Jennifer Velloza, PhD, MPH

Assistant Professor
Epidemiology & Biostatistics
[email protected]

Dr. Velloza is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Global Health and Infectious Disease Epidemiology. Her research, teaching, and mentoring focus on advancing the field of global mental health and the intersection with HIV and STI prevention specifically for adolescent girls and young women. In her current NIH-funded projects, Dr. Velloza uses implementation science, epidemiology, and behavioral science methods to design, evaluate, and scale-up integrated psychotherapy and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery models. She collaborates primarily with teams in South Africa and Kenya for this work. Dr. Velloza is also the Associate Program Director for Curriculum for the Implementation Science Training Program and is a faculty member with the Partnerships for Research in Implementation Science for Equity (PRISE) Center.

Publications: 

Cumulative exposure to depressive symptoms and all-cause mortality among adults living with HIV in Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda.

AIDS (London, England)

Kemp CG, Pence BW, Velloza J, Concepcion T, Moitra M, Iroezindu M, Bahemana E, Kibuuka H, Semwogerere M, Owuoth J, Maswai J, Langat R, Esber AL, Dear NF, Parikh A, Crowell TA, Ake JA, Polyak CS, Collins PY, AFRICOS Study Group

Higher rates of mental health screening of adolescents recorded after provider training using simulated patients in a Kenyan HIV clinic: results of a pilot study.

Frontiers in public health

Concepcion T, Mogere P, Ngure K, Mwathi N, Njiru R, Kipkorir B, Kiptinness C, Maina G, Owidi E, Owens T, Kohler P, Wagenaar BH, Dorsey S, Collins PY, Velloza J

PrEP uptake and early persistence among adolescent girls and young women receiving services via community and hybrid community-clinic models in Namibia.

PloS one

Barnabee G, Billah I, Ndeikemona L, Silas L, Ensminger A, MacLachlan E, Korn AK, Mawire S, Fischer-Walker C, Ashipala L, Forster N, O'Malley G, Velloza J

Evidencing the Impact of Web-Based Coproduction With Youth on Mental Health Research: Qualitative Findings From the MindKind Study.

JMIR public health and surveillance

Fernandes B, Neelakantan L, Shah H, Sumant S, Collins PY, Velloza J, Bampton E, Ranganathan S, Sibisi R, Bashir T, Bowes J, David EL, Kaur H, Malik U, Shannon I, Gurumayum S, Burn AM, Sieberts SK, MindKind Consortium, Fazel M

Young people's data governance preferences for their mental health data: MindKind Study findings from India, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

PloS one

Sieberts SK, Marten C, Bampton E, Björling EA, Burn AM, Carey EG, Carlson S, Fernandes B, Kalha J, Lindani S, Masomera H, Neelakantan L, Pasquale L, Ranganathan S, Joy Scanlan E, Shah H, Sibisi R, Sumant S, Suver C, Thungana Y, Tummalacherla M, Velloza J, Collins PY, Fazel M, Ford T, Freeman M, Pathare S, Zingela Z, MindKind Consortium, Doerr M

Provider perspectives on service delivery modifications to maintain access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis during the COVID-19 pandemic: qualitative results from a PrEP implementation project in Kenya.

Journal of the International AIDS Society

Velloza J, Roche SD, Owidi EJ, Irungu EM, Dollah A, Kwach B, Thuo NB, Morton JF, Mugo N, Bukusi EA, O'Malley G, Ngure K, Baeten JM, Mugwanya KK, Partners Scale-Up Project Team

Perinatal Depressive Symptoms and Viral Non-suppression Among a Prospective Cohort of Pregnant Women Living with HIV in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

AIDS and behavior

Concepcion T, Velloza J, Kemp CG, Bhat A, Bennett IM, Rao D, Polyak CS, Ake JA, Esber A, Dear N, Maswai J, Owuoth J, Sing'oei V, Bahemana E, Iroezindu M, Kibuuka H, Collins PY

Alignment of PrEP adherence with periods of HIV risk among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa and Zimbabwe: a secondary analysis of the HPTN 082 randomised controlled trial.

The lancet. HIV

Velloza J, Donnell D, Hosek S, Anderson PL, Chirenje ZM, Mgodi N, Bekker LG, Marzinke MA, Delany-Moretlwe S, Celum C

A novel "HIV salience and Perception" scale is associated with PrEP dispensing and adherence among adolescent girls and young women in Kampala, Uganda.

AIDS and behavior

Velloza J, Mujugira A, Muwonge T, Boyer J, Nampewo O, Badaru J, Ssebuliba T, Stalter RM, Stein G, Baeten JM, Celum C, Heffron R

Adaptive HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis adherence interventions for young South African women: Study protocol for a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial.

PloS one

Velloza J, Poovan N, Ndlovu N, Khoza N, Morton JF, Omony J, Mkwanazi E, Grabow C, Donnell D, Munthali R, Baeten JM, Hosek S, Celum C, Delany-Moretlwe S

Disclosure and help-seeking behaviors related to sexual and physical violence in childhood and adolescence: Results from the Namibia Violence Against Children and Youth Survey.

Child abuse & neglect

Velloza J, Davies L, Ensminger A, Theofelus FM, Andjamba H, Kamuingona R, Nakuta J, Uiras W, Massetti G, Coomer R, Wolkon A, Forster N, O'Malley G

Cycles of Violence Among Young Women in Namibia: Exploring the Links Between Childhood Violence and Adult Intimate Partner Violence From the Violence Against Children and Youth Survey.

Journal of interpersonal violence

Velloza J, Davies LD, Ensminger AL, Theofelus FM, Andjamba H, Kamuingona R, Masseti G, Coomer R, Forster N, O'Malley G

Assessing longitudinal patterns of depressive symptoms and the influence of symptom trajectories on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis adherence among adolescent girls in the HPTN 082 randomized controlled trial.

Journal of the International AIDS Society

Velloza J, Hosek S, Donnell D, Anderson PL, Chirenje M, Mgodi N, Bekker LG, Delany-Moretlwe S, Celum C, HPTN 082 study group

Intervening for HIV prevention and mental health: a review of global literature.

Journal of the International AIDS Society

Collins PY, Velloza J, Concepcion T, Oseso L, Chwastiak L, Kemp CG, Simoni J, Wagenaar BH

Use of fertility awareness methods as a component of safer conception for women in HIV-serodifferent relationships in Kenya.

Reproductive health

Zia Y, Velloza J, Oluoch L, Momanyi R, Mbugua S, Njoroge J, Gakuo S, Mugo E, Thuo N, Kiptinness C, Njuguna N, Ngure K, R Mugo N, Heffron R

Interventions to improve daily medication use among adolescents and young adults: what can we learn for youth pre-exposure prophylaxis services?

AIDS (London, England)

Velloza J, Kapogiannis B, Bekker LG, Celum C, Hosek S, Delany-Moretlwe S, Baggaley R, Dalal S

Narrative sexual histories and perceptions of HIV risk among young women taking PrEP in southern Africa: Findings from a novel participatory method.

Social science & medicine (1982)

Scorgie F, Khoza N, Delany-Moretlwe S, Velloza J, Mangxilana N, Atujuna M, Chitukuta M, Matambanadzo KV, Hosek S, Makhale L, Celum C

Alignment of PrEP use and effective contraceptive use among East African women in HIV serodiscordant partnerships.

International journal of STD & AIDS

Ngure K, Velloza J, Patel RC, Mugo NR, Bukusi EA, Haberer JE, Odoyo J, Celum C, Baeten JM, Heffron R

The Effect of Depression on Adherence to HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among High-Risk South African Women in HPTN 067/ADAPT.

AIDS and behavior

Velloza J, Heffron R, Amico KR, Rowhani-Rahbar A, Hughes JP, Li M, Dye BJ, Celum C, Bekker LG, Grant RM, HPTN 067/ADAPT Study Team

The influence of HIV-related stigma on PrEP disclosure and adherence among adolescent girls and young women in HPTN 082: a qualitative study.

Journal of the International AIDS Society

Velloza J, Khoza N, Scorgie F, Chitukuta M, Mutero P, Mutiti K, Mangxilana N, Nobula L, Bulterys MA, Atujuna M, Hosek S, Heffron R, Bekker LG, Mgodi N, Chirenje M, Celum C, Delany-Moretlwe S, HPTN 082 study group

Cognitive testing of the PHQ-9 for depression screening among pregnant and postpartum women in Kenya.

BMC psychiatry

Velloza J, Njoroge J, Ngure K, Thuo N, Kiptinness C, Momanyi R, Ayub S, Gakuo S, Mugo N, Simoni J, Heffron R

Knowledge of HIV Status Is Associated With a Decrease in the Severity of Depressive Symptoms Among Female Sex Workers in Uganda and Zambia.

Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999)

Ortblad KF, Musoke DK, Chanda MM, Ngabirano T, Velloza J, Haberer JE, McConnell M, Oldenburg CE, Bärnighausen T

Short- and Long-Term Pharmacologic Measures of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Use Among High-Risk Men Who Have Sex With Men in HPTN 067/ADAPT.

Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999)

Velloza J, Bacchetti P, Hendrix CW, Murnane P, Hughes JP, Li M, Curlin ME, Holtz TH, Mannheimer S, Marzinke MA, Amico KR, Liu A, Piwowar-Manning E, Eshleman SH, Dye BJ, Gandhi M, Grant RM, HPTN 067/ADAPT Study Team

High Global Burden and Costs of Bacterial Vaginosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Sexually transmitted diseases

Peebles K, Velloza J, Balkus JE, McClelland RS, Barnabas RV

Implementation of a comprehensive safer conception intervention for HIV-serodiscordant couples in Kenya: uptake, use and effectiveness.

Journal of the International AIDS Society

Heffron R, Ngure K, Velloza J, Kiptinness C, Quame-Amalgo J, Oluch L, Thuo N, Njoroge J, Momanyi R, Gakuo S, Mbugua S, Morrison S, Haugen H, Chohan B, Celum C, Baeten JM, Mugo N

A clinic-based tablet application to support safer conception among HIV serodiscordant couples in Kenya: feasibility and acceptability study.

mHealth

Velloza J, Ngure K, Kiptinness C, Quame-Amaglo J, Thuo N, Dew K, Kimani M, Gakuo S, Unger JA, Kolko B, Baeten JM, Celum C, Mugo N, Heffron R

Effect of Depression on Adherence to Oral PrEP Among Men and Women in East Africa.

Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999)

Velloza J, Baeten JM, Haberer J, Ngure K, Irungu E, Mugo NR, Celum C, Heffron R, Partners Demonstration Project Team

Intimate Partner Violence and Self-Reported Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Interruptions Among HIV-Negative Partners in HIV Serodiscordant Couples in Kenya and Uganda.

Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999)

Cabral A, M Baeten J, Ngure K, Velloza J, Odoyo J, E Haberer J, Celum C, Muwonge T, Asiimwe S, Heffron R, Partners Demonstration Project Team

HIV-Risk Behaviors and Social Support Among Men and Women Attending Alcohol-Serving Venues in South Africa: Implications for HIV Prevention.

AIDS and behavior

Velloza J, Watt MH, Abler L, Skinner D, Kalichman SC, Dennis AC, Sikkema KJ

Depression and ART Initiation Among HIV Serodiscordant Couples in Kenya and Uganda.

AIDS and behavior

Velloza J, Celum C, Haberer JE, Ngure K, Irungu E, Mugo N, Baeten JM, Heffron R, Partners Demonstration Project Team

Implementation research on HIV adherence interventions: no time to wait.

The Lancet. Infectious diseases

Simoni JM, Aunon FM, Kemp CG, Kutner BA, Ramaiya MK, Velloza J, Yang JP

Stages and Processes of Change Utilized by Female Sex Workers Participating in an Alcohol-Reduction Intervention in Mombasa, Kenya.

Substance use & misuse

Velloza J, L'Engle K, Mwarogo P, Chokwe J, Magaria L, Sinkele W, Kingola N

Development of an intervention to improve mental health for obstetric fistula patients in Tanzania.

Evaluation and program planning

Watt MH, Wilson SM, Sikkema KJ, Velloza J, Mosha MV, Masenga GG, Bangser M, Browning A, Nyindo PM

HIV/AIDS-related stigma in South African alcohol-serving venues and its potential impact on HIV disclosure, testing and treatment-seeking behaviours.

Global public health

Velloza J, Watt MH, Choi KW, Abler L, Kalichman SC, Skinner D, Pieterse D, Sikkema KJ

Maladaptive coping mediates the influence of childhood trauma on depression and PTSD among pregnant women in South Africa.

Archives of women's mental health

Choi KW, Sikkema KJ, Velloza J, Marais A, Jose C, Stein DJ, Watt MH, Joska JA

Experiences of forced sex among female patrons of alcohol-serving venues in a South African township.

Journal of interpersonal violence

Watt MH, Sikkema KJ, Abler L, Velloza J, Eaton LA, Kalichman SC, Skinner D, Pieterse D

A qualitative assessment of emergency department patients' knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and acceptance toward revised HIV testing strategies.

Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Cowan E, Leider J, Velastegui L, Wexler J, Velloza J, Calderon Y

Intranasal delivery of caspase-9 inhibitor reduces caspase-6-dependent axon/neuron loss and improves neurological function after stroke.

The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience

Akpan N, Serrano-Saiz E, Zacharia BE, Otten ML, Ducruet AF, Snipas SJ, Liu W, Velloza J, Cohen G, Sosunov SA, Frey WH, Salvesen GS, Connolly ES, Troy CM

Role: 
Investigators