I am an epidemiologist based at CeSHHAR Zimbabwe where I am Deputy Executive Director (Science). I lead a portfolio of implementation research studies in the field of HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH). My research has been instrumental in informing improvement in uptake of evidence-based HIV and SRH interventions in Zimbabwe, in the African region, and beyond. Main areas of research include self-care for HIV and sexual and reproductive health, community-led HIV and SRH interventions, including pharmacy-based delivery of HIV pre-and post-exposure prophylaxis. Some of my work focusses on health systems strengthening, and I am a member of the LSTM Institute for Resilient Health Systems.
I am an NIHR Global Health Research Professor (awarded in 2023).
Qualifications:
• BPHARM (HONS), University of Zimbabwe (2001)
• MSc Public Health (Health Services Research), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (2009)
• PhD Public Health, University College London (2014)
Research interest
Recent and current work includes implementation research in self-care for HIV testing, HIV prevention and family planning, with projects in different population groups including general populations, young people, and sex workers. I strive to inform attainment of universal health coverage and recognise the importance of developing interventions that make health services more accessible. Hence I have projects that have a strong focus on community-based delivery of health interventions, including community-led interventions. I am also conduct evaluations of pharmacy-delivery of HIV and SRH interventions. I have started to diversify my research portfolio to include climate and health, and have a project aimed at strengthening health systems resilience to climate crises. I employ robust evaluation methods including individual and cluster randomised trials, quasi experimental methods, often in mixed-methods projects that include qualitative methods and economic evaluation.
Teaching
- Introduction to epidemiology,
- Introduction to biostatistics
- Systematic reviews
- Implementation research