Earlier this month, as part of an ongoing partnership with University of Dodoma (UD) in Tanzania, Rutgers welcomed global health leader Stephen Kibusi. Kibusi, RNM, MA, PhD, is the dean of UD’s School of Nursing and Public Health and a scholar who has conducted population-based research using epidemiological approaches in evaluating public health policies.
At Rutgers, Kibusi presented a seminar series, titled “Experience of Tanzania in Addressing HIV/AIDS: Trend Analysis of Key Indicators from 2002–2012 National HMIS [HIV/AIDS and Malaria Indicator Survey] Data.” His visit to the university was hosted by Rutgers Global Health Institute, School of Nursing, and School of Public Health, which are engaged in joint projects with UD. For example, Rutgers nursing students can participate in a global health-focused summer practicum that includes a 16-day field experience in Tanzania.
During the one-hour seminar, which Kibusi presented in New Brunswick, Newark, and Piscataway, he discussed the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS in Tanzania, which declared the epidemic a national disaster in 2000. Over the years, the Tanzanian government has developed national strategies to address this public health challenge: educating about sexual behavior change; promoting wider coverage of HIV testing and condoms; and introducing newer, more effective antiretroviral drug regimens. Kibusi reviewed many of the data available from the national surveys (conducted in Tanzania in 2001–2002, 2006–2007, and 2011–2012) and described correlations and observations according to various demographics, such as gender, age, wealth status, marital status, family dynamic, and sexuality.
Apparent trends, Kibusi said, may help identify targeted opportunities for future strategy or interventions, noting that there is still a need for in-depth analysis of the data.
Kibusi’s own contributions to health research—particularly in the areas of HIV status disclosure and treatment adherence, HIV status and depressive symptoms among children and adolescents, condom use among adolescents, cervical cancer awareness, maternal health services, and nursing education—underscore his insight into the effects of evidence-based public health policy.
At Rutgers School of Public Health, Associate Professor Stephan Schwander introduced Dr. Kibusi’s seminar. The recording was published online.
Pictured: Richard Marlink, Suzanne Willard, Stephen Kibusi, and Rick Lee at Rutgers Global Health Institute on July 13.