Denis Okova

Biographic Data

ID7555636
NAMEDenis Okova
GIVEN NAMESDenis
FAMILY NAMEOkova
SIGNATUREOKOVA D
AFFILIATIONSUniversity of Cape Town
VERIFIEDNo
TOTAL WORKS7
TOTAL CITATIONS0
AUTHOR COUNT7
EDITOR COUNT0
FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR2023
LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR2026
H-INDEX0

  • Impact of Covid-19 on household hunger and socio-economic inequality in South Africa

    Open AccessAkim Tafadzwa Lukwa, Plaxcedes Chiwire et al.ARTICLEFrontiers in Public Health2026

    Background: Food insecurity is a persistent socio-economic challenge in South Africa that was sharply exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study compares household hunger during the acute pandemic period and the early recovery phase and examines how socio-economic inequalities in food security evolved. Methods: We analyzed five waves of the National Income Dynamics Study-Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS-CRAM, 2020-2021) and the Nationa…

  • The double burden of malnutrition

    Open AccessAkim Tafadzwa Lukwa, Denis OkovaARTICLEPublic Health Nutrition2026

    Objective: To discuss the growing challenge of the double burden of malnutrition (DBM), the co-existence of undernutrition and obesity, and the associated clinical and policy complexities in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Design: This commentary synthesises evidence from recent multi-country and country-specific studies in sub-Saharan Africa and other LMIC. Many LMIC are typified by food insecurity, socio-economic inequalities and fragi…

  • Preventing Sexual Violence and Strengthening Post-Victimization Support Among Adolescents and Young People in Kenya

    Open AccessDenis Okova, Akim Tafadzwa Lukwa et al.ARTICLEInternational Journal of…2025

    As Kenya intensifies efforts towards sexual violence prevention, this study underscores the need to develop and strengthen policies and programs on life skills training, cultural norms, and positive parenting, as well as improve awareness and access to post-violence response and support services

  • Double burden of malnutrition among women and children in Zimbabwe

    Open AccessAkim Tafadzwa Lukwa, Plaxcedes Chiwire et al.ARTICLEFrontiers in Public Health2024

    Background: The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is a public health issue characterised by the coexistence of undernutrition and overnutrition within the same population, household, or individual. Undernutrition, manifesting as stunting, wasting, or being underweight, results from insufficient nutrient intake while overnutrition, manifesting as overweight or obesity, results from excessive caloric intake, poor diet quality, and sedentary lifes…

  • Malaria Prevention for Pregnant Women and Under-Five Children in 10 Sub-Saharan Africa Countries

    Open AccessDenis Okova, Akim Tafadzwa Lukwa et al.ARTICLEInternational Journal of…2024

    To ensure progress toward universal health coverage, malaria prevention programs must prioritize vulnerable populations and be continuously evaluated

  • Socioeconomic determinants of male contraceptive use in South Africa

    Open AccessYulisha Naidoo, Liezl Joubert et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2024

    These findings highlight the impact of socioeconomic disparities and entrenched cultural beliefs on male contraceptive use in South Africa. To address these challenges, comprehensive strategies that prioritise education, expand family planning media campaigns and ensure equitable access to contraception are urgently needed

  • Socio-Economic Inequalities in the Double Burden of Malnutrition among under-Five Children

    Open AccessOlufunke A Alaba, Olufunke Alaba et al.ARTICLEInternational Journal of…2023

    This study has shown that across SSA, among under-five children, the poor suffer more from the DBM relative to the wealthy. If we are not to leave any child behind, we must address these socio-economic inequalities in sub-Saharan Africa