Wits RHI
What We Do
Wits RHI is a 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; maternal and family 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 Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, a world-class African University.
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, marginalised, or hard to reach. These include:
- Pregnant women and mother-infant pairs
- Women and Men
- Adults and children living with HIV and TB
Wits RHI in Numbers
Leadership
Featured Projects
HOPE II Study
The Human Papillomavirus One-Dose-vaccine Prevention Efficacy among Women Living with HIV (HOPE II) Study aims to explore whether a single-dose HPV vaccine can effectively prevent persistent HPV infections in women living with HIV, particularly targeting HPV strains linked to cervical cancer. This study focuses on women who had previously received an HPV 16/18 vaccination before their HIV diagnosis.
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IMPAACT 2028
Early treatment of infants living with HIV offers a unique population in which to investigate long-term clinical, immunologic, and virologic outcomes and to better characterize how early ART impacts HIV infection over time. The overarching goals of IMPAACT 2028 are to establish long-term follow-up of participants who received early treatment for future interventional cure and/or remission trials and to establish a unique biorepository from which additional scientific questions can be answered.
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HIGH Horizons: Heat Indicators for Global Health
The HIGH Horizons Study is designed to address critical knowledge gaps regarding the direct and indirect effects of heat exposure on maternal, newborn, and child health. As climate change exacerbates heat risks, pregnant women, infants, and healthcare workers are identified as particularly vulnerable. The study aims to quantify and monitor these impacts, developing strategies to protect these populations
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BIYELA STUDY
The BIYELA Study is a Phase 3 randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of the meningococcal serogroup B vaccine rMenB+OMV NZ (Bexsero) in preventing gonococcal infection among individuals born female in South Africa. This study focuses on sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, with the primary goal of determining whether the Bexsero vaccine can effectively prevent cervical and/or anorectal gonococcal infections.
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M72 TB Vaccine Study (Gates MRI-TBV02-301)
This is Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical trial evaluating the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of the investigational M72/AS01E-4 Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) vaccine. The study focuses on preventing tuberculosis (TB) in adolescents and adults aged 15 to 44 years
View projectLatest Publications
Motivations for Starting and Stopping PrEP: Experiences of Adolescent Girls and Young Women in the HPTN 082 Trial
Abstract
Oral PrEP effectiveness depends on consistent use during periods of potential HIV exposure, but adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) find this challenging. Data on PrEP use decision-making and alignment with risk among AGYW are limited. From 2016 to 2018, we conducted in-depth interviews with participants in HPTN 082, an open-label PrEP study in South Africa and Zimbabwe, to explore reasons for PrEP starts, stops, and restarts. Of 60 PrEP acceptors, 12 delayed acceptance, 15 used PrEP intermittently, 18 paused and restarted PrEP, and 13 permanently discontinued PrEP during 12-month follow-up.
Motivations for Starting and Stopping PrEP: Experiences of Adolescent Girls and Young Women in the HPTN 082 Trial
Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Dispersible and Immediate Release Abacavir/Dolutegravir/Lamivudine Tablets in Children With HIV: IMPAACT 2019 Week 48 Results
Risk of tuberculosis infection in young children exposed to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the TB-CHAMP multi-site randomised controlled trial
Acceptability and Feasibility of Remote PrEP Visits for Adolescent Girls and Young Women in South Africa
Wits RHI in the News
South Africa’s Professor Helen Rees was one of six global…
Wits RHI’s Executive Director, Professor Helen Rees, was recently recognised…
In an interview with eNCA, Professor Rees called for bold,…
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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.