Dr. Sphesihle Hlongwane

Dynamic Social Scientist with extensive experience at Africa Health Research Institute, adept at managing complex research projects and fostering stakeholder relationships. Proven expertise in advanced research methods and proficiency in Nvivo, complemented by strong time management skills. Successfully led data audits and contributed to impactful publications, enhancing team collaboration and capacity building.

Mr. Manono Luthuli,Research Professional (Process Evaluation), Africa Health Research Institute, 072 633 1176, manonoluthuli@gmail.com

Ms. Nompumelelo Ngobese, Project Manager (Clinical trials), Africa Health Research Institute, 060 358 4677, nompumelelo.ngobesen@gmail.com

Dr. Thembelihle Zuma, Senior Social Scientist (Implementation Sci), Africa Health Research Institute, 072 050 5908, thembelihle.zuma@ahri.org

• A conference paper titled“Conceptualizing Health-Seeking Behavior among Adolescents and Youth with Substance Use Disorder in Urban Kwazulu-Natal. A Candidacy Framework Analysis,”. Presented at the Addiction, Treatment, and Therapy conference held in April 2023. Oral Presentation in Cape Town (RSA)
• A conference paper titled “Process evaluation: Understanding the implementation and adaptation of a peer-led intervention to deliver biosocial SRH and HIV prevention for adolescents and youth in rural South Africa”. Presented at the South African AIDS (SAAIDS) conference held in June 2023. Oral Presentation in Durban ICC (RSA)
• A conference paper titled “Process evaluation: Understanding the implementation and adaptation of a peer-led intervention to deliver biosocial SRH and HIV prevention for adolescents and youth in rural South Africa”. Presented at the STIHIV World Congress conference held in July 2023. Oral Presentation in Chicago, Illinois (USA)

• Hlongwane, S. & Maharaj, P. 2024. Conceptualizing Health-Seeking Behavior among Adolescents and Youth with Substance Use Disorder in Urban KwaZulu-Natal. Journal of Social Service Research, 50, 247-259.
• Hlongwane, S. P. Process evaluation: Understanding the implementation and adaptation of a peer-led intervention to deliver biosocial Sexual Reproductive Health and HIV prevention for adolescents in rural South Africa. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES, 2024. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS TWO COMMERCE SQ, 2001 MARKET ST, PHILADELPHIA …, S309-S310.
• Busang, J., Zuma, T., Herbst, C., Okesola, N., Chimbindi, N., Dreyer, J., Mtshali, N., Smit, T., Ngubane, S. & Hlongwane, S. 2023. Thetha Nami ngithethe nawe (Let’s Talk): a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial of social mobilisation by peer navigators into community-based sexual health and HIV care, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), to reduce sexually transmissible HIV amongst young people in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. BMC public health, 23, 1553.
• Dlamini, N., Seeley, J., Ngwenya, N., Shahmanesh, M., Bernays, S., Hlongwane, S. & Herbst, C. 2023. It felt like a weight was being taken off my shoulders’: the impact of the Lending a Hand intervention in supporting migrant adolescents and young people in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
• Gibbs, A., Gumede, D., Adeagbo, O., Sikweyiya, Y., Chirwa, E., Mkhwanazi, S., Luthuli, M., Xulu, Z., Herbst, C., Zuma, T. and Hlongwane, S., 2023. Adaptation and pre-test of a shortened Stepping Stones and Creating Futures intervention focused on HIV for young men in rural South Africa. PLOS global public health, 3(2), p.e0001632.
• Gumede, D., Luthuli, M., Hlongwane, S., Orievulu, K., Gumede, N. & Adeagbo, O. 2023. Males’ Experiences of Gender-Based Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): A Review of Literature. Young people, violence and strategic interventions in sub-Saharan Africa, 187-209.
• Kyegombe, N., Zuma, T., Hlongwane, S., Nhlenyama, M., Chimbindi, N., Birdthistle, I., Floyd, S., Seeley, J. & Shahmanesh, M. 2022. A qualitative exploration of the salience of MTV-Shuga, an edutainment programme, and adolescents’ engagement with sexual and reproductive health information in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Sexual and reproductive health matters, 30, 2083809.
• Kyegombe, N., Zuma, T., Hlongwane, S., Nhlenyama, M., Chimbindi, N., Seeley, J., Birdthistle, I., Floyd, S. & Shahmanesh, M. What did you learn from MTV-Shuga? The salience of an edutainment programme on adolescent sexual and reproductive health knowledge in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS SOCIETY, 2021. JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD THE ATRIUM, SOUTHERN GATE, CHICHESTER PO19 8SQ, W ….
• Luthuli, M. M., Gumede, D., Zuma, T., Mthethwa, D., Xulu, Z., Chimbindi, N., Okesola, N., Hlongwane, S., Dreyer, J. & Herbst, C. Using A Candidacy Framework to Investigate Barriers and Facilitators Of A Tailored HIV Prevention and Community Based Sexual And Reproductive Health Intervention Rural South Africa. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES, 2024. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS TWO COMMERCE SQ, 2001 MARKET ST, PHILADELPHIA …, S48-S49.
• Shahmanesh, M., Chimbindi, N., Busang, J., Chidumwa, G., Herbst, C., Okesola, N., Dreyer, J., Zuma, T., Luthuli, M., Gumede, D. and Hlongwane, S., 2024. Isisekelo Sempilo 2x2 factorial randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of integrating HIV prevention within sexual reproductive health (SRH) services with or without peer support amongst adolescents and young adults in rural KwaZulu-Natal. Lancet HIV.
• Shahmanesh M, Chimbindi N, Busang J, Chidumwa G, Mthiyani N, Herbst C, Okesola N, Dreyer J, Zuma T, Luthuli M, Gumede D, Hlongwane S, Mdluli S, Msane S, Smit T, Molina JM, Khoza T, Behuhuma NO, McGrath N, Seeley J, Harling G, Sherr L, Copas A, Baisley K. Effectiveness of integrating HIV prevention within sexual reproductive health services with or without peer support among adolescents and young adults in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Isisekelo Sempilo): 2 × 2 factorial, open-label, randomised controlled trial. Lancet HIV. 2024 Jul;11(7):e449-e460. doi: 10.1016/S2352-3018(24)00119-X. PMID: 38925731.
• Zuma, T., Busang, J., Hlongwane, S., Chidumwa, G., Gumede, D., Luthuli, M., Dreyer, J., Herbst, C., Okesola, N. & Chimbindi, N. 2024. A mixed methods process evaluation: understanding the implementation and delivery of HIV prevention services integrated within sexual reproductive health (SRH) with or without peer support amongst adolescents and young adults in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Trials, 25, 448.
• Zuma, T., Hlongwane, S., Xulu, S., Okesola, N., Msane, S., Herbst, C., Dreyer, J., Odeagbo, O., Chimbindi, N. & Mcgrath, N. Covid-19 non-pharmacological public health response: Adapting virtual support to optimize peer (Thetha Nami) delivery of HIV prevention and care to adolescents and young adults in rural KwaZulu-Natal. JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS SOCIETY, 2021. JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD THE ATRIUM, SOUTHERN GATE, CHICHESTER PO19 8SQ, W ….
• Zuma, T., Kyegombe, N., Hlongwane, S., Nhlenyama, M., Chimbindi, N., Seeley, J. & Shahmanesh, M. MTV-SHUGA: how did MTV-Shuga improve HIV prevention and sexual health outcomes among adolescents and young people in rural KwaZulu-Natal? JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS SOCIETY, 2021. JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD THE ATRIUM, SOUTHERN GATE, CHICHESTER PO19 8SQ, W ….
• Zuma, T., Seeley, J., Hlongwane, S., Chimbindi, N., Sherr, L., Floyd, S., Birdthistle, I. & Shahmanesh, M. 2022. A socio-ecological approach to understanding experiences and perceptions of a multilevel HIV prevention intervention: The determined, resilient, empowered, AIDS-free, mentored, and safe (DREAMS) partnership in uMkhanyakude, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. SSM-Qualitative Research in Health, 2, 100138.