Sumaya Mall
Biographic Data
| ID | 1253117 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Sumaya Mall |
| GIVEN NAMES | Sumaya |
| FAMILY NAME | Mall |
| SIGNATURE | MALL S |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of the Witwatersrand |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-8430-368X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 25 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 10 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 25 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2005 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Adverse Childhood Experiences and HIV Prevalence Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Rural South Africa
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are common among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Sub-Saharan Africa, who also face a high burden of HIV. While prior research has focused on behavioural pathways linking ACEs and HIV, less attention has been given to the broader spectrum of adversities themselves, particularly household and community violence. This study examined the association between cumulative and individual ACEs and HIV prevale…
Period Prevalence of and Biopsychosocial Factors Associated With Sexual Dysfunction in Self-Identified Females in Gauteng, South Africa, During 2013–2023
Objectives This study examined the period prevalence and association of a range of biopsychosocial factors with sexual dysfunction in self-identified females attending clinics in Gauteng, South Africa, during 2013–2023.Methods In a cross-sectional design, 1595 patient records were analyzed. Prevalence of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) (using the Female Sexual Function Index) and associations were estimated using logistic regression analysis.Resu…
Stress-responsive biomarkers and sexual behaviors among young women in rural South Africa
BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a critical period when youth develop their decision-making skills and may engage in their first sexual encounters. Stress during this time can affect decision making; however, limited research has examined the relationship between biological stress correlates and sexual behavior among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in high-HIV incidence areas. PURPOSE: To examine whether stress-responsive biomarkers are longitu…
Trajectories of intimate partner violence and their relationship to stress among young women in South Africa
BACKGROUND: One in four South African women will experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime, potentially increasing their biological stress. In South Africa, limited IPV and stress research has utilized multiple timepoints or examined modifying factors. Cash transfers (CTs) are associated with reduced IPV and stress and may be an intervention target. AIMS: We used data-driven methods to identify longitudinal IPV trajectory group…
Dietary diversity, food insecurity and the double burden of malnutrition among children, adolescents and adults in South Africa
Childhood stunting remains a global public health problem. Many stunted children live in the same household as overweight or obese adults (the so-called double burden of malnutrition), evidence that quality as well as quantity of food is important. In recent years, food security measurement has shifted away from anthropometry (e.g., stunting) to experiential measures (e.g., self-reported hunger). However, given the continued problem of stunting, …
Household Food Insecurity and Demographic Factors, Low Birth Weight and Stunting in Early Childhood
Interventions that can improve household food security and nutritional status during the periconceptional and antenatal period may reduce the prevalence of low birthweight and subsequent stunting in low- and middle-income countries
Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of tobacco and alcohol use in four sub-Saharan African countries
Regional variation in the patterns and prevalence of substance use was observed across study sites, and in rural and urban settings. The high levels of substance use recorded in this study are of concern due to the increased risk of associated morbidities. Further longitudinal data will be valuable in determining trends in substance misuse in Africa
Prevalence and factors associated with PTSD among female urban slum dwellers in Ibadan, Nigeria
The prevalence of PTSD among women living in Ibadan slums was relatively low. Both child sexual abuse and intimate partner violence can be prevented. We also recommend longitudinal studies to better understand risk and protective factors
Cognitive and Language Development at Age 4–6 Years in Children HIV‐Exposed But Uninfected Compared to Those HIV‐Unexposed and to Children Living With HIV
Perinatal HIV infection is associated with delayed neurocognitive development, but less is known about children perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected (CHEU). We compared cognitive and language outcomes in 4-6-year old CHEU versus children HIV-unexposed and uninfected (CHUU) and children living with HIV (CLHIV). We enrolled 1,581 children (77% of the child population) in five communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Children completed: Grover-…
Life-Course Trauma and Later Life Mental, Physical, and Cognitive Health in a Postapartheid South African Population
Objective: To investigate the relationships between exposure to life-course traumatic events (TEs) and later life mental, physical, and cognitive health outcomes in the older population of a rural South African community. Method: Data were from baseline interviews with 2,473 adults aged ≥40 years in the population-representative Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI) study, conducted in 2…
The relationship between cognitive change and physical health and behavioural outcomes in a Ugandan cohort of adults living with HIV – a longitudinal study
We investigated changes in cognitive function and physical health and behavioural outcomes (HIV disease progression, health-seeking behaviour, adherence to HIV medications and risky sexual behaviour) at baseline and 12 months later among 1126 Ugandan adults living with HIV. Overall, cognitive function improved from baseline to follow-up, except for gait speed, which was slower at follow-up compared to baseline. There were improvements in physical…
Perceptions of parents of children with hearing loss of genetic origin in South Africa
Caregiving for mental health service users
BACKGROUND: Our study explores perceptions of the caregiver support for mental health service users (MHSUs) in a low- to middle-income country setting. MATERIALS: We conducted in-depth individual interviews with 16 MHSUs and their treatment partners/caregivers from a treatment partner and text-message intervention study. DISCUSSION: Treatment partners/caregivers felt obligated to care for MHSUs, but had a limited understanding of mental illness. …
The HIV epidemic and sexual and reproductive health policy integration
The past decade's HIV policy changes have increased opportunities for SRH-HIV integration. The findings provide important insights for international, regional and national SRH-HIV policy and service integration initiatives
Demand and access to mental health services
BACKGROUND: Nepal is experiencing a significant 'treatment gap' in mental health care. People with mental disorders do not always receive appropriate treatment due to a range of structural and individual issues, including stigma and poverty. The PRIME (Programme for Improving Mental Health Care) programme has developed a mental health care plan to address this issue in Nepal and four other low and middle income countries. This study aims to infor…
Towards a treatment model for family therapy for schizophrenia in an urban African setting
BACKGROUND: Family interventional programmes are effective adjuncts to pharmacotherapy in patients with schizophrenia. Modification in content of such programmes in response to local challenges is considered important, but has not been fully explored in Africa. AIMS: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of an interventional family study for people with schizophrenia and their families in a socially deprived urban community in South Africa …
Changing patterns in HIV/Aids stigma and uptake of voluntary counselling and testing services
Voluntary counselling and HIV testing (VCT) has been associated with decreased human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviour, but in South Africa, which has the largest HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in the world, uptake of VCT remains low. HIV/AIDS-associated stigma has been identified as a barrier to HIV testing. This study explored changes in stigma, and VCT access in a peri-urban South African community with high …
HIV issues and people with disabilities
“I understand just a little…” Perspectives of HIV/Aids service providers in South Africa of providing mental health care for people living with HIV/Aids
Research conducted in South Africa and other parts of the world has revealed that people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are more at risk of developing a mental disorder than the general population. It makes sense to explore means of integrating HIV/AIDS and mental health care thereby facilitating access of PLWHA to prompt mental health care. We conducted qualitative interviews with 22 HIV/AIDS service providers of three occupational categories (10 …
Perceptions of educators of Deaf and hard-of-hearing adolescents of HIV-risk factors for these youths
Like the general population in South Africa, adolescents with deafness or who are hard-of-hearing may be vulnerable to HIV infection. They are exposed to all known risk factors for HIV infection. Educators who work in schools for Deaf (meaning culturally deaf) and hard-of-hearing adolescents can provide valuable information about HIV-risk factors for these youths. We conducted 21 in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions with educators …
Parents' anxieties about the risk of HIV/Aids for their Deaf and hard of hearing adolescents in South Africa
Adolescents who are Deaf or hard of hearing may be vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Adolescents' open communication with parents encourages positive sexuality. The relationship between the Deaf adolescent and their parent could be obstructed by communication difficulties. This article explores parents' anxieties about HIV risk. We interviewed nine parents of Deaf adolescents in South Africa. We explored their fears of the risk of HIV/AIDS for their childr…
The prevalence and predictors of stigma amongst people living with HIV/Aids in the Western Province
The aim of the present study was determine the extent to which internalized and enacted stigma is experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS and to establish correlates of such experiences. A convenience sample of 400 HIV-positive participants was selected from three health clinics in the Cape Town area. Respondents' experiences of internalized and enacted stigma were investigated using the HIV/AIDS Stigma Instrument - PLWA (HASI-P). Overall, 28%…
Family Therapy for Schizophrenia in the South African Context
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder that affects 1% of the world's population. Family interventions whereby the patients and their relatives can attend psychiatric therapy sessions are effective at preventing relapse of symptoms. In a country such as South Africa where there has been a shift from institutionalisation to community care, family therapy treatment models are an important option to explore. Although there is a paucity of r…
Perspectives towards mental illness in people living with HIV/Aids in South Africa
Psychiatric disorders are more common in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) than in the general population and they exert a significant effect on many health-related outcomes. Low levels of mental health literacy and stigma may contribute to delayed treatment seeking and poorer outcomes. A convenience sample of 400 HIV-positive respondents were selected from three health clinics in Cape Town. Respondents' mental health literacy and attitudes tow…
Attitudes of Health Care Professionals in South Africa to the Use of Traditional Medicine by their Patients on Antiretroviral Treatment
This research note explores the attitudes and approaches of health care professionals working in antiretroviral (ARV) roll out sites in South Africa to patients taking traditional medicine. It shows that health professionals are concerned about the possibility of traditional healers undermining an ARV roll out programme through providing untested substances that could interact adversely with ARV drugs. Furthermore, traditional healers could even …
Life-Course Trauma and Later Life Mental, Physical, and Cognitive Health in a Postapartheid South African Population
Objective: To investigate the relationships between exposure to life-course traumatic events (TEs) and later life mental, physical, and cognitive health outcomes in the older population of a rural South African community. Method: Data were from baseline interviews with 2,473 adults aged ≥40 years in the population-representative Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI) study, conducted in 2…
Attitudes of Health Care Professionals in South Africa to the Use of Traditional Medicine by their Patients on Antiretroviral Treatment
This research note explores the attitudes and approaches of health care professionals working in antiretroviral (ARV) roll out sites in South Africa to patients taking traditional medicine. It shows that health professionals are concerned about the possibility of traditional healers undermining an ARV roll out programme through providing untested substances that could interact adversely with ARV drugs. Furthermore, traditional healers could even …
Parents' anxieties about the risk of HIV/Aids for their Deaf and hard of hearing adolescents in South Africa
Adolescents who are Deaf or hard of hearing may be vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Adolescents' open communication with parents encourages positive sexuality. The relationship between the Deaf adolescent and their parent could be obstructed by communication difficulties. This article explores parents' anxieties about HIV risk. We interviewed nine parents of Deaf adolescents in South Africa. We explored their fears of the risk of HIV/AIDS for their childr…
Family Therapy for Schizophrenia in the South African Context
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder that affects 1% of the world's population. Family interventions whereby the patients and their relatives can attend psychiatric therapy sessions are effective at preventing relapse of symptoms. In a country such as South Africa where there has been a shift from institutionalisation to community care, family therapy treatment models are an important option to explore. Although there is a paucity of r…
Attitudes of Health Care Professionals in South Africa to the Use of Traditional Medicine by their Patients on Antiretroviral Treatment
This research note explores the attitudes and approaches of health care professionals working in antiretroviral (ARV) roll out sites in South Africa to patients taking traditional medicine. It shows that health professionals are concerned about the possibility of traditional healers undermining an ARV roll out programme through providing untested substances that could interact adversely with ARV drugs. Furthermore, traditional healers could even …
Perspectives towards mental illness in people living with HIV/Aids in South Africa
Psychiatric disorders are more common in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) than in the general population and they exert a significant effect on many health-related outcomes. Low levels of mental health literacy and stigma may contribute to delayed treatment seeking and poorer outcomes. A convenience sample of 400 HIV-positive respondents were selected from three health clinics in Cape Town. Respondents' mental health literacy and attitudes tow…
The prevalence and predictors of stigma amongst people living with HIV/Aids in the Western Province
The aim of the present study was determine the extent to which internalized and enacted stigma is experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS and to establish correlates of such experiences. A convenience sample of 400 HIV-positive participants was selected from three health clinics in the Cape Town area. Respondents' experiences of internalized and enacted stigma were investigated using the HIV/AIDS Stigma Instrument - PLWA (HASI-P). Overall, 28%…
Family Therapy for Schizophrenia in the South African Context
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder that affects 1% of the world's population. Family interventions whereby the patients and their relatives can attend psychiatric therapy sessions are effective at preventing relapse of symptoms. In a country such as South Africa where there has been a shift from institutionalisation to community care, family therapy treatment models are an important option to explore. Although there is a paucity of r…
“I understand just a little…” Perspectives of HIV/Aids service providers in South Africa of providing mental health care for people living with HIV/Aids
Research conducted in South Africa and other parts of the world has revealed that people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are more at risk of developing a mental disorder than the general population. It makes sense to explore means of integrating HIV/AIDS and mental health care thereby facilitating access of PLWHA to prompt mental health care. We conducted qualitative interviews with 22 HIV/AIDS service providers of three occupational categories (10 …
Perceptions of educators of Deaf and hard-of-hearing adolescents of HIV-risk factors for these youths
Like the general population in South Africa, adolescents with deafness or who are hard-of-hearing may be vulnerable to HIV infection. They are exposed to all known risk factors for HIV infection. Educators who work in schools for Deaf (meaning culturally deaf) and hard-of-hearing adolescents can provide valuable information about HIV-risk factors for these youths. We conducted 21 in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions with educators …
Parents' anxieties about the risk of HIV/Aids for their Deaf and hard of hearing adolescents in South Africa
Adolescents who are Deaf or hard of hearing may be vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Adolescents' open communication with parents encourages positive sexuality. The relationship between the Deaf adolescent and their parent could be obstructed by communication difficulties. This article explores parents' anxieties about HIV risk. We interviewed nine parents of Deaf adolescents in South Africa. We explored their fears of the risk of HIV/AIDS for their childr…
Changing patterns in HIV/Aids stigma and uptake of voluntary counselling and testing services
Voluntary counselling and HIV testing (VCT) has been associated with decreased human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviour, but in South Africa, which has the largest HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in the world, uptake of VCT remains low. HIV/AIDS-associated stigma has been identified as a barrier to HIV testing. This study explored changes in stigma, and VCT access in a peri-urban South African community with high …
HIV issues and people with disabilities
Demand and access to mental health services
BACKGROUND: Nepal is experiencing a significant 'treatment gap' in mental health care. People with mental disorders do not always receive appropriate treatment due to a range of structural and individual issues, including stigma and poverty. The PRIME (Programme for Improving Mental Health Care) programme has developed a mental health care plan to address this issue in Nepal and four other low and middle income countries. This study aims to infor…
Towards a treatment model for family therapy for schizophrenia in an urban African setting
BACKGROUND: Family interventional programmes are effective adjuncts to pharmacotherapy in patients with schizophrenia. Modification in content of such programmes in response to local challenges is considered important, but has not been fully explored in Africa. AIMS: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of an interventional family study for people with schizophrenia and their families in a socially deprived urban community in South Africa …
The HIV epidemic and sexual and reproductive health policy integration
The past decade's HIV policy changes have increased opportunities for SRH-HIV integration. The findings provide important insights for international, regional and national SRH-HIV policy and service integration initiatives
Caregiving for mental health service users
BACKGROUND: Our study explores perceptions of the caregiver support for mental health service users (MHSUs) in a low- to middle-income country setting. MATERIALS: We conducted in-depth individual interviews with 16 MHSUs and their treatment partners/caregivers from a treatment partner and text-message intervention study. DISCUSSION: Treatment partners/caregivers felt obligated to care for MHSUs, but had a limited understanding of mental illness. …
Perceptions of parents of children with hearing loss of genetic origin in South Africa
The relationship between cognitive change and physical health and behavioural outcomes in a Ugandan cohort of adults living with HIV – a longitudinal study
We investigated changes in cognitive function and physical health and behavioural outcomes (HIV disease progression, health-seeking behaviour, adherence to HIV medications and risky sexual behaviour) at baseline and 12 months later among 1126 Ugandan adults living with HIV. Overall, cognitive function improved from baseline to follow-up, except for gait speed, which was slower at follow-up compared to baseline. There were improvements in physical…
Cognitive and Language Development at Age 4–6 Years in Children HIV‐Exposed But Uninfected Compared to Those HIV‐Unexposed and to Children Living With HIV
Perinatal HIV infection is associated with delayed neurocognitive development, but less is known about children perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected (CHEU). We compared cognitive and language outcomes in 4-6-year old CHEU versus children HIV-unexposed and uninfected (CHUU) and children living with HIV (CLHIV). We enrolled 1,581 children (77% of the child population) in five communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Children completed: Grover-…
Life-Course Trauma and Later Life Mental, Physical, and Cognitive Health in a Postapartheid South African Population
Objective: To investigate the relationships between exposure to life-course traumatic events (TEs) and later life mental, physical, and cognitive health outcomes in the older population of a rural South African community. Method: Data were from baseline interviews with 2,473 adults aged ≥40 years in the population-representative Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI) study, conducted in 2…
Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of tobacco and alcohol use in four sub-Saharan African countries
Regional variation in the patterns and prevalence of substance use was observed across study sites, and in rural and urban settings. The high levels of substance use recorded in this study are of concern due to the increased risk of associated morbidities. Further longitudinal data will be valuable in determining trends in substance misuse in Africa
Prevalence and factors associated with PTSD among female urban slum dwellers in Ibadan, Nigeria
The prevalence of PTSD among women living in Ibadan slums was relatively low. Both child sexual abuse and intimate partner violence can be prevented. We also recommend longitudinal studies to better understand risk and protective factors
Dietary diversity, food insecurity and the double burden of malnutrition among children, adolescents and adults in South Africa
Childhood stunting remains a global public health problem. Many stunted children live in the same household as overweight or obese adults (the so-called double burden of malnutrition), evidence that quality as well as quantity of food is important. In recent years, food security measurement has shifted away from anthropometry (e.g., stunting) to experiential measures (e.g., self-reported hunger). However, given the continued problem of stunting, …
Household Food Insecurity and Demographic Factors, Low Birth Weight and Stunting in Early Childhood
Interventions that can improve household food security and nutritional status during the periconceptional and antenatal period may reduce the prevalence of low birthweight and subsequent stunting in low- and middle-income countries
Trajectories of intimate partner violence and their relationship to stress among young women in South Africa
BACKGROUND: One in four South African women will experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime, potentially increasing their biological stress. In South Africa, limited IPV and stress research has utilized multiple timepoints or examined modifying factors. Cash transfers (CTs) are associated with reduced IPV and stress and may be an intervention target. AIMS: We used data-driven methods to identify longitudinal IPV trajectory group…
Stress-responsive biomarkers and sexual behaviors among young women in rural South Africa
BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a critical period when youth develop their decision-making skills and may engage in their first sexual encounters. Stress during this time can affect decision making; however, limited research has examined the relationship between biological stress correlates and sexual behavior among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in high-HIV incidence areas. PURPOSE: To examine whether stress-responsive biomarkers are longitu…
Adverse Childhood Experiences and HIV Prevalence Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Rural South Africa
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are common among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Sub-Saharan Africa, who also face a high burden of HIV. While prior research has focused on behavioural pathways linking ACEs and HIV, less attention has been given to the broader spectrum of adversities themselves, particularly household and community violence. This study examined the association between cumulative and individual ACEs and HIV prevale…
Period Prevalence of and Biopsychosocial Factors Associated With Sexual Dysfunction in Self-Identified Females in Gauteng, South Africa, During 2013–2023
Objectives This study examined the period prevalence and association of a range of biopsychosocial factors with sexual dysfunction in self-identified females attending clinics in Gauteng, South Africa, during 2013–2023.Methods In a cross-sectional design, 1595 patient records were analyzed. Prevalence of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) (using the Female Sexual Function Index) and associations were estimated using logistic regression analysis.Resu…
Medicine (23 works) · Environmental health (17 works) · Population (14 works) · Psychology (14 works) · Psychiatry (13 works) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (9 works) · Family medicine (9 works) · Public health (9 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (8 works) · Gerontology (7 works)