1001- Kenya- Leveraging Routinely Collected Data to Focus the HIV Response in Nairobi, Kenya with Generalized Epidemics

The primary goal of this project is to utilize routinely collected program data in Kenya to inform the delivery of HIV prevention and treatment services to key populations, including men who have sex with men, female sex workers, people who use drugs, incarcerated people, and transgender populations, in Kenya. Routinely collected data include data collected for clinical management of patients or service users, and/or to monitor and evaluate routine program activities. With a stagnation in funding for HIV-related research, there exists a need to repurpose existing and routinely collected data to answer program-relevant questions. Routine program data are already being collected and so do not involve additional human resources or data collection costs and can aid in the studying of much larger groups of people. Use of routinely collected data involves dealing with a range of epidemiologic hurdles, including dealing with missing data, data linkage, and others. As part of this project, we will contend with these hurdles using rigorous data harmonization and analytic approaches. An additional goal of the project will be to work with and build capacity of key populations data stakeholders in Kenya, including health organization service partners, governmental program and policy decision-makers, researchers, and international technical partners, to better access and utilize HIV-related data for key populations.

The student will work with Partners for Health and Development in Africa (PHDA) Kenya and collaboratively engage with the Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) on this exciting project funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). One student is requested to support 1) technical support and implementation of the project activities, including data collation, harmonization, , and analysis; and 2) liaising and collaborating with PHDA personnel, program partners, USAID personnel, government partners, and other key populations data stakeholders.

This placement will be located at the PHDA Kenya office in Nairobi, Kenya. PHDA is an international non-profit organization registered in Kenya and provides technical support to the Government of Kenya National AIDS & STI Control Programme (NASCOP) in Kenya, and is a partnership between the NASCOP and University of Manitoba, Canada. For over 20 years, PHDA has been working with communities living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in Kenya, and in particular key populations. PHDA provides leadership and support for programme science initiatives and in partnership with community based organizations. As part of the NASCOP-Technical Support Unit, PHDA focuses on fostering local capacity in data management and data coordination, and support the implementation of bio-behavioral and polling booth surveys, and analyses of key indicator programmatic data, as part of NASCOP’s surveillance and monitoring and evaluation strategies across the country.

Technical activities of the project include:
1) Building on the existing synthesis of all available Key Population data for Kenya to include an expanded range of data source types, with a focus on routinely collected program data by PHDA/SWOP for the KenyaEMR system, as well as including recent evaluations, peer-reviewed and grey literature sources. This includes, but is not limited to, data characterizing HIV prevalence and incidence, ART access and retention, PrEP coverage;
2) Supporting quantitative analyses of routinely collected data, with a focus on assessing the association between silent transfers and viral load suppression, as well as other analyses specific to HIV testing, prevention, and treatment as indicated by the PHDA/SWOP team;
3) Supporting data synthesis and harmonization for innovative repository development, which may include but is not limited to: collating existing .csv files with aggregate indicators, developing structured .csv file templates, utilizing R. Shiny/Python, developing an API, etc.;
4) Developing and presenting data dissemination products including presentations, brief reports, data visualizations, and/or abstracts via in-person and virtual platforms; and
5) Developing capacity building training workshops—engaging in both formative planning activities and in facilitation—as identified by the PHDA/SWOP team.

This project offers an opportunity both professional and academic to gain critical skills in the intersection of health systems strengthening and epidemiological approaches through data capacity-building, community and stakeholder engagement and relationship building, as well as experience working on HIV-related implementation science and research activities aiming to impact public health practice in a low-to-middle-income country. Working in the field with local counterparts gives the applicant the opportunity to develop skills in project management and stakeholder engagement that will help them critically analyze how they would design future projects.

The professional work environment at the site is extremely positive and fosters mentorship and productivity across team members, partners and program staff. The workplace operates in a mature, respectful manner and collaboration and teamwork are hallmarks of the project. We as a team are always available for support and ongoing communication throughout this collaboration.

This placement would be a good fit for someone who is motivated and can take the lead on projects. Regular mentoring and supervision will be provided by investigators and staff in the US and Kenya; however it will be the responsibility of the student to use the ideas and advice provided by the investigative team to move aspects of the project along, requesting additional support along the way when needed. Students with an interest in Key Populations, data analytics, big data science, and capacity building are encouraged to apply.

Epidemiology and Biostatistics (620 series or above highly preferred); courses in data dashboard development/API development, health communications, health equity, and implementation science are a plus, but not required.

Experience working with marginalized populations and on sensitive topics preferred.
A minimum of 20 weeks is required unless travel restrictions prohibit this duration, although students who wish to stay longer are encouraged to do so and expenses will be covered to support this. Students who continue to work with the project for longer than 20 weeks will likely have more of an opportunity to assist with data analysis and manuscript development.

Name: Amrita Rao, Department of Epidemiology, kwill218@jhu.edu

I would describe my communication and mentorship styles as... 

Supportive, available to provide thoughtful feedback and guidance at any point either in-person, by phone or via email. I work closely with the research and study team to ensure goals are met and individuals are supported to engage at the highest level. We work as a unified team and provide support and mentorship across multiple levels.

A complementary student would have a working style and mentorship expectations that are..

A complementary student will be interested in the work, hardworking, and able to work independently and collaboratively. We are looking for students that are excited about the work, willing to learn, and interested in integrating within the PHDA team. Students who are able to take initiative and ownership of their responsibilities within the project will be a good fit for this placement.

We will work with the student to develop a budget to cover monthly expenses including housing, transportation, groceries, and other basic living expenses. Any living expenses not covered by the GHEFP grant will be covered by the project. The project will cover the student’s airfare to and from Kenya.