Dr Simona J. Simona

Department of Social Work and Sociology
Lecturer
Researcher
Biography

Academic Qualifications:

  • BA, UNZA
  • MRes, University of Glasgow
  • PhD, University of Glasgow
Research Interests
  • Social theory
  • Social problems
  • Gender-based violence
  • Sexualities
  • Social dimensions of
Publications

Articles

  • Simona, S and Shadrack Dare. 2019. Researching the Influence of Structural Factors on Maternal Healthcare Utilisation in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review of Multilevel Models [submitted]
    of Social Science Studies, 6(6): 42-54.
  • Ntalasha, H., Simona, J. S., Moyo, F et al. 2018. An assessment of Quality Assurance in HIV and AIDS Related Services in Chivuna Rural Health Facility of Southern Zambia. World Journal of AIDS, 8: 37-53.
  • Michalopolous, L., Baca-Atlas, S., Simona J. S., Jiwatram-Negron, T., Ncube, A and Chery, M. B. 2017.
    "Life at the River is a Living Hell”: Qualitative study of trauma, mental health, substance use and HIV" risk behaviour among female fish traders from the Kafue Flatlands in Zambia. BMC Women’s Health, 17:15. 
  • Michalopolous, L., Nomagogu, N., Simona J. S., Kansankala, B., Sinkala, E and Raidoo, J. 2016. A Qualitative study of migrant-related stressors, Psychological outcomes and HIV risk behaviour among truck
    drivers in Zambia. African Journal of AIDS Research, 15(13): 219-226.
  • Simona, J. S., Muchindu, M and Ntalasha, H. 2015. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Zambia: Socioeconomic Determinants and Association with Use of Maternal Healthcare in Zambia. ICF International
    Working paper 121. 
  • Ntalasha, H., Malungo, J. R. S., Merten, S., Simona J. S. 2015. Influence of food supplements on testing
    for HIV and AIDS and adhering to treatment in a resource poor rural setting: A case of Chivuna,
    Southern Zambia. Science Journal of Public Health, 3(3): 314-320.
  • Simona, S., Muchindu, M and Ntalasha, H. 2018. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Zambia: Socioeconomic Determinants and Association with Use of Maternal Healthcare in Zambia. International Journal

Research Projects

  • Structural Violence and (In)equities in Maternal Healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Bayesian Multilevel Analysis (October, 2016 to November, 2019). PhD Research Contested Endings: The nature of Brought in Dead (BID) Patients at Zambia?s University Teaching Hospital (UTH) (May 2016 to October, 2016). Role: Co-Principal Investigator.
  • Boys to Men: A study of males aged between 15 and 21. The study examines the phenomena of Gender based violence in relation to boys and young men in Zambia. It was commissioned by the Ministry of Gender, Zambia and conducted by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) AND the University of Zambia (June to August 2016). Role: Investigator
  • Factors Related to Children's Placement in Catholic-affiliated Residential Care Facilities in Zambia Project. The study is sponsored by the Catholic Relief Services. (January to July, 2016). Role: Data analysis using NVivo
  • Intimate partner violence (IPV) in Zambia: Socio-demographic determinants and Use of Maternal Health Care. Sponsored by USAID through ICF International (February to September, 2015). Role: Team Leader Stressful Life Events, Mobility and HIV Risk Behaviour among truck drivers in three towns along the Copperbelt in Zambia: A qualitative study. This study is in collaboration with school of social work Columbia University (February 2014 to August, 2015). Role: Data analyst, Principal investigator: Lynn Michalopoulos (Columbia University)
  • Trauma, Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and HIV risk among female fish traders in Kafue Wetlands. This is in collaboration with Columbia University, School of Social Work (January 2014 to June, 2015). Role: Data analyst. Principal investigator: Lynn Michalopoulos, Columbia University
  • Scaling up demand for HIV/AIDS Prevention Services and Expanded Care and Support through Churches in Zambia. The study was sponsored by United States Aid for International Development (USAID) (2011). Role: Research assistant.
  • Socio-cultural factors influencing uptake of voluntary testing and counseling (VCT), antiretroviral therapy services and adherence to ART, a collaboration between the University of Zambia and University of Basel (2010). Role: Research assistant
  • An evaluation study of TB programme in Health Institutions and faith based organizations throughout the country. The study was commissioned by the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) (2009). Role: Research assistant.

Conferences and Presentations

  • Researching Health Inequalities using Multilevel Models. Sociology Conference, University of Glasgow, May, 2017
  • Intimate Partner violence and Maternal Healthcare in Zambia, Workshop for the Demographic and Health Survey programme, South Africa, March, 2016
  • Trauma, Substance Use and HIV Risk Behaviour among Female Fish Traders from the Kafue Flatlands in Zambia, [with Lynne Michalopoulos], International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies annual meeting, November 2015.
Contact Details
simona.simona@unza.zm; jssimona@yahoo.com