Page 110 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

principles and concepts, using R and STATA to
explore topics such as data management, study
designs in medical research, as well as descriptive
and inferential statistics. An additional objective
of the SWRNAC project includes increasing the
number of female Masters in Statistics graduates in
the country. There are currently three students being
supervised by Specialist Statisticians within the Unit.

The Data Management Division facilitated an
Introduction to REDCap training course in October
2024, aimed at enhancing SAMRC researchers'
proficiency in data collection and management. The
REDCap training course has empowered researchers
with robust tools and techniques, significantly
contributing to the accuracy and efficiency of data
management within the organisation.

Pretoria GenS mentors participating in the
GenS programme. Navigating the Impact of US
Executive Orders on Funding
The Biostatistics Research Unit played a key role
the development of the next generation, the Unit in the study design and data management of the
hosted Grade 10-12 learners under the Gen-S B001 trial (the first trial planned under the Brilliant
programme in all three regions. During this training, Consortium). The termination of this project has
the learners were exposed to data management, severely impacted the Unit and more broadly the
GIS, statistical analysis and nutrition research via a country's progress towards finding an effective HIV
practical approach. vaccine. In addition to the USAID-funded Brilliant
Consortium, there is uncertainty regarding CDC-
The BRU and the Gender and Health Research funded projects. The Unit is leading the CDC-funded
Unit successfully hosted a 3-day Introduction to VMMC Modelling study, which aims to produce
Biostatistics short course from September 2-5, 2024, more precise district-level estimates of circumcision
in Pretoria. This course was part of the BMGF-funded coverage using small area estimation techniques.
project "Strengthening Women's Research Network
and Capacity (SWRNAC) to Address Women's Research Translation Through Arts
Health in sub-Saharan Africa" and was attended
by 29 master’s and PhD students, as well as health and Science
researchers, from both the SAMRC and external We have creatively communicated research findings
institutions. The course covered essential statistical to a wider audience through interactive visual

The BRU and the Gender and Health Research Unit successfully hosted a 3-day Introduction to Biostatistics
short course from September 2-5, 2024, in Pretoria.

108 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25