaya S. Access to support services for individuals who experience intimate partner violence during stressful life events (SLEs) in high-income countries: Protocol for a scoping review. PLOS ONE. 2022 Dec 8;17(12):e0277903.
Hajjar*, J., Idriss-Wheeler*, D., Oostlander*, S. (2022). Caring for our caregivers in a pandemic: challenges, gaps and suggestions for change. International Journal of Care and Caring. (*1st Authors)
Fantaye*, A. W., Buh*, A. W., Idriss-Wheeler*, D., Fournier, K., & Yaya, S. (2022). Interventions Promoting Child Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in LMICs: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics, 149 (Supplement 6), e2021053852K. (*1st Authors).
Idriss-Wheeler, D., Hajjar, J., & Yaya, S. (2021). Interventions directed at men for preventing intimate partner violence: A systematic review protocol. Systematic Reviews, 10(1), 161.
Idriss-Wheeler, D., & Yaya, S. (2021). Exploring antenatal care utilization and intimate partner violence in Benin—Are lives at stake? BMC Public Health, 21(1), 1–10.
Idriss-Wheeler, D., El-Mowafi, I. M., Coen-Sanchez, K., Yalahow, A., & Yaya, S. (2021). Looking through the lens of reproductive justice: The need for a paradigm shift in sexual and reproductive health and rights research in Canada. Reproductive Health, 18(1), 129.

Visit ResearchGate for a detailed list of Publications

My doctoral work is specifically looking at intimate partner violence (IPV) during COVID-19, exploring health inequities and access to social and health services in Ontario, particularly focusing on sub-groups at risk.

I am interviewing Survivors of IPV and Service Providers working with survivors of IPV to find out the experience of violence during this time and what would have made access to much needed services easier.

This work is possible through a strong partnership with Marlene Ham and Lauren Hancock at the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH), under the supervision of Dr. Sanni Yaya, PhD (University of Ottawa) and guidance of thesis committee member, Dr. Ziad El-Khatib (Karolinska Institute). Additionally, we are generously supported in part by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSRC) Partner Engage Grant.

My Doctoral Research Study

My thesis has three components:

(1) A scoping review looking at literature to date on access to services for survivors of IPV during stressful life events.

(2) Anonymous Survey of experience of Survivors of IPV in Ontario, in English and French, during lockdown and now as we transition to recovery.

(3) Interviews with both survivors and social/health service providers working with survivors of IPV about their experiences and perspectives.

Now recruiting participants for survey and interviews!!!

If you are interested in participating in any of this work, please connect with me through the Contact section of the website, email me directly (didri040@uottawa.ca) or click on each of the sections above to find out more about the study.