What We Do

Malaria is the tropics' most serious infectious disease, with its heaviest burden felt in sub Saharan Africa (SSA). About 90% of all malaria deaths in the world today occur in the region with an estimated one million people dying from the disease each year, most of them being children under five years old.

Malaria has been the most important focus of our collaborative research programs. Our work is characterized by a multi-disciplinary approach including laboratory science, epidemiology, entomology to social science that influences national health policy.

Our work examines the abundance and distribution of malaria vectors in Suba North and South in Homabay County, the impact of insecticide treated ceiling and bed nets on severe malaria and children sleeping positions, social and entomological factors that contributes to the risks of this life-threatening disease.

A large component of the program current work is also devoted to conducting seasonal malaria surveillance in the communities of Suba North and South targeting both adults and Children.

Among parasitic diseases, schistosomiasis is second only to malaria in terms of the high disease and economic burden it imposes particularly in rural communities where people routinely collect water from lakes, rivers or small bodies of water for household or agricultural use.

Our work involves conducting studies on identification of strategies for strengthening Primary Health Care System in the control NTDs, and qualitative studies towards understanding of the socio-economic and cultural dynamics of schistosomiasis transmission.

We support a network of community representatives covering the Suba malaria surveillance areas, where majority of our contacts with the community occurs. The representatives are elected by the communities we serve.

In addition we have a community engagement team that includes a community liaison officer, a community engagement officer and a community engagement committee. The community engagement team is responsible for the overall community engagement strategy and implementation.

The team works with a liaison group who work with Project investigators on their individual projects to advise on and support communication and information giving. A consent committee works to ensure a universal standard and format of consenting materials and practice across the research programs.

Our broader community engagement activity includes schools engagement program and community consultation on data and sample sharing.

With a specific focus on holistic community development, we partner donors with a specific village as residents work to transform their lives and community long-term.

The transformation includes improvements such as education, clean water, expanded livelihoods, and spiritual transformation.

Working closely with community leaders to determine the most sustainable water sources, we help communities build water systems, including rainwater harvesting and wells.

We also encourage and support the construction of safe latrines and provide training about the importance of sanitation and hygiene.

Individuals and families are equipped with resources and skills to expand limited livelihoods and develop sustainable sources of income.