Application for Data/Specimens

SHIMS facilitates substantive advancement in public health science and the strengthening of research capacity in Swaziland. The Swaziland Ministry of Health recognizes the opportunity offered through a study of this size and scope to build a strong research foundation in Swaziland through strategic partnerships.

The SHIMS Data Use and Research Development Committee (the Committee) guides and oversees the use of SHIMS data for analysis and dissemination.

The use of any data or biological specimens collected under SHIMS, or the collection of any additional data or biological specimens from SHIMS participants, must be reviewed and approved by the Committee.

Petitions are categorized as: 1) requests for permission to analyze existing SHIMS data for development of a report, presentation, abstract, manuscript, or other publication; 2) requests for approval to disseminate a report, presentation, abstract, manuscript, or other publication using SHIMS data; 3) requests to contact SHIMS participants for additional data collection; or 4) requests to analyze archived blood specimens.

All petitions must be submitted using the SHIMS Petition Form.

Application Guidance

  • Petitioners requesting permission to conduct analyses, produce publications, contact SHIMS participants, or use archived specimens should propose co-authors with efforts to engage local authors in Swaziland, as appropriate.
  • Authorship should be reflective of criteria defined by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors’ “Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals: Writing and Editing for Biomedical Publications” Section II.A “Authorship and Contributorship.
  • All materials submitted to the Committee should be in final format. The lead author should ensure all requests submitted to the Committee are of high quality. The Committee reserves the right to request revisions and resubmission.
  • Petitioners are welcome to submit a study capsule or study concept to facilitate the review process. The Committee reserves the right to request a study capsule or study concept from petitioners to ensure an adequate review process.
  • All materials intended for oral presentation, poster presentation, abstract submission, written report, or manuscript submission must be submitted for review to the Committee no less than two months prior to the submission deadline or report date. The Committee reserves the right to refuse review or any products that do not meet the pre-determined submission deadline.