Our Work | Epicentre Health Research
🔬 Nonprofit Research Organisation Since 2001

Our Work

65+ Peer-Reviewed Publications
9 Provinces Reached
100K+ Study Participants
25 Years of Impact

Our Journey

Key milestones in Epicentre's history

2001
Founded in Durban
Epicentre established in KwaZulu-Natal at the height of South Africa's HIV epidemic to provide research infrastructure for public health studies.
2014
HIPSS Study Launched
HIV Incidence Provincial Surveillance System begins in uMgungundlovu district with CAPRISA and CDC funding—our first major longitudinal study.
2017
The Lancet HIV Publication
HIPSS findings on UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets published in The Lancet HIV. A second Lancet HIV paper follows in 2018.
2017
DREAMS Evaluation Begins
Selected by CDC/PEPFAR to evaluate the DREAMS HIV prevention programme across 4 districts, surveying 18,500 adolescent girls.
2020
National COVID Response
Announced by President Ramaphosa: Epicentre leads fieldwork for National COVID-19 Antibody Survey (NCAS) across all 9 provinces.
2022
JAMA Network Open Publication
DREAMS study findings published in JAMA Network Open and BMC Public Health, demonstrating programme impact on adolescent health.
2023
PEPFAR Partners Conference
CEO Cherie Cawood presents at PEPFAR Partners Conference on study findings and AI integration in South African health research.
2024–26
HUTS-4 & Beyond
Ongoing longitudinal surveillance continues with HUTS-4 in Mitchell's Plain and Pietermaritzburg, plus expansion of commercial testing services.

Featured Projects

Landmark studies that shaped South African health policy

Completed (2014–2019)

HIPSS

HIV Incidence Provincial Surveillance System

A population-based surveillance system in the uMgungundlovu district of KwaZulu-Natal—one of the highest HIV-burden areas in the world. HIPSS measured HIV prevalence, incidence, and progress toward UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets through household surveys and blood sample collection.

10,000+ Participants
2 Lancet HIV Papers
40% HIV Prevalence Found
1 National Policy Shaped
Research Partners
CAPRISA NICD CDC/PEPFAR HEARD KZN DoH
Key Publications

The Lancet HIV (2017) — Progress of UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets in a district in KwaZulu-Natal

The Lancet HIV (2018) — Community-based HIV prevalence in KwaZulu-Natal

View Publications →
Completed (2020–2021)

NCAS

National COVID-19 Antibody Survey

South Africa's largest COVID-19 seroprevalence study, announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Epicentre led the fieldwork across all 9 provinces, visiting randomly selected households to understand the true spread of the virus. The study revealed that actual infections were approximately 6.5× higher than official case counts.

13,700 Participants
6,540 Households
9 Provinces
6.5× Infections vs Official
Research Partners
HSRC NICD SAMRC NHLS Solidarity Fund
Impact

Announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in September 2020

Informed national COVID-19 policy and vaccination strategy

Completed (2017–2022)

DREAMS Impact Evaluation

Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe

Selected by CDC/PEPFAR to evaluate the ambitious DREAMS HIV prevention programme targeting adolescent girls and young women in high-burden districts. Epicentre surveyed 18,500 AGYW across four districts to measure programme impact on HIV incidence, sexual behaviour, and protective factors.

18,500 AGYW Surveyed
4 Districts
12–24 Age Range
40% HIV Reduction Target
Research Partners
CDC/PEPFAR HEARD CAPRISA NICD Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Key Publications

JAMA Network Open (2022) — Trends in HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Incidence

BMC Public Health (2022) — Protocol for DREAMS evaluation cross-sectional study

View Publications →
Ongoing (2020–Present)

HUTS

Healthcare Utilisation and Seroprevalence Survey

A longitudinal study tracking COVID-19 seroprevalence and healthcare access over time in three communities. Now in its fourth wave (HUTS-4), the study revisits the same households in Mitchell's Plain and Pietermaritzburg to monitor how the pandemic's effects have evolved and how communities access healthcare.

4 Survey Waves
97% Antibodies Post-Omicron
3 Communities
5+ Years of Data
Research Partners
NICD Genesis Analytics PHRU
Study Sites

Mitchell's Plain — Western Cape

Edendale — Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal

Klerksdorp — North West (waves 1–2)

Research Capabilities

What we bring to every study

👥

National Field Network

Database of trained supervisors, field workers, data collectors, and drivers across all 9 provinces. Rapid deployment for large-scale studies.

📊

Electronic Data Capture

20+ years of experience with REDCap and custom tablet-based data collection. Real-time data quality monitoring and validation.

🔬

Clinical Trial Laboratory

On-site sample processing and partnerships with NHLS, NICD, and commercial laboratories for specialised testing.

📍

Control Centre

Real-time tracking of field teams with GPS monitoring, safety protocols, and centralised quality assurance.

🤝

Community Engagement

Established relationships with community leaders, radio stations, and WhatsApp networks for participant recruitment and trust-building.

🏥

Medical Equipment

Full inventory of phlebotomy supplies, rapid test kits, and point-of-care diagnostics. SABS, CE, and FDA-approved products only.

Our Research Partners

Explore Our Publications

Our research has been published in leading journals including The Lancet HIV, JAMA Network Open, and BMC Public Health. Browse our full publication list.

View All Publications → All Projects

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Looking for a research partner in South Africa? Epicentre brings 25 years of field experience, established laboratory partnerships, and a track record of high-impact publications.

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