Dr Sikhumbuzo Mabunda

Dr Sikhumbuzo Mabunda

Adjunct Senior Lecturer

PhD (University of New South Wales), Master of Medicine in Public Health Medicine (University of Cape Town), Fellowship in Public Health Medicine (Colleges of Medicine of South Africa), MBChB (University of Cape Town)

Medicine & Health
School of Population Health

Dr. Sikhumbuzo Mabunda is a South African trained Public Health Medicine physician. His Ph.D. was focused on improving an understanding of how African governments have designed and implemented health professional training policies aimed at improving the provision of better care to underserved populations in selected Southern African countries. He has more than 10 years of research experience in African Health systems. Of late he has been researching in South East Asia to draw lessons on their health systems' strengths to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. He is an experienced manager in South Africa’s public health sector who is currently serving as a member of the Mpumalanga provincial Premier’s Advisory Committee on health. He received his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) and Public Health Medicine (MMED Public Health) degrees at the University of Cape Town and his Ph.D from UNSW. His passion is human resources for health and he continuously strives to research the development of models for recruiting and retaining health professionals from and into peripheral communities. He has publications in peer-reviewed articles on Health Systems, Human Resources for Health, Non-communicable diseases, HIV, and Tuberculosis.

  • Journal articles | 2024
    Chitha N; Ntsele N; Mabunda SA; Funani I; Swartbooi B; Mnyaka O; Thabede J; Tshabalala R; Pulido-Estrada GA; Nomatshila S; Chitha W, 2024, 'Exploring the Information Sources Consulted by Doctors at the Point of Care in Four Selected South African Referral Hospitals', Healthcare (Switzerland), 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12010008
    Journal articles | 2024
    Gotye L; Nomatshila SC; Maake K; Chitha W; Mabunda SA; Nyembezi A, 2024, 'Acceptability of Medical Male Circumcision as an HIV Prevention Intervention among Male Learners in a South African High School', Healthcare (Switzerland), 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12131350
    Journal articles | 2024
    Mabunda SA; Durbach A; Chitha WW; Bodzo P; Angell B; Joshi R, 2024, 'Correction to: Development, Objectives and Operation of Return-of-Service Bursary Schemes as an Investment to Build Health Workforce Capacity in South Africa: A Multi-Methods Study (Healthcare, (2023), 11, 21, (2821), 10.3390/healthcare11212821)', Healthcare (Switzerland), 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12070723
    Journal articles | 2024
    Mabunda SA; Durbach A; Chitha WW; Phiri H; Phalane M; Nomatshila SC; Joshi R; Angell B, 2024, 'Investing in health workers: a retrospective cost analysis of a cohort of return-of-service bursary recipients in Southern Africa.', BMJ Glob Health, 9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013740
    Journal articles | 2024
    Sithole N; Chitha WW; Mnyaka OR; Ncinitwa ABA; Nomatshila SC; Ntlongweni X; Maake K; Mkabela BE; Khosa NV; Ngcobo ZB; Chitha N; Masuku K; Mabunda SA, 2024, 'Clinical staff reported knowledge on the existence of clinical governance protocols or tools utilised in selected South African hospitals', PLoS ONE, 19, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312340
    Journal articles | 2023
    Chitha N; Mabunda SA; Essel V; Funani I; Godlimpi L; Swartbooi B; Mnyaka O; Thabede J; Tshabalala R; Chitha W, 2023, 'Protocol for exploring the use of hospitals as a learning organisation: a cross-sectional study in South Africa's Eastern Cape province', BMJ Open, 13, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063208
    Journal articles | 2023
    Chitha W; Sibulawa S; Funani I; Swartbooi B; Maake K; Hellebo A; Hongoro D; Mnyaka OR; Ngcobo Z; Zungu CM; Sithole N; Godlimpi L; Nomatshila SC; Mabunda SA; Essel V, 2023, 'A cross-sectional study of knowledge, attitudes, barriers and practices of cervical cancer screening among nurses in selected hospitals in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa', BMC Women's Health, 23, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02251-0
    Journal articles | 2023
    Mabunda SA; Durbach A; Chitha WW; Bodzo P; Angell B; Joshi R, 2023, 'Development, Objectives and Operation of Return-of-Service Bursary Schemes as an Investment to Build Health Workforce Capacity in South Africa: A Multi-Methods Study', Healthcare (Switzerland), 11, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11212821
    Journal articles | 2023
    Mabunda SA; Durbach A; Chitha WW; Moaletsane O; Angell B; Joshi R, 2023, 'How Were Return-of-Service Schemes Developed and Implemented in Botswana, Eswatini and Lesotho?', Healthcare (Switzerland), 11, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11101512
    Journal articles | 2023
    Mabunda SA; Durbach A; Chitha WW; Moaletsane O; Angell B; Joshi R, 2023, 'Identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of return-of-service bursary schemes for health workforce capacity: a qualitative study of Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini', BMJ Public Health, 1, pp. e000142 - e000142, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2023-000142
    Journal articles | 2023
    Mabunda SA; Durbach A; Chitha WW; Phiri H; Phalane M; Moaletsane O; Angell B; Joshi R, 2023, 'Effectiveness of return-of-service schemes for human resources for health retention: a retrospective cohort study of four Southern African countries', BMJ Global Health, 8, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013687
    Journal articles | 2023
    Mbulawa ZZA; Somdyala NI; Mabunda SA; Williamson AL, 2023, 'Effect of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Education Intervention on HPV Knowledge and Awareness Among High School Learners in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa', Journal of Cancer Education, 38, pp. 146 - 152, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13187-021-02090-3
    Journal articles | 2023
    Ncane Z; Faleni M; Pulido-Estrada G; Apalata TR; Mabunda SA; Chitha W; Nomatshila SC, 2023, 'Knowledge on Cervical Cancer Services and Associated Risk Factors by Health Workers in the Eastern Cape Province', Healthcare (Switzerland), 11, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11030325
    Journal articles | 2023
    O’Mahony D; Mabunda SA; Mntonintshi M; Iruedo J; Kaswa R; Blanco-Blanco E; Ogunsanwo B; Namugenyi KAF; Vasaikar S; Yogeswaran P, 2023, 'Causes of Moderate and Severe Anaemia in a High-HIV and TB-Prevalent Adult Population in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043584
    Journal articles | 2023
    Sitonga N; Nomatshila SC; Phalane M; Chitha WW; Mabunda SA, 2023, 'Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Sex Workers of Three South African Towns towards Female Condom Use and Contraceptives', Healthcare (Switzerland), 11, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11091271
    Journal articles | 2022
    Bam NE; Chitha W; Ntsaba J; Nomatshila SC; Apalata T; Mabunda SA, 2022, 'Lifestyle determinants of diabetes mellitus amongst people living with HIV in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa', African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine, 14, http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v14i1.3256
    Journal articles | 2022
    Chitha N; Mabunda SA; Essel V; Funani I; Godlimpi L; Swartbooi B; Mnyaka O; Thabede J; Tshabalala R; Chitha W, 2022, 'Factors influencing the information behaviour of doctors and nurses in South Africa's Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Northern Cape provinces: A survey study protocol', BMJ Open, 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061449
    Journal articles | 2022
    Chitha W; Jafta Z; Mnyaka OR; Hongoro D; Godlimpi L; Swartbooi B; Williams N; Zungu C; Buthi L; Kuseni S; Nasila J; Sibulawa S; Giwu O; Mavimbela A; Essel V; Mabunda SA, 2022, 'Protocol of mixed-methods assessment of demographic, epidemiological and clinical profile of decentralised patients with cancer at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and Rob Ferreira Hospital, South Africa', BMJ Open, 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054983
    Journal articles | 2022
    Chitha W; Swartbooi B; Jafta Z; Funani I; Maake K; Hongoro D; Godlimpi L; Mnyaka OR; Williams N; Buthi L; Kuseni S; Zungu C; Sibulawa S; Mavimbela A; Giwu O; Mabunda SA; Essel V, 2022, 'Model of delivery of cancer care in South Africa's Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga provinces: A situational analysis protocol', BMJ Open, 12, pp. e058377, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058377
    Journal articles | 2022
    Mabunda SA; Durbach A; Chitha WW; Angell B; Joshi R, 2022, 'Are return-of-service bursaries an effective investment to build health workforce capacity? A qualitative study of key South African policymakers', PLOS Global Public Health, 2, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000309
    Journal articles | 2022
    Nomatshila SC; Apalata TR; Mabunda SA, 2022, 'Perceptions and knowledge of school management teams about non-communicable diseases and strategies to prevent them', Health SA Gesondheid, 27, pp. 1781, http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v27i0.1781
    Journal articles | 2022
    Nomatshila SC; Apalata TR; Mabunda SA, 2022, 'Perceptions of school management on the relationship between school nutrition and development of non-communicable diseases in a rural South African district: A qualitative study', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, pp. 432, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010432
    Journal articles | 2022
    Nomatshila SC; Mabunda SA; Puoane T; Apalata TR, 2022, 'Prevalence of Obesity and Associated Risk Factors among Children and Adolescents in the Eastern Cape Province', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, pp. 2946, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052946
    Journal articles | 2022
    Onywera H; Mabunda SA; Williamson AL; Mbulawa ZZA, 2022, 'Microbiological and behavioral determinants of genital HPV infections among adolescent girls and young women warrant the need for targeted policy interventions to reduce HPV risk', Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 4, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/frph.2022.887736
    Journal articles | 2022
    Peralta-Quispe F; Mendoza-Arana PJ; Pereira-Victorio CJ; Ramírez-Rodríguez JM; Pérez-García FM; Ampuero-Cáceres R; Huamani-Guzmán RW; Joshi R; Mabunda SA, 2022, 'Simulated tele-management for teaching medical students on primary health care managerial decision making', Anales de la Facultad de Medicina, 83, pp. 313 - 318, http://dx.doi.org/10.15381/anales.v83i4.23116
    Journal articles | 2022
    Yakubu K; Durbach A; van Waes A; Mabunda SA; Peiris D; Shanthosh J; Joshi R, 2022, 'Governance systems for skilled health worker migration, their public value and competing priorities: an interpretive scoping review', Global Health Action, 15, pp. 2013600, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2021.2013600
    Journal articles | 2021
    Adedayo T; O’Mahony D; Adeleke O; Mabunda S, 2021, 'Doctors’ practice and attitudes towards red blood cell transfusion at Mthatha Regional Hospital, Eastern Cape, South Africa: A mixed methods study', African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine, 13, pp. 1 - 8, http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/PHCFM.V13I1.2889
    Journal articles | 2021
    Gadsden T; Mabunda SA; Palagyi A; Maharani A; Sujarwoto S; Baddeley M; Jan S, 2021, 'Performance-based incentives and community health workers’ outputs, a systematic review', Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 99, pp. 805 - 818, http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.20.285218
    Journal articles | 2021
    Mabunda S; Angell B; Joshi R; Durbach A, 2021, 'Evaluation of the alignment of policies and practices for state-sponsored educational initiatives for sustainable health workforce solutions in selected Southern African countries: A protocol, multimethods study', BMJ Open, 11, pp. e046379, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046379
    Journal articles | 2021
    Mabunda SA; Gupta M; Chitha WW; Mtshali NG; Ugarte C; Echegaray C; Cuzco M; Loayza J; Peralta F; Escobedo S; Bustos V; Mnyaka OR; Swaartbooi B; Williams N; Joshi R, 2021, 'Lessons learnt during the implementation of WISN for comprehensive primary health care in India, South Africa and Peru', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, pp. 12541, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312541
    Journal articles | 2021
    Mabunda SA; Sigovana K; Chitha W; Apalata T; Nomatshila S, 2021, 'Socio-demographic associations of HIV among women attending antenatal care in selected rural primary care facilities in South Africa's Eastern Cape province.', BMC Infectious Diseases, 21, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12879-020-05744-7
    Journal articles | 2021
    Mabunda SA; Sigovana K; Chitha W; Apalata T; Nomatshila S, 2021, 'Socio-demographic associations of HIV among women attending antenatal care in selected rural primary care facilities in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province', BMC Infectious Diseases, 21, pp. 61, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12879-020-05744-7
    Journal articles | 2021
    Mbulawa ZZA; Somdyala NI; Mabunda SA; Williamson AL, 2021, 'High human papillomavirus prevalence among females attending high school in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa', PLoS ONE, 16, pp. e0253074, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253074
    Journal articles | 2021
    Mnyaka OR; Mabunda SA; Chitha WW; Nomatshila SC; Ntlongweni X, 2021, 'Barriers to the Implementation of the HIV Universal Test and Treat Strategy in Selected Primary Care Facilities in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province', Journal of Primary Care and Community Health, 12, pp. 21501327211028706, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/21501327211028706
    Journal articles | 2020
    Bam NE; Mabunda SA; Ntsaba J; Apalata T; Nomatshila SC; Chitha W, 2020, 'The association between HIV tri-therapy with the development of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus in a rural South African District: A case-control study', PLoS ONE, 15, pp. e0244067, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244067
    Journal articles | 2020
    Mabunda SA; Angell B; Yakubu K; Durbach A; Joshi R, 2020, 'Reformulation and strengthening of return-of-service (ROS) schemes could change the narrative on global health workforce distribution and shortages in sub-Saharan Africa', Family medicine and community health, 8, pp. e000498, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/fmch-2020-000498
    Journal articles | 2020
    Mabunda SA; Sigovana K; Chitha W; Apalata T; Nomatshila S, 2020, 'Socio-demographic associations of HIV among women attending antenatal care in selected rural primary care facilities in South Africa's Eastern Cape province.', , http://dx.doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-36743/v2
    Journal articles | 2020
    Mabunda SA; Sigovana K; Chitha W; Apalata T; Nomatshila S, 2020, 'Socio-demographic associations of HIV among antenatal care attendees in selected rural primary care facilities in South Africa's Eastern Cape province', , http://dx.doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-36743/v1
    Journal articles | 2020
    Newman H; Tshabalala D; Mabunda S; Nkosi N; Carelson C, 2020, 'Rapid testing for respiratory syncytial virus in a resource-limited paediatric intensive care setting', African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, 9, pp. 1084, http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/AJLM.V9I1.1084
    Journal articles | 2018
    Mabunda SA; London L; Pienaar D, 2018, 'An evaluation of the role of an intermediate care facility in the continuum of care in Western Cape, South Africa', International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 7, pp. 167 - 179, http://dx.doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2017.52
    Journal articles | 2018
    Tshabalala D; Newman H; Businge C; Mabunda SA; Kemp W; Beja P, 2018, 'Prevalence and determinants of congenital cytomegalovirus infection at a rural South African central hospital in the Eastern Cape', Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases, 33, pp. 1 - 4, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23120053.2018.1462560
    Journal articles | 2018
    Tshabalala D; Newman H; Businge C; Mabunda SA; Kemp W; Beja P, 2018, 'Prevalence and determinants of congenital cytomegalovirus infection at a rural South African central hospital in the Eastern Cape', Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases, 33, pp. 89 - 92, http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajid.v33i4.155
    Journal articles | 2017
    Iruedo J; O'Mahony D; Mabunda S; Wright G; Cawe B, 2017, 'The effect of the Xpert MTB/RIF test on the time to MDR-TB treatment initiation in a rural setting: A cohort study in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province', BMC Infectious Diseases, 17, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12879-017-2200-8
    Journal articles | 2017
    Mntonintshi M; O'Mahony D; Mabunda S; Namugenyi KAF, 2017, 'Undiagnosed tuberculosis in patients with HIV infection who present with severe anaemia at a district hospital', African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine, 9, pp. 1406, http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v9i1.1406
    Journal articles | 2015
    Grobler L; Marais BJ; Mabunda S, 2015, 'Interventions for increasing the proportion of health professionals practising in rural and other underserved areas', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD005314.pub3
    Journal articles | 2009
    Grobler L; Marais BJ; Mabunda SA; Marindi PN; Reuter H; Volmink J, 2009, 'Interventions for increasing the proportion of health professionals practising in rural and other underserved areas', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD005314.pub2
    Journal articles | 2005
    Grobler LA; Marindi PN; Mabunda SA; Reuter H; Volmink J, 2005, 'Interventions for increasing the proportion of health professionals practising in under-served communities', , http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd005314
  • Preprints | 2024
    Gotye L; Nomatshila S; Maake K; Chitha W; Mabunda S; Nyembezi A, 2024, Acceptability of Medical Male Circumcision as an HIV preven-tion intervention among male learners in a South African high school, http://dx.doi.org/10.20944/preprints202406.0533.v1
    Preprints | 2023
    Mabunda S; Durbach A; Chitha W; Moaletsane O; Angell B; Joshi R, 2023, Running Return of Service Schemes in Southern Africa: Lessons from Botswana, Eswatini and Lesotho, http://dx.doi.org/10.20944/preprints202304.0806.v1
    Preprints | 2022
    Faleni M; Mabunda SA; Ziphelele N; Pulido Estrada GA; Apalata T; Nomatshila SCC, 2022, Factors Associated with Treatment Outcomes among Patients Living with HIV and Hypertension Comorbidity in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, http://dx.doi.org/10.20944/preprints202211.0496.v1
    Preprints | 2022
    Sitonga N; Nomatshila SC; Phalane M; Chitha WW; Mabunda SA, 2022, Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of sex workers of three South African towns towards female condom use and contraceptives, http://dx.doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1587013/v1
    Preprints | 2021
    Chitha WW; Mnyaka OR; Hongoro DJ; Godlimpi L; Swartbooi B; Williams N; Pahlana S; Masemola MA; Mokobane G; Mulamu M; Mabophe K; Mashao T; Maake K; Bodzo PMP; Essel V; Mabunda SA, 2021, Protocol for Exploring Effective Clinical Governance Strategies in South Africa’s Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga Provinces, http://dx.doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1041055/v1
    Preprints | 2021
    Mabunda S; Durbach A; Chitha W; Angell B; Joshi R, 2021, Are Return of Service Bursaries an Effective Investment to Build Health Workforce Capacity? A Qualitative Study of Key South African Policymakers, http://dx.doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1032993/v1
    Preprints | 2021
    Nomatshila SC; Apalata TR; Mabunda SA, 2021, Perceptions of School Management on the Relationship between School Nutrition and Development of Non-communicable Diseases in a Rural South African District: A Qualitative Study, http://dx.doi.org/10.20944/preprints202112.0016.v1
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Zungu M; Mlangeni N; Wilson K; Mabunda S; Vundle Z; Mokgetle R, 2018, '490 Tb treatment outcomes in mine health facilities south africa 2015 -2018: preliminary findings', in Health Services Research, BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, pp. A181.3 - A182, presented at 32nd Triennial Congress of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH), Dublin, Ireland, 29th April to 4th May 2018, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2018-icohabstracts.512