SOFAR PhD fellow presents at the STI & HIV 2025 World Congress

 Southern Africa Research Capacity Network (SOFAR) PhD fellow JayJay Karumazondo presented at the STI & HIV 2025 World Congress in Montreal, Canada on acceptability of innovative approaches to STI screening in Africa. He presented qualitative results of women’s experiences with the Genital Inflammation Test (GIFT), a device for screening sexually transmitted infections used in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

JayJay highlighted how women, healthcare professionals, and policy makers welcomed innovations in STI testing, including the affordability and ease of use of GIFT, but emphasized the contextual challenges of access to follow-up STI testing which hinder GIFT to achieve its full impact.

In addition to his presentation, JayJay led two breakout groups during youth co-creation sessions, contributing to the revision of World Health Organization Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases practical guide. This was an exciting experience and has opened up thinking for his PhD research, which explores the meanings and experiences of well-being among adolescents in Zimbabwe