Siyakhula: Growing HIV/TB Research Knowledge for Growing Healthy Kids in Eswatini

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Program Summary/Abstract In collaboration with the University of Eswatini and the Eswatini Ministry of Health (including national HIV and TB programs), Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) will conduct training in HIV/AIDS research methods with a focus on pediatrics and Tuberculosis (TB) co-morbidity. Other key partners include The University of Texas School of Public Health (UTHealth SPH) who will support and mentor long-term trainees during Public Health Masters and Doctoral level studies. Our collaborative HIV/TB training program will train i) three doctoral candidates to become Independent Investigators in clinical and translational research focusing on HIV/TB in pediatric (infants, children, and adolescents) populations, and ii) two in-country cohorts of public health trainees to become Associate Investigators in child health research. The training capitalizes on a novel Eswatini-US dual mentoring strategy to ensure retention, success, and relevance of research conducted by US-based long-term Siyakhula Scholars. Long-term Siyakhula Scholars will enroll in UTHealth SPH to earn a PhD or DrPH and conduct thesis activities in Eswatini engaging in-country Siyakhula Scholars and mentors. We will employ a "teach-back" approach in which the long-term trainees participate in Eswatini-based training forums to develop teaching skills and strengthen partnerships with in-country scholars. Our goal is to strengthen clinical research capacity in Eswatini while simultaneously producing high-quality researchers who will successfully transition to independence, obtain independent funding and lead national efforts to end the HIV/TB epidemic, now the leading infectious causes of mortality globally. We have developed a training plan that has adapted to today's HIV research priorities appropriately focused on TB specific comorbidity while being aligned with the Eswatini National Research Strategy and priorities of the US NIH and Fogarty International Center. Building on our past successes, we will train the next generation of HIV scientists in four essential programmatic areas including epidemiology, biostatistics and bio-informatics, behavioral science and health promotion, and health systems management and policy. We will develop capacity in these cornerstones of multidisciplinary clinical and translational research by accomplishing the following specific aims: 1) Capitalize on existing pediatric HIV expertise to enhance investigation of HIV/TB co-affected children and provide long-term training to produce Independent Emaswati Investigators in the most recent advances in the fields of epidemiology, biostatistics & bio-informatics, behavioral science & health promotion, and health systems management & policy; 2) Provide intensive in-country training in Child Health Applied Research Methods to well-qualified Siyakhula Scholars from partner institutions in Eswatini; 3) Support local research infrastructure and the existing research community while enriching the environment and capacity to support educational research opportunities for future health professionals.