{ "items": [ "\n\n
Medical statisticians help design studies, perform data cleaning and analysis, and interpret findings. Many methods are available, and statisticians help identify and make recommendations. Poorly designed and interpreted studies may lead to wrong conclusions, and statisticians help ensure better findings that can be translated into medical practice and policy change.
\n \n\n \n \nMalaria is mostly controlled through the use of bed nets and insecticides, but progress has stalled and we need new vector control interventions. Mosquitoes can be affected by endectocides carried in the blood of hosts. Clinical trials will determine whether ivermectin administered to human or cattle can be used to impact malaria transmission.
\n \n\n \n \nDengue is a viral infection with no therapy or effective vaccine, and a minority of patients go on to develop severe disease. To better control the infection, the dengue group at OUCRU is working to understand its biological mechanisms, targeting it with different therapies, and using innovative technology to monitor patients and predict which will develop severe disease.
\n \n\n \n \nLittle clinical research has been conducted in Laos so far, as reflected in the literature, and this results in limited evidence to guide treatments or patient management. Research done so far by LOMWRU has nevertheless influenced health policies in Laos: clinical trials on antimalarial drugs led to the adoption of ACTs, and studies on the causes of fever resulted in changes in treatment guidelines and vaccination programme.
\n \n\n \n \nAs president of the International Union of Immunological Societies, Faith Osier oversees the FAIS Legacy Project that aims to train 1000 African immunologists over 10 years. Increased capacity and a strong African immunological community will be better prepared to deal with persistent problems and new threats.
\n \n\n \n \nMalaria vaccines created in Europe or America might work well for na\u00efve individuals but not in endemic areas. Immune responses to malaria differ in na\u00efve or exposed, or historically-exposed populations; in endemic regions some people become immune to malaria. Understanding naturally acquired immunity to malaria aims to inform the development of better malaria vaccines.
\n \n\n \n \nSubstandard and falsified medicines are a growing concern both for LMICs and high income countries. Screening technologies help identify poor quality medicines and give an early signal when issues arise. This work also provides data for models to better understand the impact of poor quality medicines on antimicrobial resistance.
\n \n\n \n \nPneumonia is the leading infectious cause of death among children under 5. Clinical trials, observational studies, and systematic reviews to inform guidelines for the care of children with pneumonia in hospitals aim to determine how to best preserve existing treatments, and look for new alternatives. Working in hospitals with practicing clinicians provides a unique insight applicable in real world settings.
\n \n\n \n \nVaccines against rotavirus, the most common cause of diarrhoea globally, don\u2019t work well in LMICs populations that need them the most. Co-infections might influence vaccine immunity. Genomics and epidemiology help us improve diagnostics, and find out whether some additional strains need to be included in future vaccines.
\n \n\n \n \nAfrica bears the largest burden of infections, and human response influences the general health of the population, when some people have better disease outcomes. By working within our context, we can identify relevant targets for vaccine development, and also understand the immune response we can expect when implementing an intervention.
\n \n\n \n \nHealth statistics help us quantify the burden of disease in a population, and the impact of interventions. In sub-Saharan Africa, only half of febrile malaria cases are treated in the formal health sector; what is happening in the private sector or informally is not well understood. With improved diagnostics and treatments, testing and treating has become better, but tracking involves more routine systems to improve surveillance.
\n \n\n \n \nKWTRP Schools Engagement Programme, active for 10 years, invites students from 50 schools in Kilifi and Nairobi to interact with science and scientists. Strengthening science education allows us to explain why and how students can participate in research. It also inspires young people, raising their interest in science-related careers to conduct future health research.
\n \n\n \n \nUnderstanding mutations in the malaria parasite gives us an insight how it escapes the immune system, as well as the mechanisms of drug resistance. This molecular work also helps find better candidates for malaria vaccines. In the long term, surveillance of markers of resistance informs national drug policy.
\n \n\n \n \nThe efficacy of vaccine developed in na\u00efve population (UK or US) often drops dramatically when used in endemic populations, where individuals are exposed to the vaccine disease target. The Human Malaria Infection Model looks at naturally acquired immunity and correlates of protection. Furthermore, scientists in affected areas build capacity and knowledge base, and integration of scientific thought and processes.
\n \n\n \n \nThe KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme focusses on health care and medical research, and areas that have a direct impact on policy such as vaccination, clinical research, population health, health systems and community engagement. Our centre aims to increase the Kenyan scientific capacity, and train the next generation of scientists who will help develop Kenya\u2019s scientific agenda and steer it.
\n \n\n \n \nClinical trials may devise better treatments, but only by working with the hospitals implementing those treatments can researchers monitor their effectiveness in practice. By monitoring the care routinely given to children, we can identify treatments that work and those needing improvement, whether assessing the effectiveness of a malaria vaccine, or prescriptions for diarrhoea and dehydration or other severe illnesses.
\n \n\n \n \nA tool developed by our researchers in Kenya allows hospitals to survey water sanitation and hygiene, to assess how well or poorly they are doing to prevent and control infections, and improve their overall quality of care. This will help governments and policy makers develop treatment guidelines, as well as reduce antimicrobial resistance.
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