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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

Staff Members
2500+
Research and Implementation Sites
50
Current Active Grants
95
Academic Joint Appointments
51
Provides technological support to national, regional, and global committees (2023)
128
Published academic journals and book chapters (2023)
111
People initiated onto PrEP (2018 – 2024)
330000
People treated monthly for HIV (2023)
650000

Wits RHI Stories

Wits RHI Women Leaders in Science

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.

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PURPOSE 1 Study: Testing Lenacapavir – A New Injectable HIV Prevention Option for Young Women

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.

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Wits RHI at HIVR4P 2024: Leading the Way in HIV Prevention

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,

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Latest Publications

Preferences for Delivery of HIV Prevention Services Among Healthcare Users in South Africa: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Authors

Martin CE, Blaauw D, Nongena P, Chidumwa G, Dada S, Jack S, Butler V, Mullick S. (2024)

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.

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Preferences for Delivery of HIV Prevention Services Among Healthcare Users in South Africa: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Martin CE, Blaauw D, Nongena P, Chidumwa G, Dada S, Jack S, Butler V, Mullick S. (2024)

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Male circumcision perceptions among HIV vaccine trial participants in Soweto: Qualitative study

Sibiya M, Laher F, Mulaudzi M, Makhale LM, Salami T, Hornschuh S, Tieu HV, Dietrich JJ. (2024)

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Transgender-Specific Differentiated HIV Service Delivery Models in the South African Public Primary Health Care System (Jabula Uzibone): Protocol for an Implementation Study

Poteat T, Bothma R, Maposa I, Hendrickson C, Meyer-Rath G, Hill N, Pettifor A, Imrie J. (2024)

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Markers of Maternal Bone and Renal Toxicity Through 50 Weeks Postpartum: IMPAACT 2010 (VESTED) Trial

Masheto G, Brummel SS, Ziemba L, Shepherd J, Mbengeranwa T, Igawa L, Coletti A, Mukura D, Rossouw L, Theron G, Krotje C, Jean-Philippe P, Chakhtoura N, Cassim H, Mathiba SR,…

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Wits RHI in the News

This year marks a significant milestone as Wits RHI proudly…

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AFRICAN HIV, INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE…

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Prof Helen Rees, is calling for increased access to critical…

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Our Donors and Partners

Meet our Donors and Partners