Jesca Mercy Batidzirai
Biographic Data
| ID | 4883320 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Jesca Mercy Batidzirai |
| GIVEN NAMES | Jesca Mercy |
| FAMILY NAME | Batidzirai |
| SIGNATURE | BATIDZIRAI J M |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of KwaZulu-Natal |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-3116-1301 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 13 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 1 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 13 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2013 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Determinants of CD4 count recovery among severely immunosuppressed HIV patients initiated on antiretroviral therapy
Background For people living with HIV (PLWH), CD4 count serves as an effective indicator of response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and a predictor of morbidity and mortality before and after ART initiation. In PLWH on ART, changes in CD4 count reflect immunological response to treatment. CD4 count recovery after ART initiation is defined as achieving a CD4 cell count of ≥500 cells/mm 3 . This study utilised survival analysis techniques to deter…
A geo-additive spatial analysis of condom use among women aged 15–49 in Rwanda
Background: Condom use in Rwanda is a significant public health topic, especially in efforts to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS, unplanned pregnancies and other health problems such as cervical cancer. In Rwanda, the government and various organizations actively promote condom use through comprehensive sexual and reproductive health initiatives such as sexual health education and condom distribution in schools, …
Syndemic mapping of HIV and other STIs in KwaZulu-Natal
Syndemics involving Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, and understanding their spatial and temporal dynamics is critical for effective interventions. Using data from two consecutive, population-based cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2014 and 2015 under the HIV Incidence Provincial Surveillance System (HIPSS) in KwaZulu-Natal, South A…
Spatial Analysis of HIV Determinants Among Females Aged 15–34 in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
HIV remains a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, with South Africa bearing the highest burden. This study confirms that KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is a hotspot, with a high HIV prevalence of 47.4% (95% CI: 45.7-49.1) among females aged 15-34. We investigated the spatial distribution and key socio-demographic, behavioural, and economic factors associated with HIV prevalence in this group using a Bayesian spatial logistic regression mode…
A Multistate Continuous Time-Inhomogeneous Markov Model for Assessing the CD4 Count Dynamics of HIV/Aids Patients Undergoing Antiretroviral Therapy in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Monitoring CD4 count levels is essential for tracking the progression of HIV in patients. This study aimed to identify the key factors influencing HIV progression by incorporating time-varying factors and transition probabilities. The data for this study were obtained from the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), which enrolled 3325 patients aged 14 to 76 who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) and were followed…
Intention to reduce stigma for people who are affected by HIV A theory of planned behavior based approach
With an official HIV infection rate of 18,5%, approximately one in five South Africans are HIV positive. Despite this prevalence, stigma and discrimination associated with being HIV positive is widespread. HIV-related stigma emanates from the fact that HIV is associated with risky behaviors such as drug use, sexual promiscuity, homosexuality and transactional sex. Participants were recruited through announcements in classrooms and during communit…
Discrete-time survival analysis with survey weights
The study provides evidence that residing in urban areas, marital union of the mother, children having no health insurance, use of contraceptives by mother, older ages of the mother and no health insurance significantly increase the odds of child death. This points out to a possible need for improved health infrastructure to be made available to citizens in all places of delivery and more awareness on pregnancy related complications
Bayesian spatial modelling of intimate partner violence and associated factors among adult women and men
Campaigns against IPV should be strengthened, especially in the North-Western and Southern parts of Rwanda. In addition, the promotion of girl-child education and empowerment of women can potentially reduce IPV against women and girls. Furthermore, couples should be trained on making financial decisions together. In conclusion, the implementation of policies and interventions that discourage alcohol consumption and control behaviour, especially a…
Mapping Evidence on the Burden of Breast, Cervical, and Prostate Cancers in Sub-Saharan Africa
Background Cancer remains a major public health problem, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where the provision of health care is poor. This scoping review mapped evidence in the literature regarding the burden of cervical, breast and prostate cancers in SSA. Methods We conducted this scoping review using the Arksey and O'Malley framework, with five steps: identifying the research question; searching for relevant studies; selecting studies; c…
Prevalence and factors associated with self-reported HIV testing among adolescent girls and young women in Rwanda
We report an unmet need for HIV testing among AGYW in Rwanda. We recommend a combination of strategies to optimize access to HIV testing services, especially among the 15-19 years adolescent girls, including facility-based testing, school and community outreach, awareness campaigns on HIV testing, and home-based testing through HIV self-testing
Health-Promotion Intervention Increases Self-Reported Physical Activity in Sub-Saharan African University Students
To evaluate the efficacy of a health-promotion intervention in increasing self-reported physical activity among university students in Sub-Saharan Africa. Randomly selected second-year students at a university in South Africa were randomized to an intervention based on social cognitive theory: health-promotion, targeting physical activity and fruit, vegetable, and fat consumption; or HIV risk-reduction, targeting sexual-risk behaviors. Participan…
Multiple Partners and Condom Use among Students at a South African University
The prevalence of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa is the highest in the world. Young people, including university students, are at risk. Many sexually active young people have multiple partners, but little is known about how university students who have multiple partners differ from those who do not. This study examined such differences among randomly selected first-year students at a university in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, who completed…
Health Promotion Project for University Students at a South African University
Globally, chronic diseases place a tremendous burden on health care systems all over the world. The increased prevalence of chronic diseases is mainly influenced by industrialization and decreased levels of physical activity. A cross-sectional qualitative and quantitative pilot survey, using a self-administered questionnaire and focus group discussions, was conducted with 73 students to assess the need for and feasibility of a health promotion pr…
Health Promotion Project for University Students at a South African University
Globally, chronic diseases place a tremendous burden on health care systems all over the world. The increased prevalence of chronic diseases is mainly influenced by industrialization and decreased levels of physical activity. A cross-sectional qualitative and quantitative pilot survey, using a self-administered questionnaire and focus group discussions, was conducted with 73 students to assess the need for and feasibility of a health promotion pr…
Health Promotion Project for University Students at a South African University
Globally, chronic diseases place a tremendous burden on health care systems all over the world. The increased prevalence of chronic diseases is mainly influenced by industrialization and decreased levels of physical activity. A cross-sectional qualitative and quantitative pilot survey, using a self-administered questionnaire and focus group discussions, was conducted with 73 students to assess the need for and feasibility of a health promotion pr…
Multiple Partners and Condom Use among Students at a South African University
The prevalence of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa is the highest in the world. Young people, including university students, are at risk. Many sexually active young people have multiple partners, but little is known about how university students who have multiple partners differ from those who do not. This study examined such differences among randomly selected first-year students at a university in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, who completed…
Health-Promotion Intervention Increases Self-Reported Physical Activity in Sub-Saharan African University Students
To evaluate the efficacy of a health-promotion intervention in increasing self-reported physical activity among university students in Sub-Saharan Africa. Randomly selected second-year students at a university in South Africa were randomized to an intervention based on social cognitive theory: health-promotion, targeting physical activity and fruit, vegetable, and fat consumption; or HIV risk-reduction, targeting sexual-risk behaviors. Participan…
Mapping Evidence on the Burden of Breast, Cervical, and Prostate Cancers in Sub-Saharan Africa
Background Cancer remains a major public health problem, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where the provision of health care is poor. This scoping review mapped evidence in the literature regarding the burden of cervical, breast and prostate cancers in SSA. Methods We conducted this scoping review using the Arksey and O'Malley framework, with five steps: identifying the research question; searching for relevant studies; selecting studies; c…
Prevalence and factors associated with self-reported HIV testing among adolescent girls and young women in Rwanda
We report an unmet need for HIV testing among AGYW in Rwanda. We recommend a combination of strategies to optimize access to HIV testing services, especially among the 15-19 years adolescent girls, including facility-based testing, school and community outreach, awareness campaigns on HIV testing, and home-based testing through HIV self-testing
Intention to reduce stigma for people who are affected by HIV A theory of planned behavior based approach
With an official HIV infection rate of 18,5%, approximately one in five South Africans are HIV positive. Despite this prevalence, stigma and discrimination associated with being HIV positive is widespread. HIV-related stigma emanates from the fact that HIV is associated with risky behaviors such as drug use, sexual promiscuity, homosexuality and transactional sex. Participants were recruited through announcements in classrooms and during communit…
Discrete-time survival analysis with survey weights
The study provides evidence that residing in urban areas, marital union of the mother, children having no health insurance, use of contraceptives by mother, older ages of the mother and no health insurance significantly increase the odds of child death. This points out to a possible need for improved health infrastructure to be made available to citizens in all places of delivery and more awareness on pregnancy related complications
Bayesian spatial modelling of intimate partner violence and associated factors among adult women and men
Campaigns against IPV should be strengthened, especially in the North-Western and Southern parts of Rwanda. In addition, the promotion of girl-child education and empowerment of women can potentially reduce IPV against women and girls. Furthermore, couples should be trained on making financial decisions together. In conclusion, the implementation of policies and interventions that discourage alcohol consumption and control behaviour, especially a…
A geo-additive spatial analysis of condom use among women aged 15–49 in Rwanda
Background: Condom use in Rwanda is a significant public health topic, especially in efforts to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS, unplanned pregnancies and other health problems such as cervical cancer. In Rwanda, the government and various organizations actively promote condom use through comprehensive sexual and reproductive health initiatives such as sexual health education and condom distribution in schools, …
Syndemic mapping of HIV and other STIs in KwaZulu-Natal
Syndemics involving Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, and understanding their spatial and temporal dynamics is critical for effective interventions. Using data from two consecutive, population-based cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2014 and 2015 under the HIV Incidence Provincial Surveillance System (HIPSS) in KwaZulu-Natal, South A…
Spatial Analysis of HIV Determinants Among Females Aged 15–34 in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
HIV remains a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, with South Africa bearing the highest burden. This study confirms that KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is a hotspot, with a high HIV prevalence of 47.4% (95% CI: 45.7-49.1) among females aged 15-34. We investigated the spatial distribution and key socio-demographic, behavioural, and economic factors associated with HIV prevalence in this group using a Bayesian spatial logistic regression mode…
A Multistate Continuous Time-Inhomogeneous Markov Model for Assessing the CD4 Count Dynamics of HIV/Aids Patients Undergoing Antiretroviral Therapy in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Monitoring CD4 count levels is essential for tracking the progression of HIV in patients. This study aimed to identify the key factors influencing HIV progression by incorporating time-varying factors and transition probabilities. The data for this study were obtained from the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), which enrolled 3325 patients aged 14 to 76 who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) and were followed…
Determinants of CD4 count recovery among severely immunosuppressed HIV patients initiated on antiretroviral therapy
Background For people living with HIV (PLWH), CD4 count serves as an effective indicator of response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and a predictor of morbidity and mortality before and after ART initiation. In PLWH on ART, changes in CD4 count reflect immunological response to treatment. CD4 count recovery after ART initiation is defined as achieving a CD4 cell count of ≥500 cells/mm 3 . This study utilised survival analysis techniques to deter…
Medicine (11 works) · Demography (7 works) · Environmental health (7 works) · Demography (6 works) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (5 works) · Family medicine (5 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (5 works) · Logistic regression (5 works) · Population (5 works) · Psychology (5 works)