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Staff member

Dr Olive Shisana

Name:	Shisana, Olive (Dr, O.)
Department:	Office of the CEO
Location:	Cape Town
Telephone:	+27 (0)21 466 7902
E-mail:

Research outputs

Research Reports

Dorkenoo, E., Southall, H.A. & Shisana, O. (eds). (2001) Social aspects of HIV/AIDS research alliance (SAHARA). (Report of the Human Sciences research Council consultative meeting, Pretoria, 7th August 2001).

Peltzer, K., Mosala, T., Shisana, O., Nqeketo, A. & Mngqundaniso, N. (2006) Prevention of HIV from mother to child (PMTCT) in a resource poor setting in the Eastern Cape, South Africa: baseline survey of pregnant women.

Rehle, T., Simbayi, L., Leclerc-Madlala, S., Shisana, O., Zungu, N., Seager, J. & Peltzer, K. (2009) HIV/AIDS and society. (Report prepared for the South African Presidency).

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected region in the global AIDS epidemic. More than two out of three (68%) adults and nearly 90% of children infected with HIV live in this region, and more than three in four (76%) AIDS deaths in 2007 occurred there. It is estimated that 1.7 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2007, bringing to 22.5 million the total number of people living wit...

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Shisana, O., Zondi, S., Hadland, A., Mosala, T. & Mfecane, S. (2003) A history of public health in South Africa. (Commissioned by the World Bank, June).

Shisana, O., Zondi, S., Hadland, A., Mfecane, S. & Mosala, T. (2003) South African public health system and prevention of communicable diseases. (Report commissioned by the World Bank).

The World Bank commissioned the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) to undertake a historical review of the South African public health care system and the prevention of communicable diseases.

Shisana, O., Simbayi, L. & Dorkenoo, E. (2002) South Africa's first national population-based HIV/AIDS behavioural risks, sero-status and media impact survey (SABSSM) research project: third quarterly progress report. (Paper prepared for the NMCF/NMF/HSRC Reference Group Meeting held on 23rd July).

This report covers the third quarter of the SABSSM starting fro the beginning of April 2002 until the end of the first week of July 2002. As was the case with the second quarterly report, no background information will be provided this time as this report should be read in conjunction with both previous quarterly reports. Instead, it will focus mostly on the progress that has been made on bot...

Shisana, O., Simbayi, L C, Dorkenoo, E., Ditlopo, P.T.N. & Toefy, M.Y. (2001) South Africa's first national population-based HIV/AIDS behavioural risks, sero-status and media impact survey (SABSSM) research project: first quarterly progress report. (Report for the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and the Human Sciences Research Council).

Books and chapters in books

Brookes, H., Shisana, O. & Richter, L. (2004) The national household HIV prevalence and risk survey of South African Children. Cape Town: HSRC Publishers.

This study is dedicated to all the children of South Africa and to those organisations that work towards alleviating the plight of children in South Africa and worldwide. On behalf of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, I would like to comment on the importance of The National Household HIV Prevalence and Risk Survey of South African Children. The study was commissioned by the Nelson Mandela C...

Fomundam, H., Mosala, T., Shisana, O., Peltzer, K., Pakade, T. & Dana, P. (2005) The practicalities of using Nevirapine for PMTCT in under-resourced settings: the case of Qaukeni district in the eastern Cape province, South Africa. Cape Town: HSRC Press.

This report provides district , provincial and national PMTCT programme managers with information on the challenges of Nevirapine use in rural communities, and a possible solution for women with inadequate access to healthcare facilities.

Peltzer, K., Ramlagan, S., Shisana, O., Connolly, C. & Zuma, K. (2008) The public education sector and HIV/AIDS. In: Ndinga-Muvumba, A. & Pharoah, R. (eds). HIV/AIDS and society in South Africa. Scottsville: University of KwaZulu-Natal Press. 103-123.

There has been growing attention to the issue of HIV/AIDS and its potential impact on education. A number of research projects have provided a very gloomy picture. The relationship between AIDS and the education sector is circular - as the epidemic worsens, the education sector is damaged, which in turn is likely to increase the incidence of HIV transmission. There are numerous ways in which...

Peltzer, K., Shisana, O., Udjo, E., Wilson, D., Rehle, T., Connoly, C., Zuma, K., Letlape, L., Louw, J., Simbayi, L., Zungu-Dirwayi, N., Ramlagan, S., Magome, K., Hall, E. & Phurutse, M. (2005) Educator supply and demand in the South African public education system: integrated report. Cape Town: HSRC Press.

Education plays a key role in the development of any society. Responding to the need for empirical evidence on the demand for and supply of public educators in South Africa, the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) commissioned the Human Sciences Research Council-led consortium to conduct nation-wide research on the factors determining educator supply and demand in South African public edu...

Rehle, T., Shisana, O., Glencross, D. & Colvin, M. (2005) HIV-positive educators in South African public schools: predictions for prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy. Cape Town: HSRC Press.

While it has long been suspected that HIV prevalence among educators is high, there has been no scientific study to assess this. Responding to the need for empirical evidence, the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) commissioned the Human Sciences Research Council-led consortium to conduct this nation-wide research assessing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, as well as issues such as the health...

Rehle, T. & Shisana, O. (2005) The impact of antiretroviral treatment on AIDS mortality: a study focusing on educators in South African public schools. Cape Town: HSRC Press.

One of the key determinants for the loss of public educators in South Africa is mortality due to AIDS. This report presents an estimate of the number of educators who died from AIDS in 2004, including the projected distribution of AIDS deaths by age group. While antiretroviral treatment cannot avert AIDS deaths entirely, it can delay AIDS-related mortality. This report estimates the extent ...

Shisana, O., Simbayi, L.C., Rehle, T., Zungu, N.P., Zuma, K., Ngogo, N., Jooste, S., Pillay-van Wyk, V., Parker, W., Pezi, S., Davids, A., Nwanyanwu, O., Dinh, T.H. & SABSSM III Implementation Team, (2010) South African national HIV prevalence, incidence, behaviour and communication survey, 2008: the health of our children. Cape Town: HSRC Press.

Understanding the general health status of children aged 18 years and below in relation to the HIV epidemic is paramount in South Africa - a country that has both the highest number of adults and children living with HIV/AIDS in the world. In this cardinal report, research findings from a population-based household survey are presented on the general health status of infants, children, and a...

Shisana, O., Zungu, N. & Pezi, S. (2009) Poverty and HIV and AIDS. In: Rohleder, P., Swartz, L., Kalichman, S.C. & Simbayi, L.C. (eds). HIV/AIDS in South Africa 25 years on: psychosocial perspectives. New York: Springer. 89-104.

The worsening economic situation is likely to continue to impact negatively on health and development, especially in countries that are already severely affected by HIV and AIDS. In the context of this background it is important to view the link between HIV and AIDS and poverty in order to further understand the relationship between the two.

Shisana, O., Rehle, T., Simbayi, L.C., Zuma, K., Jooste, S., Pillay-Van Wyk, V., Mbelle, N., Van Zyl, J., Parker, W., Zungu, N.P., Pezi, S. & SABSSM III Implementation Team, (2009) South African national HIV prevalence, incidence, behaviour and communication survey, 2008: a turning tide among teenagers?. Cape Town: HSRC Press.

South Africa's first national, household sero-prevalence survey of HIV and AIDS was conducted in 2002. A second survey was completed in 2005 and this, the third, in 2008. This report provides an analysis of trends across the three surveys and begins to map the ways in which the shape of the pandemic in South Africa has changed since 2002. Indicators for assessing mid-term progress made in i...

Shisana, O. (2008) Bridging the second economy. In: Turok, B. (ed). Wealth doesn't trickle down: the case for a developmental state in South Africa. Cape Town: New Agenda: South African Journal of Social and Economic Policy. 183-191.

There are two societies in South Africa, one similar to those found in very highly developed economies, and the other similar to underdeveloped countries. This two-tiered economy poses challenges when planning development. Can those living in the underdeveloped part of South Africa be integrates into the highly developed part of the economy? To answer this question it is important to clarify...

Shisana, O. (2008) A national health system: opportunities and challenges for South Africa: opening address. In: Financing South Africa's national health system through national health insurance: possibilities and challenges: colloquium proceedings. Cape Town: HSRC Press. 1-6.

Shisana, O. & Louw, J. (2007) 'Missing the women': exploring key challenges in policy responses to HIV/AIDS. In: Prince, B., Louw, J., Roe, K. & Adams, R. (eds). Exploring the challenges of HIV/AIDS: seminar proceedings. Cape Town: HSRC Press. 29-53.

Shisana, O. (2007) Missing the women: policy responses to HIV/AIDS. In: Financing gender equality: commonwealth perspectives 2007. Cambridge: Nexus Strategic Partnerships. 61-63.

This article attempts to identify women who are consistently "missing" in HIV/AIDS research and points to ways that could ensure that women's voices do not go unheard and that their perceptions and experience inform policy and programmes.

Shisana, O. (2007) Overview. In: Prince, B., Louw, J., Roe, K. & Adams, R. (eds). Exploring the challenges of HIV/AIDS: seminar proceedings. Cape Town: HSRC Press. viii-xii.

Shisana, O. (2007) Touching people. In: Crowcroft, S. The feminine formula: for success in business. Johannesburg: Spearhead. 18-31.

Shisana, O. (2006) How a science council provides research-based advice. In Evidence-based practice: 'double symposium' proceedings on problems, possibilities and politics. Jansen, J., Gevers, W. & Mati, X. (eds). Pretoria: Academy of Science of South Africa. 93-98.

Shisana, O., Peltzer, K.F., Zungu-Dirwayi, N.P. & Louw, J.S. (eds). (2005) The health of our educators: a focus on HIV/AIDS in South African public schools, 2004/5 survey. Cape Town: HSRC Press.

The evidence presented in this report shows that the health of our educators is a source of concern because the prevalence of HIV is high. The determinants are multiple: behavioural, knowledge deficit, lack of self-efficacy skills, migratory practices, gender, and alcohol misuse. Chronic conditions such as hypertension, stomach ulcers, arthritis and diabetes are common. The report also shows th...

Shisana, O., Mehtar, S., Mosala, T., Zungu-Dirwayi, N., Rehle, T., Dana, P., Colvin, M., Parker, W., Connolly, C., Dunbar, R. & Gxamza, F. (2005) HIV risk exposure among young children: a study of 2-9 year olds served by public health facilities in the Free State, South Africa. Cape Town: HSRC Press.

South Africa has, until now, focused its HIV prevention efforts on youth and adults, and now needs to expand its focus to include children. Much is already known about vertical transmission, which is the dominant mode of HIV transmission among children. However, little investigation has been done into the potential for horizontal transmission of HIV on the population below reproductive age. ...

Shisana, O., Rehle, T., Simbayi, L.C., Parker, W., Zuma, K., Bhana, A., Connoly, C., Jooste, S. & Piillay, V. (2005) South African national HIV prevalence, HIV incidence, behaviour and communication survey, 2005. Cape Town: HSRC Press.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) commissioned the first national, household sero-prevalence survey of HIV/AIDS in 2002. That study had significant impact nationally, in the sub-region and internationally. The report received widespread attention, has been used to build the capacity of other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries in implementing similar studies, and has impac...

Shisana, O., Zungu-Dirwayi, N. & Shisana, W. (2003) AIDS: A threat to human security. In Global health challenges for human security. Chen, L., Leaning, J. & Narasimhan, V. (eds). Cambridge: Harvard University Press. 141-158.

In this chapter it is argued that a health issue constituted a security threat. The authors argue that that AIDS like other epidemics such as bubonic plague, smallpox and influenza, has the potential to annihilate human populations, destroy communities, and stifle economic growth, especially in heavily affected countries. Thus, it constitutes a clear threat not only to national security or th...

Shisana, O. (2003) The current situation of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. In Mental health and HIV/AIDS: report on a round-table discussion March 2003. Freeman, M. (ed). Cape Town: HSRC Publishers. 1-9.

This presentation summarizes some of the main findings of the Nelson Mandela/HSRC study in HIV/AIDS with a particular emphasis in HIV prevalence. This study is the first systematically sampled national community-based survey of prevalence in South Africa.

Shisana, O. (2003) Health for all. In Nelson Mandela: Fom freedom to the future: Tributes and speeches. Asmal, K., Chidester, D. & James, W. (eds). Johannesburg: Jonathan Ball. 363-408.

Nelson Mandela's government inherited one of the most inequitable health care systems in the world. Yet under the inspiring leadership of the new president, remarkable strides were made to bring to life the ANC's election promise of "health for all".

Shisana, O., Hall, E., Maluleke, K.R., Stoker, D.J., Schwabe, C., Colvin, M., Chauveau, J., Botha, C., Gumede, T., Fomundam, H., Shaikh, N., Rehle, T., Udjo, E. & Grisselquist, D. (2003) The impact of HIV/AIDS on the health sector: national survey of health personnel, ambulatory and hospitalised patients and health facilities, 2002. Cape Town: HSRC Publishers.

South Africa is estimated to have the largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. The Nelson Mandela/HSRC study of HIV/AIDS (2002) reported an estimated HIV prevalence of 4.5 million persons aged two years and older. The epidemic results in high morbidity and mortality. Given the overall impact of HIV/AIDS on South African society, and the need to make policies on the management...

Shisana, O. & Simbayi, L C (eds). (2002) Nelson Mandela/HSRC study of HIV/AIDS: South African national HIV prevalence, behavioural risks and mass media: household survey 2002. Cape Town: Human Sciences Research Council.

This is a watershed cultural and demographic survey, commissioned by former President Nelson Mandela, and it came up with some surprising results! This study sampled a thorough cross-section of 9 963 South Africans from all walks of life. It shows 11 per cent are HIV+, 15.2 per cent of them aged between 15 and 49. Contrary to previous estimates, provinces with large urban informal settlements h...

Shisana, Olive (2002) Epilogue: the lives of our future leaders. In South Africa: the good news. Bowers, Bret & Pennington, Stuart (eds). Hyde Park: South Africa - The Good News. 281-286.

The real beneficiaries of the dramatic change we have witnesses in South African are our children. The people who graduate today were only 10 years old in 1994. They were growing up increasingly wide-eyed at the opportunities that await them. Significantly they are largely uncorrupted by apartheid memories, untained by racial issues and proud to be South African. They are our future.

Zungu-Dirwayi, N., Shisana, O., Udjo, E., Mosala, T. & Seager, J. (eds). (2004) An audit of HIV/AIDS policies in Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. Cape Town: HSRC Publishers.

Prior to this report, little scientific documentation existed on HIV/AIDS policies, legislation, financing and programme implementation in SADC countries. This study reviews the HIV/AIDS policy and related issues in six southern African countries and provides recommendations on how best to strengthen policy in these areas.

Journal Articles

Airhihenbuwa, C., Okoror, T., Shefer, T., Brown, D., Iwelunmor, J., Smith, E., Adam, M., Simbayi, L., Zungu, N., Dlakulu, R. & Shisana, O. (2009) Stigma, culture, and HIV and AIDS in the Western Cape, South Africa: an application of the PEN-3 cultural model for community-based research. Journal of Black Psychology. 35(4):407-432.

HIV- and AIDS-related stigma has been reported to be a major factor contributing to the spread of HIV. In this study, the authors explore the meaning of stigma and its impact on HIV and AIDS in South African families and health care centres. They conducted focus groups and key informant interviews among African and colored populations in Khayelistsha, Gugulethu and Mitchell's Plain in the Wes...

Airhihenbuwa, C.O., Shisana, O., Zungu, N., BeLue, R., Makofani, D.M., Shefer, T., Smith, E. & Simbayi, L. (2011) Research capacity building: a US-South African partnership. Global Health Promotion. 18(2):27-35.

Research capacity building engenders assets that allow communities (and, in this case, student fellows) to respond adequately to health issues and problems that are contextual, cultural and historical in nature. In this paper, we present a US-South African partnership that led to research training for 30 postgraduate students at two South African universities. We begin by exploring the nature o...

Connolly, C., Colvin, M., Shisana, O. & Stoker, D. (2004) Epidemiology of HIV in South Africa: results of a national, community-based survey. South African medical journal. 94(9):776-781.

Edigheji, O., Shisana, O. & Masilela, T. (2008) Envisioning a democratic developmental state in South Africa: theoretical and policy issues. New Agenda. 31:35-41.

The aim of this article is to tease out some theoretical and policy issues that require consideration in South Africa's attempt to build a developmental state. Theoretical issues have been largely neglected in the public debate, and the authors have focused on the policy issues that we believe require urgent attention if South Africa is to construct a state that can be regarded as developmental.

Kleintjes, S., Peltzer, K., Shisana, O., Niang, C., Seager, J., Simbayi, L. & Kaseje, D. (2004) Report and policy brief: 2nd Annual Conference on Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Research, Cape Town, 9-12 May 2004. Sahara J: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS. 1(2):62-77.

This report and policy brief summarises the overarching principles, key findings and suggested policy options that emerged from rapporteur reports of conference proceedings. Detailed presentations may be viewed at www.sahara.org.za

Louw, J., Shisana, O., Peltzer, K. & Zungu-Dirwayi, N. (2009) Examining the impact of HIV & AIDS on South African educators. South African Journal of Education. 29:205-217.

Our aim in this study was to examine the impact of HIV&AIDS on South African educators. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in public schools combining HIV testing and a face-to-face interview with participants from a nationally representative sample of public educators. The results show that HIV is highly prevalent among South African public educators (12.7%) and the educators who are absen...

Mehtar, S., Shisana, O., Mosala, T. & Dunbar, R. (2007) Infection control practices in public dental care services: findings from one South African Province. Journal of Hospital Infection. 66:65-70.

Infection control practices which increase the risk of bloodborne virus transmission with associated dental practice in one South African province were studied. All 24 state dental clinics were observed for adequate provision to carry out good infection prevention and control (IPC) practice, 75 staff including dentists, nurses and dental assistants were interviewed to assess IPC knowledge and 2...

Niang, C.I., Shisana, O., Andrews, G., Kaseje, D., Simbayi, L., Peltzer, K. & Toefy, Y. (2006) New approaches, new activities and new outcomes in international conferences on HIV/AIDS in Africa - report of the 3rd African Conference on the Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS, Dakar, 10-14 October 2005. Sahara J: journal of social aspects of HIV/AIDS. 3(2):424-435.

Africa's HIV/AIDS situation remains cause for concern.The impact of HIV is considerable and threatens the survival and development of African societies.Although much has been attempted, the results still leave much to be desired. AIDS is an epidemic that needs to be addressed with much creativity and spirit of initiative. It is against this background that the 3rd African conference on the soci...

Patel, S.V., Shisana, O., Kim, E., Hakim, A., Brewinsky, M., Kissin, D., Zapata, L., Murrill, C., Nwanyanwu, O., Rehle, T. & Lindegren, M.L. (2010) Filling a gap: HIV pediatric surveillance in resource contrained settings. Journal of HIV/AIDS Surveillance & Epidemiology. 2(1):Online.

ABSTRACT: Objectives and Background: While HIV surveillance systems have seen marked improvements in recent years, advances in pediatric surveillance have been limited. HIV prevalence data among children and youth are scarce, hindering prevention, care and treatment programs for these populations. Methods: This paper provides a review of approaches to pediatric HIV surveillance as discussed i...

Peltzer, K., Shisana, O., Zuma, K., Van Wyk, B. & Zungu-Dirwayi, N. (2009) Job stress, job satisfaction and stress-related illnesses among South African educators. Stress and Health. 25:247-257.

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between self-reported job stress and job satisfaction, and the prevalence of stress-related illnesses and risk factors among educators. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative sample of 21,307 educators from public schools in South Africa. Results indicate that the prevalence of stress-related illnesses were 15.6 per cent...

Peltzer, K., Mosala, T., Shisana, O., Nqeketo, A. & Mngqundaniso, N. (2007) Barriers to prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child (PMTCT) in a resource poor setting in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. African Journal of Reproductive Health. 11(1):57-66.

The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge of PMTCT and to describe potential barriers that might affect acceptability of interventions for PMTCT in a resource poor setting in South Africa. The sample included 1534 pregnant women recruited a first antenatal care visit from 5 clinics implementing PMTCT (61%) and from 5 communities around the 5 clinics (39%). In addition, the mothers or...

Peltzer, K., Mosala, T., Shisana, O. & Nqeketo, A (2006) Utilization of delivery services in the context of prevention of HIV from mother-to-child (PMTCT) in a rural community, South Africa. Curationis. 29(1):54-61.

Peltzer, K., Skinner, D., Mfecane, S., Shisana, O., Nqeketo, A. & Mosala, T. (2005) Factors influencing the utilisation of prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) services by pregnant women in the eastern Cape, South Africa. Health SA Gesondheid. 10(1):26-40.

Rehle, T. & Shisana, O. (2009) National population-based HIV surveys - the method of choice for measuring the HIV epidemic. South African Medical Journal. 99(9):633-637.

National population-based surveys that include HIV testing are considered to be the 'gold standard' to measure HIV prevalence at a country level, since such surveys include men, non-pregnant women and children, and hence a much wider proportion of the population than do antenatal surveys.Three national HIV household surveys have been conducted in South Africa, the first in 2002, then in 2005 an...

Rehle, T., Shisana, O., Pillay, V., Zuma, K., Puren, A. & Parker, W. (2007) National HIV incidence measures - new insights into the South African epidemic. South African medical journal. 97(3):194-199.

Currently South Africa does not have national HIV incidence data based on laboratory testing of blood specimens. The 2005 South African National household survey was analysed to generate national incidence estimates stratifies by age, sex, race, province and locality type, to compare the HIV incidence and HIV prevalence profiles by sex, and to examine the relationship between HIV prevalence, H...

Rehle, T.M., Hallett, T.B., Shisana, O., Pillay-van Wyk, V., Zuma, K., Carrara, H. & Jooste, S. (2010) A decline in new HIV infections in South Africa: estimating HIV incidence from three national HIV surveys in 2002, 2005 and 2008. PLoS One. 5(6):Online.

Background: Three national HIV household surveys were conducted in South Africa, in 2002, 2005 and 2008. A novelty of the 2008 survey was the addition of serological testing to ascertain antiretroviral treatment (ART) use. Methods and Principal Findings: We used a validated mathematical method to estimate the rate of new HIV infections (HIV incidence) in South Africa using nationally represe...

Rehle, T.M. & Shisana, O. (2005) Estimates of eligibility for antiretroviral treatment (ART) and projected ART impact on AIDS mortality among South African educators. Sahara J: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS. 2(3):304-310.

This study assessed the proportion of HIV-infected educators that need antiretroviral treatment (ART) according to the current criteria and estimated the impact of ART on AIDS mortality by modelling scenarios with and without access to ART. Specimens for HIV testing were obtained from educators and a sub-sample of venous blood specimens from HIV-positive educators was selected for analysis.

Rehle, T.M. & Shisana, O. (2003) Epidemiological and demographic HIV/AIDS projections: South Africa. African journal of AIDS research. 2(1):1-8.

The Epidemic Projection Package (EPP) recently developed by the UNAIDS Reference Group on Estimates, Models and Projections and the Spectrum model program developed by the Futures Group were used to model the South African HIV epidemic, project future trends in HIV/AIDS and estimate the demographic impact of AIDS. The national HIV prevalence surveys among pregnant women from 1990-2001 and the f...

Rochat, T., Richter, L. & Shisana, O. (2008) Editorial: 'what now, what next': reflecting on the vulnerability of children and youth in the context of human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies. 3(2):85-91.

Shisana, O. (2011) The South African healthcare system: a goal of quality healthcare for all. Medical Solutions. September:91-95.

The South African healthcare system has been evolving over the last four centuries. Prior to the arrival of Dutch colonialists en route to India via the Cape, the local population, i.e., the Khoisan and Africans, relied on indigenous healthcare. Even today, many continue to use this system. Jan van Riebeeck arrived in the Cape in 1652, carrying in his three ships sick, hungry, and poor Dutch...

Shisana, O., Rice, K., Zungu, N. & Zuma, K. (2010) Gender and poverty in South Africa in the era of HIV/AIDS: a quantitative study. Journal of Women's Health. 19(1):39-46.

BACKGROUND: Recent research identifies gender inequality as a driver of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The feminization of poverty is also increasingly apparent, as is the disproportionate vulnerability of members of female-headed households. We sought to examine the relationships among sex, gender, age, HIV status, and socioeconomic characteristics, focusing on heads and nonheads of households. METHOD...

Shisana, O. (2008) Bridging South Africa's second economy. New Agenda. 29:48-51.

South Africa is a middle-income country with GDP per capita of R97688, comparable to countries such as Turkey and Argentian, but lower than that of its African neighbour, Botswana. This GDP per capita masks mahor income inequalifiers. There are two societies in South Africa; one similar to those found in very highly developed economies, and the other similar to underdeveloped economies. Thi...

Shisana, O., Connolly, C., Rehle, T.M., Mehtar, S. & Dana, P. (2008) HIV risk exposure among South African children in public health facilities. AIDS Care. 20(7):755-763.

The study investigates the risk exposure to HIV infection among South African children aged 2-9 years served by public health services. Together with their biological mothers, 3471 children and were recruited from inpatient and outpatient children in the Free State Province. Blood samples were taken by professional nurses and a history taken of exposure factors associated with HIV transmission....

Shisana, O. (2007) High HIV/AIDS prevalence among health workers requires urgent action: Editorial. South African medical journal. 97(2):108-109.

Shisana, O., Rehle, T., Louw, J., Zungu-Dirwayi, N., Dana, P. & Rispel, L. (2006) Public perceptions on national health insurance: moving towards universal health coverage in South Africa. South African medical journal. 96(9):814-818.

since 1994, considerable progress has been made in transforming the South African health care system, implementing programmes that improve the health of the population, and improving access to health care services. However, amid escalating health care costs disparities continue to exist between the public and private health sectors. The implementation of a national or social health insurance r...

Shisana, O. (2006) Pursuing 'social science that makes a difference' - how the HSRC sees its mission. HSRC review. 4(2):10.

Shisana, O. & Louw, J. (2006) Translating research into policy: the case of orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa. Sahara J: journal of social aspects of HIV/AIDS. 3(2):450-456.

Policies are often developed without taking into account social science research findings and recommendations, despite the plethora of such research studies.This is largely because researchers and policy makers often work in isolation, yet if they worked synergistically they could have a significant impact on implementing interventions known to work to improve the lives of populations. Several ...

Shisana, O., Simbayi, L.C., Magome, K., Skinner, D., Mkabela, B., Mtero-Munyati, S., Mundondo, J., Tsheko, G.N., Matlaku, T. & Southern Africa OVC Care Interventions Project Research Team, (2006) The use of implementation research networks on orphans and vulnerable children to encourage research-driven policies: the case of Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Vulnerable children and youth studies. 1(3):230-245.

There is a growing need for applied social sciences research to provide scientific evidence for use in both policy and programme development in the health sector to match the strides made in clinical medicine over the past few decades. This article presents an account of the development, implementation and progress as well as lessons learnt to date from a 5-year programme for the care of orphan...

Shisana, O. & Louw, J. (2005) Financing healthcare in South Africa. New Agenda. 17:39-44.

Shisana, O. (2005) Shared breastfeeding contributes to HIV-transmission, study shows. HSRC review. 3(2):14-15.

A study to investigate why some children are HIV-positive and their mothers HIV-negative came up with some unexpected findings. The results were presented by OLIVE SHISANA, co-principal investigator, at the AIDS Impact Conference in Cape Town in April.

Shisana, O. & Walters, P.B. (2005) Survey gives hard facts about the lives of educators. HSRC review. 3(2):12-13.

Following worrying anecdotal reports that educators seem to be leaving the education profession in large numbers, the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) commissioned a consortium to investigate the validity of this statement. Some of the reasons that were suspected for this included low morale, job dissatisfaction, AIDS and premature mortality. T

Shisana, O. & Davids, A. (2004) Correcting gender inequalities is central to controlling HIV/AIDS. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 82(11):812.

Shisana, O., Hall, E.J., Maluleke, R., Chauveau, J. & Schwabe, C. (2004) HIV/AIDS prevalence among South African health workers. South African medical journal. 94(10):846-850.

Shisana, O., Zungu-Dirwayi, N, Toefy, Y., Simbayi, L C, Malik, S. & Zuma, K. (2004) Marital status and risk of HIV infection in South Africa. South African medical journal. 94(7):537-543.

The relationship between marital status and HIV is complex. The risk depends on various demographic factors and sex behaviour practices. Increased prevention strategies that take socio-cultural context into account are needed for married people.

Shisana, O., Stoker, D., Simbayi, L.C., Orkin, M., Bezuidenhout, F., Jooste, S.E., Colvin, M. & Van Zyl, J. (2004) South African national household survey of HIV/AIDS prevalence, behavioural risks and mass media impact: detailed methodology and response rate results. South African medical journal. 94(4):283-287.

Shisana, O. & Zungu-Dirwayi, N. (2003) Government's changing reponses to HIV/AIDS. Development Update: The (real) State of the Nation: South Africa After 1990. 4 (3):165-187.

In this chapter we review the changing responses of the governments of South Africa, during and after apartheid. The focus is on the post-apartheid government, and particularly the debates and disputes which have shaped the management of the epidemic of this country.

Shisana, O. (2001) Social health insurance and tax-based funding of health. South African medical journal. 91(12):1048-1053.

Simbayi, L.C., Chauveau, J. & Shisana, O. (2004) Behavioural responses of South African youth to the HIV/AIDS epidemic: a nationwide survey. AIDS care. 16(5):605-618.

Wamai, R.G., Weiss, H.A., Hankins, C., Agot, K., Karim, Q.A., Shisana, O., Bailey, R.C., Betukumesu, B., Bongaarts, J., Bowa, K., Cash, R., Cates, W., Diallo, M.O., Dludlu, S., Geffen, N., Heywood, M., Jackson, H., Kayembe, P.K., Kapiga, S., Kebaabetswe, P., Kintaudi, L., Klausner, J.D., Leclerc-Madlala, S., Mabuza, K., Makhubele, M.B., Micheni, K., Morris, B.J., De Moya, A., Ncala, J., Ntaganira, I., Nyamucherera, O.F., Otolorin, E.O., Pape, J.W., Phiri, M., Rees, H., Ruiz, M., Sanchez, J., Sawires, S., Seloilwe, E.S., Serwadda, D.M., Setswe, G., Sewankambo, N., Simelane, D., Venter, F., Wilson, D., Woelk, G., Zungu, N. & Halperin, D.T. (2008) Letter to the editor: male circumcision is an efficacious, lasting and cost-effective strategy for combating HIV in high-prevalence AIDS epidemics. Future HIV Therapy. 2(5):399-405.

In this article the authors respond to the various claims made in a recent article by Green, et al. " Male circumcision is not the 'vaccine' we have been waiting for!". The article by Green urged immediate action to implement safe MC services based on the scientific evidence for HIV prevention and others aspects of reproductive health.

Zungu-Dirwayi, N., Shisana, O., Louw, J. & Dana, P. (2007) Social determinants for HIV prevalence among South African educators. AIDS Care. 19(10):1296-1303.

HIV prevalence among women in South Africa continues to be high despite the availability of a comprehensive plan for the control of HIV/AIDS and a plethora of prevention programmes. Any explanation for the ongoing high HIV prevalence continues to be elusive. The objective of this study was to understand the relationship between HIV, gender, race and socioeconomic status among South African publ...

African governments have made commitments to manage HIV/AIDS effectively. They have made these commitments in the African continent and abroad, at times even pledging to achieve specific measurable targets. This makes it possible to verify achievements of targets. However, to succeed they need to work closely with all sectors of society, ensuring that the brightest minds, most energetic people ...

Shisana, O., Zungu-Dirwayi, N. & Chauveau, J. (2003) HIV/AIDS in South Africa: entitlement and rights to health-implications of the 2002 household survey. (Paper presented at the "Remaking law in Africa: transnationalism, persons and rights": annual international conference, May 21-22, Centre for African Studies, University of Edinburgh).

Shisana, O. (2003) HIV/AIDS prevalence among South African health workers. (Presented at the KwaZulu/Natal INDABA on AIDS, 2 December).

Shisana, O. (2002) Impact of HIV/AIDS on SADC countries: recommendations to funders. (Paper presented at the "Looking beyond prevention and treatment" conference, 14-16 January, New York).