NCMD Research Seminar Series 3rd October 2025

Presenter: Maureen Tshuma, CREATE PhD fellow, Brighton and Sussex Medical School

"Development, implementation and evaluation of a community-based assessment and management of cognitive and psychological ability for older people living in urban Zimbabwe".

This PhD research focuses on the development, implementation, and evaluation of a new, community-based intervention for assessing and managing the cognitive and psychological abilities of older people living in urban Zimbabwe. It aims to address the significant gaps in healthcare for this growing demographic. The research is a response to the fact that, despite a rising older population in Zimbabwe, they are often marginalized in policy and healthcare, with little specialized support for conditions like cognitive decline and mental health issues.

Maureen Tshuma is a public health and social science researcher and a lecturer by training. Currently a CREATE PhD fellow registered at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), conducting her PhD research in Harare, Zimbabwe based at The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe (THRU-Zim). Her
research focuses on the development and evaluation of a community-based intervention to support cognitive and psychological health among older adults in urban Zimbabwe. With over a decade of experience in qualitative research, clinical trials, and participatory community-based studies, she has
contributed to major regional projects. Her expertise spans adolescent health, gender and development, and ageing, with strong competencies in ethical research practice, thematic analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Maureen is passionate about producing contextually relevant, peoplecentred
research that informs equitable policy and practice across vulnerable populations. Her work bridges academia, community impact, and health system strengthening through evidence-informed social science.