Student academic achievements

In 2019 and 2020, • 55 students graduated with the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health • 45 students graduated with the Master of Public Health (MPH) • 9 students graduated with a PhD in Public Health

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health 2019

Abdullah, Amina Amakali, Hertha Mumbala Cawe, Nangamso Cokoyi, Ayanda Alfred Denhere, Knowledge Hanong, Mamosotho Itumeleng Jajbhay, Mateenah Imran Jegede, Olubukola Esther Konko Masombo,Nisha Manivasen, Parmanathan Mdlekeza, Nozuko Arizona Mjwara, Phindile Perseverance Mlotshwa, Gail Moyo, Sidubangani Mphafi, Mphainyane Mucharunga, Tatenda Mutandwa, Michelle Farai Ndlovu, Sizwe Junior Nel, Nadine Nghayo, Hlulani Alloy Ngwenya, Andile Emmanuel Orakwue, Ikenna Runeyi, Sinazo Salie, Shaun Ashley Topalo, Celine Kamunima Vermeulen, Marcia Christine Zokufa, Nompumelelo

2020

Abdullah, Mubeena Brima, Osman Chris Cottee, Yolanda Daka, Joseph Dube, Kiriana Hartley, Tasneem Kayamba, Francis Mabweazara, Smart Zivanai Maganga, Joseph Munashe Maguranyanga, Tarisai Rose Mbadaliga, Lusani Odelia Mdaka-Thoka, Thoko Prudence Mhlongo, Siphiwe (cum laude) Mkhonta, Zamokuhle Temvelo Muparuri, Lawrence Mutenda, Lydia Nengu Ngomane, Helen Noluthando Oehmen-Janse van Vuuren, Tanya Okaiyeto, Florence Olafusi, Oluwaseun Olayemi Palele, Xoliswa Pierre, Melanie Joan Roux, Joanne Margaret Simelane, Spanela Kenneth Singh, Larissa Svogi, Chiedza Tiva, Nhlamulo Regnatia Williams, Abigail

‘As a distance learner, besides the knowledge gained from the course material, I have also appreciated the opportunity for networking during contact time. I found the course material engaging and the learning platform (iKamva) was easy to navigate. I appreciated the great calibre of educators, the collaborative style and the open approach to public health and social justice. As a mature learner, I felt supported throughout the course and valued the additional sessions on academic reading and writing, how to use Mendeley and how to perform searches in the library. ‘I can already see how my MPH experience has changed the way I think and how I approach issues in my sphere of work - hopefully towards a more holistic, inclusive child health service, not only at my hospital, but on a broader level.’

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Following their course work, MPH students are required to conduct a small research project. Written up as minitheses, these cover a range of public health topics that are of interest and concern to the students. A number of themes can be seen across the 45 mini-theses of the students graduating in 2019 and 2020. HIV/AIDS and TB remained the main focus of study, addressed by just over a third of the studies (17 of 45). Perhaps mirroring the progress of the pandemic and development of HIV and TB-related services, six examined issues relating to adherence while only one addressed prevention, one was on testing and two on access to services. Two studied co-morbidities while four focussed on HIV-related issues affecting mothers and infants. Maternal and child health was addressed in a total of nine mini-theses. Of the other five, one focussed on immunisation and two each on access to care and to feeding. Three other studies focussed on other aspects of food and nutrition – while one study addressed another social determinant of health, namely water and sanitation.

Eight mini-theses focussed on adolescents, three of which were to do with sexual and reproductive health and five with HIV/AIDS. A wide range of topics was addressed in the seven studies on non-communicable diseases – particularly diabetes and cancer, but including issues relating to risk, palliative care, access to medicines and use of services – as well as absenteeism from, and care in, the workplace. Access to medicines and pharmaceutical supply issues were addressed in five mini-theses: three were to do with supply cost and management, one with community dispensing and one with assisted access. While systems issues were inherent in a range of these studies, the human factor was addressed in three ways. The experiences of staff and the human resource systems used for delivering health services were the focus of seven studies; users’ /patients’ behaviours and perceptions of the system and services were addressed in five studies; and two studies enquired into the needs and experiences of the family and caregivers. 2019

CHAZOVACHII, Julian The health workers’ uptake of continuing professional education in selected provincial hospitals in Zimbabwe DAVIDS, Lameez Knowledge, attitudes and practices of contraception amongst adolescent girls from selected high schools in a low socio-economic community in Cape Town DELE-IJAGBULU, Kemi Dorcas The aetiologies, clinical presentation, diagnostic difficulties and outcomes of meningitis among HIV-positive adults admitted to Livingstone Hospital, Port Elizabeth

GEZA, Gcobisa Evaluation of the effect of adolescent and youth friendly services implementation on HIV testing uptake among youth (aged 15 – 24 years) in health facilities of Amathole District

‘Working in the field of media and communications in a sexual and reproductive health agency, this qualification has made me more confident about the way I communicate issues in terms of advocating for women’s and girl’s health. I am also using my knowledge to provide technical support to influence media content to represent sexual and reproductive health and rights issues from a social determinants of health perspective so as to be able to influence public opinion and health policy at national and global levels. ‘I am looking at strengthening my career in public health communication to advance the health and wellbeing of people and populations.’

2020 MPH graduate, Evelyn Kiapi, Uganda

HANYINDA, Kelvin The availability and adequacy of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in 13 mission hospitals in rural Zambia IREGBU, Francis Routine immunisation status and its socio-economic determinants among children attending the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Nigeria

JALLOW, Carmen (cum laude)

Assessment of changes in pharmaceutical performance among primary health care health facilities that received technical assistance in a rural district of the Eastern Cape, South Africa KUWENGA, Rudo An assessment of the characteristics of adolescents at enrolment into antiretroviral therapy, and factors influencing their retention rates in Zimbabwe MALABA, Rickie Exploration of adherence to treatment challenges experienced by HIV-positive adolescents on antiretroviral treatment in Insiza district, Zimbabwe

MASEKO, Mbali Chronic non-communicable diseases, absenteeism and workplace wellness initiatives at a consumer goods company in South Africa

MENSAH, Daniel Kweku Adabo

Adolescents’ perceptions on the use of adolescent friendly sexual and reproductive health services in Omaruru District, Namibia MLUNGWANA, Juliet Juju Factors influencing the teaching of comprehensive sexuality education in high schools in KwaZulu-Natal NDATEBA, Innocent Factors associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in people living with HIV/ AIDS attending primary health care centres in Rwamagana District, Rwanda NDLOVU, Patson The factors contributing to low uptake of vasectomy in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe ODUMOSU, Olusegun Murtala Adherence to anti-retroviral treatment among gay men and other men who have sex with men living with HIV, attending a LGBT clinic in Tshwane, Gauteng OLADELE, Tajudeen Determining the risk of non-communicable diseases amongst the mentally ill patients attending psychiatric out-patient clinic at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Kware Sokoto in Nigeria OLUTUASE, Victory Assessment of antibiotic dispensing practices of community pharmacists in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria RASSA, Adam A cost analysis of medicine donation programmes to Tanzania’s neglected tropical diseases control programme SOMWE, Jean-Jacque Kalonji HIV-positive street children’s access to treatment for HIV/AIDS in the district of Katuba, in the south-west of the city of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo STEFANUS, Frieda Ndapvudja Understanding the perceptions of women who experienced any delay in accessing appropriate health care services during childbirth in Otjiwarongo District Hospital, Namibia

TEMMERS, Lynette

WILLOUGHBY, Jo-Ann (cum laude) Factors influencing the collaboration between community health workers and the public primary health care facilities in delivering primary health care services Acceptability of collectors of medicine parcels for non-communicable disease patients from a primary health care facility in the Western Cape

‘The concepts I learnt during the MPH have helped me to see a bigger picture on health systems beyond just health supply chains. Prior to this, I focused my entire attention on ensuring no stockouts, overstock, wastage and expiry of health commodities’ without necessarily paying attention to health system issues that are precursors to the problems I encountered daily. It was a major shift in my career as I started to practically realise how different building blocks are interacting to ensuring health systems perform well. ‘Although I am from Tanzania, I am working in Sierra Leone as supply chain technical advisor with Crown Agents (UK), Saving Lives Programme. Working in a different country and context, the principles I learnt in the MPH are l relevant and very helpful in my daily work.’ 2019 MPH graduate, Adam Rassa, Tanzania (Sierra Leone)

2020

BWALYA, Clement Mudala Retention in HIV care among female sex workers on antiretroviral treatment in Lusaka, Zambia: A retrospective cohort study KETELO, Asiphe Determining food and nutrition literacy of community health workers in the Western Cape, South Africa KIAPI, Evelyn Matsamura Media representations of female genital mutilation/cutting in two daily Ugandan newspapers: A critical discourse analysis KOROKA, Priscilla Factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in Masvingo District, Zimbabwe LANGEVELD, Liane Celeste Exploring the perceptions of staff regarding the services offered at a substance abuse rehabilitation centre for women in Cape Town MAMBA, Nompumelelo The perceived needs and challenges of family caregivers in providing palliative care for relatives living with cancer in the Hhohho Region, Kingdom of Eswatini MANDIMA, Patricia Fadzayi Determining the level of non-booking for antenatal care and associated barriers and risk for mother-to-child transmission of HIV among pregnant women in Chitungwiza city, Zimbabwe MATEMA, Shingirai Trymore Assessment of medicine supply management at primary health care facilities in a rural district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

MAUGHAN, Samantha Jane (cum laude)

Outcomes of paediatric ART patients down-referred from a tertiary and a regional hospital to primary care facilities in Buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape MBEWE, Madalitso Understanding young people’s experiences and perspectives on HIV prevention in four communities in Zambia MBUNYUZA, Lungelwa Treatment adherence in TB/HIV co-infected patients in Mount Frere, Eastern Cape MOOS, Anbrenthia Yvette A qualitative feasibility study to evaluate the use of a screening tool to detect neurocognitive deficits among perinatally HIV-infected children by primary health care workers MUSVAIRE, Rufaro Spatial analysis of the distribution of stunting and its associations with key child health and nutrition determinants at provincial level in Zimbabwe NDLOVU, Sibusiso Comparison of patient experiences in three differentiated antiretroviral delivery models in a public health care facility NG’AMBI, Baleke An exploration of mothers’ experiences, perceptions and attitudes towards existing behavioural change communication interventions on exclusive breastfeeding in Mpika District, Zambia

PARBHOO, Anita Naginlal (cum laude) An exploration of clinicians’ experiences of the opportunities and challenges of being a hybrid manager at a hospital in the Western Cape

ROBERTS, Erin Melody (cum laude)

Exploring the experiences and perceptions of health care workers (HCWs) regarding infant feeding options provided to HIV-positive mothers of infants 0 – 12 months of age SHANGE, Nkosinathi Investigating the determinants of use of health care services by South African adults with non-communicable diseases: An analysis of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study cohort

‘I learnt quite a lot about myself, how to interact with other people – and started being more perceptive about what is happening around the global village, particularly the social determinants of health. It was not an easy ride but very worth it. ‘Since the completion of my MPH I got promoted to assistant director in pharmaceutical services at a government hospital in the public sector and my studies have allowed me to be more inquisitive towards health care systems. I am now at a position where I can evaluate the impact of policy and legislation on service users and I have the opportunity to contribute to how we can meaningfully engage policy makers in making them aware about the disparities that exist in the health sector.’ 2020 MPH graduate, Shingirai Matema, Zimbabwe

SIMELANE, Lungile Cynthia Pregnant women’s perceptions on the factors that contribute to late antenatal care booking in the Shiselweni Region in Swaziland VAN DER WALT, Nicolette Health managers’ experiences and perceptions of intersectoral collaboration at the primary health care level in two urban sub-districts of the Western Cape Province WENTZEL, Annalie Determinants of compliance behaviour among patients living with diabetes referred for diabetic retinopathy treatment at a government health care facility in Cape Town, South Africa YAMOAH, Daniel Awusi A study of the content, type, style and extent of food and beverage advertising in South Africa: Investigating four free-to-view television channels (SABC 1-3 and eTV) ZEEMAN, Celestè Marion Exploring the barriers and facilitators of access to care as experienced by caregivers of children who were admitted to a specialised tuberculosis hospital

PhD in Public Health

2019

ADEBIYI, Babatope Oluwadamilare Foetal alcohol spectrum disorders: The development of guidelines to inform policy

ADOM, Theodosia Individual and environmental factors associated with obesity among young children in primary schools in Ghana AMDE, Woldekidan Kifle Unpacking capacity development: A systemic exploration of a partnership of African universities to develop capacity on health workforce development CLAYFORD, Mario Andre Investigating predictors of health related quality of life and functional status in middleaged to older adults with hypertension living in a selected urban community in South Africa NANDI, Sulakshana Equity, access and utilisation in the state-funded universal insurance scheme (RSBY/ MSBY) in Chhattisgarh State, India: What are the implications for universal health coverage? NEETHLING, Ian Garth Enhancing burden of disease information for health sector decision making

2020

MOTHUPI, Mamothena Carol Development of an approach for measurement and monitoring of the continuum of care for maternal health in the South African health system MULONDO, Michael Albertus Participatory action research approach to address the poor water, sanitation and hygiene conditions in an informal urban settlement in Windhoek, Namibia

NCUBE, Nondumiso Beauty Queeneth A systematic approach to improve rational medicine use in Swaziland

‘I have already started using my newly acquired knowledge and skills in my work through supporting district health teams in community and health system strengthening and in the provision of equitable access to cost effective and quality health services as close to the family as possible. I have also been able to use my knowledge to support the design of quality health and nutrition programmes that addresses the unique needs of communities. I am now a better manager as I now look at the whole population rather than just the patient.‘ 2020 MPH graduate, Baleke Ng’ambi, Zambia