Dr. Anthony Achizie Iwuafor

Address:

University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Research Interests:

• Infectious Diseases & Parasitology
• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
• Malaria & Antimalarial Drug Resistance
• Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Vaccine Acceptance Studies
• Public Health Microbiology
• Hospital & Community-Acquired Infections

Biography:

Dr. Anthony Achizie Iwuafor is a faculty member in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology at the University of Calabar, Nigeria. His academic career and research contributions span infectious diseases, parasitology, antimicrobial resistance, and public health. He has established expertise in investigating malaria, intestinal parasitic coinfections, bacterial resistance mechanisms, and viral infections, with particular emphasis on their impact in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
His current research includes molecular detection of antimicrobial resistance genes, studies on the antiplasmodial potential of local medicinal plants, urinary tract infections in pregnancy, and socio-demographic determinants of vaccine acceptance. Through TETFUND-supported research and collaborations with colleagues across Nigeria and internationally, he continues to generate evidence relevant for controlling neglected tropical diseases, monitoring antimicrobial resistance, and guiding national health interventions. Dr. Iwuafor’s work has been published in leading journals on infectious disease, clinical microbiology, and biomedical sciences, demonstrating his commitment to both advancing medical knowledge and improving community health outcomes.

 

Professional Background

1. Lecturer / Researcher, Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, University of Calabar
2. Principal investigator in infectious disease epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance projects
3. Experience in vaccine acceptance studies, parasite coinfection assessments, and malaria policy awareness research

Achievements

• Published peer-reviewed work on malaria, antimicrobial resistance, parasitic diseases, and vaccine acceptance
• Research on molecular detection of resistance genes (mecA, lukSF-PV) in Staphylococcus aureus soft tissue infections
• Studies on the antiplasmodial activity of local medicinal plant extracts against Plasmodium berghei
• Significant contributions to awareness studies on hepatitis B, monkeypox, and malaria self-care among health professionals and students in Nigeria

Current Research Projects

• Molecular characterization of antimicrobial resistance in bacterial pathogens in Calabar hospitals
• Evaluation of indigenous plant extracts for antiplasmodial activity
• Epidemiology of urinary tract infections in pregnancy caused by multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae
• Socio-demographic and psychological determinants of vaccine acceptance and uptake
• Public health approaches to global health insecurity (“One Health” model)

Publications:

Dr. Iwuafor’s recent publications highlight his active role in antimicrobial resistance, parasitology, vaccine acceptance, and infectious disease epidemiology.

5 Most Recent Publications

1. Ide C.J., Ogban G.I., Ekeng B.E., Emanghe U.E., Onukak A.E., Iwuafor A.A., et al.  Molecular detection of mecA and lukSF-PV in patients with Staphylococcus aureus soft tissue infections in a tertiary hospital setting, Calabar, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.  Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease, 2025; 12: 1–11.
2. Iwuafor A.A., Emanghe E.U., Ekpenukpang O.M., Godwin O.I. Antiplasmodial Potentials of the Methanolic Extracts of Artocarpus Heterophyllus Plant against Plasmodium berghei.  Cross River Journal of Medicine, 2025; 3(3): 1–10.
3. Ogban G.I., Iwuafor A.A., Idemudo C.U., Ben S.A., Ushie S.N., Emanghe U.E. Urinary tract infections in pregnancy caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria: An emerging therapeutic threat.  African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology, 2024; 25(2): 160–168.
4.  Ogban G.I., Iwuafor A.A., Ushie S.N., Emanghe U.E., Ekpe L.  Knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B amongst students of Pamo University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.  African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology, 2024; 25(1): 28–37.
5. Iwuafor A.A., Ogban G.I., Owai P.A., Elem D.E. Getting Ready for One Health Approach to Tackling Global Health Insecurity.  Western Journal of Medical and Biomedical Sciences, 2024; 5(3): 194–200.

Last Updated on October 12, 2025