Dr. Sphesihle Hlongwane
Social Scientist
Durban
Summary
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.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Social Scientist
Africa Health Research Institute
03.2022 - Current
- Coordinate and monitor the scientific and health/safety aspects of all research activities for research projects
- Develop, test and pilot research tool (SOPs, Interview guides, and training manuals)
- Build and maintain stakeholder relations with collaborators, funders, and local institutions
- Lead data audits and research data dissemination including: local and international conference presentations and preparing research manuscripts for publication
- Contribute to capacity building for junior staff through training, debriefing sessions,
Junior Social Scientist
Africa Health Research Institute
08.2019 - 02.2022
- Manage several complex research projects and support with coordination of research field activities
- Supervise field staff and study teams and support programme manager monitor study progress and milestones.
- Contribute to writing manuscript for publication and participate in local and international conference presentations
- Establish and maintain sound stakeholder relations with local institutions and NGOs
- Assist with procurement of study equipment and monitor project expenditures and prepare reports as requested by PIs and funders
Project Coordinator
Aids Healthcare Foundation, AHF
11.2018 - 07.2019
- Providing project oversight, liaison with stakeholders, and participate in all aspects of project management.
- Develop comprehensive data collection plans, observe project timelines, and provided lead point of contact for research assistants
- Maintained accurate documentation of research documents, and perform routine quality control of uploaded datasets
- Asset allocations and verifications.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular meetings, fostering a positive work environment for increased productivity.
Senior Research Technologist
South Africa Medical Research Council
12.2017 - 10.2018
- Supervise field workers and data collection in clinic facilities.
- Strictly observe and abide by all SAMRC Research Ethics requirements.
- Quality check completed questionnaires and digital recording of all interviews (Quality Assurance), submit fieldwork control sheets.
- Ensure timeous daily submission on reports on fieldwork reflection and nature of research activity undertaken.
- Group asset management (Tablets, laptops consent forms). Driving assigned company vehicle for field supervision.
Fieldwork Supervisor
Human Sciences Research Council
02.2017 - 11.2017
- Supervise fieldwork activities and strictly observe and abide by all HSRC Research Ethics requirements.
- Attend and participate in training workshops, debriefing sessions.
- Undertake preparatory liaison work with sampled project sites.
- Conduct and submit typed and completed transcripts for interviews and group discussions conducted as per the sampling framework including CFs.
- Field asset management and driving hired vehicle
Education
Ph.D. - Population Studies
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Durban, South Africa 04.2001 -
Master of Arts - Development Studies
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Durban, South Africa 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Social Science - Geography And Environmental Management
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Durban, South Africa 04.2001 -
Skills
Knowledge and experience of the South African health system
Proficiency in using Nvivo
Time management skills and ability to manage own workload
Ability to work accurately, efficiently and independently as well as in a multidisciplinary team
Ability to prepare and edit proposals, reports and papers in a grammatically concise, scientifically correct manner
Expertise in advanced research methods
References
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
Conference Presentations
- 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)
Publications
- 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.
Timeline
Social Scientist
Africa Health Research Institute
03.2022 - Current
Junior Social Scientist
Africa Health Research Institute
08.2019 - 02.2022
Project Coordinator
Aids Healthcare Foundation, AHF
11.2018 - 07.2019
Senior Research Technologist
South Africa Medical Research Council
12.2017 - 10.2018
Fieldwork Supervisor
Human Sciences Research Council
02.2017 - 11.2017
Ph.D. - Population Studies
University of KwaZulu-Natal
04.2001 -
Master of Arts - Development Studies
University of KwaZulu-Natal
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Social Science - Geography And Environmental Management
University of KwaZulu-Natal
04.2001 -