- Substance use epidemiology (drugs and alcohol)
- Surveillance and monitoring systems for substance use disorders
- Patient-reported outcomes and experiences in health services
- Quality of care for substance use disorder treatment
- Public health policy and practical interventions
Biography
Claire Biribawa is a Research Associate in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH). She is a Substance Use Epidemiologist whose work focuses on understanding patterns and causes of illicit substance use. She is currently pursuing doctoral research on improving treatment services for substance use disorders in Uganda, with special attention to patient-reported outcomes and experiences that can guide better treatment approaches and health policies.
Claire helped to establish a surveillance system for substance use disorders in Kampala, which now serves as an important tool for tracking and responding to changing substance use trends. She is also involved in developing the monitoring system for the WHO SAFER Alcohol Control Initiative in Uganda, a program designed to reduce harmful alcohol use. Outside her research, Claire works as a public health advocate, pushing for practical interventions that link evidence to real-world action. She enjoys working with local communities, government bodies, and international partners, and continues to learn through collaboration with diverse teams.