Bronwyn Myers
Biographic Data
| ID | 354954 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Bronwyn Myers |
| GIVEN NAMES | Bronwyn |
| FAMILY NAME | Myers |
| SIGNATURE | MYERS B |
| AFFILIATIONS | South African Medical Research Council |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-0235-6716 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 99 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 13 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 99 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2008 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
“I know now I’m not really alone”: Qualitative insights from children, parents and caregivers of unguided internet cognitive behavior therapy for grief in children
There are few studies examining internet cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for grieving children. No studies have examined qualitative insights from children and parents/caregivers about views of internet interventions for grief. Bereaved children were recruited from a sample of 48 participants, aged 6-12 years, who had been randomized to the intervention arm of a four-week, unguided internet CBT intervention for grief. There were 17 participants,…
A 12-month follow-up of a pilot randomized controlled trial examining co-designed unguided internet cognitive behavior therapy for grieving adolescents
Grief is a prevalent experience in adolescence. Outcomes were explored 6 and 12 months after unguided internet cognitive behavior therapy intervention for grieving adolescents (M = 17.04 years, SD = 1.04). The primary outcome was anxiety symptoms and secondary outcomes were well-beingand symptoms of depression, prolonged grief and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Of the 49 adolescents randomized at pre-intervention, 18% completed the 6-month…
The Need to Revitalise Drug Use Monitoring to Keep Pace With a More Dynamic, Digitally Enabled and Globally Connected Drug Market
Globalisation, developments in information technology, and social and demographic changes are profoundly impacting the modern world [1]. They have also resulted in an illicit drug market that is more dynamic, complex and globally connected [2]. Drug consumption patterns are rapidly changing, with synthetic drugs, controlled psychoactive substances and poly substance use all playing a greater role [3]. These developments are impacting both the nat…
A group motivational intervention to support motivation for physical activity among adults in residential treatment for substance use disorders: A series of N-of-1 studies
OBJECTIVE: Physical activity (PA) may offer health benefits for individuals undergoing substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, yet relapse, comorbidities, and motivational challenges often hinder PA maintenance. This study assessed the impact of a motivational intervention aimed at increasing PA motivation and maintenance in a residential SUD treatment setting. METHODS AND MEASURES: This non-concurrent multiple-baseline N-of-1 study consisted of …
Perspectives on non-specialist training for mental health care delivery in South Africa: The importance of common factors
Task-sharing, or the distribution of tasks to non-specialists, is a key strategy for expanding access to mental health services, particularly in low- and lower-middle income countries. However, training practices are not standardized and non-specialist training outcomes in mental health care are variable. A better understanding of current practices and challenges in task-shared mental health care training is much needed to help improve training o…
Cost-effectiveness of a peer-delivered behavioral intervention for adherence to antiretroviral therapy and alcohol and drug use in South African HIV care
Cost-effective approaches for integrating behavioral interventions for problematic alcohol and other drug (AOD) use into HIV care is needed, as problematic AOD is a primary barrier to adherence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Thus, we investigated the cost-effectiveness of a recently completed pilot trial in South Africa, that showed promising findings in improved adherence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The trial compared a task-shared, peer-…
Implications of Covid-19 Restrictions on the Ethics and Methods of a Multi-Site Study on Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Use Treatment among Men in South Africa
Public health measures for medical emergencies generate methodological and ethical challenges for human research. Using Emanuel et al.'s framework, we assessed the ethical integrity of the research methods used in a men's alcohol and other drug (AOD) use disorder study following their revision due to COVID-19 restrictions in South Africa. Following the amendments, the study's social value, favorable risk-benefit ratio, and respect for participant…
The process of co-design with children of supporting kids in loss: An unguided internet cognitive behavior therapy intervention for grief
Grief is common in children. Internet interventions may increase access to help for grieving children. The co-design of a new internet intervention for grief with 11 children (mean age = 10.81 years; 64% girls, 36% boys) is described. Children emphasized the importance of colorful images and esthetics on the website, improved accessibility via audio recordings of each webpage, engaging interactive features, drawing as an alternative to written re…
Qualitative evaluation of a physical activity motivation intervention at a residential substance use disorder treatment facility
Background Research on physical activity (PA) interventions for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) has yielded mixed findings regarding impact on substance use, mental health, and physical health. Low motivation, a common barrier in this population, can limit intervention effectiveness. This study evaluated the perceived effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a motivational group intervention designed to enhance PA motivati…
Group-based Self-Help Plus, Problem Management Plus and pre-exposure prophylaxis to improve mental health and reduce HIV risk in survivors of rape in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A pilot and feasabilt…
Gender-based violence (GBV) and HIV are highly prevalent in South Africa and are significant public health problems. Rape is a risk factor for both HIV acquisition and adverse mental health outcomes. Post-rape interventions targeting HIV and mental health are needed to mitigate risk and aid recovery. Self-Help Plus (SH+) and Problem Management Plus (PM+) are lay counsellor-facilitated, group-based mental health interventions. We adapted them for …
The feasibility of respondent-driven sampling with people who use drugs in rural Western Cape, South Africa: A qualitative study
The Western Cape is South Africa’s epicentre for tuberculosis (TB) and smoked drug use such as methamphetamine and methaqualone (Mandrax). Despite this, there are limited studies on people who smoke drugs (PWSD) with TB disease in South Africa, partly due to recruitment challenges. Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is a network-based sampling method used to recruit such key populations. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore the appropria…
“They call us amaphara (junkies)”: Intersectional tuberculosis, alcohol, and drug stigma in South Africa
Stigma acts as a barrier to the diagnosis and effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Individuals with TB who also use alcohol or drugs (AODs), including methamphetamine, may experience intersectional stigma. Further, the nature and intensity of these intersecting stigmas may be compounded by co-morbidities like HIV and marginalized social status. Despite this, AOD use stigma has rarely been studied in the context of TB and other co-occurring c…
The relationship between patient-centred care for substance use disorders and patient outcomes: A scoping review
BACKGROUND: Patient-centred care (PCC) is considered crucial for high-quality substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and care, but it is unclear whether PCC is associated with enhanced outcomes. This review aimed to map available evidence of the relationship between PCC and outcomes across the SUD treatment continuum. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of the literature on the relationship between PCC for SUD and service outcomes in accordanc…
A qualitative study of perceptions and acceptability of unguided internet cognitive behavior therapy for grieving adolescents
Grief is a common experience in adolescence. Evidence-based therapies are not readily accessible for grieving young people. Unguided internet-based cognitive behavior therapy for grief in adolescents has recently been investigated in a pilot randomized controlled trial. Research is required to determine acceptability as this unguided internet intervention incorporates exposure and imagery transformation techniques that are typically delivered by …
Socioeconomic inequality in the outcomes of a psychological intervention for depression for South Africans with a co-occurring chronic disease: A decomposition analysis
Task-shared psychological interventions are effective for reducing the severity of depression symptoms, but differences in treatment outcome by socioeconomic status is uncertain. This study examines socioeconomic inequalities (SEI) in depression outcomes among people with HIV and/or diabetes who participated in a cluster randomised controlled trial in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The trial took place at 24 primary care clinics rando…
Developing peer-led recovery groups (PRIZE) for people with psychosis and their caregivers in a low resource South African setting
Aim In South Africa and other low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), personal recovery for people with a severe mental health condition (SMHC) is hampered by lack of community-based support. This paper describes the development of a non-specialist and peer-facilitated recovery intervention (PRIZE) intended as an adjunct to psychiatric care. Methods Intervention development was guided by the MRC framework for complex interventions. Evidence revi…
Piloting Siyakhana: A community health worker training to reduce substance use and depression stigma in South African HIV and TB care
South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV/tuberculosis (TB) co-infection, and poor engagement in HIV/TB care contributes to morbidity and mortality. In South Africa, community health workers (CHWs) are tasked with re-engaging patients who have dropped out of HIV/TB care. CHWs have described substantial challenges with substance use (SU) and depression among their patients, while patients have described CHW stigma towards SU and depression …
Comparing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of alternative type 2 diabetes monitoring intervals in resource limited settings
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) represents a growing disease burden in South Africa. While glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) testing is the gold standard for long-term blood glucose management, recommendations for HbA1c monitoring frequency are based on expert opinion. This study investigates the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of alternative HbA1c monitoring intervals in the management of T2D. A Markov model with three health states (HbA1c <7%, HbA1c ≥ 7%…
Early in the morning, there’s tolerance and later in the day it disappears ” – The intersection of resource scarcity, stress and stigma in mental health and substance use care in South Africa
Stress is a challenge among non-specialist health workers worldwide, particularly in low-resource settings. Understanding and targeting stress is critical for supporting non-specialists and their patients, as stress negatively affects patient care. Further, stigma toward mental health and substance use conditions also impacts patient care. However, there is little information on the intersection of these factors. This sub-analysis aims to explore…
Outcomes of substance use and sexual power among adolescent girls and young women in Cape Town: Implications for structural and cultural differences
Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in South Africa experience contextual barriers to HIV risk reduction including incomplete schooling, unintended pregnancy, substance use, and gender-based violence. A cluster randomised trial in Cape Town allocated 24 Black and Coloured communities to a gender-focused HIV risk-reduction intervention or HIV testing, with 500 AGYW total enrolled. We evaluated intervention efficacy by comparing mean difference…
Perceptions of perinatal alcohol use and treatment needs in Cape Town, South Africa: A qualitative study
Findings from this study highlight the need for an alcohol intervention programme that is innovative and tailored to the needs of women who are pregnant or postpartum. It also highlights the importance of including community-based support and partner involvement in these interventions
Social determinants of health and diabetes self-care management in South Africa
The associations between SDoH and diabetes self-care management within a South African context highlight the need for a more holistic understanding and approach to interventions. Future endeavours should examine these determinants more broadly and formulate integrative strategies to ameliorate diabetes self-care
Patient and provider perceptions of the relationship between alcohol use and TB and readiness for treatment: A qualitative study in South Africa
Findings support strengthening accessible, specialized services for the identification and provision of interventions and psychosocial services for unhealthy alcohol use among those with TB
Increases in employment over six months following Khanya: A secondary analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial of a peer-delivered behavioral intervention for substance use and HIV medication a…
Adapting an evidence-based contingency management and text messaging intervention for South African perinatal women who drink
South Africa has one of the highest prevalence rates globally for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Despite this, few interventions are routinely available for countering the adverse effects of perinatal drinking. The current study used the ADAPT-ITT framework to guide the development of a behavioral intervention with remote alcohol use monitoring and provision of financial incentives contingent on alcohol abstinence for people who are pregnant a…
Economic dependence on mangrove forest resources for livelihoods in the Sundarbans, Bangladesh
Service Providers Perspectives on Personal Recovery from Severe Mental Illness in Cape Town, South Africa: A Qualitative Study
Severe mental illnesses (SMI) contribute significantly to the global burden of disease. In low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), the treatment gap impacts the clinical and personal recovery of people living with an SMI. The drive to reduce this treatment gap in LMICs makes it pertinent to understand service providers' views on recovery from SMI. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups with service providers from health services and non-pro…
Doing more with less’: A qualitative investigation of perceptions of South African health service managers on implementation of health innovations
Building resilience in health systems is an imperative for low- and middle- income countries. Health service managers’ ability to implement health innovations may be a key aspect of resilience in primary healthcare facilities, promoting adaptability and functionality. This study investigated health service managers’ perceptions and experiences of adopting health innovations. We aimed to identify perceptions of constraints to adoption and emergent…
Socioeconomic inequality in the outcomes of a psychological intervention for depression for South Africans with a co-occurring chronic disease: A decomposition analysis
Task-shared psychological interventions are effective for reducing the severity of depression symptoms, but differences in treatment outcome by socioeconomic status is uncertain. This study examines socioeconomic inequalities (SEI) in depression outcomes among people with HIV and/or diabetes who participated in a cluster randomised controlled trial in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The trial took place at 24 primary care clinics rando…
Post-project evaluation of the sustainability of development project outcomes: A case study in eastern Indonesia
The extent to which project outcomes are sustained years after development projects have ended is not routinely investigated. This study assessed the long-term impacts of a fire management project in eastern Indonesia seven years after the funding ended. Post-project evaluation increased understanding of the factors determining sustainability of project outcomes and links to development impacts. The continuation of community fire management and a…
Alcohol, cannabis, and methamphetamine use and other risk behaviours among Black and Coloured South African women: A small randomized trial in the Western Cape
Monitoring and Evaluation of Substance Abuse Services in South Africa: Implications for Policy and Practice
Provision of Mental Health Services in South African Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
HIV prevention, treatment, and care services for people who inject drugs: A systematic review of global, regional, and national coverage
Perceptions of Organizational Functioning in Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities in South Africa
Evidence and Practical Knowledge in Substance Abuse Treatment – A Basis for Discussion – Edited by Håkan Jenner and Vera Segraeus
Community influences on adolescents’ use of home-brewed alcohol in rural South Africa
Findings highlight community influences on alcohol use among rural adolescents in South Africa. Feeling affirmed and valued by the broader community appears to protect adolescents against early alcohol use. In contrast, perceptions of high levels of adult anti-social behavior and crime and violence in the community are significant risks for early alcohol initiation. Implications of these findings for the prevention of alcohol use among adolescent…
Primary health care for people who inject drugs in low and middle income countries
Drug trafficking, use, and HIV risk: The need for comprehensive interventions
The rapid increase in communication and transportation between Africa and other continents as well as the erosion of social fabric attended by poverty, ethnic conflicts, and civil wars has led to increased trafficking and consumption of illicit drugs. Cannabis dominates illicit trade and accounts for as much as 40% of global interdiction. Due to escalating seizures in recent years, the illicit trade in heroin and cocaine has become a concern that…
Ethnic differences in alcohol and drug use and related sexual risks for HIV among vulnerable women in Cape Town, South Africa: Implications for interventions
Findings support the need to develop and test AOD risk reduction interventions for women from both ethnic groups. In addition, findings point to the need for tailored interventions that target the distinct profiles of AOD use and AOD-related sex risks for HIV among Black African and Coloured women
Substance use, gender inequity, violence and sexual risk among couples in Cape Town
Alcohol and other drug use, gender power inequities and violence are key contributors to sexual risks for HIV among South African men and women. Little is known about the intersection between these sex-risk behaviours among couples in established heterosexual relationships. We conducted 10 focus-group discussions with men and women in relationships of 1 year or longer recruited from shebeens (informal taverns) in Cape Town, South Africa. Particip…
Re-examining the evidence for a total ban on alcohol advertising in South Africa
In early 2013, the minister of health announced that a draft bill, the Control of Alcoholic Beverages Bill, was ready to be presented to parliament (Wolhuter, 2013). This bill, which calls for a total ban on alcohol advertising in South Africa, has sparked massive public debate and backlash from the alcohol and advertising industries. As a counter-attack, the alcohol industry has intensified its advertising of alcohol products and commissioned a …
Alcohol and drug use outcomes among vulnerable women living with HIV: Results from the Western Cape Women's Health CoOp
Alcohol and other drug use can negatively affect adherence to and retention in antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV/AIDS. Yet, there are few brief interventions that reduce these behaviors among this population. This article presents the findings from a randomized field experiment that assessed the effects of a woman-focused intervention (the Women's Health CoOp [WHC]) on reducing alcohol and other drug use among vulnerable w…
Improving Addiction Care in South Africa: Development and Challenges to Implementing Training in Addictions Care at the University of Cape Town
Childhood Punishment and Risk for Alcohol use Disorders: Data from South Africa
Experiences of Violence and Association with Decreased Drug Abstinence Among Women in Cape Town, South Africa
HIV Testing Behaviors and Attitudes Among Community Recruited Methamphetamine Users in a South African Township
Contextualizing gender differences and methamphetamine use with HIV prevalence within a South African community
Findings from this study underscore the need for policy makers to direct scarce resources to the communities, places within communities, and populations, especially vulnerable women, where the impact on HIV prevention and onward transmission will be greatest
The prevalence of risk for mental health problems among high school students in the Western Cape Province, South Africa
The aim of this article is to describe the prevalence of risk for developing mental health problems in a large survey of high school students in the Western Cape Province in South Africa. The study population comprised students in Grades 8, 9, and 10 attending public schools in the Western Cape Province. Schools were randomly sampled proportional to total school size (all grades). A total of 227 schools and a total of 20,855 students completed th…
Post-project evaluation of the sustainability of development project outcomes: A case study in eastern Indonesia
The extent to which project outcomes are sustained years after development projects have ended is not routinely investigated. This study assessed the long-term impacts of a fire management project in eastern Indonesia seven years after the funding ended. Post-project evaluation increased understanding of the factors determining sustainability of project outcomes and links to development impacts. The continuation of community fire management and a…
Correlates of Lifetime Trauma Exposure Among Pregnant Women from Cape Town, South Africa
Feasibility and Preliminary Responses to a Screening and Brief Intervention Program for Maternal Mental Disorders Within the Context of Primary Care
Response to article "Erb, M., 2016. Mining and the conflict over values in Nusa Tenggara Timur Province, Eastern Indonesia" [Extr. Ind. Soc. 3(2) 370–382 http: [Dx.doi.org/j.exis.2016.03.003]
Need for and Readiness to Implement a Performance Measurement System for South Africa’s Substance Abuse Treatment Services
A qualitative study of methamphetamine initiation in Cape Town, South Africa
Medicine (75 works) · Psychiatry (56 works) · Environmental health (47 works) · Psychology (39 works) · Nursing (37 works) · Public health (34 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (32 works) · Psychological intervention (32 works) · Family medicine (28 works) · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk (22 works)