Musonda Simwinga
Biographic Data
| ID | 237062 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Musonda Simwinga |
| GIVEN NAMES | Musonda |
| FAMILY NAME | Simwinga |
| SIGNATURE | SIMWINGA M |
| AFFILIATIONS | Zambart |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-0684-6897 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 17 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 3 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 17 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2016 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Appropriateness of digital vending machines and mobile phone applications in increasing access to HIV testing among adolescents and young people aged 18–24 in an urban community in Zambia
Migration and its impact on universal HIV testing and treatment in the HPTN 071 (PopART) study communities
Migrants have been identified as a population left behind by the AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) response, with evidence showing poorer HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) outcomes and reduced intervention effectiveness in mobile populations. We used data from the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01900977) to investigate migration and HIV-related indicators, assessing whether community migration influenced PopART t…
“A heart of the man is lighter than that of the woman…” exploring men’s motivation and capability to access HIV services in Lusaka, Zambia
In southern Africa, men are less likely than women to access HIV services, including HIV testing, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and HIV prevention services. As a result, men living with HIV are less likely to be virally suppressed and more likely to transmit HIV than their female peers. Using the socio-ecological model as a framework, we explored factors that influence men’s motivation and capability to access available HIV services, including ho…
Sexual and reproductive health interventions for mobile adolescents and young people in sub-Saharan Africa
Research exploring SRHR interventions for mAYP is limited in sub-Saharan Africa. Future research and interventions should be underpinned by an understanding of young people's health and wellbeing more broadly, and foreground the social, cultural, religious and economic factors shaping mAYP's SRH needs
Self-reported uptake of STI testing services among adolescents and young people aged 15–24 years
There is little evidence regarding community-based delivery of STI testing and treatment for youth aged 15–24 (AYP) in Zambia. In a cluster-randomised trial, we evaluated whether offering syndromic STI screening through community-based, peer-led sexual and reproductive health services (Yathu Yathu) with referral to a local health facility for testing, increased self-reported testing for STIs (other than HIV) among AYP. Two communities in Lusaka w…
The local dynamics of sociostructural features and HIV stigma in the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial
Across sub-Saharan Africa, stigma levels have been decreasing but not enough to achieve the 95–95–95 HIV targets by 2030. Current global HIV frameworks have identified stigma reduction, context specific interventions, and community mobilization as critical to enabling more effective uptake of HIV services. We conducted a retrospective analysis of longitudinal qualitative and quantitative data collected in 21 urban communities in Zambia and South …
The impact of an innovative community-based peer-led intervention on uptake and coverage of sexual and reproductive health services among adolescents and young people 15–24 years old
ISRCTN75609016 (11/10/2021), clinicaltrials.gov number NCT04060420 (19/08/2019); retrospectively registered
Factors associated with use of community-based, peer-led sexual and reproductive health services by adolescent boys and young men aged 18–24 in Lusaka, Zambia
Introduction Adolescents and young people (AYP) aged 15–24 years have the least access to facility-based sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including HIV services. The Yathu-Yathu cluster-randomized trial (CRT) in Zambia tested whether a novel peer-led community-based approach increased knowledge of HIV status amongst AYP. In this nested case-control study, we aimed to identify factors associated with non-attendance to the Yathu Yathu…
Facilitators and barriers to Covid-19 testing in community and clinical settings
The sudden emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had a devastating impact on health systems and population health globally. To combat the spread of COVID-19, countries enacted guidelines and safety measures, including testing, contact tracing, and quarantine. It was unclear the extent to which uptake of COVID-19 testing and other health initiatives would be accepted in countries with a history of dealing with widespread communicabl…
Access to menstrual hygiene products through incentivised, community-based, peer-led sexual and reproductive health services before and during the Covid-19 pandemic
Availability of MHP through Yathu Yathu provided a large number of AGYW with access to these products. Hubs seemed particularly important for adolescent girls. Community-based, peer-led hubs should be considered as spaces to provide AGYW access to affordable and effective MHP
Does community-based distribution of HIV self-tests increase uptake of HIV testing? Results of pair-matched cluster randomised trial in Zambia
OBJECTIVES: Ending HIV by 2030 is a global priority. Achieving this requires alternative HIV testing strategies, such as HIV self-testing (HIVST) to reach all individuals with HIV testing services (HTS). We present the results of a trial evaluating the impact of community-based distribution of HIVST in community and facility settings on the uptake of HTS in rural and urban Zambia. DESIGN: Pair-matched cluster randomised trial. METHODS: In catchme…
Uptake of HIV Testing Services Through Novel Community-Based Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
Remote data collection for public health research in a Covid-19 era
Physical distancing measures have lead many public health researchers to transition to remote data collection, via mobile phones, online or other virtual platforms. These methods pose a number of challenges related to obtaining informed consent.
Navigating ‘ethics in practice’
While 'procedural ethics' provides essential frameworks for governing global health research, reflecting on 'ethics in practice' offers important insights into addressing ethically important moments that arise in everyday research. Particularly for ethnographic research, renowned for it's fluid and spontaneous nature, engaging with 'ethics in practice' has the potential to enhance research practice within global health. We provide a case study fo…
Value and Limitations of Broad Brush Surveys Used in Community-Randomized Trials in Southern Africa
We describe and reflect on a rapid qualitative survey approach called "Broad Brush Survey" (BBS) used in six community-randomized trials (CRTs)/studies in Zambia and South Africa (2004-2018) to document, compare, classify, and communicate community features systematically for public health and multidisciplinary research ends. BBS is based on a set sequence of participatory qualitative methods and fieldwork carried out prior to a CRT intervention …
Who is answerable to whom? Exploring the complex relationship between researchers, community and Community Advisory Board (CAB) members in two research studies in Zambia
This paper explores the accountability relationships that arise between researchers, the community and community representative structures known as Community Advisory Boards (CABs). It draws on ethnographic and case study research that documented the history, recruitment, composition and representativeness of two CABs and their relationships with researchers and communities, carried out in two studies in Zambia between 2010 and 2014. The findings…
“The difference that makes a difference”
This paper explores contextual heterogeneity within a community randomised trial HPTN 071 (Population Effects of Antiretroviral Treatment to Reduce HIV Transmission) carried out in 21 study communities (12 Zambian, 9 South African). The trial evaluates the impact of a combination HIV prevention package (including household-based HIV counselling and testing and anti-retroviral treatment (ART) eligibility regardless of CD4-count) on HIV incidence. …
Value and Limitations of Broad Brush Surveys Used in Community-Randomized Trials in Southern Africa
We describe and reflect on a rapid qualitative survey approach called "Broad Brush Survey" (BBS) used in six community-randomized trials (CRTs)/studies in Zambia and South Africa (2004-2018) to document, compare, classify, and communicate community features systematically for public health and multidisciplinary research ends. BBS is based on a set sequence of participatory qualitative methods and fieldwork carried out prior to a CRT intervention …
“The difference that makes a difference”
This paper explores contextual heterogeneity within a community randomised trial HPTN 071 (Population Effects of Antiretroviral Treatment to Reduce HIV Transmission) carried out in 21 study communities (12 Zambian, 9 South African). The trial evaluates the impact of a combination HIV prevention package (including household-based HIV counselling and testing and anti-retroviral treatment (ART) eligibility regardless of CD4-count) on HIV incidence. …
Who is answerable to whom? Exploring the complex relationship between researchers, community and Community Advisory Board (CAB) members in two research studies in Zambia
This paper explores the accountability relationships that arise between researchers, the community and community representative structures known as Community Advisory Boards (CABs). It draws on ethnographic and case study research that documented the history, recruitment, composition and representativeness of two CABs and their relationships with researchers and communities, carried out in two studies in Zambia between 2010 and 2014. The findings…
Navigating ‘ethics in practice’
While 'procedural ethics' provides essential frameworks for governing global health research, reflecting on 'ethics in practice' offers important insights into addressing ethically important moments that arise in everyday research. Particularly for ethnographic research, renowned for it's fluid and spontaneous nature, engaging with 'ethics in practice' has the potential to enhance research practice within global health. We provide a case study fo…
Value and Limitations of Broad Brush Surveys Used in Community-Randomized Trials in Southern Africa
We describe and reflect on a rapid qualitative survey approach called "Broad Brush Survey" (BBS) used in six community-randomized trials (CRTs)/studies in Zambia and South Africa (2004-2018) to document, compare, classify, and communicate community features systematically for public health and multidisciplinary research ends. BBS is based on a set sequence of participatory qualitative methods and fieldwork carried out prior to a CRT intervention …
Does community-based distribution of HIV self-tests increase uptake of HIV testing? Results of pair-matched cluster randomised trial in Zambia
OBJECTIVES: Ending HIV by 2030 is a global priority. Achieving this requires alternative HIV testing strategies, such as HIV self-testing (HIVST) to reach all individuals with HIV testing services (HTS). We present the results of a trial evaluating the impact of community-based distribution of HIVST in community and facility settings on the uptake of HTS in rural and urban Zambia. DESIGN: Pair-matched cluster randomised trial. METHODS: In catchme…
Uptake of HIV Testing Services Through Novel Community-Based Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
Remote data collection for public health research in a Covid-19 era
Physical distancing measures have lead many public health researchers to transition to remote data collection, via mobile phones, online or other virtual platforms. These methods pose a number of challenges related to obtaining informed consent.
Access to menstrual hygiene products through incentivised, community-based, peer-led sexual and reproductive health services before and during the Covid-19 pandemic
Availability of MHP through Yathu Yathu provided a large number of AGYW with access to these products. Hubs seemed particularly important for adolescent girls. Community-based, peer-led hubs should be considered as spaces to provide AGYW access to affordable and effective MHP
Factors associated with use of community-based, peer-led sexual and reproductive health services by adolescent boys and young men aged 18–24 in Lusaka, Zambia
Introduction Adolescents and young people (AYP) aged 15–24 years have the least access to facility-based sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including HIV services. The Yathu-Yathu cluster-randomized trial (CRT) in Zambia tested whether a novel peer-led community-based approach increased knowledge of HIV status amongst AYP. In this nested case-control study, we aimed to identify factors associated with non-attendance to the Yathu Yathu…
Facilitators and barriers to Covid-19 testing in community and clinical settings
The sudden emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had a devastating impact on health systems and population health globally. To combat the spread of COVID-19, countries enacted guidelines and safety measures, including testing, contact tracing, and quarantine. It was unclear the extent to which uptake of COVID-19 testing and other health initiatives would be accepted in countries with a history of dealing with widespread communicabl…
Self-reported uptake of STI testing services among adolescents and young people aged 15–24 years
There is little evidence regarding community-based delivery of STI testing and treatment for youth aged 15–24 (AYP) in Zambia. In a cluster-randomised trial, we evaluated whether offering syndromic STI screening through community-based, peer-led sexual and reproductive health services (Yathu Yathu) with referral to a local health facility for testing, increased self-reported testing for STIs (other than HIV) among AYP. Two communities in Lusaka w…
The local dynamics of sociostructural features and HIV stigma in the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial
Across sub-Saharan Africa, stigma levels have been decreasing but not enough to achieve the 95–95–95 HIV targets by 2030. Current global HIV frameworks have identified stigma reduction, context specific interventions, and community mobilization as critical to enabling more effective uptake of HIV services. We conducted a retrospective analysis of longitudinal qualitative and quantitative data collected in 21 urban communities in Zambia and South …
The impact of an innovative community-based peer-led intervention on uptake and coverage of sexual and reproductive health services among adolescents and young people 15–24 years old
ISRCTN75609016 (11/10/2021), clinicaltrials.gov number NCT04060420 (19/08/2019); retrospectively registered
“A heart of the man is lighter than that of the woman…” exploring men’s motivation and capability to access HIV services in Lusaka, Zambia
In southern Africa, men are less likely than women to access HIV services, including HIV testing, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and HIV prevention services. As a result, men living with HIV are less likely to be virally suppressed and more likely to transmit HIV than their female peers. Using the socio-ecological model as a framework, we explored factors that influence men’s motivation and capability to access available HIV services, including ho…
Sexual and reproductive health interventions for mobile adolescents and young people in sub-Saharan Africa
Research exploring SRHR interventions for mAYP is limited in sub-Saharan Africa. Future research and interventions should be underpinned by an understanding of young people's health and wellbeing more broadly, and foreground the social, cultural, religious and economic factors shaping mAYP's SRH needs
Appropriateness of digital vending machines and mobile phone applications in increasing access to HIV testing among adolescents and young people aged 18–24 in an urban community in Zambia
Migration and its impact on universal HIV testing and treatment in the HPTN 071 (PopART) study communities
Migrants have been identified as a population left behind by the AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) response, with evidence showing poorer HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) outcomes and reduced intervention effectiveness in mobile populations. We used data from the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01900977) to investigate migration and HIV-related indicators, assessing whether community migration influenced PopART t…
HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (11 works) · Medicine (11 works) · Population (11 works) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (8 works) · Environmental health (8 works) · Family medicine (7 works) · Nursing (7 works) · Public health (7 works) · Political science (6 works) · Reproductive health (6 works)