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South Africa

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Public Health Researcher | Systematic Review Expert | AMR, Vaccines & UHC in Africa

Profile Summary

I’m Dr. Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, a pharmacist and epidemiologist with over 10 years of experience in public health research, focusing on vaccines, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and universal health coverage in low- and middle-income countries. I specialize in conducting systematic and scoping reviews, rapid evidence assessments, and developing knowledge translation products such as policy briefs and technical reports. My work has supported evidence-informed decision-making at the WHO Regional Office for Africa, where I led and contributed to high-impact research and regulatory initiatives. If you're looking for a research partner who combines scientific rigor with contextual understanding of health systems in Africa, let’s connect.

Subject Matter Expertise

• ☆ Medical Sciences

Services

• Writing

Writing Medical Writing, Technical Writing

Work Experience

Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

- Present

Technical Officer/Epidemiologist

World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa

September 2023 - Present

Epidemiologist

Centre for Vaccines and Immunology, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa

October 2021 - August 2023

Post-doctoral Fellow

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University

March 2020 - September 2021

Education

B.Pharm (Pharmacy)

University of Jos Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

- Present

PhD (Health Systems and Public Health)

Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

January 2016 - December 2019

MSc

University of Fort Hare Faculty of Science and Agriculture

March 2014 - May 2015

Certifications

• Meta-analysis, an advanced course

  Instats

  January 2025 - Present

• African-Advanced Course in Vaccinology (Afro-Advac)

  University of Witswatersrand, South Africa

  February 2022 - Present

• Comprehensive Systematic Review Training Program

  Johanna Briggs Institute

  August 2020 - Present

• Cochrane Interactive Learning: Conducting an Intervention Review

  Cochrane

  January 2018 - Present

• Vaccinology Course

  Vaccines for Africa, University of Cape Town, South Africa

  October 2015 - Present

Publications

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Gillian Maree, Dhammika Leshan Wannigama, Fiona Els, Yashena Naidoo, Laven Naidoo, Phemelo Mahamuza, Mokgaetji Macheke, Nkosenhle Ndlovu, Said Rachida, et al. (2025). Wastewater surveillance overcomes socio-economic limitations of laboratory-based surveillance when monitoring disease transmission: The South African experience during the COVID-19 pandemic . PLOS ONE.

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Dick Chamla, Anelisa Jaca, Asiphe Mavi Ndlambe, Muyunda Buwa, Ngozi Idemili-Aronu, Joseph Okeibunor, Charles Shey Wiysonge, Abdou Salam Gueye (2024). The critical elements of the health system that could make for resilience in the World Health Organization African Region: a scoping review . PeerJ.

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Arsene Daniel Nyalundja, Patrick Musole Bugeme, Alain Balola Ntaboba, Victoire Urbain Hatu’m, Guillaume Shamamba Ashuza, Jacques Lukenze Tamuzi, Duduzile Ndwandwe, Charles Shey Wiysonge, Patrick D. M. C. Katoto (2024). COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Associated Oral Cholera Vaccine Hesitancy in a Cholera-Endemic Country: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in the Democratic Republic of Congo . Vaccines.

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Arsene Daniel Nyalundja, Patrick Musole Bugeme, Ashuza Shamamba Guillaume, Alain Balola Ntaboba, Victoire Urbain Hatu’m, Jacques Lukenze Tamuzi, Duduzile Ndwandwe, Charles S. Wiysonge, Patrick D. M. C. Katoto (2024). Socio-Demographic Factors Influencing Malaria Vaccine Acceptance for Under-Five Children in a Malaria-Endemic Region: A Community-Based Study in the Democratic Republic of Congo . Vaccines.

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Arsène Daniel NYALUNDJA, Patrick Musole Bugeme, Alain Balola, Victoire Urbain Hatu’m, ASHUZA SHAMAMBA Guillaume, Jacques Lukenze Tamuzi, Duduzile Ndwandwe, Charles Shey Wiysonge, Patrick D. M. C. Katoto (2024). COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Associated Oral Cholera Vaccine Hesitancy in a Cholera-Endemic Country: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in the Democratic Republic of Congo . Vaccines.

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Arsène Daniel NYALUNDJA, Patrick Musole Bugeme, Ashuza Shamamba Guillaume, Alain Balola, Victoire Urbain Hatu’m, Jacques Lukenze Tamuzi, Duduzile Ndwandwe, Charles Wiysonge, Patrick de Marie KATOTO (2024). Socio-Demographic Factors Influencing Malaria Vaccine Acceptance for Under-Five Children in a Malaria-Endemic Region: A Community-Based Study in the Democratic Republic of Congo . Vaccines.

Okunade OS, Oladokun VO, Iwu-Jaja CJ et al. Protocol for a scoping review of work system design in health care [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations] F1000Research 2023, 12:21 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.128913.2) .

Oladunni Sarah Okunade, Victor O. Oladokun, Chinwe Juliana Iwu-Jaja, Anelisa Jaca, Charles Shey Wiysonge (2023). Protocol for a scoping review of work system design in health care . F1000Research.

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Chidozie Declan Iwu, Anelisa Jaca, Charles Shey Wiysonge (2023). Systematic Mapping of Research on Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Decennial Scientometric Analysis . Vaccines.

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Chidozie Iwu, Anelisa Jaca, Charles Wiysonge (2023). Systematic Mapping of Research on Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Decennial Scientometric Analysis . Vaccines.

Chidozie Declan Iwu, Chinwe Juliana Iwu-Jaja (2023). Gastric Cancer Epidemiology: Current Trend and Future Direction . Hygiene.

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Chidozie Declan Iwu (2023). Gastric Cancer Epidemiology: Current Trend and Future Direction . Hygiene.

Oladunni Sarah Okunade, Victor O. Oladokun, Chinwe Juliana Iwu-Jaja, Anelisa Jaca, Charles Shey Wiysonge (2023). Protocol for a scoping review of work system design in health care . F1000Research.

Portia Jordan, Chinwe Iwu‐Jaja, Elizabeth Mokoka, Irene Kearns, Benedict Oamen, Santel de Lange, Loraine Schutte, Vasanthrie Naidoo (2023). Development of a training programme for professional nurses in South Africa – An educational response to the COVID‐19 pandemic . Nursing Open.

Ambrose Talisuna, Chinwe Iwu, J Okeibunor, Mary Stephen, Emmanuel Onuche Musa, Belinda Louise Herring, Otim Patrick Cossy Ramadan, Daniel Yota, Miriam Nanyunja, Allan Mpairwe, et al.(2022). Assessment of COVID-19 pandemic responses in African countries: thematic synthesis of WHO intra-action review reports . BMJ Open. 12. (5). p. e056896. {BMJ}

Chidozie Declan Iwu, Chinwe Juliana Iwu-Jaja, Anthony Ifeanyin Okoh, Michael Ekubu Otim, Amina M. Al Marzouqi (2022). Estimating the Risk of Acute Gastrointestinal Disease Attributed to E. coli O157:H7 in Irrigation Water and Agricultural Soil: A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment . Sustainability.

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Chidozie Iwu, Anthony Ifeanyin Okoh, Michael E. Otim, Amina M. Al Marzouqi (2022). Estimating the Risk of Acute Gastrointestinal Disease Attributed to <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 in Irrigation Water and Agricultural Soil: A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment . Sustainability.

Improving the availability of vaccines in primary healthcare facilities in South Africa: is the time right for a system redesign process? <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Refresh" CONTENT="0;URL=/servlet/useragent"> </head> . Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics.

Chidozie Declan Iwu, Chinwe Juliana Iwu-Jaja, Rami Elhadi, Lucy Semerjian, Anthony Ifeanyin Okoh (2022). Modelling the Potential Risk of Infection Associated with Listeria monocytogenes in Irrigation Water and Agricultural Soil in Two District Municipalities in South Africa . Microorganisms.

Anelisa Jaca, Thobile Malinga, Chinwe Juliana Iwu-Jaja, Chukwudi Arnest Nnaji, Joseph Chukwudi Okeibunor, Dorcas Kamuya, Charles Shey Wiysonge (2022). Strengthening the Health System as a Strategy to Achieving a Universal Health Coverage in Underprivileged Communities in Africa: A Scoping Review . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Chidozie Iwu, Rami Elhadi, Lucy Semerjian, Anthony Ifeanyin Okoh (2022). Modelling the Potential Risk of Infection Associated with <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> in Irrigation Water and Agricultural Soil in Two District Municipalities in South Africa . Microorganisms.

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Anelisa Jaca, Thobile Malinga, Chukwudi Arnest Nnaji, Joseph Chukwudi Okeibunor, Dorcas Kamuya, Charles Wiysonge (2022). Strengthening the Health System as a Strategy to Achieving a Universal Health Coverage in Underprivileged Communities in Africa: A Scoping Review . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Madubuike Umunna Anyanwu, Ishmael Festus Jaja, Charles Odilichukwu R. Okpala, Chinwe-Juliana Iwu Jaja, James Wabwire Oguttu, Kennedy Foinkfu Chah, Vincent Shodeinde Shoyinka (2021). Potential sources and characteristic occurrence of mobile colistin resistance (mcr) gene-harbouring bacteria recovered from the poultry sector: a literature synthesis specific to high-income countries . PeerJ.

Anelisa Jaca, Chinwe J. Iwu-Jaja, Yusentha Balakrishna, Elizabeth Pienaar, Charles S. Wiysonge(2021). A global bibliometric analysis of research productivity on vaccine hesitancy from 1974 to 2019 . Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. 17. (9). p. 3016--3022. Informa {UK} Limited

Chinwe Juliana Iwu-Jaja, Hans-Uwe Dahms, Anelisa Jaca, Ishmael Festus Jaja, Portia Jordan, Phelele Bhengu, Chidozie Declan Iwu, Joseph Okeibunor, Humphrey Karamagi, Prosper Tumusiime, et al. (2021). Preventing and managing antimicrobial resistance in the African region: A scoping review protocol . PLOS ONE.

Edison J. Mavundza, Chinwe J. Iwu-Jaja, Alison B. Wiyeh, Blessings Gausi, Leila H. Abdullahi, Gregory Halle-Ekane, Charles S. Wiysonge (2021). A Systematic Review of Interventions to Improve HPV Vaccination Coverage . Vaccines.

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Edison Johannes Mavundza, Alison B. Wiyeh, Blessings Gausi, Leyla Abdullahi, Gregory Halle-Ekane, Charles Wiysonge (2021). A Systematic Review of Interventions to Improve HPV Vaccination Coverage . Vaccines.

Madubuike Umunna Anyanwu, Ishmael Festus Jaja, James Wabwire Oguttu, Chinwe Juliana Jaja, Kennedy Foinkfu Chah, Vincent Shodeinde Shoyinka(2021). Is Africa ready for mobile colistin resistance threat? . Infection Ecology & Epidemiology. 11. (1). p. 1962781. Informa {UK} Limited

Anelisa Jaca, Chinwe Iwu, Solange Dur&#227;o, Adelheid W Onyango, Charles Shey Wiysonge (2020). Understanding the underlying drivers of obesity in Africa: a scoping review protocol . BMJ Open.

Madubuike Umunna Anyanwu, Ishmael Jaja Festus, Obichukwu Chisom Nwobi, Chinwe-Juliana Iwu Jaja, James Wabwire Oguttu (2020). A Perspective on Nigeria’s Preparedness, Response and Challenges to Mitigating the Spread of COVID-19 . Challenges.

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Madubuike Anyanwu, Ishmael Festus Jaja, Obichukwu Chisom Nwobi, James Wabwire Oguttu (2020). A Perspective on Nigeria’s Preparedness, Response and Challenges to Mitigating the Spread of COVID-19 . Challenges.

Chinwe Juliana Iwu, Ntombenhle Ngcobo, Sara Cooper, Lindi Mathebula, Hlokoma Mangqalaza, Abongile Magwaca, Usuf Chikte, Charles S. Wiysonge(2020). Mobile reporting of vaccine stock-levels in primary health care facilities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: perceptions and experiences of health care workers . Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. 16. (8). p. 1911--1917. Informa {UK} Limited

Chinwe Juliana Iwu, Ntombehle Ngcobo, Anelisa Jaca, Alison Wiyeh, Elizabeth Pienaar, Usuf Chikte, Charles S. Wiysonge(2020). A systematic review of vaccine availability at the national, district, and health facility level in the WHO African Region . Expert Review of Vaccines. 19. (7). p. 639--651. Informa {UK} Limited

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Evanson Z. Sambala, Tiwonge Kanyenda, Chinwe Juliana Iwu, Chidozie Declan Iwu, Anelisa Jaca (2020). Pandemic Influenza Preparedness in Africa . Proceedings.

Ishmael Festus Jaja, Chinwe-Juliana Iwu Jaja, Nnamdi Vincent Chigor, Madubuike Umunna Anyanwu, Ezealisiji Kenneth Maduabuchi, James Wabwire Oguttu, Ezekiel Green, Marta Laranjo (2020). Antimicrobial Resistance Phenotype of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli Isolates Obtained from Meat in the Formal and Informal Sectors in South Africa . BioMed Research International.

Iwu, C.J., Ngcobo, N., Jaca, A., Wiyeh, A., Pienaar, E., Chikte, U., Wiysonge, C.S.(2020). A systematic review of vaccine availability at the national, district, and health facility level in the WHO African Region . Expert Review of Vaccines.

(2020). Treatment of COVID-19: implications for antimicrobial resistance in Africa . Pan African Medical Journal.

Kinyoki, D.K., Ross, J.M., Lazzar-Atwood, A., Munro, S.B., Schaeffer, L.E., Abbasalizad-Farhangi, M., Abbasi, M., Abbastabar, H., Abdelalim, A., Abdoli, A., et al.(2020). Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017 . Nature Medicine. 26. (5). p. 750-759.

Jaja, I.F., Anyanwu, M.U., Iwu Jaja, C.-J.(2020). Social distancing: how religion, culture and burial ceremony undermine the effort to curb COVID-19 in South Africa . Emerging Microbes and Infections. 9. (1). p. 1077-1079.

Iwu, C.J., Ngcobo, N., McCaul, M., Mangqalaza, H., Magwaca, A., Chikte, U., Wiysonge, C.S.(2020). Vaccine stock management in primary health care facilities in OR Tambo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa . Vaccine.

Reiner, R.C., Wiens, K.E., Deshpande, A., Baumann, M.M., Lindstedt, P.A., Blacker, B.F., Troeger, C.E., Earl, L., Munro, S.B., Abate, D., et al.(2020). Department of Error: Mapping geographical inequalities in childhood diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–17: analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 (The Lancet (2020) 395(10239) (1779–1801), (S0140673620301148), (10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30114-8)) . The Lancet. 395. (10239). p. 1762.

Reiner, R.C., Wiens, K.E., Deshpande, A., Baumann, M.M., Lindstedt, P.A., Blacker, B.F., Troeger, C.E., Earl, L., Munro, S.B., Abate, D., et al.(2020). Mapping geographical inequalities in childhood diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–17: analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 . The Lancet. 395. (10239). p. 1779-1801.

Wiens, K.E., Lindstedt, P.A., Blacker, B.F., Johnson, K.B., Baumann, M.M., Schaeffer, L.E., Abbastabar, H., Abd-Allah, F., Abdelalim, A., Abdollahpour, I., et al.(2020). Mapping geographical inequalities in oral rehydration therapy coverage in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–17 . The Lancet Global Health. 8. (8). p. e1038-e1060.

Kinyoki, D.K., Ross, J.M., Lazzar-Atwood, A., Munro, S.B., Schaeffer, L.E., Abbasalizad-Farhangi, M., Abbasi, M., Abbastabar, H., Abdelalim, A., Abdoli, A., et al.(2020). Author Correction: Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017 (Nature Medicine, (2020), 26, 5, (750-759), 10.1038/s41591-020-0807-6) . Nature Medicine. 26. (8). p. 1308.

Chinwe Juliana Iwu, Anelisa Jaca, Leila H. Abdullahi, Ntombenhle Judith Ngcobo, Charles Shey Wiysonge(2019). Protocol for a systematic review of the effects of interventions for vaccine stock management . Systematic Reviews. 8. (1). Springer Science and Business Media {LLC}

Storeng KT, Abimbola S, Balabanova D, McCoy D, Ridde V, Filippi V, Roalkvam S, Akello G, Parker M, Palmer J(2019). Action to protect the independence and integrity of global health research . BMJ global health.

Iwu, C.J., Jaca, A., Abdullahi, L.H., Ngcobo, N.J., Wiysonge, C.S.(2019). Protocol for a systematic review of the effects of interventions for vaccine stock management 11 Medical and Health Sciences 1117 Public Health and Health Services . Systematic Reviews. 8. (1).

Frank, T.D., Carter, A., Jahagirdar, D., Biehl, M.H., Douwes-Schultz, D., Larson, S.L., Arora, M., Dwyer-Lindgren, L., Steuben, K.M., Abbastabar, H., et al.(2019). Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and mortality of HIV, 1980-2017, and forecasts to 2030, for 195 countries and territories: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 . The Lancet HIV. 6. (12). p. e831-e859.

Iwu, C.J., Jaca, A., Abdullahi, L.H., Ngcobo, N.J., Wiysonge, C.S.(2019). A scoping review of interventions for vaccine stock management in primary health-care facilities . Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics. 15. (11). p. 2666-2672.

Jaja, I.F., Iwu, C.J.(2019). Data on prevalence and distribution of antimicrobial resistance determinants of Salmonella enterica isolates from the formal and informal meat sector . Data in Brief. 24.

Sambala, E.Z., Kanyenda, T., Iwu, C.J., Iwu, C.D., Jaca, A., Wiysonge, C.S.(2018). Pandemic influenza preparedness in the WHO African region: Are we ready yet? 11 Medical and Health Sciences 1117 Public Health and Health Services . BMC Infectious Diseases. 18. (1).

Iwu, C.J., Jaja, I.F., Iweriebor, B.C., Obi, L.C., Okoh, A.I.(2017). Antibiotic resistance profiles of Escherichia coli O26, O145, and O157:H7 isolated from swine in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa . Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease. 7. (9). p. 553-559.

Iwu, C.J., Iweriebor, B.C., Obi, L.C., Basson, A.K., Okoh, A.I.(2016). Multidrug-resistant Salmonella isolates from swine in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa . Journal of Food Protection. 79. (7). p. 1234-1239.

Iwu, C.J., Iweriebor, B.C., Obi, L.C., Okoh, A.I.(2016). Occurrence of non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in two commercial swine farms in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa . Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. 44. p. 48-53.

Iweriebor, B.C., Iwu, C.J., Obi, L.C., Nwodo, U.U., Okoh, A.I.(2015). Multiple antibiotic resistances among Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli O157 in feces of dairy cattle farms in Eastern Cape of South Africa Clinical microbiology and vaccines . BMC Microbiology. 15. (1).

PREPRINT

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Gillian Maree, Fiona Els, Yashena Naidoo, Laven Naidoo, Phemelo Mahamuza, Mokgaetji Macheke, Nkosenhle Ndlovu, Said Rachida, Setshaba Taukobong, et al. (2024). Wastewater surveillance overcomes socio-economic limitations of laboratory-based surveillance when monitoring disease transmission: the South African experience during the COVID-19 pandemic .

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Arsene Daniel Nyalundja, Patrick Musole Bugeme, Alain Balola Ntaboba, Victoire Urbain Hatu’m, Guillaume Shamamba Ashuza, Jacques Lukenze Tamuzi, Duduzile Ndwandwe, Charles Shey Wiysonge, Patrick D.M.C. Katoto (2024). COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Associated Oral Cholera Vaccine Hesitancy in a Cholera Endemic Country, the Democratic Republic of Congo .

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Arsene Daniel Nyalundja, Patrick Musole Bugeme, Alain Balola Ntaboba, Victoire Urbain Hatu’m, Guillaume Shamamba Ashuza, Jacques Lukenze Tamuzi, Duduzile Ndwandwe, Charles Shey Wiysonge, Patrick D.M.C. Katoto (2024). COVID‐19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Associated Oral Cholera Vaccine Hesitancy in a Cholera Endemic Country, the Democratic Republic of Congo .

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Nkosenhle Lindo Ndlovu, Said Rachida, Mukhlid Yousif, Setshaba Taukobong, Mokgaetji Macheke, Laurette Mhlanga, Cari van Schalkwyk, Juliet Pulliam, Tom Moultrie, et al. (2023). The role of wastewater-based epidemiology for SARS-CoV-2 in developing countries: cumulative evidence from South Africa supports sentinel site surveillance to guide public health decision-making .

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Mukhlid Yousif, Said Rachida, Setshaba Taukobong, Nkosenhle Ndlovu, Wayne Howard, Shelina Moonsamy, Nompilo Mhlambi, Sipho Gwala, Joshua I. Levy, et al. (2022). Molecular identification of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern at urban wastewater treatment plants across South Africa .

CONFERENCE PAPER

Evanson Z. Sambala, Tiwonge Kanyenda, Chinwe Juliana Iwu, Chidozie Declan Iwu, Anelisa Jaca, Charles S. Wiysonge(2020). Pandemic Influenza Preparedness in Africa . Proceedings. 45. (1). p. 3. {MDPI} {AG}

WORKING PAPER

COVID‐19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Associated Oral Cholera Vaccine Hesitancy in a Cholera Endemic Country, the Democratic Republic of Congo .

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Associated Oral Cholera Vaccine Hesitancy in a Cholera Endemic Country, the Democratic Republic of Congo .