Lyn Haskins

RESEARCHER

Lyn Haskins is a registered nurse and midwife with a Master’s Degree in Nursing. She has additional qualifications in community nursing, primary health care and occupational health nursing. Lyn has extensive experience in training and teaching health workers both within the formal educational system, having co-supervised a number of students at Master’s level, as well as updating and supporting health workers to improve the quality of care in health services.

For the last decade Lyn has worked as a researcher and project manager on a number of large research projects and has published more than 30 articles in peer-reviewed journal. Lyn has worked across different provinces in South Africa as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Qualifications

Diploma in General Nursing – Addington Hospital – 1971

Diploma in Midwifery – Addington Hospital – with Honours – 1973

Baccalaureus Technologiae: Community Nursing – Technikon Natal – 1997

Diploma in Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment, Treatment and Care – Technikon Natal – 1999

Magister Technologiae: Nursing – Technikon Natal – Cum Laude – 2002

Contact Details

Current Projects

Growing Partnership for Higher Education and Research in Nutritional Epidemiology – GROWNUT. Funded by Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) through Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED) My role is research facilitator / supervisor and researcher.

An evaluation of the effectiveness of e-IMCI implementation compared to standard of care in primary health care clinics in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Funded by Elma. My role is researcher and project manager.

Completed Projects

“The livelihood and nurturing care study (LiNCs): a longitudinal qualitative study to explore experiences and practices of childcare and infant feeding among women in informal work” Funded by WHO. Completed 2019. Co-investigator and project manager

“A proof of concept feasibility study of an outreach mentorship approach for disseminating the updated 2016 WHO HIV and infant feeding guidelines” Funded by WHO through MRC. Project manager and researcher. Completed 2019

“A study to explore child care and feeding practices among working women in the informal work sector” Funded by WHO. Co-investigator and project manager

“KwaZulu-Natal Initiative for Breastfeeding and Support (KIBS): A study to investigate determinant’s of infant feeding practices in the first 6 months of life through exploring experiences of women in a rural and peri-urban area of KwaZulu-Natal” A 3-year study funded by ELMA Philanthropies. Completed 2017. Co-investigator and project manager

“An investigation to assess the effectiveness of the KwaZulu-Natal Initiative for Newborn Care (KINC) approach to improve quality of newborn care and perinatal mortality at district hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)” A 3-year study funded by ELMA Philanthopies. Completed 2016. Co-investigator and project manager

“An evaluation of the effectiveness of using a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) intervention to establish integrated services for mothers and children in one district in KwaZulu-Natal” An 18 month study funded by UNICEF. Completed 2017. Co-investigator and project manager

“Developing and piloting a framework for support and supervision of Family Health Teams in KwaZulu-Natal” Funded by UNICEF. Completed 2016. Co-investigator and project manager

“A study to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of providing integrated HIV and maternal and child health services thorough well-child services in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa’ funded through UCSF RAP International Mentored Scientist Research Award Program in HIV/AIDS (Dr Christiane Horwood). Completed. Project manager

“An evaluation of the implementation of an integrated maternal, child and women’s health (MCWH) and HIV service in 2 clinics in KwaZulu-Natal” funded by RMCH and UNICEF. Completed 2012. Co-investigator and project manager

“The effectiveness of an HIV-adapted Community-Integrated Management of Childhood Illness training and supervision program for community caregivers to support and improve delivery of interventions to reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission and other essential newborn and child survival interventions”. Funded by CDC. Completed April 2014. Project manager

“A study to assess community needs, and the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a community-based maternal, neonatal, child and women’s health intervention in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’ funded by UNICEF. Project completed in 2011

Worked on ‘KZN PMTCT impact evaluation’ in partnership with the Department of Maternal and Child Health Unit, UKZN. Study completed in 2008. Manager of District supervisors

“The integration of HIV care and prevention into maternal and child health services in KwaZulu-Natal” in partnership with Medical Research Council. Study completed in 2007 Project manager

Publications

Horwood C., Surie A., Haskins L., Luthuli S., Hinton R., Chowdhury A., Rollins N. 2020. ‘She must cover up whilst the baby is feeding’: Experiences and attitudes about breastfeeding among female and male informal workers in India and South Africa.

Haskins L., Chiliza J., Barker P., Connolly C., Phakathi S., Feeley A., Horwood C. 2020. Evaluation of the effectiveness of a quality improvement intervention to support integration of maternal, child and HIV care in primary health care facilities in South Africa. BMC Public Health (2020) 20:318. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-8397-2

Horwood C., Haskins L., Luthuli S., McKerrow N. Communication between mothers and health workers is important for quality of newborn care: a qualitative study in neonatal units in district hospitals in South Africa. BMC Pediatrics (2019) 19:496. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-019-1874-z

Horwood C., Haskins L., Goga A., Doherty T., John V., Engebretsen IMA., Feucht U., Rollins N., Kroon M., Sanders D., Tylleskar T. 2019. An educational intervention to update health workers about HIV and infant feeding. Maternal & child nutrition 2019:e12922. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12922

Horwood C., Haskins L., Alfers L., Masango-Muzindutsi Z., Dobson R and Rollins N. 2019. A descriptive study to explore working conditions and childcare practices among informal women workers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: identifying opportunities to support childcare for mothers in informal work. BMC Pediatrics (2019) 19:382

Haskins L., Phakathi S., Grant M., and Horwood C. 2019. Integrating services for impact and sustainability: a proof of concept project in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. South African Family Practice

Doherty T., Horwood C., Haskins L., Magasana V., Goga A., Feucht U., Sanders D., Tylleskar T., Kauchali S., Dhansay MA., Rollins N., Kroon M, Engebretsen IMA. 2019. Breastfeeding advice for reality: women’s perspectives on infant feeding support received in primary health care settings in South Africa. Maternal and Child Nutrition.

Horwood C., Haskins L., Phakathi S., and McKerrow N. 2019. A health systems strengthening intervention to improve quality of care for sick and small newborn infants: results from an evaluation in district hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. BMC Pediatrics (2019) 19:29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-019-1396-8

Masango-Muzindutsi Z., Haskins, L., Wilford, A., and Horwood, C. 2018. Using an Action Learning methodology to develop skills of health managers: experiences from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. BMC Health Services Research (2018) 18:907. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3693-6

Horwood C., Jama N., Haskins L., Coutsoudis A., and Spies L. 2018.A qualitative study exploring infant feeding decision‐making between birth and 6 months among HIV‐positive mothers. Maternal and Child Nutrition. 2018; e12726. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12726

Horwood C., Haskins L., Engebretsen, IMS., Phakathi S., Connolly C., Coutsoudis A., and Spies L. 2018 Improved rates of exclusive breastfeeding at 14 weeks of age in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa: what are the challenges now? BMC Public Health. 18:757. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5657-5

Haskins L., Nyasulu D., Davidge R., McKerrow N. and Horwood C. 2018. First experiences of accrediting district hospitals for excellence in newborn care in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: successes and challenges. Journal of Hospital Administration, 2018;7(3):25-34.

Jama, N., Wilford, A., Haskins, L., Coutsoudis, A., Spies, L., and Horwood, C. 2018. Autonomy and infant feeding decision-making among teenage mothers in a rural and urban setting in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2018 Feb 17;18(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s12884-018-1675-7.

Wilford, A., Phakathi, S., Haskins, JL., Jama, N., Mntambo, N. and Horwood, C. 2018. Exploring the care provided to mothers and children by community health workers in South Africa: missed opportunities to provide comprehensive care. BMC Public Health, 23;18(1):171. doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5056-y.

Jama, N., Wilford, A., Masango, Z., Haskins, L., Coutsoudis, A., Spies, L., and Horwood, C. 2017. Enablers and barriers to success among mothers planning to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months: a qualitative prospective cohort study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. International Breastfeeding Journal. 12:43

Horwood, C., Butler, L., Barker, P., Phakathi, S., Haskins, L., Grant, M., Mntambo, N. and Rollins, N. 2017. A continuous quality improvement intervention to improve the effectiveness of community health workers providing care to mothers and children: a cluster randomized controlled trial in South Africa. Human Resources for Health

Haskins, L., Grant, M., Phakathi, S., Wilford, A., Jama, N., & Horwood, C. 2017. Insights into healthcare seeking behaviour for children in communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine. 2017;9(1), a1378. https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v9i1.1378

Grant, M., Wilford, A., Haskins, L., Phakathi, S., Mntambo, N. & Horwood, C. 2017. Trust of community health workers is a key barrier to acceptance of community-based maternal and child health services in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a qualitative study. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine. 2017;9(1), a1281. https://doi. org/10.4102/phcfm.v9i1.1281

Haskins, L., Grant, M., Phakathi, S., & Horwood, C. 2017. Factors influencing recruitment and retention of professional nurses, doctors and allied health professionals in rural hospitals in KwaZulu Natal. Health SA Gesondheid 22 (2017): 174-183

Haskins, L., Grant, M., Phakathi, S., Mntambo, N., Wilford, A., & Horwood, C. 2016. Fragmentation of maternal, child and HIV services: a missed opportunity to provide comprehensive care. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine. ISSN: (Online) 2071-2936, (Print) 2071-2928

Haskins, J.L.M., Phakathi, S., Grant, M. and Horwood, C.M. 2014. Attitudes of nurse towards patient care at a rural district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery. 2014, 16 (1): 32-44

Horwood, C., Butler, L.M., Haskins, L., Phakathi, S. and Rollins, N. 2013. HIV-infected adolescent mothers and their infants: Low coverage of HIV services and high risk of HIV transmission in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. PLOS One: 2013, 10.1371/journal.pone.0074568

Grant, M., Haskins, L., Gaede, B. and Horwood, C. 2013. Bridging the gap: exploring the attitudes and beliefs of nurses and patients about coexisting traditional and biomedical healthcare systems in a rural setting in KwaZulu-Natal. South African Family Practice. 2013, 55 (2): 175-179

Horwood C., Vermaak K., Butler, L., Haskins, L., Phakathi S. and Rollins N. 2012. Elimination of paediatric HIV from Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa: large scale assessment of interventions for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission. 2012. WHO Bulletin

Horwood, C., Haskins, L., Vermaak, K., Phakathi, S., Subbaye, R. and Doherty, T. 2010. Prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programme in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa: an evaluation of PMTCT implementation and integration into routine maternal, child and women’s health services. Tropical Medicine and International health. 2010, 15(9): 992-999.

Nkosi P, Horwood C, Vermaak K, Cosser C, Haskins JL. 2009. Role of doctors in provision of support for primary health care clinics in rural KwaZulu-Natal. SA Journal of Family Practice 2009, 51(5): 408-412.

Horwood C, Vermaak K, Rollins N, Haskins L, Nkosi P, Qazi S. 2009. Paediatric HIV management at primary care level: an evaluation of the integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) guidelines for HIV. BMC Pediatr. 2009 Sep 22; 9(1):59.

Horwood C, Vermaak K, Rollins N, Haskins L, Nkosi P, Qazi S. 2009. An evaluation of the quality of IMCI assessments among IMCI trained health workers in South Africa. PLoS One. 2009;4(6):e5937.

Haskins, J.L.M. 2006. To what extent are nurses using recognised IMCI protocols to identify and manage children with HIV: an evaluation of IMCI trained nurses in KwaZulu Natal in the use of the HIV portion of the IMCI algorithm. Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery. 2006, Volume 8, Issue 2: Page 3 – 14.

Haskins, J.L.M. and Grainger, L.D. 2005. Accuracy of the use of the IMCI algorithm. An evaluation of IMCI trained nurses in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery. 2005, Volume 7, Issue 2: Page 3 – 16.