Scholars

Dr. Makhodo is currently a senior lecturer at North-West University of South Africa, where he lectures on community nursing science and research methodology. His research focuses on treatment guidelines adherence, PEP/PrEP, TB/HIV integrated services research, IMCI and NIMART.

Miss Jacqueline Mthembu’s research will focus on “Examining the link between Psychological distress, Intimate Partner Violence and HIV amongst South African women”. She hypothesizes that women who report high levels of psychological distress are more likely to experience IPV, be HIV positive and or report HIV-related risk behaviors as compared to women who report low or no psychological distress. The study will employ a cross-sectional research design using a mixed method approach with both quantitative and qualitative components.

This study will add to existing literature by providing baseline knowledge that map the impact of psychological distress, IPV and HIV in women. Furthermore, the study will contribute to shaping interventions that aim to improve women’s health by minimizing psychological distress, curbing experience IPV and reducing women’s sexual risk behaviors, while also improving health outcomes for women living with HIV.

Dr Nyambeni Matamela, is currently a lecturer within the Psychology Department, at the University of Pretoria, in South Africa.

Her current research topic is titled: “Life Adversities; Mental Health Outcomes and Post-traumatic Growth of Older Person’s in South Africa.” The study will employ a mixed-methods sequential design. This specific methodology is divided into two phases. The first phase utilises a quantitative approach to gather data. This is then followed by the second phase in which the information is enriched through qualitative means.

The research study aims to explore the social, cognitive and psychological elements that characterize incidents of life adversities experienced by older persons. The intention behind this exploration is intended to provide an understanding, of the trajectories of post- traumatic growth, which influence the course and experiences of mental health outcomes. Dr Matamela is devoted to this specific research topic, as it is significant in terms of informing future research on the biopsychosocial effects of trauma in South African men and women ages 60 and above. This research study is important, as it will be instrumental in directing the long-term goal of developing interventions to reduce the effects of life adversities and traumatic stress among older persons.