Africa Health Research Institute

The impact of COVID-19 on all-cause mortality and life expectancy: findings from a population-based cohort in uMkhanyakude district, northern KwaZulu-natal

Abstract Background Despite the comprehensive death reporting system in South Africa, significant gaps persist in our understanding of the pandemic’s impact in rural areas. Methods We computed monthly death counts stratified by demographic factors from a population-based demograp...

Child health service coverage estimation using routine health data from Ghana’s Eastern Region

Abstract Background Suboptimal resource allocation limits uptake of essential health services in sub-Saharan Africa. Reliable population denominators and coverage estimates are needed to better match health facility resources to local demand. An estimation approach utilising rout...

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prevalence of Mental Disorders and Suicidality Among Children and Adolescents Living with HIV in South Africa

Abstract Despite progress in HIV prevention and treatment, global data suggests that youth living with HIV remain at risk of mental disorders and suicidality. However, reliable epidemiological data from South Africa (SA) are limited. We conducted a systematic review and meta-anal...

Willingness to Participate in HIV Cure Research Among Young People Living with Perinatally Acquired HIV in the Centre Region of Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Young people living with perinatally acquired HIV (YPLHIV) represent a unique population for HIV cure research, offering opportunities to assess interventions in a group for whom adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is particularly challenging. Understanding their perspect...

Human CD1c-autoreactive T-cells recognise Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected antigen-presenting cells and display cytotoxic effector programmes

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), remains the leading cause of death from infection globally yet the contribution of non-classical T-cell pathways to human immunity remains poorly defined. CD1c-autoreactive T-cells, which recognise self-lipids present...

Dispensing Patterns of Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccines in the Private Healthcare Sector in South Africa for 2017 to 2021: A Longitudinal Study

ABSTRACT Purpose The primary aim was to conduct a longitudinal pharmacoepidemiological study on the dispensing patterns of the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in a section of the private healthcare sector in South Africa in the presence of the COVID‐19 vaccine to document the...

“It makes me free”: participant perspectives on HIV prevention and contraception delivery at hair salons in Durban, South Africa

Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use is low among women, particularly in South Africa (SA), where HIV incidence remains high. Providing integrated HIV prevention with other sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in community settings may promote uptake and engagement....

Preferred characteristics of long-acting injectable antiretroviral treatment for adolescents with HIV in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a qualitative study of key stakeholders

Adolescents with HIV (AHIV) in South Africa experience poor outcomes across the HIV care continuum. Long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy (LAI-ART) may address key adherence barriers, but its acceptability and feasibility among AHIV remain understudied. As formative quali...

Immune control of HIV viraemia in early paediatric infection is associated with induction of HIV-specific CD8+ T-cell activity following multiple treatment interruptions

BACKGROUND: Virus-specific CD8+ T-cells play an important part in HIV cure/remission in adults, yet their role in paediatric immune control is limited by tolerogenic early-life immunity. Very-early ART initiation, while effective in restricting viral reservoir size, also prevents...

Harms associated with engaging with AI for mental health support: A scoping review protocol

Background Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used for mental health support, through both purpose-built products and general-purpose large language models (LLMs), at a pace far greater than evidence of their efficacy or safety. There is no consensus taxonomy of the pot...

“I know how important it is”: A qualitative analysis of participants’ experiences in a vaccine safety study

Specialist immunization clinics can support vaccination counseling for individuals experiencing adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) and research into AEFIs. We sought to describe the experiences of participants from the Canadian Special Immunization Clinic Network COVID...

Implementation barriers, facilitators, and fidelity of a mobile money-based savings tool for pregnant women in the Analamanga region of Madagascar: an ex-post process evaluation

Abstract Background Mobile payment services could improve access to obstetric care by easing saving, raising revenue, and pooling resources. Between 2019 and 2022, a mobile money-based savings tool for obstetric care was implemented in the Analamanga region of Madagascar followin...

Cannabis sativa and the endocannabinoid system in cervical cancer: molecular targets and mechanistic insights from preclinical models-narrative review

Abstract Introduction Cervical cancer is among the major causes of cancer-related mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to effective screening and treatment is limited. The endocannabinoid system (ECS), which comprises of cannabinoid receptors (...

Distinct amino acid signatures and neutralization sensitivity of plasma- and CSF-derived HIV-1 subtype C clones

Abstract Background Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) offer a promising alternative for HIV prevention and treatment, with the potential to cross the blood–brain barrier. However, the extent to which viral genetic variation between the peripheral blood and central nervous s...