SYLVIA FLORENCE KAAYA, M.D.

Sylvia Florence Kaaya, M.D. is married and has two children. Dr. Kaaya is Head, Department of Psychiatry, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences of the University of Dar-es Salaam. Her current academic position is Senior Lecturer in psychiatry with published research areas in adolescent/youth sexual behavior and drug use behaviors, HIV/AIDS counseling and depression in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on women. Her current research work in HIV is in relation to interventions for prevention of maternal to child transmission and exploration of the links between progression of HIV/AIDS and depression amongst childbearing women.

Dr. Kaaya’s clinical position is also in the Department of Psychiatry, Muhimbili National Hospital, which is both an academic and national referral centre for mental health. The department works closely with the Mental Health Section in the Ministry of Health, as well as with various mental health related non-governmental organizations in the country.

Dr. Kaaya is an Executive Committee member of the Tanzania Public Health Association, serving as Editor in Chief since 1995, and a member of the Medical Association of Tanzania.