Dr Lwandile Tokwe

Professional Nurse and HIV researcher, HIV Mental Health Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health

Research Interests

I am a Professional Nurse and HIV researcher. My research explores how HIV and co-occurring health conditions, behavior, stigma, mental health, and social vulnerability interact to influence health. Using qualitative methods, my research informs the development of interventions that reduce disease impact and support prevention efforts in primary health care in Sub-Saharan Africa.

South Africa has a HIV high burden, with approximately 8.15 million people living with HIV, reported in 2025. While the burden is high, a synergistic relationship between HIV and mental health conditions exists, where mental health conditions increase the risk of HIV infection, and people living with HIV are at higher risk of developing mental health conditions. These conditions are associated with lower treatment adherence, affecting overall health outcomes.

I am the current Project Director for Khanya, an NIH-funded (R01), stepped-care, peer-delivered intervention, which aims to improve ART adherence and substance use in primary health care. My other interest lies in piloting digital health interventions for adolescents living with HIV.

Research Areas

Clinical Neuroscience • Cognitive & Behavioural Neuroscience