The projects appear in six main categories, determined by analysing global and regional HIV/Aids-related issues in the last five years. The three most prominent themes in each category were then selected according to criteria such as their importance assigned by global health institutions and the Africa Centre’s own research focus areas.

1.     Global collaboration, local impact

Strengthened global response │ Community empowerment and sustainability │ Integration and intersecting challenges

2.     HIV/Aids and human rights

Stigma, discrimination and human rights violations │ Inequalities and disparities in access to HIV services │ Sexual and reproductive health and rights

3.     HIV/Aids, gender and vulnerable groups

Gender dynamics and GBV │ Increased vulnerability due to social and cultural factors │ Addressing challenges across human lifespan

4.     Treatment

Accessibility and adherence │ Treatment advances and challenges │ Community involvement and integrated services

5.     Education and awareness

Comprehensive health communication and literacy │ Combatting stigma and discrimination │ Youth engagement and empowerment

6.     Research challenges and opportunities

Targeted research strategies │ Harnessing technology and data │ Advancements in treatment and prevention

Diverse and inclusive student body

The Africa Centre draws a diverse cohort of postgraduate students from across the world, highlighting the global relevance of its programmes. The majority hail from Africa, with significant representation from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Lesotho. The geographic diversity enriches the centre’s research output, providing a wide range of perspectives and expertise that enhance the centre’s aim to address HIV/Aids management comprehensively.

Of the 120 study projects, females accounted for a substantial 62,5%. The prominence of female researchers not only reflects broader trends towards gender parity in higher education but also brings varied perspectives and insights to the centre’s research endeavours.

Multifaceted research complexity

The projects include a diverse range of research areas, reflecting the multifaceted approach needed to tackle the complexities of HIV/Aids. The largest category, “Education and awareness”, underscores the importance of disseminating knowledge. These projects align with the global emphasis on preventive education as a key strategy to curb new infections, particularly in regions with high incidence rates.

“Treatment” is the second largest category, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve therapeutic interventions, such as access to effective antiretroviral therapy. “HIV/Aids, gender and vulnerable groups” emphasises the need to address the disproportionate impact of HIV on women, children and marginalised populations, reflecting global advocacy for more inclusive and equitable health strategies.

The projects under “Research challenges and opportunities” indicate a recognition of the complexities involved in HIV research, such as funding limitations, ethical considerations and the need for innovative methodologies. Smaller categories like “Global collaboration, local impact” and “HIV/Aids and human rights” underscore the importance of international partnerships and the protection of human rights in the fight against HIV/Aids, aligning with global efforts to create more supportive and just environments for people living with HIV.

Youth issues foregrounded

The distribution of projects under the theme “Youth engagement and empowerment” reflects the significant HIV/Aids-related challenges faced by young people in the students’ countries of origin.

• Young people in South Africa face high infection rates, influenced by socioeconomic challenges, gender-based violence and limited access to comprehensive sexual education. The focus on youth engagement in these projects reflects the urgent need to empower young people with knowledge, resources and support to make informed decisions about their health.
• Namibia and Zimbabwe have youth populations that are vulnerable to HIV due to similar socioeconomic factors, including high unemployment, poverty and limited access to healthcare. Empowering youth is crucial to reducing new infections and supporting people living with HIV.
• In Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, youth face significant barriers to HIV prevention and treatment, including political instability, limited healthcare infrastructure and pervasive stigma and discrimination. Engaging young people is critical for fostering a generation that is better equipped to combat HIV/Aids through education, advocacy and peer support.

Interconnected gender and communication

The predominance of female students producing projects under the theme “Comprehensive health communication and literacy” may reflect several interconnected factors relating to gender dynamics and the broader context of HIV/Aids-related issues.

• Gender roles and responsibilities: In many cultures, women are traditionally seen as caregivers and health educators. This societal role may drive female students to focus on health communication and literacy to address the gaps in knowledge and misinformation that can significantly impact family health outcomes, particularly in relation to HIV/Aids.
• Impact of HIV/Aids on women: The high infection rates among women may motivate female students to focus on comprehensive health communication and literacy as a means to empower themselves and others with vital information to prevent infection, reduce stigma and promote treatment adherence.
• Advocacy and empowerment: Female students may see comprehensive health communication and literacy as powerful tools to challenge and change the sociocultural norms that contribute to the epidemic, such as gender-based violence, unequal access to education and healthcare and economic dependency.
• Educational and professional interests: Women pursuing advanced degrees may have a particular interest in public health, community health education and social work. These fields often emphasise communication and literacy as foundational elements for effective health interventions.
• Focus on prevention and support networks: Effective health communication and literacy are critical for HIV prevention and support. Female students may prioritise these areas to build supportive networks that empower women and girls. These networks can provide resources and support for HIV prevention and care, making health communication a strategic focus.

Comprehensive body of work

The MPhil projects represent a significant investment in understanding and mitigating the HIV/Aids epidemic’s multifaceted challenges. The body of work encapsulates the diverse dimensions of the HIV/Aids landscape, reflecting the complexities of addressing this global health crisis.

Making these findings accessible to the research community, potential students and the general public is vitally important. It underscores the centre’s commitment to transparency and knowledge dissemination and also showcases the breadth and depth of students’ endeavours.

By bridging the gap between academia and broader society, this initiative facilitates informed discourse, promotes evidence-based policymaking and fosters community engagement, ultimately enhancing the collective efforts towards combatting HIV/Aids on local, regional and global scales.

* Visit https://www.aidscentre.sun.ac.za/mphil-study-projects/ for more information. We invite inspired new or follow-up studies, articles and reviews. Please contact the Africa Centre at africacentre@sun.ac.za for study-related information or collaboration.