Neil Martinson
Biographic Data
| ID | 1258395 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Neil Martinson |
| GIVEN NAMES | Neil |
| FAMILY NAME | Martinson |
| SIGNATURE | MARTINSON N |
| AFFILIATIONS | Perinatal HIV Research Unit |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-0184-5705 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 27 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 2 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 27 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2006 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Repeat Behavioral Counseling, With and Without Combination Nicotine Replacement Therapy, for Smoking Cessation Among People With HIV in South Africa
A cluster-randomized trial of household vs incentive-based tuberculosis contact investigation in rural South Africa
The World Health Organization recommends TB contact investigation in high-burden countries. We examined the implementation reach of two contact investigation strategies in South Africa . Kharitode TB, a cluster-randomized crossover trial, compared household- and incentive-based contact investigation in 28 clinics (July 2016-January 2020). Clinics used each strategy for 18 months (separated by a six-month “washout”). Adults recently diagnosed with…
The Nicotine Metabolite Ratio and Response to Smoking Cessation Treatment Among People Living with HIV Who Smoke in South Africa
The nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR) has been informative in selecting treatment choices for nicotine dependence and increasing treatment efficacy in Western settings; however, the clinical utility of the NMR among smokers in low-resource settings remains unclear. Prospective analysis was conducted using data from a randomized controlled trial of smoking cessation among adults living with HIV, to examine the association between the NMR and respons…
Group-based trajectory modeling to describe the geographical distribution of tuberculosis notifications
GBTM is a powerful tool for identifying geographic clusters of varying levels of TB notification when longitudinal data on the number of TB diagnoses are available. This analysis can inform the planning and evaluation of intervention strategies
A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Nicotine Metabolite Ratio and Its Association with Sociodemographic and Smoking Characteristics among People with HIV Who Smoke in South Africa
The nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR) is associated with race/ethnicity but has not been evaluated among smokers in the African region. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a large randomized, controlled trial for smoking cessation among people with HIV (PWH) in South Africa. Urine samples were analyzed for the NMR and evaluated as a binary variable using a cutoff value of the fourth quartile to determine the fastest metabo…
Assessment of facility-based tuberculosis data quality in an integrated HIV/TB database in three South African districts
Background Assessment of data quality is essential to successful monitoring & evaluation of tuberculosis (TB) services. South Africa uses the Three Interlinked Electronic Register (TIER.Net) to monitor TB diagnoses and treatment outcomes. We assessed the quality of routine programmatic data as captured in TIER.Net. Methods We reviewed 277 records from routine data collected for adults who had started TB treatment for drug-sensitive (DS-) TB betwe…
Community-led cross-sectional study of social and employment circumstances, HIV and associated factors amongst female sex workers in South Africa
BACKGROUND: In South Africa, female sex workers (FSWs) are perceived to play a pivotal role in the country's HIV epidemic. Understanding their health status and risk factors for adverse health outcomes is foundational for developing evidence-based health care for this population. OBJECTIVE: Describe the methodology used to successfully implement a community-led study of social and employment circumstances, HIV and associated factors amongst FSWs …
Housing Quality in a Rural and an Urban Settlement in South Africa
During 2016 to 2018, a prospective household cohort study of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus community burden and transmission dynamics (the PHIRST study) was undertaken to examine the factors associated with influenza and other respiratory pathogen transmissions in South Africa. We collected information on housing conditions in the PHIRST study sites: Rural villages near Agincourt, Bushbuckridge Municipality, Mpumalanga Province, and u…
A cross-sectional study measuring contact patterns using diaries in an urban and a rural community in South Africa, 2018
Age played an important role in the number and duration of contact events, with children at the rural site having almost double the contact rate compared to the urban site. These contact rates can be utilized in mathematical models to assess transmission dynamics of infectious diseases in similar communities
Formative research for an mHealth program to improve the HIV care continuum in South Africa
In South Africa, high attrition rates throughout the care continuum present major barriers to controlling the HIV epidemic. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions may provide innovative opportunities for efficient healthcare delivery and improving retention in care. In this formative research, we interviewed 11 patients and 28 healthcare providers in North West Province, South Africa, to identify perceived benefits, concerns and suggestions for a …
Secure Delivery of HIV-Related and Tuberculosis Laboratory Results to Patient Cell Phones
Feasibility of community-based HIV self-screening in South Africa
Unsupervised HIVSS was by far the most selected and utilised HIVSS method. Linkages to primary and confirmatory testing for the unsupervised HIVSS and further care were low, despite home visits and telephonic reminders
Promoting Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy for People Living with HIV in South Africa
Brief report
Funeral services sector personnel are at risk of contracting infectious diseases and have poor adherence to universal safety precautions. More work needs to be done to understand this industry; however, there is limited information on conducting research within this sector. This manuscript draws on experiences and observations of funeral services study describing lessons learned in the field, particularly emphasizing attempts to engage funeral ho…
The effect of partner HIV status on motivation to take antiretroviral and isoniazid preventive therapies
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) and isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) are important to reduce morbidity and mortality among people newly diagnosed of HIV. The successful uptake of ART and IPT requires a comprehensive understanding of patients' motivation to take such therapies. Partners also play an important role in the decision to be initiated and retained in care. We quantified patients' motivation to take preventive therapies (ART and IPT) and …
Maternal Motivation to Take Preventive Therapy in Antepartum and Postpartum Among HIV-Positive Pregnant Women in South Africa
Evaluating the cost of adult voluntary medical male circumcision in a mixed (surgical and PrePex) site compared to a hypothetical PrePex-only site in South Africa
BACKGROUND: Several circumcision devices have been evaluated for a safe and simplified male circumcision among adults. The PrePex device was prequalified for voluntary male medical circumcision (VMMC) in May 2013 by the World Health Organization and is expected to simplify the procedure safely while reducing cost. South Africa is scaling up VMMC. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the overall unit cost of VMMC at a mixed site vs. a hypothetical PrePex-only s…
Factors associated with mortality in HIV-infected people in rural and urban South Africa
BACKGROUND: Factors associated with mortality in HIV-infected people in sub-Saharan Africa are widely reported. However rural-urban disparities and their association with all-cause mortality remain unclear. Furthermore, commonly used classical Cox regression ignores unmeasured variables and frailty. OBJECTIVE: To incorporate frailty in assessing factors associated with mortality in HIV-infected people in rural and urban South Africa. DESIGN: Usin…
Missed opportunities in TB diagnosis
This study introduces the TB-PBPR tool as a novel method to review and evaluate clinical performance in TB management. We found that simple clinical actions were omitted in many cases. The tool, in conjunction with a manual describing best practice, is adaptable to a range of settings, is educational and enables detailed feedback within a TB programme. The TB-PBPR tool and manual are both freely available for general use
Sexual Risk Behaviors Among HIV-Infected South African Men and Women with Their Partners in a Primary Care Program
Condom avoidance and determinants of demand for male circumcision in Johannesburg, South Africa
BACKGROUND Circumcision is efficacious in reducing HIV acquisition in heterosexual males. The South Africa government has been reluctant to adopt a national circumcision programme, possibly due to concerns that circumcision may result in decreased condom use. OBJECTIVE To identify the determinants of demand for male circumcision, to examine variations by ethnicity, and to determine whether it is demanded to avoid condom use. METHODS 403 parents a…
Patient referral from nurses to doctors in a nurse-led HIV primary care clinic in South Africa
Health services in sub-Saharan Africa are under great pressure to provide adequate clinical care due to the continued HIV epidemic, and nurse-driven models of care are one means to address physician shortages. This case-control study examines the reasons for and correlates of patient referral from nurses to physicians at HIV primary care clinics in South Africa prior to initiating antiretroviral treatment. Ninety-seven HIV-infected cases who requ…
The Impact of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy on Activities of Daily Living in HIV-Infected Adults in South Africa
Socioeconomic disparities in access to HIV/Aids treatment programs in resource-limited settings
This study employs data from rural South Africa to determine whether there were socioeconomic differences in the profile of HIV-infected persons living in the community and HIV-infected patients presenting for hospital-based outpatient HIV/AIDS care and related services. There were 776 HIV-infected persons aged 18-35 years in Limpopo Province, South Africa who were included in the study, including 534 consecutive patients who presented for care a…
Preferences for Characteristics of Antiretroviral Therapy Provision in Johannesburg, South Africa
Condom avoidance and determinants of demand for male circumcision in Johannesburg, South Africa
BACKGROUND Circumcision is efficacious in reducing HIV acquisition in heterosexual males. The South Africa government has been reluctant to adopt a national circumcision programme, possibly due to concerns that circumcision may result in decreased condom use. OBJECTIVE To identify the determinants of demand for male circumcision, to examine variations by ethnicity, and to determine whether it is demanded to avoid condom use. METHODS 403 parents a…
The effects of adult morbidity and mortality on household welfare and the well-being of children in Soweto
This is the first description of the effects of adult morbidity and mortality on children residing in Soweto, an urban African setting in South Africa, in the era of HIV/AIDS. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional household survey in Soweto identified by a stratified, two-stage cluster sample. In total, 4912 households were surveyed: 4501 households with children and 411 households with no children under the age of 16 years. We present detai…
The effects of adult morbidity and mortality on household welfare and the well-being of children in Soweto
This is the first description of the effects of adult morbidity and mortality on children residing in Soweto, an urban African setting in South Africa, in the era of HIV/AIDS. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional household survey in Soweto identified by a stratified, two-stage cluster sample. In total, 4912 households were surveyed: 4501 households with children and 411 households with no children under the age of 16 years. We present detai…
The socioeconomic impact of antiretroviral treatment on individuals in Soweto, South Africa
This research explores the short-term socioeconomic effect of antiretroviral treatment (ART) in HIV positive patients attending the Perinatal HIV Research Unit clinics in Soweto, South Africa. An overall increase in mean personal and household income following commencement of ART was noted. Mean personal income rose 53% over baseline income. A decrease in the number of meals missed in households was noted in 10% of the sample. The leading themes …
Socioeconomic disparities in access to HIV/Aids treatment programs in resource-limited settings
This study employs data from rural South Africa to determine whether there were socioeconomic differences in the profile of HIV-infected persons living in the community and HIV-infected patients presenting for hospital-based outpatient HIV/AIDS care and related services. There were 776 HIV-infected persons aged 18-35 years in Limpopo Province, South Africa who were included in the study, including 534 consecutive patients who presented for care a…
Preferences for Characteristics of Antiretroviral Therapy Provision in Johannesburg, South Africa
Patient referral from nurses to doctors in a nurse-led HIV primary care clinic in South Africa
Health services in sub-Saharan Africa are under great pressure to provide adequate clinical care due to the continued HIV epidemic, and nurse-driven models of care are one means to address physician shortages. This case-control study examines the reasons for and correlates of patient referral from nurses to physicians at HIV primary care clinics in South Africa prior to initiating antiretroviral treatment. Ninety-seven HIV-infected cases who requ…
The Impact of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy on Activities of Daily Living in HIV-Infected Adults in South Africa
Missed opportunities in TB diagnosis
This study introduces the TB-PBPR tool as a novel method to review and evaluate clinical performance in TB management. We found that simple clinical actions were omitted in many cases. The tool, in conjunction with a manual describing best practice, is adaptable to a range of settings, is educational and enables detailed feedback within a TB programme. The TB-PBPR tool and manual are both freely available for general use
Sexual Risk Behaviors Among HIV-Infected South African Men and Women with Their Partners in a Primary Care Program
Condom avoidance and determinants of demand for male circumcision in Johannesburg, South Africa
BACKGROUND Circumcision is efficacious in reducing HIV acquisition in heterosexual males. The South Africa government has been reluctant to adopt a national circumcision programme, possibly due to concerns that circumcision may result in decreased condom use. OBJECTIVE To identify the determinants of demand for male circumcision, to examine variations by ethnicity, and to determine whether it is demanded to avoid condom use. METHODS 403 parents a…
Factors associated with mortality in HIV-infected people in rural and urban South Africa
BACKGROUND: Factors associated with mortality in HIV-infected people in sub-Saharan Africa are widely reported. However rural-urban disparities and their association with all-cause mortality remain unclear. Furthermore, commonly used classical Cox regression ignores unmeasured variables and frailty. OBJECTIVE: To incorporate frailty in assessing factors associated with mortality in HIV-infected people in rural and urban South Africa. DESIGN: Usin…
Evaluating the cost of adult voluntary medical male circumcision in a mixed (surgical and PrePex) site compared to a hypothetical PrePex-only site in South Africa
BACKGROUND: Several circumcision devices have been evaluated for a safe and simplified male circumcision among adults. The PrePex device was prequalified for voluntary male medical circumcision (VMMC) in May 2013 by the World Health Organization and is expected to simplify the procedure safely while reducing cost. South Africa is scaling up VMMC. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the overall unit cost of VMMC at a mixed site vs. a hypothetical PrePex-only s…
The effect of partner HIV status on motivation to take antiretroviral and isoniazid preventive therapies
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) and isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) are important to reduce morbidity and mortality among people newly diagnosed of HIV. The successful uptake of ART and IPT requires a comprehensive understanding of patients' motivation to take such therapies. Partners also play an important role in the decision to be initiated and retained in care. We quantified patients' motivation to take preventive therapies (ART and IPT) and …
Maternal Motivation to Take Preventive Therapy in Antepartum and Postpartum Among HIV-Positive Pregnant Women in South Africa
Feasibility of community-based HIV self-screening in South Africa
Unsupervised HIVSS was by far the most selected and utilised HIVSS method. Linkages to primary and confirmatory testing for the unsupervised HIVSS and further care were low, despite home visits and telephonic reminders
Promoting Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy for People Living with HIV in South Africa
Brief report
Funeral services sector personnel are at risk of contracting infectious diseases and have poor adherence to universal safety precautions. More work needs to be done to understand this industry; however, there is limited information on conducting research within this sector. This manuscript draws on experiences and observations of funeral services study describing lessons learned in the field, particularly emphasizing attempts to engage funeral ho…
Formative research for an mHealth program to improve the HIV care continuum in South Africa
In South Africa, high attrition rates throughout the care continuum present major barriers to controlling the HIV epidemic. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions may provide innovative opportunities for efficient healthcare delivery and improving retention in care. In this formative research, we interviewed 11 patients and 28 healthcare providers in North West Province, South Africa, to identify perceived benefits, concerns and suggestions for a …
Secure Delivery of HIV-Related and Tuberculosis Laboratory Results to Patient Cell Phones
Community-led cross-sectional study of social and employment circumstances, HIV and associated factors amongst female sex workers in South Africa
BACKGROUND: In South Africa, female sex workers (FSWs) are perceived to play a pivotal role in the country's HIV epidemic. Understanding their health status and risk factors for adverse health outcomes is foundational for developing evidence-based health care for this population. OBJECTIVE: Describe the methodology used to successfully implement a community-led study of social and employment circumstances, HIV and associated factors amongst FSWs …
Housing Quality in a Rural and an Urban Settlement in South Africa
During 2016 to 2018, a prospective household cohort study of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus community burden and transmission dynamics (the PHIRST study) was undertaken to examine the factors associated with influenza and other respiratory pathogen transmissions in South Africa. We collected information on housing conditions in the PHIRST study sites: Rural villages near Agincourt, Bushbuckridge Municipality, Mpumalanga Province, and u…
A cross-sectional study measuring contact patterns using diaries in an urban and a rural community in South Africa, 2018
Age played an important role in the number and duration of contact events, with children at the rural site having almost double the contact rate compared to the urban site. These contact rates can be utilized in mathematical models to assess transmission dynamics of infectious diseases in similar communities
Assessment of facility-based tuberculosis data quality in an integrated HIV/TB database in three South African districts
Background Assessment of data quality is essential to successful monitoring & evaluation of tuberculosis (TB) services. South Africa uses the Three Interlinked Electronic Register (TIER.Net) to monitor TB diagnoses and treatment outcomes. We assessed the quality of routine programmatic data as captured in TIER.Net. Methods We reviewed 277 records from routine data collected for adults who had started TB treatment for drug-sensitive (DS-) TB betwe…
A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Nicotine Metabolite Ratio and Its Association with Sociodemographic and Smoking Characteristics among People with HIV Who Smoke in South Africa
The nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR) is associated with race/ethnicity but has not been evaluated among smokers in the African region. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a large randomized, controlled trial for smoking cessation among people with HIV (PWH) in South Africa. Urine samples were analyzed for the NMR and evaluated as a binary variable using a cutoff value of the fourth quartile to determine the fastest metabo…
A cluster-randomized trial of household vs incentive-based tuberculosis contact investigation in rural South Africa
The World Health Organization recommends TB contact investigation in high-burden countries. We examined the implementation reach of two contact investigation strategies in South Africa . Kharitode TB, a cluster-randomized crossover trial, compared household- and incentive-based contact investigation in 28 clinics (July 2016-January 2020). Clinics used each strategy for 18 months (separated by a six-month “washout”). Adults recently diagnosed with…
The Nicotine Metabolite Ratio and Response to Smoking Cessation Treatment Among People Living with HIV Who Smoke in South Africa
The nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR) has been informative in selecting treatment choices for nicotine dependence and increasing treatment efficacy in Western settings; however, the clinical utility of the NMR among smokers in low-resource settings remains unclear. Prospective analysis was conducted using data from a randomized controlled trial of smoking cessation among adults living with HIV, to examine the association between the NMR and respons…
Medicine (25 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (14 works) · Environmental health (13 works) · Family medicine (13 works) · Demography (11 works) · Nursing (11 works) · Public health (9 works) · Internal Medicine (8 works) · Population (8 works) · Health psychology (7 works)