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Magy Study Team Celebrate Participants Commitment

Magy Study Team Celebrate Participants Commitment

The Aurum Magy Study Team at the Aurum Rustenburg Clinical Research Site, together with the Aurum Talent Management team hosted a Retention and Care event to honour 40 participants who have remained dedicated to their study visits. The event aimed to motivate participants to continue their involvement throughout the study's final year and inspire their peers to do the same.

The Magy Study focuses on understanding factors that affect the participation of Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) in clinical trials for future HIV vaccines and antibodies. The study is being conducted across sites in South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, and Uganda, with 403 participants aged 15-24. These young women are being followed for two years, with the study expected to end in Quarter 3 of 2025.

At the event, the wellness team shared guidance on self-confidence, identity, and career development, while addressing key challenges participants face, such as negotiating condom use, managing increased STI rates, and coping with unemployment, substance abuse, depression, and peer pressure. The Rustenburg Community Adolescent Group (CAG) also took part, offering support and encouragement to attendees.

Aurum Senior Scientist, Dr. Pholo Maenetje and Recruitment and & Retention Team Leader Petunia Masibi were recognised for their dedication, often working evenings and weekends to ensure participant safety. Reflecting on the event, Petunia emphasised the importance of amplifying the voices of young women, saying, "We live in a world that undervalues the voices of girls, so we must ensure they are heard." Magy Study Project Manager, Funeka Mthembu echoed the sentiment, highlighting the crucial role youth play in building a healthy society.

The Magy Study Team expressed gratitude to funders, IAVI and USAID for supporting the study's objectives.


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