Browsing by Author "Simuyandi M"

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    Monitoring Cholera Transmission in Zambia Using the Cholera Elimination Scorecard.
    (2026-Aug-27) Chisenga CC; Lamba L; Luchen CC; Duncan A; Mbewe N; Zyambo M; Kasanga M; Liswaniso F; Ng'ombe H; Simuyandi M; Debes AK; Chilengi R; Sack DA
    We used the cholera elimination scorecard to better understand the changing cholera patterns in Zambia. The method used surveillance data from the Zambia National Public Health Institute to identify districts that had eliminated cholera or continued to be endemic between 2015 and 2024. Between 2017 and 2022 the number of cholera-endemic districts decreased from 27 to 6; however, in 2023 and 2024, a severe outbreak occurred in Lusaka and expanded to neighboring districts. Concurrently, a separate outbreak occurred in the northern areas of Zambia. We found the cholera elimination scorecard to be a practical and simple to use tool to understand changes in cholera transmission, including identifying persistently endemic districts and districts that had relapsed after having eliminated cholera. We suggest that the cholera elimination scorecard can supplement the Priority Areas for Multisectoral Interventions methodology for countries attempting to eliminate cholera.
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    "This is human life, so I don't know what compensation I can attach to it": perceptions on compensation in human infection challenge studies in Lusaka, Zambia.
    (2026-Sep-18) Mwamba C; Kunda-Ng'andu EM; Chirwa M; Nyirenda HC; Mwale S; Muzazu SGY; Simuyandi M; Sharma A
    Human infection challenge (HIC) studies where healthy volunteers are deliberately infected expedite vaccine development. However, agreement on fair compensation that avoids both exploitation and undue inducement remains elusive. Without clear compensation policies or guidelines, implementation of HIC studies remains a challenge in Zambia. We conducted 5 focus group discussions and 15 in-depth interviews on compensation prior to initiation of a typhoid HIC study among healthy adults from higher learning institutions in Lusaka, Zambia. Thematic analysis revealed HIC-specific considerations for compensation, including compensation allocated to research participants and their families for potential risk of immediate and long-term side effects from deliberate infection. Preferences for compensation timing varied, with some advocating for upfront compensation and others favouring compensation after participation to account for lived experiences of side-effects, time commitment and emotional burden. Compensation preferences included monetary and non-monetary compensation in the form of long-term medical coverage and tuition for university/college education. However, views on the value of the compensation varied, highlighting the complexity of determining appropriate compensation that balances voluntariness with fair recognition of risks and sacrifices. Sustained engagement of ethics and regulatory authorities with potential research participants must be encouraged to ensure ethically responsive research and to build public trust in HIC studies.