BRIEF ON MY PROJECT – REPRODUCTION OF KNOWLEDGE AROUND HIV SELF-TESTING.

[Rodrick Sambakunsi]

Happy New Year to everyone, I hope we all had a good rest, recharged and that we are ready to face 2015 with renewed energy.

Over a past few days Malawi has experienced continuous heavy rains as such there have been floods in many locations, floods that have damaged properties and claimed lives. Unfortunately the weather experts are predicting more rains over the next few day.

As you are all aware my project is almost concluded, over the past months I had been working on coding and analyzing the data that was collected. This process is almost complete now, there are less than 4 transcripts that I am left with to code. While these processes have been going on I have also been doing literature searches as part of preparations for write ups.

Without pre-emptying what we are learning from the data, preliminary findings indicate a greater disparity amongst a wide range of areas mainly between different social economic classes, education and gender just to mention a few.  Hope to share more in the due course.

It is planned that the project will be completed by end of February if all things go according to plan and hope to continue sharing my experiences of the project.

I would like to once again thank the entire GHBN team for giving me this opportunity and Wellcome Trust Global Health Bioethics Network Bursaries Scheme for awarding the bursary to me.

Lastly I would also like to thank the following people for their timely and valuable support, Mike Parker, Nicola Desmond, Dina Rippon and all the GHBN members.

[Maureen Njue]

Hi Rodrick,

Great job, all the best with the rest of the data analysis and looking forward to seeing your results and the write up.

Keep safe, I hope the rains ease off.

Great time

Maureen

[Dina Rippon]

Hi Rodrick, Thanks for the update. Congratulations on having achieved so much and being so close to the end. Really interesting to hear a 'taster' of what the data shows, and can't wait to hear more about your findings. Thanks for the pictures - what dramatic shots!

[Irene Muhache Jao]

Hi Rodrick. Glad to hear you are making good progress with your work. All the best for the rest of the work as you finalize analysis. I hope the rains have eased off, unfortunately it has claimed lives and there has been so much destruction.

[Rodrick Sambakunsi]

Thank you all for your comments. The rains have Subsided in most parts of Malawi.

[Neema Mtunthama]

Hi Rodrick,
Well done indeed for the milestones covered! I'm also keen to know the study findings and what's next for you after this project. All the best as you complete the remaining tasks.
Neema