Leickness Chisamu Simbayi

Leickness Chisamu Simbayi is a South African research psychologist and professor. He is the current Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Research of the Human Sciences Research Council where he studies the social aspects of STIs and HIV/AIDS. In 2002, Simbayi was a part of the research team that conducted the first South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey and has been involved in the implementation of all subsequent surveys.

Career

Simbayi received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of Sussex in England, United Kingdom.

Since 2001, Simbayi has been primarily studying the social aspects of STIs and HIV/AIDS, including second-generation HIV surveillance, stigma, discrimination, orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), and determinants of HIV infection. He also studies positive prevention methods used to reduce HIV risk infection which includes targeting HIV positive individuals who are aware of their status. He is the former regional coordinator in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) of the Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Research Alliance (SAHARA). Simbayi has published over 100 scientific articles in peer-reviewed academic journals and has contributed to several research textbooks. He is a co-editor of the book, HIV/AIDS in South Africa 25 Years On: Psychosocial Perspectives.

HIV research South Africa has one of the worst HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world, with an adult prevalence rate of approximately 18.90% and over 100,000 annual deaths, according to a 2016 estimate. In 2002 Simbayi was the project director for an Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, Nelson Mandela Foundation, and Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) collaborative study that analyzed HIV prevalence in the general population, behavioural risks of infection, and mass media exposure via biobehavioural surveys. This study was the first of its kind to establish a national estimate of HIV prevalence in South Africa. The study reported a prevalence rate of approximately 11.2%, which was much lower than previously expected, causing controversy amongst the WHO and UNAIDS who questioned the validity of the findings. However, around this time another research council, ORC Macro International, began testing in other African countries and produced similar results. Thus, global estimates were shifted accordingly.

In 2005, Simbayi served in the same role for the second installment of the report. The report now included a measurement of HIV incidence, viral load, and ARV use. The surveys garnered national attention and were included in subsequent HIV & AIDS and STI Strategic Plans for South Africa.

Media appearances In December 2011, Simbayi appeared on a South African Broadcasting Corporation News segment to commemorate the 23rd World AIDS Day and discuss the country's new HIV and AIDS, STI and TB National Strategic Plan. In 2012, he appeared on another SABC News segment to discuss that year's South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey Report. Simbayi's opinion is also featured in several South African newspapers, including the Cape Times, The Sowetan, and Cape Argus.

Personal life Simbayi has a wife, Ruth, and two children, Veronica and Kennedy.

Selected works

Shisana, O.; Rehle, T; Simbayi, LC; Zuma, K; Jooste, S; Pillay-Van Wyk, V; Mbelle, N; Van Zyl, J; Parker, W; Zungu, NP; Pezi, S; SABSSM III Implementation Team (2009). South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey, 2008. Cape Town: HSRC Press. Shisana O; Rehle T; Simbayi LC; Zuma K; Jooste S; Zungu N; Labadarios D; Onoya D et al. (2014). South African National HIV Prevalence, HIV Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey, 2012. Cape Town: HSRC Press.