PETRA Research

Background: PETRA stands for Partnership in Education Training & Research Advancement. Africa University is privileged to be one of a consortium of 4 Universities in Zimbabwe, collaborating with 2 American Universities; University of Colorado Denver and Stanford University; also Witwatersrand University in the implementation of an NIH-funded HEPI award dubbed PETRA led by Professor James Hakim from the University of Zimbabwe. The grant has enabled training of champions/fellows in Inter-professional Education (IPE)/Collaborative Practice (CP) and Dissemination and Implementation Science (DIS). The DIS champions are working on mentored DIS research projects. So far there are 2 cohorts at different stages of their projects and PETRA will soon be recruiting a third cohort in all 4 institutions.

DIS Cohort One Research Activities– The first cohort of DIS fellows is working on a study entitled ‘Feasibility, acceptability & appropriateness of introducing an online intervention against drug & substance abuse at schools in Mutare city’. The fellows are Elizabeth Chadambuka (CHANS), Dr Fadzai Mutseyekwa (CHANS), Dr Mazvita Machinga (CSSTHE) and Dr Pedzisayi Mangezvo (CSSTHE).

DIS Cohort Two Research Activities– The 2^nd DIS Cohort is working on a study entitled ‘Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of Home management of Hypertension in Mutare city, eastern Zimbabwe- the HomHyper intervention’. The fellows are Paddington Mundagowa (CHANS), Dr Munasireyi (CSSTHE) and Pemberai Zambezi (FACT Zimbabwe).

Cohort Three Research Activities– TBD