Krong Chbar Mon

This research aims to help families in Cambodia switch from traditional wood or charcoal stoves to electric induction stoves, studying whether this change is safe, affordable, and sustainable. It focuses on reducing household air pollution, which is linked to serious health problems, and evaluates which strategies best encourage families to use induction stoves regularly while stopping traditional cooking methods. The study compares different approaches in 65 peri-urban villages, including community engagement, direct sales, financial subsidies, and combinations of these. Participants receive an electric induction stove with two burners and compatible cookware, accompanied by cloud-connected devices that track stove use. Some villages serve as controls and do not receive interventions during the trial. Participants will have their stove use monitored with special devices and air pollution measured in their homes before and after receiving induction stoves. Researchers will also collect information on cooking habits and experiences through surveys and interviews. The main outcomes measured are the proportion of households purchasing induction stoves and the number of meals cooked without biomass fuels, assessed 18 to 30 months post-intervention. The study includes ongoing evaluation of stove use patterns and household air pollution exposure over time.

Vector-borne diseases, caused by bites from infected mosquitoes, flies, fleas, ticks, or other blood-feeding insects, result in nearly one million deaths annually and are increasing, especially in Southeast Asia. In Cambodia, these diseases may account for about 10 percent of fevers, but many cases go undiagnosed. This research aims to better understand the range of febrile illnesses by using advanced metagenomic sequencing to identify pathogens in affected individuals. Participants include people aged 2 months and older who have a fever of at least 38 degrees Celsius or are diagnosed with a concerning pathogen. Close contacts of infected individuals may also join. The study collects blood samples, and for those with respiratory symptoms, nasal swabs. Participants share information on their age, sex, health history, and recent travel. If a highly transmissible or virulent pathogen is found, follow-up samples and testing of close contacts are performed to deepen understanding of disease spread. During the study, participants undergo screening with medical history review and physical assessments such as weight for children. They complete questionnaires and provide biological samples for pathogen identification. Optional follow-up samples may be collected within 1 to 2 weeks and again at 3 months after enrollment. Researchers measure pathogen sequences and immune responses to vector saliva proteins. The study continues through July 2027, aiming to improve knowledge of febrile diseases in Cambodia.

Researchers are investigating immune responses in people with serious dengue disease, sepsis, and healthy individuals to better understand how these conditions affect the bodys defenses. This observational study will enroll 200 hospitalized patients with dengue-like illness, 30 with sepsis, and 10 healthy controls to compare immune system activity, focusing on plasma leak syndromes and specific immune cells over time. Participants with dengue or sepsis will have blood samples collected at enrollment, day 1, and day 3, with dengue patients also having a sample taken at day 21. Healthy participants will provide one blood sample at enrollment. These samples will be analyzed for immune changes such as neutrophil behavior, cytokine levels, and adaptive immune responses as the diseases progress or improve. During the study, participants will provide clinical information and blood samples according to their group. Researchers will measure immune cell activity, gene expression, and serum markers to track disease progression and differences between dengue and sepsis. The study aims to identify key immune changes that could inform future treatments. Participation involves hospital visits up to 21 days with repeated blood draws, and the study will continue until December 2026.