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DREAMS workshop

DREAMS Impact Evaluation

Evaluating the impact of the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) Partnership

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On World AIDS Day 2014, PEPFAR launched a bold new initiative – ‘DREAMS’ – to reduce new HIV infections by 40 percent among the highest risk adolescent girls and young women in 10 high-burden countries. With an initial commitment of US$385 million, quickly supplemented with $85 million for a DREAMS Innovation Fund, DREAMS partners – PEPFAR, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Girl Effect, Johnson & Johnson, ViiV Healthcare and Gilead Sciences – aim to promote empowerment and prevent HIV acquisition through a core package of interventions for young women, their families, communities and male partners.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded LSHTM a 4-year grant to lead a portfolio of evaluation studies designed to track the impact of DREAMS in Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Led by Isolde Birdthistle and Sian Floyd, the evaluation draws on LSHTM expertise in HIV, adolescent health and evaluation across all faculties, and close research partnerships with experienced institutes in each country: the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) in Durban, South Africa, the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) in Nairobi, Kenya; the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in Siaya, Kenya; and the Centre for Sexual Health HIV and AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) in Harare, Zimbabwe.

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Meet the team
2 columns DREAMS meet the team
DREAMS meet the team
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London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), UK

Isolde Birdthistle

Principal Investigator

Isolde
It is a pleasure to lead the independent evaluation of DREAMS with excellent partner institutes in Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe. I work closely with Sian to oversee the scientific management, and with Antonio, to manage the financial aspects of the grant from BMGF. There are many lessons to be learned from DREAMS, about whether and how scaled-up integrated programs can improve the health and welfare of adolescent girls. It is exciting to see data from different disciplines and designs, contributing answers to the evaluations questions. A particularly enriching aspect of the project is engaging regularly with researchers from all sites via thematic working groups – these are virtual peer groups that share analyses in progress, to harmonise analyses and boost all of our analytical skills.

Sian Floyd

Principal Investigator

Sian Floyd
My role on the DREAMS IE is as Principal Investigator and I work closely with Isolde to coordinate the Impact Evaluation work across the four settings in which we are evaluating DREAMS. I trained as a biostatistician, and together with Isolde I have provided oversight and guidance on design of the impact evaluation studies and how to analyse the quantitative data to estimate the causal effect of DREAMs on outcomes across the themes of biological, behavioural, and social protection. One thing that I have learned is that while the analysis of the effect of complex interventions is challenging when the interventions are allocated/received in a way that is non-randomised and outside the control of the evaluation team, it is possible so long as effort is made to understand the way in which interventions have been targeted/prioritised and to carefully measure what has actually been delivered/received and how this evolves over time.

Judith Glynn

Co Investigator

Judith Glynn
I am a co-investigator on the grant and Chair of the DREAMS IE Publications and Presentations (P&P) Group. The aim of this group is to ensure and enhance the quality of all outputs from the grant. Multisite collaborations such as this are inspiring and worthwhile, despite the huge amounts of work involved.

James Hargreaves

Co Investigator

James Hargreaves
 

Antonio Durán

Project Coordinator

Antonio Duran

In my role as Project Coordinator, I am in charge of the financial and administrative side of things. I support the PI in the financial management of the project, work with our partners for the allocation of funds, submit finance reports for the funder, as well as deal with project recruitment, dissemination, etc. 

It is extremely rewarding to be involved in such a multidisciplinary, international project. 

Sarah Mulwa

Statistician

Sarah Mulwah

My work revolves around quantifying the uptake of DREAMS interventions in Nairobi - Kenya, as well as assessing factors that affect uptake. I am also a member of the Data Analysis Working Group, a platform where we discuss various methodologies relating to analysis of observational data. To better understand how the implementation is being done on the ground and the different contextual factors that can explain participation in DREAMS activities (or lack thereof), I also participate in the Social Science Working Group.

There are many lessons one can learn by being part of such a multi-disciplinary team like DREAMS IE. What I enjoy the most are the numerous opportunities to learn new methods through sharing lessons, ideas and potential solutions to some of the challenges the team may face.

Annabelle Gourlay

Epidemiologist

I chair the Data Analysis Working Group, including epidemiologists, statisticians and data managers from each of our partner organisations in Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe, as well as colleagues at LSHTM. Recent work has included summarising early awareness and uptake of DREAMS, using population-wide data platforms and/or nested cohorts of AGYW in each setting. I also participate in the Social Science Working Group to keep up-to-date with progress on the process evaluation and facilitate my understanding of the implementation of DREAMS, to help contextualise the quantitative findings.

I have learned that it is very complex to define and measure ‘exposure’ to DREAMS, and that this is a very challenging package of interventions to implement. However, there are encouraging signs from the early analyses and some interesting synergies across settings, despite the different contexts in which DREAMS is being implemented. I’ve also learned that we have a great team of researchers!

Bernadette Hensen

Epidemiologist

Hensen Bernadette
My role on the DREAMS IE involves supporting the evaluation of DREAMS among young women who sell sex in Zimbabwe. Working with colleagues at the Centre for Sexual Health, HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) and LSHTM, I support the collection and analysis of data from a cohort of young women. We are aiming to follow-up a cohort of the most vulnerable young women in two DREAMS and four non-DREAMS site to help us understand whether DREAMS has had an impact on the health and well-being of this population. I have learnt so much through working on the DREAMS IE. One of these is that, although challenging, it is possible to identify and reach the most vulnerable young women who sell sex to men in exchange for money or other material support through their networks.

Joanna Busza

Social Scientist

Joanna Busza
I contribute to the impact and process evaluations of DREAMS in Zimbabwe. I work closely with the Centre for Sexual Health, HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) to track inclusion in and experiences of DREAMS activities among the most vulnerable adolescent girls and young women, those involved in exchanging sex for money or other material goods. We are following girls who benefit from different parts of the DREAMS package to try to understand how it affects their lives, particularly in regard to protecting them from risks. Young women’s perceptions of the programme, such as which components work well and which less so, will help answer questions about whether DREAMS is being implemented as planned, whether it is acceptable to those it aims to reach, and what challenges participants face.  I have been impressed with how quickly young women see a change in themselves, particularly in terms of feeling a greater sense of purpose in their present lives and hope for the future. It remains to be seen whether relatively short exposure to DREAMS activities will be able to deliver on young women’s growing expectations.
Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), South Africa

Maryam Shahmanesh

PI, AHRI

Maryam Shahmanesh
 

Natsayi Chimbindi

Project Coordinator

I am the project manager on the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) DREAMS Impact Evaluation.

One thing I have learnt so far is that HIV prevention interventions for young people are complex and require time for scale up and adaptation to context for them to be a good fit. Personally, I have advanced working in a multi-disciplinary team from different sites – the exposure and experience has been enriching.

Kathy Baisley

Senior Statistician

Kathy Baisley
 

Nondumiso Mthiyane

Statistician

My role is to analyze quantitative data. What I have learned is that working together with fieldworkers gives you a better understanding of the population which you are analyzing the data for.

Jaco Dreyer

Data Manager

I am the Data Manager on this Evaluation project and responsible for setting up tools to collect the data and export data to datasets for analysis.

I have seen that going into field with a small team that is focused on a specific set of questions is more effective than sending a big team that is trying to combine your questions with the questions from other projects.

Thembelihle Zuma

Social Scientist

 

 

I am working on the Social Science component of the IE, assessing how communities in Umkhanyakude, one of the DREAMS sites in South Africa are experiencing, perceiving and understanding Dreams.

To reduce HIV incidence among AGYW, multicomponent interventions such as DREAMS are essential, however, AGYW do not exist in isolation, interventions should also have a strong focus on their parents, partners, and spaces they interact with.

Janet Seeley

Senior Social Scientist

Janet Seeley
I'm a social anthropologist by training and faculty lead for Social Science and 
Research Ethics at the Africa Health Research Institute in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. I'm a co-investigator on the DREAMS evaluation team.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC), Kenya

Abdhalah Ziraba

PI, APHRC

Ziraba

I am the DREAMS Impact Evaluation project manager at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC). I oversee the technical (tools, field operations and data) and other management aspects including reporting and anchoring our participation in the consortium. I also serve on the Publications and Presentation working group.

I have learned that even the most complex of health and social interventions can be assessed for impact. Complex health challenges such as HIV/AIDS require complex interventions whose implementation is not straight forward and so is the measurement of impact attributable to such responses. Innovating to address and overcome some of these challenges is a big take away for me from this project.

Benedict Orindi

Statistician

I provide statistical support – in terms of sampling, data processing and statistical analysis – to the DREAMS IE site at APHRC in Nairobi, Kenya. In addition, I represent the African Population and Health Research Centre in the DREAMS IE Data Analysis Working Group.

Whereas I apply statistics in a wide variety of fields, my main areas of interest are Bayesian inference, factor analytic methods, complex data, healthcare experiences and infectious diseases. I developed interest in HIV/AIDS research, with a particular interest in knowledge gaps that result from statistical challenges.

Jane Osindo

Social Science Research Officer

My role on the DREAMS Impact Evaluation involves oversight on project activities at the field level. I am responsible for  logistics for the quantitative and qualitative data collection which involves community sensitization on project related activities, preparation of data collection teams through training and field logistics, supervision of data collection activities and data monitoring and quality control. I am also involved in the process evaluation activities through which the progress of the DREAMS implementation gets monitored. I participate in the qualitative data analysis and interpretation and support scientific writing for the quantitative and qualitative arms of the evaluation.

Evaluating the intervention has taught me that despite the efforts to support the most vulnerable in the communities new challenges arise but the work still goes on.

Beatrice Maina

Research Assistant

Beatrice Maina
My main role in the DREAMS IE involves supporting activities targeting the 10 – 14 age cohort, including data collection and analysis. I am also a member of the DREAMS IE Data Analysis Working Group. 
Working with very young adolescents in the DREAMS IE project, I have learnt it is possible to reach this cohort with interventions – at a time when they are learning to adapt to societal norms - laying grounds for improved sexual and reproductive health outcomes.

Elvis Wambiya

Statistician 

Elvis Wambiya

My role in the DREAMS impact evaluation at the African Population and Health Research Centre site involves project management, supporting project implementation activities, data quality assurance, management and analysis. I am an active member of the data analysis working group and participate in scientific writing for the project.

I have learnt that evaluation of complex interventions for a complex phenomenon such as HIV among adolescent girls and young women (influenced by multiple contextual factors) invites innovative and multi-pronged approaches so as to best capture the effects of the intervention. The project also sheds light and reiterates the importance of quality assurance during data collection which ultimately leads to quality data for the evaluation.

Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Zimbabwe and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), UK

Frances Cowan

PI, CeSHHAR

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Tarisai Chiyaka

Project Coordinator

 

Sungai Chabata

Statistician

 

Phillis Mushati

Social Scientist

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kenya and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), UK

Daniel Kwaro

PI, KEMRI - LSTM

Daniel Kwaro in Mwanza
 

Penelope Phillips-Howard

Co-PI, KEMRI-LSTM

Penelope Phillips-Howard

Learned: diversity of exposures and risks for adolescent girls and young women in seemingly similar ‘impoverished’ settings – which strengthens the justification for implementing a variety of different interventions to address these factors across the causal pathway 

Vivienne Kamire

Study Coordinator

As the study coordinator I have been assisting with the day–to-day survey implementation and work with the PI in developing an in-depth understanding of the study design and goals, and fully participate in the successful implementation and execution of the study. I have Participated in both county and community engagement which involves stakeholder consultation and community mobilization to discuss the study objectives and implications. I have ensured that the field staffs are well trained on the study protocol to enable them execute the field activities as required.

The lesson learnt so far is that before the study is commenced, holding meetings with various stakeholders both at the County and Community level to comprehensively discuss the aims and objectives is very crucial to avoid creating unrealistic expectations. Through this we have seen a positive response from the sampled participants and stakeholders where they are voluntarily participating in the study.

Sammy Khagayi

Statistician

Sammy Khagayi

I provide statistical support at the KEMRI DREAMS IE site in Gem-Western Kenya. I also oversee the overall data processing, management and analysis. I am also part of the DREAMS IE Data Analysis Working Group.

I have been greatly impressed by the ability of this multidisciplinary group to dig deep into the data and come up with different and important initial findings that not only inform the overall DREAMS objective but also increase our individual skills in complex data analysis.

Faith Magut

Data Manager

Faith Magut

I work as a data analyst at the KEMRI DREAMS IE site in Gem-Western Kenya. Besides data analysis, I also manage the data in preparation for analysis. I am also part of the DREAMS IE Data Analysis Working Group.

There are many good lessons learnt from the work so far. The ability to incorporate complex analysis in our analysis with focus on details in order to draw conclusions has been the most important one. The platform has also helped gaining new and improving analytical skills and sharing ideas in order to achieve the objectives.

Moses Otieno

Data Manager

Moses Otieno

 

My role in DREAMS impact evaluation is to provide support in data preparation and statistical analyses of different outcomes in GEM Western Kenya.

I am part of DREAMS IE Data Analysis Working Group. I have had an opportunity to learn quite a lot majorly on the impact of DREAMS on the population of interest. The lessons learnt through the Data Analysis Working Group that majorly revolves around complex analysis has largely boosted my analytical skills. Working with such a great team is wonderful and very impactful. 

Kenneth Ondeng’e

Social Scientist

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Alumni
Despoina Xenikaki - LSHTM  
Daniel Carter - LSHTM  
Ekua Yankah - LSHTM  
Sheru Muuo - APHRC  
Caroline Kabiru - APHRC  
Joyce Mumah - APHRC  
Maquins Sewe - KEMRI-LSTM  
Publications
Scientific Papers
Publications List
Protocol papers
Evaluating the impact of the DREAMS partnership to reduce HIV incidence among adolescent girls and young women in four settings: a study protocol
Isolde Birdthistle, Susan B. Schaffnit, Daniel Kwaro, Maryam Shahmanesh, Abdhalah Ziraba, Caroline W. Kabiru, Penelope Phillips-Howard, Natsayi Chimbindi, Kenneth Ondeng’e, Annabelle Gourlay, Frances M. Cowan, James R. Hargreaves, Bernadette Hensen, Tarisai Chiyaka, Judith R. Glynn and Sian Floyd
2018
Published: 25 July 2018 (BMC Public Health)
Evaluating the impact of DREAMS on HIV incidence among young women who sell sex: protocol for a non-randomised study in Zimbabwe
Bernadette Hensen, James R. Hargreaves, Tarisai Chiyaka, Sungai Chabata, Phillis Mushati, Sian Floyd, Isolde Birdthistle, Joanna Busza and Frances Cowan
2018
Published: 31 January 2018 (BMC Public Health)
Baseline analyses
Experiences of violence among adolescent girls and young women in Nairobi’s informal settlements prior to scale-up of the DREAMS Partnership: Prevalence, severity and predictors
Benedict O. Orindi ,Beatrice W. Maina,Sheru W. Muuo,Isolde Birdthistle,Daniel J. Carter,Sian Floyd, Abdhalah Ziraba
2020
Published: April 22, 2020 (PLOS ONE)
HIV risk among young women who sell sex by whether they identify as sex workers: analysis of respondent‐driven sampling surveys, Zimbabwe, 2017
Bernadette Hensen, Sungai T Chabata, Sian Floyd, Tarisai Chiyaka, Phillis Mushati, Joanna Busza, Isolde Birdthistle, James R Hargreaves, Frances M Cowan
2019
Published: 3 December 2019. J Int AIDS Soc. 2019 Dec; 22(12): e25410. doi: 10.1002/jia2.25410
Recent levels and trends in HIV incidence rates among adolescent girls and young women in ten high-prevalence African countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Isolde Birdthistle, Clare Tanton, Andrew Tomita, Kristen de Graaf, Susan B Schaffnit, Frank Tanser, Emma Slaymaker
2019
Published: 1 November 2019 (The Lancet Global Health)
Changes Over Time in HIV Prevalence and Sexual Behaviour Among Young Female Sex Workers in 14 Sites in Zimbabwe, 2013–2016
Sungai T. Chabata, Bernadette Hensen, Tarisai Chiyaka, Phillis Mushati, Sibongile Mtetwa, Dagmar Hanisch, Sue Napierala, Joanna Busza, Sian Floyd, Elizabeth Fearon, Isolde Birdthistle, James R. Hargreaves, Frances M. Cowan
2019
Published: 20 February 2019 (AIDS and Behavior)
High HIV incidence and low uptake of HIV prevention services: The context of risk for young male adults prior to DREAMS in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Kathy Baisley, Natsayi Chimbindi, Nondumiso Mthiyane, Sian Floyd, Nuala McGrath, Deenan Pillay, Janet Seeley, Thembelihle Zuma, Jaco Dreyer, Dickman Gareta, Theresa Smit, Tinofa Mutevedzi, Justin Fenty, Kobus Herbst, Isolde Birdthistle, Maryam Shahmanesh
2018
Published: 26 December 2018 (PLOS ONE)
Persistently high incidence of HIV and poor service uptake in adolescent girls and young women in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa prior to DREAMS
Natsayi Chimbindi, Nondumiso Mthiyane, Isolde Birdthistle, Sian Floyd, Nuala McGrath, Deenan Pillay, Janet Seeley, Thembelihle Zuma, Jaco Dreyer, Dickman Gareta, Tinofa Mutevedzi, Justin Fenty, Kobus Herbst, Theresa Smit, Kathy Baisley, Maryam Shahmanesh
2018
Published: October 16, 2018 (PLOS ONE)
Who are the male sexual partners of adolescent girls and young women? Comparative analysis of population data in three settings prior to DREAMS roll-out
Aoife M. Doyle, Sian Floyd, Kathy Baisley, Benedict Orindi, Daniel Kwaro, Thandiwe N. Mthiyane, Sheru Muuo, Maryam Shahmanesh, Abdhalah Ziraba, Isolde Birdthistle
2018
Published: 28 September 2018 (PLOS ONE)
Understanding HIV risks among adolescent girls and young women in informal settlements of Nairobi, Kenya: Lessons for DREAMS
Abdhalah Ziraba, Benedict Orindi, Sheru Muuo, Sian Floyd, Isolde J. Birdthistle, Joyce Mumah, Jane Osindo, Pauline Njoroge, Caroline W. Kabiru
2018
Published: 31 May 2018 (PLOS ONE)
Reaching young women who sell sex: Methods and results of social mapping to describe and identify young women for DREAMS impact evaluation in Zimbabwe
Tarisai Chiyaka, Phillis Mushati, Bernadette Hensen, Sungai Chabata, James R. Hargreaves, Sian Floyd, Isolde J. Birdthistle, Frances M. Cowan , Joanna R. Busza
2018
Published: 15 March 2018 (PLOS ONE)
The association between being currently in school and HIV infection amongst young women in six eastern and southern African countries
Paul Mee, Elizabeth Fearon, Syreen Hassan, Bernadette Hensen, Xeno Acharya, Brian D. Rice, James R. Hargreaves
2018
Published: June 20th 2018 (PLoS One)
Early results
Condom use among young women who sell sex in Zimbabwe – a prevention cascade analysis to identify gaps in HIV prevention programming
Sungai T Chabata, Bernadette Hensen, Tarisai Chiyaka, Phillis Mushati, Joanna Busza, Sian Floyd, Isolde Birdthistle, James R Hargreaves, Frances M Cowan
2020
Published: Jun 2020 (J Int Aids Soc)
The Changing Landscape of Diverse HIV Treatment and Prevention Interventions: Experiences and Perceptions of Adolescents and Young Adults in Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Thembelihle Zuma, Janet Seeley, Lindiwe O. Sibiya, Natsayi Chimbindi, Isolde Birdthistle, Lorraine Sherr, Maryam Shahmanesh
2019
Published: 15 November 2019. Front Public Health. 2019; 7: 336. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00336
Awareness and uptake of layered HIV prevention programming for young women: analysis of population-based surveys in three DREAMS settings in Kenya and South Africa
Annabelle Gourlay, Isolde Birdthistle, Nondumiso Thandiwe Mthiyane, Benedict O. Orindi, Sheru Muuo, Daniel Kwaro, Maryam Shahmanesh, Kathy Baisley, Abdhalah Ziraba and Sian Floyd
2019
Published: 30 October 2019 (BMC Public Health)
Translating DREAMS into practice: Early lessons from implementation in six settings
Natsayi Chimbindi* & Isolde Birdthistle*, Maryam Shahmanesh, Jane Osindo, Phillis Mushati, Kenneth Ondeng’e, Thembelihle Zuma, Tarisai Chiyaka, Nambusi Kyegombe, James Hargreaves, Joanna Busza, Sian Floyd, Janet Seeley
2018
Published: 13 December 2018 (PLOS ONE)
Directed and target focused multi-sectoral adolescent HIV prevention: Insights from implementation of the 'DREAMS Partnership' in rural South Africa
Natsayi Chimbindi, Isolde Birdthistle, Sian Floyd, Guy Harling, Nondumiso Mthiyane, Thembelihle Zuma, James R Hargreaves, Janet Seeley, Maryam Shahmanesh.
2020
Published: Sept 2020 (J Int AIDS Soc)
"They have this not care - don't care attitude:" A Mixed Methods Study Evaluating Community Readiness for Oral PrEP in Adolescent Girls and Young Women in a Rural Area of South Africa.
Sarah E Nakasone, Natsayi Chimbindi, Nondumiso Mthiyane, Busisiwe Nkosi, Thembelihle Zuma, Kathy Baisley, Jaco Dreyer, Deenan Pillay, Sian Floyd, Isolde Birdthistle, Janet Seeley, Maryam Shahmanesh
2020
Published: Sept 7th 2020 (AIDS Res Therapy)
What’s in a name? A mixed method study on how young women who sell sex characterise male partners and their use of condoms
Joanna Busza & Bernadette Hensen, Isolde Birdthistle, Sungai T Chabata, James R Hargreaves, Sian Floyd, Tarisai Chiyaka, Phillis Mushati, Frances M Cowan
2020
Published: JAIDS. 2021 May 1;87(1):652-662.
Common mental disorders and HIV status in the context of DREAMS among adolescent girls and young women in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Mthiyane N, Harling G, Chimbindi N, Baisley K, Seeley J, Dreyer J, Zuma T, Birdthistle I, Floyd S, McGrath N, Tanser F, Shahmanesh M, Sherr L.
2021
Published: BMC Public Health. 2021 Mar 10;21(1):478.
Reaching early adolescents with a complex intervention for HIV prevention: Findings from a cohort study to evaluate DREAMS in two informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya
Sarah Mulwa, Jane Osindo, Elvis O. Wambiya, Annabelle Gourlay, Beatrice Maina, Benedict O. Orindi, Sian Floyd, Abdhalah Ziraba, Isolde Birdthistle
2021
Published: BMC Public Health. 2021 Jun 10
Endline results
Young people’s experiences of sexual and reproductive health interventions in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Thembelihla Zuma, et al
Published: International Journal of Adolescence and Youth. 2020 Oct 25:1
Antiretroviral therapy based HIV prevention targeting young women who sell sex: a mixed method approach to understand the implementation of PrEP in a rural area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Chimbindi N, Mthiyane N, Zuma T, Baisley K, Pillay D, McGrath N, Harling G, Sherr L, Birdthistle I, Floyd S, Dreyer J, Nakasone S, Seeley J, Shahmanesh M.
2021
Published: AIDS Care. 2021 Mar 26:1-9.
The impact of the DREAMS partnership on HIV incidence among young women who sell sex in two Zimbabwean cities: results of a non-randomised study.
Chabata, ST; HENSEN, B; Chiyaka, T; Mushati, P; Musemburi, S; Dirawo, J; BUSZA, J; FLOYD, S; BIRDTHISTLE, I; HARGREAVES, JR; Cowan, FM;
2021
BMJ global health
Impact of the DREAMS interventions on educational attainment among adolescent girls and young women: Causal analysis of a prospective cohort in urban Kenya
Sarah Mulwa, Lucy Chimoyi, Schadrac Agbla, Jane Osindo, Elvis O. Wambiya, Annabelle Gourlay, Isolde Birdthistle, Abdhalah Ziraba, Sian Floyd
2021
Published: 12 Aug 2021 (PLOS ONE)
Early impact of the DREAMS partnership on young womens knowledge of their HIV status: causal analysis of population-based surveys in Kenya and South Africa
Birdthistle, I., Carter, D. J., Mthiyane, N. T., Orindi, B. O., Muuo,
S., Chimbindi, N., Ziraba, A., Shahmanesh, M., Baisley, K., Floyd, S.
2021
Published: Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health 2021
Impact of the DREAMS Partnership on social support and general self-efficacy among adolescent girls and young women: causal analysis of population based cohorts in Kenya and South Africa
Annabelle Gourlay, Sian Floyd, Faith Magut, Sarah Mulwa, Nondumiso Mthiyane, Elvis Wambiya, Moses Otieno, Vivienne Kamire, Jane Osindo, Natsayi Chimbindi, Abdhalah Ziraba, Daniel Kwaro, Maryam Shahmanesh, Isolde Birdthistle
2022
Published: 1 March 2022 (BMJ Glob Health)
Evaluating the impact of DREAMS on HIV incidence among adolescent girls and young women: A population-based cohort study in Kenya and South Africa
Isolde Birdthistle ,Daniel Kwaro,Maryam Shahmanesh,Kathy Baisley,Sammy Khagayi,Natsayi Chimbindi,Vivienne Kamire,Nondumiso Mthiyane,Annabelle Gourlay,Jaco Dreyer,Penelope Phillips-Howard,Judith Glynn,Sian Floyd
2021
Published: 25 Oct2021 (PLOS MEDICINE)
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Association between DREAMS invitation and attitudes towards gender norms amongst young women in urban and rural Kenya, measured using an adapted and validated version of the GEM Scale

Kate Nelson & Faith Magut, Sarah Mulwa, Sammy Khagayi, Abdhalah Ziraba, Daniel Kwaro, Sian Floyd, Isolde Birdthistle

HIV R4P Virtual Conference, January 2021

HIV R4P poster by Nelson et al, 2021

Impact of the DREAMS Partnership on educational attainment among adolescent girls and young women: Causal analysis of a prospective cohort in urban Kenya

Sarah Mulwa, Lucy Chimoyi, Schadrac C. Agbla, Jane Osindo, Elvis O. Wambiya, Annabelle Gourlay, Isolde Birdthistle, Abdhalah Ziraba, Sian Floyd

HIV R4P Virtual Conference, January 2021

HIV R4P poster by Mulwa et al, 2021

Impact of the DREAMS Partnership on social support among adolescent girls and young women: causal analysis of population‐based cohorts in Kenya and South Africa

Annabelle Gourlay, Sian Floyd, Faith Magut, Sara Mulwa1, Thandiwe Nondumiso Mthiyane, Moses Otieno, Vivienne Kamire, Jane Osindo, Natsayi Chimbindi, Abdhalah Ziraba, Daniel Kwaro, Maryam Shahmanesh, Isolde Birdthistle

HIV R4P Virtual Conference, January 2021

HIV R4P poster by Gourlay et al, 2021

Common mental health disorders & HIV status among adolescents and young people in rural KwaZulu-Natal

Thandiwe Nondumiso Mthiyane, Guy Harling, Natsayi Chimbindi, Kathy Baisley, Janet Seeley, Jaco Dreyer, Thembelihle Zuma, Isolde Birdthistle, Sian Floyd, Nuala McGrath, Frank Tanser, Deenan Pillay, Maryam Shahmanesh, Lorraine Sherr

AIDS Impact 2019, 29-31 July 2019

Common mental health disorders poster

Exploring perceptions and experiences of adolescent girls and young women participating in DREAMS in rural Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Thembelihle Zuma, Dumile Gumede, Sakhile Mdluli, Janet Seeley, Natsayi Chimbindi, Sian Floyd, Isolde Birdthistle, Maryam Shahmanesh

HIVR4P, 21-25 October 2018

exploring-perceptions-and-experiences

Platforms, processes and perceptions of PrEP delivery through DREAMS in a rural setting in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Natsayi Chimbindi, Thembelihle Zuma, Sarah Nakasone, Isolde Birdthistle, Nondumiso Mthiyane, Jaco Dreyer, Janet Seeley, Kathy Baisley, Deenan Pillay, Maryam Shahmanesh

HIVR4P, 21-25 October 2018

platforms-processes-and-perceptions

A mixed methods study assessing readiness for oral PrEP in a rural area of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Sarah Nakasone, Natsayi Chimbindi, Nondumiso Mthiyane, Busisiwe Nkosi, Thembelihle Zuma, Kathy Baisley, Jaco Dreyer, Janet Seeley, Deenan Pillay, Sian Floyd, Isolde Birdthistle, Maryam Shahmanesh

HIVR4P, 21-25 October 2018

a-mixed-methods-study

Characteristics of Male Sexual Partners and Knowledge of Male Partner’s HIV Status among Young Women Who Sell Sex enrolled in an evaluation of DREAMS in Zimbabwe, 2017

Bernadette Hensen, Sian Floyd, Sungai Chabata, Tarisai Chiyaka, Joanna Busza, Phillis Mushati, Isolde Birdthistle, James Hargreaves, Frances Cowan

HIVR4P, 21-25 October 2018

characteristics-of-male-sexual-partners

Condom use among young women who sell sex enrolled in an impact evaluation of DREAMS in Zimbabwe

Sungai T Chabata, Bernadette Hensen, Tarisai Chiyaka, Phillis Mushati, Joanna Busza, Sian Floyd, Isolde Birdthistle, James R Hargreaves, Frances M Cowan

HIVR4P, 21-25 October 2018

condom-use-dreams

“DREAMS means future and hope”. Perceptions of young women selling sex of how the DREAMS package is affecting their HIV risk in Zimbabwe

Phillis Mushati, Tarisai Chiyaka, Joanna Busza, Bernadette Hensen, Sungai Chabata, James Hargreaves, Isolde Birdthistle, Frances Cowan

HIVR4P, 21-25 October 2018

DREAMS-means-future-and-hope

Empowerment among adolescent girls and young women in Korogocho and Viwandani slums in Nairobi: Perceptions and implications for the 'E' in DREAMS

Jane Osindo, Abdhalah Ziraba, Joyce Mumah, Sheru Muuo, Benedict Orindi, Pauline Njoroge, Sian Floyd, Isolde Birdthistle, Caroline W. Kabiru

HIVR4P, 21-25 October 2018

Empowerment-among-adolescent-girls

'But what about the boys?' Community perceptions of girl centered HIV programming in Nairobi informal settlements: Experiences from DREAMS implementation

Jane Osindo, Abdhalah Ziraba, Joyce Mumah, Sheru Muuo, Benedict Orindi, Pauline Njoroge, Sian Floyd, Isolde Birdthistle and Caroline W. Kabiru

HIVR4P, 21-25 October 2018

But-what-about-the-boys

Strategies to identify and reach high risk young women with DREAMS services in Zimbabwe

Sungai T Chabata, Bernadette Hensen, Tarisai Chiyaka, Phillis Mushati, Rumbidzai Makandwa, Jeffrey Dirawo, Sithembile Musemburi, Joanna Busza, Sian Floyd, Isolde Birdthistle, James R Hargreaves, Frances M Cowan

AIDS 2018, 23-27 July 2018

strategies-to-identify

Who are the male sexual partners of adolescent girls and young women? Comparative analysis of population data in three settings prior to DREAMS roll-out

Aoife Doyle, Sian Floyd, Kathy Baisley, Benedict Orindi, Daniel Kwaro, Nondumiso Mthiyane, Sheru Muuo, Maryam Shahmanesh, Abdhalah Ziraba, Isolde Birdthistle

AIDS 2018, 23-27 July 2018

who-are-the-male-sexual-partners

The dream keepers’ hope for the future: exploring perceptions and experiences of adolescent girls and young women participating in DREAMS in rural Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Thembelihle Zuma, Lindiwe Sibiya, Janet Seeley, Natsayi Chimbindi, Sian Floyd, Isolde Birdthistle, Maryam Shahmanesh

UCL - Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) Symposium: Towards HIV and TB elimination in South Africa, 12 February 2018

the-DREAMS-keepers-hope

Reaching young women who sell sex: methods and results of mapping to describe and identify young women to prepare for “DREAMS+PrEP” evaluation in Zimbabwe

Tarisai Chiyaka, Phillis Mushati, Bernadette Hensen, Sungai Chabata, James Hargreaves, Sian Floyd, Isolde Birdthistle, Joanna Busza, Frances Cowan

AIDS Impact 2017, 13-15 November 2017

reaching-young-women-who-sell-sex

Translating combination HIV prevention for adolescent girls and young women into practice: early lessons from DREAMS implementation scale-up in four settings

Natsayi Chimbindi, Isolde Birdthistle, Maryam Shahmanesh, Jane Osindo, Phillis Mushati, Kenneth Ondeng’e, Thembelihle Zuma, Tarisai Chiyaka, Nambusi Kyegombe, Joanna Busza, Janet Seeley

AIDS Impact 2017, 13-15 November 2017

translating-combination

Understanding HIV risks among adolescent girls and young women in poor informal settlements pre-DREAMS in Nairobi

Benedict Orindi, Abdhalah Ziraba, Joyce Mumah, Sheru Muuo, Jane Osindo, Pauline Njoroje, Marilyn Ronoh, Sian Floyd, Isolde Birdthistle, Caroline Kabiru

AIDS Impact 2017, 13-15 November 2017

understanding-HIV-risks

Community perceptions on the benefits and shortcomings of an HIV prevention program targeting adolescent girls and young women in urban informal settlements

Jane Osindo, Abdhalah Ziraba, Joyce Mumah, Sheru Muuo, Benedict Orindi, Sian Floyd, Isolde Birdthistle, Caroline Kabiru

AIDS Impact 2017, 13-15 November 2017

community-perceptions

How can a TV drama about love, sex and growing-up increase knowledge and shape the sexual health behaviors of young people?

Venetia Baker, Isolde Birdthistle, Janet Seeley, Georgia Arnold, Sara Piot, Helen Hajiyiannis

AIDS Impact 2017, 13-15 November 2017

how-can-a-TV-drama
News & blogs
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AIDS 2020 Conference (https://www.aids2020.org)

Presentations by the DREAMS IE team


AIDS Impact Conference 2019

Presentations by the DREAMS IE team: 

London, 29-31 July 2019


STI & HIV 2019 World Congress

Presentations by the DREAMS IE team: 

Vancouver, 14-17 July 2019


DREAMS IE Data Analysis Workshop

Nairobi & Kisumu, 13 - 17 May 2019

Attendees at the DREAMS IE data analysis workshop in Nairobi and Kisumu
Attendees at the DREAMS IE data analysis workshop in Nairobi and Kisumu

Thembelihle Zuma-AHRI, Phillis Mushati –CeSHHAR, Jane Osindo-APHRC, Natsayi Chimbindi – AHRI, presenting at HIVR4P
Thembelihle Zuma-AHRI, Phillis Mushati –CeSHHAR, Jane Osindo-APHRC, Natsayi Chimbindi – AHRI, presenting at HIVR4P

HIV Research for Prevention (HIV4RP) Conference 2018

Madrid, 21-25 October 2018

 

A summary of abstracts presented at the HIVR4P 2018 Conference by the DREAMS IE teams in Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa is found here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


PEPFAR Meeting and 22nd International AIDS Conference 2018

Amsterdam, 20-27 July 2018

A PEPFAR 2018 Meeting focusing on Solutions and Innovations for Reaching HIV/AIDS Epidemic Control was held in Amsterdam prior to the International AIDS Conference. Dr Isolde Birdthistle presented on the DREAMS Impact Evaluation.

A summary of abstracts presented during the International AIDS conference, by the DREAMS IE team is found here.


Fighting HIV by Empowering Adolescent Girls and Young Women: A Learning Event on PEPFAR’s DREAMS Partnership

Washington DC, 1 June 2018

A discussion on lessons learned from the DREAMS program was held in Washington DC with representatives from the DREAMs partners, PEPFAR, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Population Council and Centre for Global Development. 

Read the full story

Dr Isolde Birdthistle, Project Director of DREAMS Impact Evaluation presented some of the data collected in Kenya and South Africa.

Read the full story


On Bonding

March 2018

A short blog on what makes teams bond, inspired by the London Writing Workshop.

Read the blog


Photo taken in Stellenbosch, South Africa
Photo taken in Stellenbosch, South Africa

Meetings in South Africa & AIDS Impact Conference 2017

Stellenbosch and Cape Town, 10-15 November 2017

The DREAMS IE team attended a 3 day meeting in Stellenbosch, South Africa to discuss current progress of the study. Representatives of all 4 partners shared progress reports from the implementation of DREAMS IE in Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe with the coordinating team from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Following the meetings in Stellenbosch, the DREAMS IE team attended the AIDS Impact Conference in Century City, Cape Town.

Contributions of the DREAMS IE teams to the conference are listed here.

 

 


London Writing Workshop

London, 22-26 May 2017

Partners from the DREAMS Impact Evaluation teams from Zimbabwe, Kenya and South Africa met in London to collaborate in a writing workshop to prepare manuscripts for publication in the journal PLoS One.


DREAMS M&E  Planning Meeting

Durban, 23 July 2016

DREAMS IE participating organizations met in South Africa with members of the IE/IS working group for M&E of DREAMS as well as representatives of the South African government and partners in uMkhanyakude to identify measures & methods to help align the BMGF-funded impact evaluation of DREAMS in South Africa.


Protocol Development and Data Planning Workshop

London, 7-11 March 2016

Participants from the DREAMS Impact Evaluation teams met with the coordinating team and representatives of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in London to discuss protocol development and data planning.

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