Joannie Marlene Bewa

  • Country of Origin: Benin
  • Home University:
  • Host University & Country: University of South Florida - USA
  • PhD Title: Determinants of Hormonal Contraceptive Use among Adolescent Females in Benin Republic
  • Year of Completion: 2023
Joannie Marlene Bewa

PhD Overview

I assessed the personal, behavioral, and environmental barriers and facilitators to contraceptive use. This research demonstrates that advanced knowledge, positive perceptions, and expectancies about contraceptives are significant cognitive factors for adolescents’ contraceptive use. Negative perceptions and myths lead to their hesitancy toward contraceptive use. My research suggests that peers, romantic partners, parents, priests, and providers (5P) are the most important influencers of contraceptive use. As a result, I coined the term and developed the “5 P conceptual framework” of adolescents’ contraceptive decision-making.

Sustainability Goals

  • Gender Equality
  • Good Health and Well-being
  • Partnerships for the Goals

About Me

Dr. Joannie Marlene Bewa is a family medicine physician and mixed-method public health scientist from the Benin Republic. She holds a doctorate degree in medicine (MD) from the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey Calavi, and a master’s and PhD in public health specializing in sexual, reproductive, and maternal health from the University of South Florida. Before academia, she worked in global health consulting for the United Nations Fund for Population and Oxfam, in social impact, and digital health innovation. She founded DOTOH Health, a pioneering teleconsultation platform. She speaks French, and English fluently and is conversational in Spanish.