Posted 07/10/2025. How do we design and ethically implement complex health interventions and evaluations in settings that are under resourced without compromising patient care or research data? Michuki Maina and colleagues used layered mixed methodologies and sustained stakeholder engagement to design and conduct implementation research of a complex intervention in Kenyan neonatal hospitals.
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 29/09/2025. Overuse of antimicrobials strongly drives antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Among 3,101 acutely ill children admitted to 9 hospitals in Africa and South Asia, 91% received antimicrobials, including 11% where antimicrobials were not indicated. Notably, there was limited escalation and de-escalation of antimicrobial treatment, likely due to a lack of guidance. By Jay Berkley
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 30/09/2025. Effective communication supports the adoption of health interventions. Gloria Ngaiza and colleagues reviewed communication among health professionals using newborn technology for care. The findings showed limited information, centred on a few technologies and disciplines of health professionals. The context of technology use was also crucial in communication, and further research is necessary to explore these areas.
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 23/09/2025. MALDI-TOF MS remains underutilised in entomology due to challenges in reference library construction. Marta Maia and colleagues demystify the process and share a detailed workflow for creating in-house libraries. The versatility of this platform is highlighted as it may be used for analysing multiple parameters including species, age, infection, and blood-meal source.
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 20/08/2025. In resource-constrained countries, deploying better technologies is expected to improve neonatal care, but little attention has been paid to nurse staffing. Abdulazeez Imam and colleagues demonstrate high levels of missed nursing care and \u2018off-loading\u2019 of care to largely unsupervised nursing students and mothers, resulting from severe newborn unit nursing shortages in Kenya.
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 23/07/2025. Elizabeth Kibwana and colleagues show the R21/Matrix-M vaccine induces broad, durable and functional antibody responses (IgG1/3, IgA, IgM) with complement fixing ability, and produces memory B cells, along with increased T follicular helper cells in Kenyan adults. These findings support its potential effectiveness in malaria-endemic populations, advancing vaccine strategies for individuals with prior exposure
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 16/07/2025. At long last and almost 13 years since the WHO recommendation, we now have evidenced-based regimens of single low dose primaquine to block the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum and help eliminate artemisinin and partner drug resistant malaria which is currently spreading rapidly across eastern Africa and beyond. By Bob Taylor
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 17/06/2025. Marta Maia and colleagues characterised phenotypic and genotypic insecticide resistance of malaria vectors in Coastal Kenya. Multiple mutations associated with resistance mechanisms were detected, including target site (L1014S and L1014F) and metabolic resistance (CYP6P9a, CYP6P9b, 6.5kb S.V, GSTe2-L119F). Resistance has increased since 2017. Evidence supports regular monitoring and the use of PBO-combination nets.
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 15/05/2025. Understanding the age structure of a mosquito populations is the best way to evaluate how well vector control interventions are working. However, age-grading is hard and usually done through complex dissections. Here Marta Maia and colleagues present a method using MALDI-TOF MS exploiting protein changes associated with senescence for age-grading of malaria vectors.
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 29/04/2025. Decolonisation in global health emphasises the need to challenge and change entrenched power asymmetries and unfair health research practices. Nadia Tagoe, Sassy Molyneux, Caesar Atuire and colleagues have proposed practical decolonial action using a four-step framework and a reflexive tool that can help transform key domains of the global health knowledge ecosystem.
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 15/04/2025. Healthcare service provision and planning depend on the availability of a comprehensive health facility database (HFDB) to adequately meet the healthcare needs of a population. However, the availability of HFDBs has remained a big challenge in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Peter Macharia and colleagues elaborate historical developments and the current status of HFDBS while describing the steps required and challenges to overcome for harmonized SSA-wide HFDBs.
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 08/04/2025. High antibiotic use in Kenyan neonatal units may contribute to antimicrobial resistance. A study of 88,000 neonatal admissions in 22 hospitals found 62.6% received antibiotics at admission, mostly first-line drugs. However, non-first-line use was higher in outborn neonates. Monitoring antibiotic patterns at scale feasible and crucial for assessing antimicrobial stewardship and reducing resistance. With Jalemba Aluvaala and Mike English
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 04/04/2025. The first WHO Global Clinical Trials Forum was convened in November 2023 to develop a shared vision of an effective global clinical trial infrastructure. In this paper, the Paediatric Clinical Trials Working Group shares perspectives, identify challenges, and proposes solutions to strengthen the global paediatric clinical trials ecosystem. By James Berkley
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 01/04/2025. Medical oxygen is a critical treatment in severe illness, yet global access remains inequitable, especially in low-income countries. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these disparities. The Lancet Global Health Commission emphasizes systemic improvements, investments in infrastructure, workforce training, and affordability. Addressing these gaps can save millions of lives and strengthen global health resilience. With Jacquie Oliwa and Mike English as members of this Lancet Commission.
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 02/04/2025. Antibiotic resistance is rising in Africa, but blood culture and sensitivity (BCS) testing faces challenges in Kenyan hospitals. A study using a complex systems approach across eight hospitals found that interconnected issues in both demand and supply, including cost, turnaround time, and logistical barriers undermine the use and sustainability of BCS testing at scale; targeted antimicrobial stewardship may offer a viable alternative. By Jacob McKnight & Mike English with KWTRP colleagues.
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 27/03/2025. The photovoice sub-study in the BOHEMIA clinical trial let participants document their experiences and perceptions of the intervention. Their photos captured trial experiences, MDA effects and overlooked community concerns. This provided insights from participants' perspectives, highlighting issues beyond the study's scope that local health authorities and researchers might have missed. By Truphena Onyango
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 25/03/2025. Malaria vectors in Mopeia, Mozambique were found resistant to all classes of insecticides used in malaria control. New insecticide classes or non-insecticide-based tools are urgently needed. Resistance markers to dieldrin suggest potential selective pressure by agricultural pesticides. Coordinated and rational insecticide usage between health and agriculture sectors is needed. By Marta Maia.
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 19/03/2025. Malaria studies often involve blood transfusion to severe malarial anaemic children. Accurate Anaemia diagnosis is crucial for effective management. Hence, important to determine the level of agreement among haemoglobin concentrations measurement methods. HemoCue\u00ae should be used with caution in settings where decisions about blood transfusions are made. By Mavuto Mukaka
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 04/02/2025. In Kenya and Uganda, hospital care for under-fives is intended to be free. James Berkley and colleagues studied families\u2019 healthcare, travel, other costs, and loss of earnings due to child admissions at six hospitals. 74% to 92% of households experienced \u2018catastrophic\u2019 expenditure (depending on the definition used) in relation to monthly income.
\n \n\n \n \nPosted 31/01/2025. This is an important finding for Kenya, artemisinin resistance k13 mutations previously identified in Uganda (C469Y and A675V) and SE Asia (P553L) are described. Though at low frequencies, 4%, 1.7% and 1.2%, respectively, they sound the alarm for studies to determine their impact on the efficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapies. By Isabella Oyier
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