Khulani Siphile Siphuhle Training Program in South Africa (KiSS-TP) - Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section South Africa is the centre of the global HIV epidemic and has the largest absolute number of people living with HIV (~7.9 million) of any country in the world. South Africa also has the world’s highest TB prevalence (852 per 100,000 population aged >15 years), and the greatest incidence of co-morbid TB among those living with HIV. These high rates of HIV and TB are further compounded by the high burden of common mental disorders, especially when co-morbid with HIV and HIV/TB. Underlying these national-level health trends are significant differences in the distribution and prevalence of social, economic and behavioral risk factors that impact health outcomes at provincial and district-levels, all of which continue to be observed in national surveys and health indicators. Eastern Cape Province, South Africa’s most resource-limited province in socio-economic terms, has ranked last among South Africa’s nine provinces in its Human Development Index score since 1990. Eastern Cape has the second highest HIV prevalence (25.2%; 95% CI: 19.8%-31.5%), the highest TB incidence (1236 per 100,000 persons; 95% CI: 945-1526), and some of the most challenged outcome metrics for HIV, TB, mental health, maternal-child health and health service delivery in South Africa. Even with these serious health metrics, Eastern Cape has some of the most under-resourced research infrastructure and limited opportunities for PhD-level health related research in South Africa. To address these critical gaps and build the research capacity within the province, we propose the Khulani Siphile Siphuhle Training Program (KiSS-TP). Specifically, we will offer an intensive, interdisciplinary, mentored PhD training program to eight carefully selected Masters-level faculty and staff at University of Fort Hare (UFH), Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation’s (DTHF) research program in Eastern Cape. We will also strengthen PhD training capacity in Eastern Cape through professional development and progression towards independent research programs for UFH and WSU faculty and D43 trainees. Our training activities will be supported by the University of California Global Health Institute. By selecting PhD trainees who are junior faculty and staff affiliated with Eastern Cape research institutions, we ensure an immediate return-on-investment regarding: 1) an increase in cutting-edge research capacity in Eastern Cape, 2) support of academic capacity for nascent PhD programs at UFH and WSU, and 3) training of next generation HIV researchers. Trainees will have the opportunity to practice their developing skills through mentored research in the Eastern Cape focused on one of four critical areas of need in that region of South Africa: Adolescent health, HIV care and prevention; Men’s health, HIV care and prevention; HIV and mental health; and HIV and TB.
