Wits RHI
What We Do
Wits RHI is a hybrid research and implementation Institute that is dynamic, progressive, and responsive to global and local health emergencies. We pioneer cutting-edge science and innovation in the fields of infectious and vaccine preventable diseases; sexual and reproductive health; antimicrobial resistance,climate change and emerging crises.
Our strength lies in our multi-disciplinary and holistic approach to improving health outcomes at a local and global level through research, technical
assistance, advocacy, policy development, implementation science and health systems strengthening. We identify health problems through sound epidemiological methods and qualitative research, and use a range of analytic and research methods to generate evidence and test and evaluate interventions in a real word setting.
We are a part of the the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), a world class African University. We are its largest institute.
We are a Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) and South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) collaborating centre and a strategic partner to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Who We Serve
Our work is focused on populations that are most in need, marginalized, or hard to reach. These include:
- Pregnant women and mother-infant pairs
- Women
- Key populations including adolescents, sex workers and LGBTQI people
- Adults and children living with HIV and TB
Wits RHI in Numbers
Wits RHI Stories
Dr Arabang Letebele is the Programme Head for the Wits RHI APACE Project, bringing 16 years of experience in clinical management, technical support, and HIV and TB health programming.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, young women and girls are disproportionately affected by HIV, making up nearly 60% of new infections. The PURPOSE 1 study is investigating lenacapavir, a groundbreaking injectable drug administered just twice a year.
Dates: 6-10 October 2024 Location: Lima, Peru and Virtual Overview The HIV Research for Prevention (HIVR4P) Conference is a vital global platform for showcasing the latest advancements in HIV prevention research and practice. Wits RHI is excited to be part of HIVR4P 2024,
Our People
Featured Projects
HPTN 108/ PAUSE STUDY
The HPTN 108 Study, also known as the PAUSE Study, is a Phase 1, randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigating the safety, efficacy and tolerability of the combination of two long-acting broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), 3BNC117-LS-J and 10-1074-LS-J, in ART-treated adults living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. The study focuses on whether these bNAbs, administered through intravenous infusion, will be safe, well-tolerated, and capable of maintaining durable viral suppression in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART) during a monitored analytical treatment interruption (ATI).
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Operation Gophelega
Operation Gophelega kicked off in January 2022 and is one of the largest grants Wits RHI has ever received from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gophelega is at the heart of Wits RHI’s district support partnership programme and our largest health system strengthening initiative to date. The team are working alongside district health services in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni to improve and innovate the delivery of HIV and TB services.
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MOSAIC
Maximizing OptionS to Advance Informed Choice for HIV Prevention (MOSAIC). MOSAIC works across multiple countries to implement user-centered research and research translation efforts to identify, understand, and remove barriers to new product introduction, access, and use; coordinate and provide technical assistance to global, national, and subnational stakeholders to expedite product launch and scale-up; and strengthen the capacity of a wide range of local partners to perform essential functions that support the introduction of HIV prevention products.
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The HEat and HEalth African Transdisciplinary (HEAT) Center
The HEat and HEalth African Transdisciplinary (HE2AT) Center is a five-year project funded by the National Institutes of Health, Common Research Fund. It was launched in 2022 and consists of a data science and analytics platform that helps understand how extreme heat affects vulnerable groups in Africa.
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PALESA
A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess a Model of Decentralised STI-Self Testing and Risk Self-Assessment Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in South Africa to Trigger PrEP Re-start (PALESA). In South Africa (SA), adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) experience high rates of incident HIV infection. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has the potential to impact HIV incidence when used with consistent adherence to the required dosing schedule.
View projectLatest Publications
Preferences for Delivery of HIV Prevention Services Among Healthcare Users in South Africa: A Discrete Choice Experiment
Abstract
Progress has been made to scale oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as part of combination HIV prevention, with the WHO recommending differentiated, simplified and demedicalized approaches. This study explored user preferences for components of a PrEP service delivery package, through a discrete choice experiment (DCE) among 307 people accessing primary healthcare services in South Africa between November 2022 and February 2023. Attributes included were: Source of information about HIV prevention and PrEP; Site for PrEP initiation and follow-up; Frequency of follow-up; PrEP pick-up point; HIV testing whilst using PrEP; Contact between appointments.
Preferences for Delivery of HIV Prevention Services Among Healthcare Users in South Africa: A Discrete Choice Experiment
Male circumcision perceptions among HIV vaccine trial participants in Soweto: Qualitative study
Transgender-Specific Differentiated HIV Service Delivery Models in the South African Public Primary Health Care System (Jabula Uzibone): Protocol for an Implementation Study
Markers of Maternal Bone and Renal Toxicity Through 50 Weeks Postpartum: IMPAACT 2010 (VESTED) Trial
Wits RHI in the News
This year marks a significant milestone as Wits RHI proudly…
AFRICAN HIV, INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE…
Prof Helen Rees, is calling for increased access to critical…
Our Donors and Partners
Meet our Donors and Partners
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Established in 1994, Wits RHI is part of the Faculty of Health Sciences and the largest research institute of the University of the Witwatersrand.