A5052055566- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations
- Misinformation and Its Impacts
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Health disparities and outcomes
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes
- Child Nutrition and Water Access
- COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts
- Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Migration, Health and Trauma
- HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses
- Healthcare Policy and Management
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Bacterial Infections and Vaccines
- Public Health Policies and Education
- Data-Driven Disease Surveillance
- Gender Diversity and Inequality
- Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare
- Health and Conflict Studies
University of the Witwatersrand
2017-2025
Africa Health Research Institute
2022-2025
South African Medical Research Council
2020-2024
Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital
2022
National Research Foundation
2021
Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit
2017-2021
Abstract It is unclear how great a challenge pandemic and vaccine fatigue present to public health. We assessed perspectives on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) routine immunization as well trust in information sources future preparedness survey of 23,000 adults 23 countries October 2023. The participants reported lower intent get COVID-19 booster 2023 (71.6%), compared with 2022 (87.9%). A total 60.8% expressed being more willing vaccinated for diseases other than result their experience...
Abstract Background Lower respiratory tract infections are a leading cause of death in young children, but few studies have collected the specimens needed to define role specific causes. The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) platform aims investigate causes children aged <5 years high–mortality rate settings, using postmortem minimally invasive tissue sampling other advanced diagnostic techniques. We examined findings for deaths identified CHAMPS sites 7...
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) knows no borders and single approach may produce a successful impact in controlling the pandemic any country. In Southern Africa, where migration between countries is high mainly from within African Development Community (SADC) to South there limited understanding of how COVID-19 crisis affecting social economic life migrants migrant communities. this article, we share reflections on people move Africa land border communities, examine policy, practice,...
Influenza vaccination coverage in South Africa is less than 3 % among the general adult population. We explored factors associated with influenza vaccine uptake using World Health Organization's Strategic Advisory Group on Immunization (SAGE) 3C (confidence, complacency, convenience) model of hesitancy. The present study forms part Bambisana project, a mixed-methods pre-test-post-test intervention conducted from 29 April 2023 to 15 2024. Participants ≥18 years were enrolled six Focus...
While vaccines are a well-established method of controlling the spread infectious diseases, vaccine hesitancy jeopardizes curbing COVID-19. Through Vaccine Information Network (VIN), this study explored barriers and motivators to COVID-19 uptake. We conducted 18 focus group discussions with male female community members, stratified by country, age group, and-for Zimbabwe only-by HIV status. Participants' median across both countries was 40 years (interquartile range 22-40), most (65.9%) were...
Invasive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common cause of early-onset neonatal sepsis and also associated with stillbirth. This study aimed to determine the proportion stillborn infants who died between 0 90 days attributable GBS using postmortem minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) in 7 low- middle-income countries (LMICs) participating Child Health Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS). Deaths that occurred December 2016 2021 were investigated MITS, including culture for bacteria...
The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) program is a 7-country network (as of December 2018) established by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to identify causes death in children communities with high rates under-5 mortality. carries out both mortality pregnancy surveillance, surveillance employs minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) gather small samples body fluids from bodies who have died. While this method will lead greater knowledge specific childhood...
The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) network aims to generate reliable data on the causes of death among children aged <5 years using all available information, including minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS). sensitive nature MITS inevitably evokes religious, cultural, ethical questions influencing feasibility sustainability CHAMPS.Due limited behavioral studies related child MITS, we developed an innovative qualitative methodology determine barriers,...
Most childhood deaths globally are considered preventable through high-quality clinical care, which includes adherence to care recommendations. Our objective was describe World Health Organization recommendations for the management of leading causes death among children.We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study examining data children aged 1-59 months who were hospitalized and died in Child Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) catchment, December 2016-June 2021. Catchment areas...
Background: Antenatal care remains critical for identifying and managing complications contributing to maternal infant mortality, yet attendance among women in South Africa persists as a challenge. Aim: This study aimed understand the challenges faced by attending antenatal Soweto, Johannesburg, using three-delay model. Setting: was conducted Johannesburg. Methods: An exploratory, descriptive qualitative research design used, in-depth interviews were with 10 pregnant four who had recently...
Importance The emergence of acute neurological symptoms in children necessitates immediate intervention. Although low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear the highest burden diseases, there is a scarcity diagnostic therapeutic resources. Therefore, current understanding etiology emergencies LMICs relies mainly on clinical diagnoses verbal autopsies. Objective To characterize association premortem their management with postmortem-confirmed cause death among aged younger than 5 years to...
BackgroundMaternal immunization has prevented millions of child deaths globally; nevertheless, incomplete vaccination remains a public health concern in South Africa, where almost half occur during neonatal period. This study explored the knowledge and attitudes inhibiting vaccine acceptancy pregnancy.MethodsKey informant semi-structured interviews were conducted with pregnant women receiving antenatal care at community clinics, staff, enrolled maternal trials, leaders non-pregnant residing...
Across the globe, comprehensive COVID-19 vaccination programs have been rolled out. Naturally, it remains paramount for efficiency to ensure uptake. Hypothetical vaccine acceptability in South Africa was high prior availability of inoculation August 2020—three-quarters stated intent immunize nationally. However, 24 months on, less than one-third finished their on a national average, and sprawling Western Townships (Soweto), this figure troublingly low with as many four every five still...
Unprecedented in scale, immense COVID-19 immunization programs have been rolled out globally. This article explores aspects of hypothetical vaccine acceptability Soweto, South Africa, shortly before such vaccines became available. Whereas acceptance was normative, this has not translated into uptake today, which remains concerningly low especially Soweto. For that reason, we mobilize anthropological concepts to analyze acceptance, hesitancy, and denial gauge public proclivity inoculate. We...
This interdisciplinary study, using qualitative and ethnographic research methods, collected data from 330 men women in Soweto, South Africa, order to understand the community acceptability of minimally invasive autopsy (MIA) children who died under five years age. The study found that MIAs depended on people’s socio-cultural belief systems regarding death afterlife; power gender dynamics within households; structural issues relating health care system mortuary services.
Abstract Background In South Africa, there are limited data on the burden of diarrhoea at a community level, specifically in older children and adults. This survey estimated rates factors associated with across all ages determined proportion cases presenting to healthcare facilities. Methods Households were enrolled from an existing urban health demographic surveillance site. A household representative was interviewed determine occurrence household, for members, past 2 weeks (including...
In combatting COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), immunization is the most prominent strategy. However, vaccination hesitancy-meaning delays in accepting or denying inoculation regardless of availability-has been identified as an essential threat to global health. Attitudes and perceptions play a pivotal role vaccine acceptability. Meanwhile, uptake South Africa's rollout has particularly disappointing among youths. For that reason, we explored attitudes COVID-19 380 youths Soweto...
Despite the significant benefits of maternal immunisation, uptake remains low in many parts world. In this qualitative study, we aimed to assess factors that influence pregnant women's decision engage with immunisation rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We conducted in-depth interviews a total 28 purposively sampled women and key informants using semi-structured topic guides. Data analysis was modified Health Belief Model framework included constructs barriers action, modifying cue action...
Despite sufficient supply, <25% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa has received at least one dose COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine mandates have previously been effective increasing vaccine uptake. Attitudes to and vaccines for children African populations are not well understood. We surveyed late-adopters presenting vaccination year after program initiation Zimbabwe. Logistic regression models were developed evaluate factors associated with attitudes mandates. In total, 1016 adults enrolled;...
The rapid development of vaccines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has provided an effective tool for management COVID-19. However, many African countries there been a poor uptake with only 32.5% first vaccine dose coverage compared WHO global target 70%. As access improves, one important drivers low hesitancy, driven by levels confidence, convenience, and complacency. Between 4 January–11 February 2022, we conducted survey late adopters assess factors that influenced adults Harare,...
Reliable civil registration and vital statistics (CRVSs) are essential for estimating mortality rates population changes, critical public health socio-economic planning. CRVSs largely incomplete in Africa, thus Health Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSSs) fill gaps CRVSs, albeit existing HDSSs South Africa rural areas. This limits the generalisability of such data a country as where over 60% live urban areas, there limitations to access social services. We describe approaches,...
Abstract Background The rapid development of vaccines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has provided an effective tool for management COVID-19. However, Africa there been a poor uptake with only 15% vaccine coverage compared WHO global target 70%. One important drivers hesitancy, understanding late adopters vaccination can provide insights into attitudes, motivations and influences that enhance uptake. Methods Between January 4 – February 11, 2022, we conducted survey among adults...
Unprecedented in scale, immense COVID-19 immunization programmes have been rolled out globally. This article explores aspects of hypothetical vaccine acceptability Soweto, South Africa, shortly before such vaccines became available. Whereas acceptance was normative, this has not translated into uptake today, which remains concerningly low especially Soweto. For that reason, we mobilise anthropological concepts to analyse acceptance, hesitancy, and denial, respectively, gauge understand...
While vaccines are a well-established method of controlling the spread infectious diseases, vaccine hesitancy jeopardizes curbing COVID-19. Through Vaccine Information Network (VIN), this study explored barriers and motivators to COVID-19 uptake. We conducted 18 focus group discussions with male female community members, stratified by country, age group, and&mdash;for Zimbabwe only&mdash;by HIV status. Participants&rsquo; median across both countries was 40 years (interquartile...
Participation of males in the prevention mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs remains a challenge despite implementation guidelines. The study aimed at exploring male involvement PMTCT program primary health facility Lilongwe, Malawi. Focus group discussions and in-depth individual interviews were used to collect data from care workers, men, women who attending services. Snowball sampling was recruit participants purposively identified. Alcohol consumption, pressure work places,...