2. About Research

About Research

FPD's Research Unit (RU) was established in 2014, and is tasked with applying scientific and epidemiologic methods to study, advance, and inform public health programmes and policy development

The Research Unit is currently focussed on the following research areas:

1. Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV and STIs (PMTCT)
2. HIV prevention in adolescents
3. Mental Health
4. Interpersonal and gender-based violence
5. Vaginal microbiome and neonatal microbiome in the context of STI infections

Our strategic goals are to:

• Develop and conduct rigorous scientific and epidemiologic research
• Advance evidence-based policy recommendations
• Develop local, regional and international partnerships that bring expertise to bear on issues of South African public health importance
• Cultivate current and next generation public health researchers and epidemiologists through training and mentorship
• Contribute to the global body of scientific knowledge that directly informs public health programs and policy

FPD recently received significant funding from the U.S. NIH and USAID to investigate:

1. STIs in HIV positive pregnant women and their impact on MTCT of HIV
2. Home-based TB case finding and testing using the new GeneXpert Omni instrument
3. The FHI360 study evaluating an intervention integrating economic strengthening and HIV prevention programs for vulnerable youth

Grants Awarded

Investigating the acceptability, feasibility and outcomes of home-based TB testing of household contacts using a new, mobile point of care technology.
NIH Grant number: 1R21EB 023679-01

Pilot Study of Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening for Prevention of Mother-to-ChildTransmission of HIV.
NIH Grant number: 1R21HD084274-01A1

A randomized study evaluating an intervention integrating economic strengthening and HIV prevention programs for vulnerable youth in South Africa.
USAID Grant number: AID-OAA-LA-13-00001