Simange Sithonga

Research Assistant

Qualifications: BSc, BMedSc, MPH candidate
Areas of interest: Infectious disease epidemiology, sexual & reproductive health, vaginal microbiota, cervical cancer prevention
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simange-sithonga-7b7585208?

Simange is a second year Master of Public Health student with a background in medical science, currently specialising in infectious disease epidemiology, sexual and reproductive health and vaginal microbiota. Her research focusses on understanding the relationship between vaginal microbiota diversity and composition and the prevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in sexually active adolescent girls and young women in South Africa. Using epidemiological and biostatistical methods, she will analyse microbiota composition and diversity to explore its role in HPV acquisition and cervical cancer risk. Through this work she aims to contribute to strategies for improving women’s sexual and reproductive health.