Dr. Aishath Niyaf is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health at the Faculty of Health Sciences, The Maldives National University. A public health professional, she is committed to improving health outcomes through education, research, and community engagement.

She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Food Science from Charles Sturt University, Australia, a Master of Public Health with a focus on Nutrition from The University of Queensland, Brisbane, and a Ph.D. in Public Health from Management and Science University, Malaysia.

Since 2012, Dr. Niyaf has contributed to public health education at The Maldives National University. She currently serves as Coordinator of the PhD in Public Health programme and teaches across the Master of Public Health, Diploma, and Bachelor of Primary Health Care programmes. Her academic responsibilities include research, postgraduate supervision, curriculum evaluation, and participation in faculty and national committees.

Prior to joining academia, she worked with the Centre for Community Health and Disease Control, Maldives Food and Drug Authority, and Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, contributing to public health, laboratory services, and national development initiatives.

Doctor of Philosophy (Health Sciences), Specialized Area: Public Health, Management and Science University, Malaysia, 2022

Master of Public Health in the Field of Nutrition, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 2008

Bachelor of Applied Science (Food Science), Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia, 2005

Public health
Epidemiology
Non-communicable diseases
Nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies
Environmental health
Health behaviour change
Community-based health promotion

Principal Investigator
MNU Research Grant (URG-2024-C1-L-AS07): Effectiveness of an Educational
Intervention on Breast Cancer Screening Behaviour among Women in the Malé Region,
Maldives

Co-Investigator
MNU Research Grant (URG-2024-C1-L-AS12): Cancer Prevalence and Associated Risk
Factors in the Greater Malé Area

MNU Research Grant (URG-2025-C2-M-12): Prevalence and Risk Factors of
Cardiovascular Disease Among Maldivian Adults: A Cross-sectional Study

MNU Research Grant (URG-2025-C2-M-11): Cancer Profile of Breast, Thyroid, and
Head & Neck Cancers at IGMH, Maldives: A Retrospective Analysis (2021–2025)

MNU Research Grant (URG-2022-C2-M-03): National Micronutrient Survey

Emerging Research Grants (NRF-ERG) / RGMA-2025-001: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Tuberculosis Screening and Diagnosis Among the Working -Age Population in the Greater Malé Area, Maldives: A Cross-Sectional Study.

1. Aishath Hamdha Ahmed (000-038-722) – PhD Research (Public Health)
2. Aishath Sharoona Shareef (000-076-084) – Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Towards Antibiotic Use (Undergraduate)
3. Mohamed Risham Ziraru (000-077-154) – Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices RegardingTobacco Cessation Among Tobacco Users Aged ?21 Years in Gaafu Alifu Nilandhoo(Undergraduate)
4. Ibrahim Ahmed (000-060-404) – Knowledge, Perception and Practices Related to
Antimicrobial Resistance Among Adults in the Greater Malé Region (Undergraduate)

Epidemiology
Environmental and Community Health
Research Methods
Food Safety and Nutrition
Population Health and Demography
Health Promotion

• Niyaf, A., AK, S., & Abdalqader, M. (2021). Predictors of Breast Self-Examination Uptake Among Women in Male’ Region, Maldives. Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 21(2), 440–448. https://doi.org/10.37268/mjphm/vol.21/no.2/art.1127

• Niyaf, A., Abdalqader, M., & AK, S. (2021). Predictors Of Clinical Breast Examination And Mammography Screening Uptake Among Women Aged 20-79 Years In Male’ Region, Maldives. Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 21(1), 336–346. https://doi.org/10.37268/mjphm/vol.21/no.1/art.1003

• Niyaf, A., AK, S., & Abdalqader, M. (2021). Factors Related to Breast Cancer Screening
Uptake Among Women in Asian Countries: A Literature Review, Journal of Management and Science, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.57002/jms.v19i1.224

• Azrin Shah, A. B., Aishath, N., Al Oran, H. M., Hani Farhana, N., Azreena, M. B., Fatima Dahiru, M., Saba Babeli, Y., Suwanmanee, S., Hassan, I., Alsharif Mohammed, K., Sahar
Saeed, B., Mohamed Osman, A., Suriani, I., Ahmad Iqmer Nashriq, M. N., NorAfiah, M. Z., & Rosliza, A. M. (2018). Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding healthy diet and physical activity among overweight or obese children. International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences, 5(4). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328477254_KNOWLEDGE_ATTITUDE_AND_PRACTICE_REGARDING_HEALTHY_DIET_AND_PHYSICAL_ACTIVITY_AMONG_OVERWEIGHT_OR_OBESE_CHILDREN

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Certificate of Recognition for 10 Years of Service to the Maldives National University (MNU), 2026

Measles and Rubella (MR) Vaccination Programme, organized by the Department of Public Health in collaboration with the Health Protection Agency (HPA), providing MR vaccination to Maldives National University (MNU) students and staff, 2026.

Stakeholder Workshop on the Validation of the Updated Primary Health Care Course, 2025.

Public Health Conference: “Equitable Access, Reduced Vulnerabilities: Advancing Migrant Health in the Maldives,” 2025.

World Health Day 2025: “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” focusing on maternal and newborn health, 2025.