Paul Welaga

Position before the programme:Data Manager, Navrongo HDSS, Ghana
Current Position : Senior Research Officer/Data Analyst, Navrongo HDSS, Ghana
Student years at Wits University:2005 - 2006
Host HDSS centre for the field attachment: Africa Centre for Health and Population Study, South Africa

Paul has nothing but praise for the master’s programme.

“The MSc. Programme at Wits University is a fantastic programme. Whether a student is strong in quantitative or not, after going through the programme successfully, the student would be equipped with the skills to do his/her basic analysis independently” he said.

He said students are taught how to design, conduct and carry out analysis of epidemiological studies while examining the strengths and weaknesses of each study design.

Additionally, students learn how to review articles by identifying the strengths and limitations of published articles and suggesting ways to improve on those articles through group discussions.

“I have been using the skills acquired during this master’s programme in managing and analysing both longitudinal and survey data, writing scientific reports, publishing articles, assisting staff in designing their studies and analysing data for publication in scientific journals.

I am actively involved in some of the INDEPTH cross site projects such as the Vaccination and child survival (OPTIMUNIZE project), Maternal and Newborn Health, Cause of Death Determination working groups and other INDEPTH activities” he said.

Paul has been involved in 12 scienfic publications in peer reviewed journals with at least five manuscripts under review. His research interest is on child health and survival with emphasis on evaluating the effects of vaccines on child health and survival.

He had his internship with the Africa Centre for Health and Population Study in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

“I would like to thank the then Director of Africa Centre, Professor Marie-Louise Newell, Caterina Hill, Herbst Kobus, Victoria Hosegood and the rest of the staff for their support during my internship there. I am grateful to the lecturers at Wits University for the good work that they did and continue to do. I thank INDEPTH Network for awarding me the scholarship to undertake this programme” he added.

Paul’s research topic was on "The impact of migration on adult mortality in rural South Africa: Do people migrate into rural areas to die?"