By CATHERINE MUROMBEDZI
HEALTH CORRESPONDENT
The Collaborative Initiative for Paediatric HIV Education and Research (CIPHER) of the International AIDS Society (IAS) is dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by infants, children, adolescents, and young people living with and affected by HIV. As part of this effort, CIPHER awards research grants to early-career investigators to address critical gaps in paediatric and adolescent HIV research in countries with limited resources.
Celebrating the two in their weekly highlights the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) amplified two women who changed the prevention science of HIV in children and young people behind the scenes.
Meet Christina Laurenzi and Dorina Onoya
Two CIPHER grantees, Christina Laurenzi and Dorina Onoya. They are making significant contributions to the field of maternal health and HIV research.
Christina Laurenzi
Christina Laurenzi is a senior researcher at Stellenbosch University’s Institute for Life Course Health Research in South Africa. With over a decade of experience in adolescent mental health, HIV, and maternal health interventions, Christina is committed to pursuing research that leads to new interdisciplinary understanding, promotes effective solutions, and has clear social value.
Dorina Onoya
Dorina Onoya is an epidemiologist with extensive experience in HIV research. She has worked in laboratory sciences and earned an MPH in epidemiology and a PhD in public health. Dorina’s research focuses on the ART cascade and outcomes for people living with HIV in South Africa. She has developed and evaluated various interventions to improve adherence, including the “Undetectable & You” intervention promoting the U=U message.
A Passion for Maternal Health Research
Christina: I became involved when I spent time in rural Zithulele, South Africa, after graduation. I helped manage a cohort study following nearly 500 mothers and their infants for the first year of life, which was a collaboration between the local hospital, a maternal and child health NGO, Philani, and Stellenbosch University, where I work now.
Dorina: Soon after my MPH, I was fortunate to join a team focused on developing and piloting an HIV prevention behavioural intervention tailored for young women. This was the foundation of my PhD work. This experience was transformative, sparking my deep interest in intervention development and evaluation, particularly concerning women’s health.
The Impact of CIPHER
Christina: CIPHER has enabled me to continue to think critically about how to support mothers in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, and I’ve integrated this focus with my research interest in adolescent mental health. My CIPHER project explores the experiences of young mothers living with HIV and their retention in HIV care.
Dorina: CIPHER was truly a pivotal catalyst in my career. As a first-time principal investigator, I received essential funding from CIPHER to generate crucial preliminary data, laying the groundwork for subsequent project development and fundraising. More importantly, it validated my research vision and significantly boosted my confidence.
Supporting Women and Girls Affected by HIV
Christina: Our team analysed cohort data collected from 311 young mothers living with HIV in 2018-19 to better understand links between age and adherence to ART. We found that adolescent girls who had a first birth at a younger age had poorer ART adherence, as did those who experienced internalized HIV stigma, did not live with a caregiver, and lacked social support.
Dorina: While micro-level interventions focused on sexual behaviour are important, I believe that research must also address the broader socioeconomic determinants that exacerbate women’s and girls’ vulnerability to HIV. This includes investigating and advocating for policies that improve access to quality education, ensure that girls remain in school through tertiary levels, and support women’s entrepreneurial endeavours.
The Impact of US Funding Cuts
Christina: From what I have seen and heard, these cuts are uniquely devastating and will have cascading effects on HIV prevention, treatment, and retention. This is dangerous for all groups living with and affected by HIV, but young mothers face distinct risks.
Dorina: The evolving impact of US funding cuts underscores the critical need for countries to invest in their own research and development infrastructure. While I cannot provide definitive conclusions at this stage, it’s clear that relying solely on external funding can create vulnerabilities.
A Message to Researchers, Policy Makers, and Healthcare Providers
Christina: We cannot take maternal health and rights for granted. Our research with young mothers in South Africa has shown how they are too often overlooked, shamed, discarded, and stigmatized. Yet they, too, have a right to an education, to fair and caring treatment by health providers, and to safety and love in their own homes.
Dorina: As a mother, I deeply understand the pivotal role women play in the stability and prosperity of families and societies. On this International Day for Maternal Health and Rights, I urge researchers, policy makers, healthcare providers, and the public to recognize that investing in maternal health is not just a matter of individual well-being; it is a strategic investment in the future of our communities.
● As we marked the International Day for Maternal Health and Rights, the work of CIPHER grantees Christina Laurenzi and Dorina Onoya serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritizing maternal health and HIV research. Their dedication to improving the lives of young mothers living with HIV and promoting policies that support women’s health and well-being is a testament to the impact that researchers can have on the lives of women and girls affected by HIV.
Let us discuss.
cathymwauyakufa@gmail.com
