Descrizione del progetto
Salvare vite umane nell’Africa subsahariana
I bambini dell’Africa subsahariana corrono un rischio notevole di anemia grave e di mortalità, anche dopo essere stati dimessi dall’ospedale. Un recente studio ha scoperto che la chemioprofilassi post-dimissione della malaria per una durata di tre mesi può portare a una riduzione del 53 % delle riaccettazioni e del 77 % dei decessi post-dimissione. In risposta a queste prove convincenti, l’OMS raccomanda l’uso della chemioprofilassi post-dimissione della malaria nelle aree altamente endemiche per la malaria in tutta l’Africa. In questo contesto, il progetto PDMC Saves Lives, finanziato dall’UE, utilizza la ricerca per stabilire orientamenti politici volti a promuovere farmaci salvavita per i bambini vulnerabili. In paesi come il Benin, il Kenya, il Malawi e l’Uganda, verranno individuate le domande di ricerca relative all’attuazione di tale chemioprofilassi.
Obiettivo
Background: Young children in sub-Saharan Africa are at high risk of severe anaemia, associated with high mortality. Children who have recently recovered from severe anaemia in malaria-endemic areas remain at high risk of mortality for about 3-6 months after hospital discharge. Three months of post-discharge malaria chemoprevention (PDMC) has recently been shown to reduce hospital readmissions by 53% and post-discharge deaths by 77%. WHO now recommends PDMC in all highly malaria-endemic areas of Africa. However, the optimal strategies for how to deliver PDMC are not yet clear.
Objective: To undertake implementation research and translate results into national policy guidelines to promote PDMC uptake into clinical practice so that vulnerable children have access to life-saving medicines.
Study design: i) Formative research in two countries in the process of adopting PDMC (Malawi and Uganda) and two, not yet (Kenya and Benin), to identify key research questions for PDMC implementation. ii) Two implementation trials (Benin and Kenya, N=1,824) in recently discharged children following recovery from severe anaemia, co-designed with national stakeholders, will evaluate at least two PDMC delivery strategies involving community-health workers and automated SMS reminders. The primary outcome will be adherence. Secondary outcomes include clinical and cost-effectiveness, and acceptability and feasibility.
Interdisciplinary studies: Acceptability and feasibility; Cost-effectiveness; Policy analysis.
Timeline: 42 months: 9m preparation/formative research, 18m trial implementation, 6m analysis + 9m dissemination/exploitation and PhD completion.
Impact: The project is designed to provide evidence to support PDMC implementation.
Partners: Institut De Recherche Pour Le Developpement, France (coordinating partner); LSTM, UK ; EPICENTRE, France; Institut de Recherche Clinique du Benin; Training and Research Unit of Excellence, Malawi; Makerere Uni, Uganda; Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
- HORIZON.2.1 - Health Main Programme
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
HORIZON-JU-RIA - HORIZON JU Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinatore
13572 Marseille
Francia