A5022844844- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Global Health Workforce Issues
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Misinformation and Its Impacts
- Child Nutrition and Water Access
- Emergency and Acute Care Studies
- Child and Adolescent Health
- Healthcare Systems and Challenges
- Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare
- COVID-19 Digital Contact Tracing
- Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes
- Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
- Migration, Health and Trauma
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- COVID-19 diagnosis using AI
- COVID-19 and healthcare impacts
- HIV-related health complications and treatments
- Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations
Western Cape Department of Health
2015-2025
University of Cape Town
2016-2024
Stellenbosch University
2022
Impact Assessment
2020
Risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) death in sub-Saharan Africa and the effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) tuberculosis on COVID-19 outcomes are unknown.We conducted a population cohort study using linked data from adults attending public-sector health facilities Western Cape, South Africa. We used Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted age, sex, location, comorbidities, to examine associations between HIV, tuberculosis, 1 March 9 June 2020 among (1) "active...
The objective was to compare COVID-19 outcomes in the Omicron-driven fourth wave with prior waves Western Cape, assess contribution of undiagnosed infection differences a context high seroprevalence due and determine whether protection against severe disease conferred by and/or vaccination maintained.
We aimed to compare COVID-19 outcomes in the Omicron-driven fourth wave with prior waves Western Cape, contribution of undiagnosed infection differences a context high seroprevalence due infection, and whether protection against severe disease conferred by and/or vaccination was maintained.
a b s t r c Objectives: We aimed to compare the clinical severity of Omicron BA.4/BA.5 infection with BA.1 and earlier variant infections among laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases in Western Cape, South Africa, using timing infer lineage/variant causing infection.Methods: included public sector patients aged ≥20 years COVID-19 between May 01-May 21, 2022 (BA.4/BA.5 wave) equivalent previous wave periods.We compared risk waves (i) death (ii) severe hospitalization/death (all within 21 days...
There are few data on the real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and boosting in Africa, which experienced widespread SARS-CoV-2 infection before vaccine availability. We assessed association between vaccination severe Western Cape, South an observational cohort study >2 million adults during 2020–2022. described testing, outcomes, uptake over time. used multivariable cox models to estimate BNT162b2 Ad26.COV2.S with COVID-19-related hospitalization death, adjusting for demographic...
Background Cape Town, a South African city with high levels of economic inequality, has gone through two COVID-19 waves. There is evidence globally that low-income communities experience higher morbidity and mortality during the pandemic. Methods Age-standardized in eight sub-districts Town was compared by indicators taken from most recent Census (unemployment rate, monthly income). Results The overall Standardized Death Rate (SDR) for 1 640 per million, but there wide variation across...
Objective This pilot study explores the feasibility and acceptability of using telephonic verbal autopsies (teleVAs) in South Africa to collect information on causes death. Design Quantitative qualitative data collection methods were used evaluate these interviews. Setting The teleVA was conducted Africa’s Western Cape province. component also included two rural African Population Research Infrastructure Network nodes (Africa Health Institute KwaZulu-Natal Agincourt Mpumalanga), which had...
We aimed to compare clinical severity of Omicron BA.4/BA.5 infection with BA.1 and earlier variant infections among laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases in the Western Cape, South Africa, using timing infer lineage/variant causing infection.
Abstract Introduction While a large proportion of people with HIV (PWH) have experienced SARS‐CoV‐2 infections, there is uncertainty about the role disease severity on COVID‐19 outcomes, especially in lower‐income settings. We studied association mortality characteristics and management, vaccination, among adult PWH. Methods analysed observational cohort data all PWH aged ≥15 years experiencing diagnosed infection (until March 2022), who accessed public sector healthcare Western Cape...
Background HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants are a growing population in sub-Saharan Africa especially with the increasing coverage of more effective prevention mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) antiretroviral therapy regimens. This study describes characteristics South African HEU infants, investigates factors impacting birth weight and assesses their growth within first 28 weeks life. Methods is retrospective cohort based on routine clinical data from two PMTCT programmes. Data were...
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Background. The COVID‐19 pandemic resulted in the implementation of strict public health and social measures (PHSMs) (including mobility restrictions, distancing, mask‐wearing hand hygiene), limitations on non‐essential healthcare services, fear infection, all which potentially affected transmission use for other diseases such as lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). Objective. To determine changes LRTI hospital admissions in‐facility mortality children aged <5 years Western Cape...
Reducing child mortality requires good information on its causes. Whilst South African vital registration data have improved, the quality of cause-of-death remains inadequate. To improve this, from death certificates were linked with forensic mortuaries in Western Cape Province.A local surveillance system was established 2007 by Health Department to quality. Cause-of-death captured copies notification forms collected at Home Affairs Offices. Using unique identifiers, additional mortuary...
In low- and middle-income countries where SARS-CoV-2 testing is limited, seroprevalence studies can characterise the scale determinants of pandemic, as well elucidate protection conferred by prior exposure. We conducted repeated cross-sectional serosurveys (July 2020 - November 2021) using residual plasma from routine convenient blood samples patients with non-COVID-19 conditions Cape Town, South Africa. anti-nucleocapsid antibodies linked clinical information were used to investigate: (1)...
Routinely collected population-wide health data are often used to understand mortality trends including child mortality, as these available more readily or quickly and for lower geographic levels than data. However, understanding the completeness accuracy of routine sources is essential their appropriate interpretation use. This study aims assess diagnostic coding public sector in-facility childhood (age < 5 years) infectious disease deaths (lower respiratory tract infections [LRTI],...
Abstract Background Public health dashboards have been used in the past to communicate and guide local responses outbreaks, epidemics, a host of various conditions. During first year COVID-19 pandemic, proliferated but availability quality differed across world. This study aimed evaluate quality, access, end-user experience one such dashboard Western Cape province, South Africa. Methods We analysed retrospective aggregate data on viewership over time for since launch (30 April 2020 – 29...
Abstract Background There are few data on the real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and boosting in Africa, which experienced high levels SARS-CoV-2 infection a mostly vaccine-naïve population, has limited vaccine coverage competing health service priorities. We assessed association between vaccination severe Western Cape, South Africa. Methods performed an observational cohort study >2 million adults during 2020-2022. described testing, outcomes, uptake over time. used...
<sec><title>BACKGROUND</title>The COVID-19 pandemic prompted strict public health measures to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission, potentially interrupting TB programmes in the Western Cape, South Africa.</sec><sec><title>METHODS</title>We conducted a retrospective cohort study, estimating changes new case rates and risk of death during TB-specific admissions within 6 months first evidence, pre-pandemic (1 January 2019–26 March 2020) after implementation...
In low- and middle-income countries where SARS-CoV-2 testing is limited, seroprevalence studies can help describe characterise the extent of pandemic, as well elucidate protection conferred by prior exposure. We conducted repeated cross-sectional serosurveys (July 2020 –November 2021) using residual samples from patients Cape Town, South Africa, sent for routine laboratory non-COVID-19 conditions. anti-nucleocapsid antibodies linked clinical information were used to investigate: (1) over...
While a large proportion of people with HIV (PWH) have experienced SARS-CoV-2 infections, there is uncertainty about the role disease severity on COVID-19 outcomes, especially in lower income settings. We studied association between mortality and characteristics management, vaccination, among adult PWH.
In the initial phases of COVID-19 epidemic in South Africa, children experienced relative neglect, as they were deemed to be at low risk for contracting and spreading infection. Overwhelmed by adult infections, health system responded slowly children’s complex needs brought about epidemic. This in-depth case study outlines impacts on child Western Cape, subsequent remediating responses. The draws multiple data sources including routine data, examples organisational responses, experiential...
Background: In low- and middle-income countries where SARS-CoV-2 testing is limited, seroprevalence studies can characterise the scale determinants of pandemic, as well elucidate protection conferred by prior exposure.Methods: We conducted repeated cross-sectional serosurveys (July 2020 – November 2021) using residual plasma from routine convenient blood samples patients with non-COVID-19 conditions Cape Town, South Africa. anti-nucleocapsid antibodies linked clinical information were used...
Abstract Background: Public health dashboards have been used extensively in the past to communicate and guide local responses outbreaks, epidemics, a host of various conditions. During first year COVID-19 pandemic, digital proliferated but availability quality these differed vastly across world. This study aimed evaluate one such dashboard Western Cape province, South Africa. Methods: We analysed retrospective aggregate data on viewership over time for since launch conducted cross-sectional...