Andrew Tomita
Biographic Data
| ID | 193014 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Andrew Tomita |
| GIVEN NAMES | Andrew |
| FAMILY NAME | Tomita |
| SIGNATURE | TOMITA A |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of KwaZulu-Natal |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-3545-2317 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 27 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 13 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 27 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2013 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Examining the influence of alcohol consumption on the protective function of social support in reducing intimate partner violence among adolescent girls and young women
Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a major public health and human rights concern in South Africa, particularly among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). While social support is widely recognized as a protective factor against IPV, its effectiveness may be compromised in contexts of alcohol use. This study investigated the influence of alcohol use on the risk of IPV and the moderating role of perceived social support in reducing this ri…
Feasibility and acceptability of unconditional cash transfers intervention among unemployed young adults with first-episode psychosis in South Africa
There is a lack of high-quality evidence on cash transfers as an intervention to support young people with first-episode psychosis (FEP) in Africa. To address this gap, we conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a 3-month follow-up period to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an unconditional cash transfer (UCT) intervention among FEP. We enrolled 60 unemployed young adults (18–29 years) with FEP from three public hospit…
Spatial mapping of HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy initiation uptake among the adolescents and youth in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
This study investigated the spatial distribution of HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy initiation among adolescents and youth in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to inform the optimal allocation of HIV services. The sample included 5,352 participants aged 13-35 years from nested cohort studies within Africa's largest population-based prospective cohorts, with global positioning system data collected for all homesteads. HIV testing prevalenc…
Emotion regulation strategies among young men in rural areas and urban informal settlements in South Africa
Emotional dysregulation (ED), the inability to manage emotional responses effectively is a well-documented major symptom of poor mental health, especially in high-income countries. Evidence from these settings links ED to adverse childhood experiences, chronic poverty, and structural disadvantage. ED has also been associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, particularly among men. Despite th…
Geospatial and temporal mapping of detectable HIV-1 viral loads amid dolutegravir rollout in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
South Africa rolled out dolutegravir (DTG) as first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in December 2019 to overcome high rates of pretreatment non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor drug resistance. In the context of transition to DTG-based ART, this study spatiotemporally analysed detectable HIV viral loads (VLs) prior to- and following DTG rollout in public-sector healthcare facilities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, the epicentre of th…
Pilot cluster randomised controlled trial of Stepping Stones and Creating Futures Plus to reduce emotional dysregulation among young men in rural areas and urban informal settlements in KwaZulu-Natal …
Aim: Emotional dysregulation (ED) – the difficulty to control emotional responses to stressors – is a potential driver of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration among young men in HIV endemic resource-limited settings. This two-armed pilot cluster randomised controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of Stepping Stones and Creating Futures Plus (SSCF+), a participatory gender transformative and livelihood strengthening intervention, on…
Assessing the role of depression in reducing intimate partner violence perpetration among young men living in urban informal settlements using a mediation analysis of the Stepping Stones and Creating …
Background Stepping Stones and Creating Futures (SS/CF) is a gender transformative and economic empowerment intervention that has effectively reduced the perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) by young men living in informal settlements in South Africa.Objective This study examines whether depression mediated the association between SS/CF intervention and decreased IPV.Method Data from a two-arm cluster randomised community-based control…
Cluster randomized controlled trial of Stepping Stones and Creating Futures to reduce mental health challenges among young men in informal settlements in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
BACKGROUND: Informal settlements are high density areas in and around cities, characterized by a lack of formal planning and basic amenities, being known in South Africa for high levels of mental disorder driven by violence, and complex social and economic challenges. In particular, young men's poor mental health goes untreated, with relatively few evidenced-based interventions available in this setting. AIM: This cluster randomized controlled tr…
Predictors of migration in an HIV hyper-endemic rural South African community
Globally, South Africa hosts the highest number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and the unique legacy of internal labour migration continues to be a major driver of the regional epidemic, interrupting treatment-as-prevention efforts. The study examined levels, trends, and predictors of migration in rural KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, using population-based surveillance data from 2005 through 2017. We followed 69 604 adult participants a…
Beyond HIV prevalence
INTRODUCTION: Despite progress towards the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 95-95-95 targets, South Africa is still suffering from one of the largest HIV epidemics globally. In this study, we generated high-resolution HIV prevalence maps and identified people living with HIV (PLHIV) in underserved areas to provide essential information for the optimal allocation of HIV-related services. METHODS: The data come from the South Africa Demog…
Patterns of emotional and behavioural challenges in children living with HIV
This study examined the patterns of emotional and behavioural problems in children from an HIV hyperendemic sub-Saharan Africa setting. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was administered to 198 parents/caregivers of children living with HIV aged 2-12 years, attending a paediatric HIV out-patient service at a public sector hospital in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The parent version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ…
Predictors of quality of life among community psychiatric patients in a peri-urban district of Gauteng Province, South Africa
BACKGROUND: Few studies on quality of life (QoL) among people with mental illness have been conducted in South Africa, and none in community dwelling individuals. However, a greater understanding of subjective QoL may inform community-based medical, psychotherapeutic, or social interventions. This study examined the QoL, clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of psychiatric patients attending community mental health clinics in the Gauteng …
Effect of ART scale-up and female migration intensity on risk of HIV acquisition
Women who migrated frequently after ART scale-up had a significantly reduced HIV acquisition risk compared to those before its implementation. While this reduction is encouraging, women who migrate frequently remain at high risk of HIV acquisition. In the era of ART, there remains a critical need for public health interventions to reduce the risk of HIV acquisition in this highly vulnerable population
The Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Perinatal Substance Use Behaviour in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
A Nationwide Panel Study on Religious Involvement and Depression in South Africa
Epidemiological patterns of mental disorders and stigma in a community household survey in urban slum and rural settings in Kenya
PURPOSE: This study investigated the epidemiological patterns of mental illness and stigma in community households in Kenya using a cross-sectional community household survey among 846 participants. METHODS: A cross-sectional community household survey was conducted around urban slum (Kangemi) and rural (Kibwezi) selected health facilities in Kenya. All households within the two sites served by the selected health facilities were included in the …
Association between internal migration and epidemic dynamics
Results suggest that structural socioeconomic issues, rather than epidemic dynamics are likely to be associated with differences in mortality risk by migrant status. Interventions aimed at improving recent migrant's access to treatment may mitigate risk
Income inequality widens the existing income-related disparity in depression risk in post-apartheid South Africa
Counting the cost of Afrophobia
There are few studies on the role of migration within sub-Saharan Africa and its relation to the development of mental illness. We investigated post-resettlement adaptation and mental health challenges of African refugees/migrants in Durban, South Africa. We interviewed 335 African help-seeking refugees/migrants for anxiety, depression (25-item Hopkins Symptom Checklist) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (30-item Harvard Trauma Questionnaire). S…
Food Insecurity and Risk of Depression Among Refugees and Immigrants in South Africa
Traditional and religious healers in the pathway to care for people with mental disorders in Africa
Depressive Symptoms Prior to Pregnancy and Infant Low Birth Weight in South Africa
A multilevel analysis of the relationship between neighborhood social disorder and depressive symptoms
The apartheid regime that governed South Africa from 1948-1994 established spatial segregation that is understood to have contributed to the magnitude of neighborhood social disorder in the postapartheid era. Although a number of neighborhood social disorder characteristics, such as perceived violence and crime in the community, are prominent issues in South Africa, the extent to which these perceived spatial attributes are linked to depression i…
Income inequality and schizophrenia
BACKGROUND: Income inequality is associated with numerous negative health outcomes. There is evidence that ecological-level socio-environmental factors may increase risk for schizophrenia. AIMS: The aim was to investigate whether measures of income inequality are associated with incidence of schizophrenia at the country level. METHOD: We conducted a systematic review of incidence rates for schizophrenia, reported between 1975 and 2011. For each c…
The Relationship Between Immigration and Depression in South Africa
Income inequality widens the existing income-related disparity in depression risk in post-apartheid South Africa
Counting the cost of Afrophobia
There are few studies on the role of migration within sub-Saharan Africa and its relation to the development of mental illness. We investigated post-resettlement adaptation and mental health challenges of African refugees/migrants in Durban, South Africa. We interviewed 335 African help-seeking refugees/migrants for anxiety, depression (25-item Hopkins Symptom Checklist) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (30-item Harvard Trauma Questionnaire). S…
Health-Related Quality of Life Dynamics of HIV-positive South African Women up to ART Initiation
Income inequality and schizophrenia
BACKGROUND: Income inequality is associated with numerous negative health outcomes. There is evidence that ecological-level socio-environmental factors may increase risk for schizophrenia. AIMS: The aim was to investigate whether measures of income inequality are associated with incidence of schizophrenia at the country level. METHOD: We conducted a systematic review of incidence rates for schizophrenia, reported between 1975 and 2011. For each c…
The Relationship Between Immigration and Depression in South Africa
Impact of Antiretroviral Therapy on Health-Related Quality of Life among South African Women in the Caprisa 002 Acute Infection Study
Traditional and religious healers in the pathway to care for people with mental disorders in Africa
Depressive Symptoms Prior to Pregnancy and Infant Low Birth Weight in South Africa
A multilevel analysis of the relationship between neighborhood social disorder and depressive symptoms
The apartheid regime that governed South Africa from 1948-1994 established spatial segregation that is understood to have contributed to the magnitude of neighborhood social disorder in the postapartheid era. Although a number of neighborhood social disorder characteristics, such as perceived violence and crime in the community, are prominent issues in South Africa, the extent to which these perceived spatial attributes are linked to depression i…
Food Insecurity and Risk of Depression Among Refugees and Immigrants in South Africa
Income inequality widens the existing income-related disparity in depression risk in post-apartheid South Africa
Counting the cost of Afrophobia
There are few studies on the role of migration within sub-Saharan Africa and its relation to the development of mental illness. We investigated post-resettlement adaptation and mental health challenges of African refugees/migrants in Durban, South Africa. We interviewed 335 African help-seeking refugees/migrants for anxiety, depression (25-item Hopkins Symptom Checklist) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (30-item Harvard Trauma Questionnaire). S…
A Nationwide Panel Study on Religious Involvement and Depression in South Africa
Epidemiological patterns of mental disorders and stigma in a community household survey in urban slum and rural settings in Kenya
PURPOSE: This study investigated the epidemiological patterns of mental illness and stigma in community households in Kenya using a cross-sectional community household survey among 846 participants. METHODS: A cross-sectional community household survey was conducted around urban slum (Kangemi) and rural (Kibwezi) selected health facilities in Kenya. All households within the two sites served by the selected health facilities were included in the …
Association between internal migration and epidemic dynamics
Results suggest that structural socioeconomic issues, rather than epidemic dynamics are likely to be associated with differences in mortality risk by migrant status. Interventions aimed at improving recent migrant's access to treatment may mitigate risk
Predictors of quality of life among community psychiatric patients in a peri-urban district of Gauteng Province, South Africa
BACKGROUND: Few studies on quality of life (QoL) among people with mental illness have been conducted in South Africa, and none in community dwelling individuals. However, a greater understanding of subjective QoL may inform community-based medical, psychotherapeutic, or social interventions. This study examined the QoL, clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of psychiatric patients attending community mental health clinics in the Gauteng …
Effect of ART scale-up and female migration intensity on risk of HIV acquisition
Women who migrated frequently after ART scale-up had a significantly reduced HIV acquisition risk compared to those before its implementation. While this reduction is encouraging, women who migrate frequently remain at high risk of HIV acquisition. In the era of ART, there remains a critical need for public health interventions to reduce the risk of HIV acquisition in this highly vulnerable population
The Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Perinatal Substance Use Behaviour in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
Beyond HIV prevalence
INTRODUCTION: Despite progress towards the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 95-95-95 targets, South Africa is still suffering from one of the largest HIV epidemics globally. In this study, we generated high-resolution HIV prevalence maps and identified people living with HIV (PLHIV) in underserved areas to provide essential information for the optimal allocation of HIV-related services. METHODS: The data come from the South Africa Demog…
Patterns of emotional and behavioural challenges in children living with HIV
This study examined the patterns of emotional and behavioural problems in children from an HIV hyperendemic sub-Saharan Africa setting. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was administered to 198 parents/caregivers of children living with HIV aged 2-12 years, attending a paediatric HIV out-patient service at a public sector hospital in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The parent version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ…
Predictors of migration in an HIV hyper-endemic rural South African community
Globally, South Africa hosts the highest number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and the unique legacy of internal labour migration continues to be a major driver of the regional epidemic, interrupting treatment-as-prevention efforts. The study examined levels, trends, and predictors of migration in rural KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, using population-based surveillance data from 2005 through 2017. We followed 69 604 adult participants a…
Assessing the role of depression in reducing intimate partner violence perpetration among young men living in urban informal settlements using a mediation analysis of the Stepping Stones and Creating …
Background Stepping Stones and Creating Futures (SS/CF) is a gender transformative and economic empowerment intervention that has effectively reduced the perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) by young men living in informal settlements in South Africa.Objective This study examines whether depression mediated the association between SS/CF intervention and decreased IPV.Method Data from a two-arm cluster randomised community-based control…
Cluster randomized controlled trial of Stepping Stones and Creating Futures to reduce mental health challenges among young men in informal settlements in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
BACKGROUND: Informal settlements are high density areas in and around cities, characterized by a lack of formal planning and basic amenities, being known in South Africa for high levels of mental disorder driven by violence, and complex social and economic challenges. In particular, young men's poor mental health goes untreated, with relatively few evidenced-based interventions available in this setting. AIM: This cluster randomized controlled tr…
Geospatial and temporal mapping of detectable HIV-1 viral loads amid dolutegravir rollout in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
South Africa rolled out dolutegravir (DTG) as first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in December 2019 to overcome high rates of pretreatment non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor drug resistance. In the context of transition to DTG-based ART, this study spatiotemporally analysed detectable HIV viral loads (VLs) prior to- and following DTG rollout in public-sector healthcare facilities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, the epicentre of th…
Pilot cluster randomised controlled trial of Stepping Stones and Creating Futures Plus to reduce emotional dysregulation among young men in rural areas and urban informal settlements in KwaZulu-Natal …
Aim: Emotional dysregulation (ED) – the difficulty to control emotional responses to stressors – is a potential driver of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration among young men in HIV endemic resource-limited settings. This two-armed pilot cluster randomised controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of Stepping Stones and Creating Futures Plus (SSCF+), a participatory gender transformative and livelihood strengthening intervention, on…
Emotion regulation strategies among young men in rural areas and urban informal settlements in South Africa
Emotional dysregulation (ED), the inability to manage emotional responses effectively is a well-documented major symptom of poor mental health, especially in high-income countries. Evidence from these settings links ED to adverse childhood experiences, chronic poverty, and structural disadvantage. ED has also been associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, particularly among men. Despite th…
Examining the influence of alcohol consumption on the protective function of social support in reducing intimate partner violence among adolescent girls and young women
Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a major public health and human rights concern in South Africa, particularly among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). While social support is widely recognized as a protective factor against IPV, its effectiveness may be compromised in contexts of alcohol use. This study investigated the influence of alcohol use on the risk of IPV and the moderating role of perceived social support in reducing this ri…
Medicine (22 works) · Demography (17 works) · Psychiatry (14 works) · Environmental health (12 works) · Psychology (11 works) · Demography (10 works) · Internal Medicine (10 works) · Public health (10 works) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (9 works) · Logistic regression (9 works)