Population Council Research that makes a difference

Katie Schenk, Ph.D.

Associate

Katie D. Schenk manages a portfolio of applied social and behavioral research studies with a focus on supporting children and families affected by HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. As a principal investigator and co-investigator for research studies on orphans and vulnerable children and pediatric antiretroviral treatment, she has technical expertise in HIV and AIDS prevention, care, support, and treatment, and in program evaluation. She has experience conducting fieldwork in Kenya, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Her research interests include program evaluation for interventions supporting orphans and vulnerable children and the development of ethical guidance for the participation of children in research.

In her current capacity as an associate with the Population Council’s HIV and AIDS program in Washington, DC, Schenk’s responsibilities include providing technical leadership to researchers and program managers conducting USAID- and PEPFAR-funded research studies, including intervention and descriptive studies; designing and implementing quantitative and qualitative research fieldwork; developing instruments and data-analysis plans; conducting trainings for field staff; and analyzing data to identify key findings from research results and formulate evidence-based policy and program recommendations. She serves on Population Council’s Institutional Review Board, providing ethical oversight to research studies, and on the editorial board of Population Briefs.

Schenk received her Ph.D. in public health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, based on fieldwork conducted among families affected by HIV in Zambia. She also holds master's degrees from the University of Oxford and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (medical demography).

Recent publications have appeared in AIDS Care, Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, Health and Human Rights, Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, and Health Education Research. Prior to joining the Council in 2002, she was program officer at Reproductive Health Alliance Europe.

Katie Schenk, Ph.D.

Associate

Enabling Access to High-quality PMTCT Services by Community and Facility Strengthening in Zimbabwe (more)
Through intensive facility and community-level interventions, the Council and its partners seek to increase prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe.
(9/2010 - 2/2013)
Topics: HIV and children; HIV prevention; PMTCT and pediatric HIV
Countries: Zimbabwe

Katie Schenk, Ph.D.

Associate

How informed are clients who consent? A mixed-method evaluation of comprehension among clients of male circumcision services in Zambia and Swaziland  (abstract) 
Friedland,Barbara A.; Apicella,Louis; Schenk,Katie D.; Sheehy,Meredith; Hewett,Paul C.
AIDS and Behavior Published online ahead of print, 8 February
Publication date: 2013

Examining dimensions of vulnerability among children in Uganda  (abstract) 
Kalibala,Sam; Schenk,Katie D.; Weiss,Deborah C.; Elson,Lynne
Psychology, Health & Medicine 17(3): 295-310
Publication date: 2012

On the cutting edge: Improving the informed consent process for adolescents in Zambia undergoing male circumcision for HIV prevention  (abstract) 
Schenk,Katie D.; Friedland,Barbara A.; Apicella,Louis; Sheehy,Meredith; Munjile,Kelvin; Hewett,Paul C.
Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies 7(2): 116-127
Publication date: 2012

Evaluation of the informed consent process for male circumcision scale-up in Swaziland  (PDF) 
Friedland,Barbara A.; Apicella,Louis; Schenk,Katie D.; Sheehy,Meredith; Hewett,Paul C.
Population Council Research and Evaluation of Male Circumcision Scale-up Report (no. 3)
Publication date: 2011

Evaluation of the informed consent process for male circumcision scale-up in Zambia  (PDF) 
Friedland,Barbara A.; Apicella,Louis; Schenk,Katie D.; Sheehy,Meredith; Hewett,Paul C.
Population Council Research and Evaluation of Male Circumcision Scale-Up Report (no. 1)
Publication date: 2011

Community interventions supporting children affected by HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A review to derive evidence-based principles for programming  (abstract) (HTML) 
Schenk,Katie D.; Michaelis,Annie P.
Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies 5(S1): 40-54
Publication date: 2010

Improving the lives of vulnerable children: Implications of Horizons research among orphans and other children affected by AIDS  (abstract) 
Schenk,Katie D.; Michaelis,Annie P.; Nelson Sapiano,Tobey; Brown,Lisanne; Weiss,Ellen
Public Health Reports 125(2): 325-336
Publication date: 2010

Looking back, moving forward: Improving the lives of orphans and other children affected by AIDS, Horizons studies 1998 to 2007  (PDF) 
Schenk,Katie D.; Michaelis,Annie P.; Nelson,Tobey C.; Brown,Lisanne; Weiss,Ellen
Horizons Synthesis Background Papers
Publication date: 2010

RAPIDS evaluation final report 2005-2009 key findings  (PDF) 
Apicella,Louis; Schenk,Katie D.; Khan,Hena
Publication date: 2010

Community interventions providing care and support to orphans and vulnerable children: A review of evaluation evidence  (abstract) 
Schenk,Katie D.
AIDS Care 21(7): 918-942
Publication date: 2009

Circumstances and motivations for fostering children in Zambia  (abstract) 
Schenk,Katie D.; Ndhlovu,Lewis; Tembo,Stephen; Nsune,Andson; Nkhata,Chozi; Walusiku,Batuke; Watts,Charlotte
Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies 3(1): 78-84
Publication date: 2008

'If you build it, will they come?' Kenya healthy start pediatric HIV study: A diagnostic study investigating barriers to HIV treatment and care among children  (PDF) 
Kiragu,Karusa; Schenk,Katie D.; Murugi,Julie; Sarna,Avina
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2008

Supporting orphans and vulnerable children affected by AIDS: Using community-generated definitions to explore patterns of children's vulnerability in Zambia  (abstract) 
Schenk,Katie D.; Ndhlovu,Lewis; Tembo,Stephen; Nsune,Andson; Nkhata,Chozi; Walusiku,Batuke; Watts,Charlotte
AIDS Care 20(8): 894-903
Publication date: 2008

Training youth caregivers to provide HIV education and support to orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa  (PDF) 
Nelson,Tobey C.; Esu-Williams,Eka; Mchunu,Lungile; Nyamakazi,Pinkie; Mnguni,S'Fiso; Schenk,Katie D.; Searle,Catherine; Redner,Jennifer
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2008

Protecting children's rights in the collection of health and welfare data  (abstract) (PDF) 
Schenk,Katie D.; Murove,Tapfuma; Williamson,Jan
Health and Human Rights 9(1): 81-100
Publication date: 2006

RAPIDS baseline survey report 
Schenk,Katie D.; Ndhlovu,Lewis
Publication date: 2006

'We are no longer called club members but caregivers': Involving youth in HIV and AIDS caregiving in rural Zambia  (abstract) 
Esu-Williams,Eka; Schenk,Katie D.; Geibel,Scott; Motsepe,Joseph; Zulu,Anderson; Bweupe,Petronella; Weiss,Ellen
AIDS Care 18(8): 888-894
Publication date: 2006

Ethical Approaches to Gathering Information from Children and Adolescents in International Settings: Guidelines and Resources  (PDF) 
Schenk,Katie D.; Williamson,Jan
Publication date: 2005

Reducing stigma through care and support 
Schenk,Katie D.; Perkins,Nick; Mulyanga,Sam
from My Right to Belong: Stories of Stigma Reduction Efforts Across Africa
Publication date: 2005

Involving young people in the care and support of people living with HIV/AIDS in Zambia  (PDF) 
Esu-Williams,Eka; Schenk,Katie D.; Motsepe,Joseph; Geibel,Scott; Zulu,Anderson
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2004

The role of incentives in encouraging workplace HIV/AIDS policies and programs  (PDF) 
Baker,Simon; Sartsara,Srisuman; Rumakom,Patchara; Guest,Philip; Schenk,Katie D.; Pramualratana,Anthony; Suksakulwat,Suparat; Panakitsuwan,Surachai; Moonmeung,Sikarat
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2004

Using incentives to encourage AIDS programs and policies in the workplace: A study of feasibility and impact in Thailand  (PDF) 
Baker,Simon; Sartsara,Srisuman; Rumakom,Patchara; Guest,Philip; Schenk,Katie D.; Pramualratana,Anthony; Suksakulwat,Suparat; Panakitsuwan,Surachai; Moonmeung,Sikarat
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2004

Involving youth in the care and support of people affected by HIV and AIDS  (PDF) 
Esu-Williams,Eka; Geibel,Scott; Motsepe,Joseph; Schenk,Katie D.; Zulu,Moses; Bweupe,Petronella
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2003

Katie Schenk, Ph.D.

Associate

Enabling access to high-quality PMTCT services by community and facility strengthening in Zimbabwe: Results from a baseline assessment (PDF) 
Poster presentation at the XIX International AIDS Conference, Washington, DC, 25 July
Mullick,Saiqa; Schenk,Katie D.; Thior,Ibou; Hughes,Lindsay
Publication date: 2012

"He died because it was traditionally done at the pit 'Muganda,' so...that gave me fear" -- The impact of traditional circumcision on the scale-up of male circumcision services in Zambia (abstract) (PDF) 
Poster presentation at the 6th International AIDS Society Conference, Rome, Italy, 17-20 July
Friedland,Barbara A.; Schenk,Katie D.; Sheehy,Meredith; Munjile,Kelvin; Apicella,Louis; Hewett,Paul C.
Publication date: 2011

A cut above? Evidence-based lessons for improving the informed consent process for male circumcision in Swaziland and Zambia (abstract)  
Presentation at the American Public Health Association 139th Annual Meeting and Exposition, Washington DC, 29 October-2 November
Schenk,Katie D.; Friedland,Barbara A.; Apicella,Louis; Sheehy,Meredith; Munjile,Kelvin; Hewett,Paul C.
Publication date: 2011

Assessing comprehension of key informed consent concepts among clients undergoing male circumcision during scale-up of services in Zambia and Swaziland (abstract) (PDF) 
Poster presentation at the 19th meeting of the International Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research, Quebec City, 10-13 July
Friedland,Barbara A.; Apicella,Louis; Sheehy,Meredith; Schenk,Katie D.; Munjile,Kelvin; Adams,Alfred; Hewett,Paul C.
Publication date: 2011

Impact of a comprehension assessment among adult and adolescent clients on scale up of male circumcision services in Zambia (abstract) (PDF) 
Poster presentation at the 6th International AIDS Society Conference, Rome, Italy, 17-20 July
Friedland,Barbara A.; Apicella,Louis; Sheehy,Meredith; Schenk,Katie D.; Munjile,Kelvin; Adams,Alfred; Hewett,Paul C.; Katzen,Lauren L.
Publication date: 2011

On the cutting edge: Research to improve the informed consent process for adolescents in Zambia undergoing male circumcision for HIV prevention (abstract)  
Presentation at AIDSImpact 2011, Santa Fe, 12-15 September
Schenk,Katie D.; Friedland,Barbara A.; Apicella,Louis; Sheehy,Meredith; Munjile,Kelvin; Hewett,Paul C.
Publication date: 2011

Ethical aspects of research and programs for AIDS-affected children (PDF) 
Presentation at the Horizons end-of-project meeting, 20 March
Schenk,Katie D.
Publication date: 2008

Interventions to support children who have been orphaned or rendered vulnerable by HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa  
Presentation at United States Government Meeting on Children Rendered Vulnerable by HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: Developing a Research Agenda, Rockville, Maryland, March
Schenk,Katie D.; Michaelis,Annie P.
Publication date: 2008

Collecting data among vulnerable youth and families affected by HIV and AIDS: Ethical and methodological challenges and responses  
Poster presentation at Second International Conference on Surveying Health in Complex Situations, Brussels, 4-5 June
Schenk,Katie D.; Apicella,Louis; Ndhlovu,Lewis; Tembo,Stephen; Nsune,Andson; Nkhata,Chozi; RAPIDS; COPE
Publication date: 2007

Kenya Pediatric HIV/AIDS Study (PDF) 
Presentation at the Horizons/Population Council Kenya National Dissemination Workshop, Nairobi, 29 August
Kiragu,Karusa; Sarna,Avina; Schenk,Katie D.
Publication date: 2007

Sustaining a youth HIV/AIDS caregiving program in rural Zambia  
Roundtable presentation at 34th International Conference on Global Health, Washington DC, 29 May-1 June
Esu-Williams,Eka; Searle,Catherine; Geibel,Scott; Zulu,Anderson; Weiss,Ellen; Schenk,Katie D.
Publication date: 2007

Who are the vulnerable children? Exploring the implications of different definitions for determining program eligibility  
Presentation at Scaling Up Through Partnerships: 2007 HIV/AIDS Implementers' Meeting, Kigali, Rwanda 16-19 June
Schenk,Katie D.; Ndhlovu,Lewis; Tembo,Stephen; Nsune,Andson; Nkhata,Chozi; RAPIDS; Watts,Charlotte
Publication date: 2007