Mwanza

Researchers are estimating the prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus HR HPV infections among girls and women aged 9 to 50 years across eight countries in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to understand HPV infection rates in low socio-economic populations and specific sub-groups, including sexually active young women, by conducting cross-sectional surveys and longitudinal studies. Additionally, qualitative sub-studies will explore how gender norms and stigma affect HPV burden and access to prevention and treatment services. The study uses a harmonized protocol across all participating countries with country-specific adaptations. Cross-sectional surveys will collect urine samples from girls and women in urban and rural areas to estimate HPV prevalence. Longitudinal studies will follow sexually active girls and women aged 15 to 35 years over 24 months, collecting vaginal swabs and urine samples to measure persistent HPV infection. Qualitative studies will include interviews and focus groups to understand social factors influencing HPV risks and healthcare access. Participants will provide samples and answer standardized questionnaires on demographics, sexual and reproductive history, HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening, and related attitudes. Testing will occur at enrollment and every six months for two years in longitudinal studies. Researchers will monitor HPV infection rates, assess questionnaire responses, and analyze laboratory results. The study includes safety follow-up and detailed data collection to provide comprehensive insight into HPV prevalence, incidence, and social influences in these populations.

Researchers are investigating new treatment combinations for pulmonary tuberculosis TB to find faster and safe alternatives to the standard 24-week regimen. The study involves adults with newly diagnosed, rifampicin-susceptible lung TB, aiming to identify drug regimens with similar or better effectiveness and safety but shorter treatment times. This research is conducted by the UNITE4TB consortium, a team of universities and pharmaceutical companies funded by the European Union. The study has two phases Phase 2B tests up to 12 different drug combinations, including new drugs like BTZ-043, GSK306656, bedaquiline, and delamanid, for 16 weeks to assess safety and effectiveness. Phase 2C will then evaluate the best regimens from Phase 2B at various treatment lengths ranging from 8 to 16 weeks, compared to the standard 24-week treatment. Participants receive daily oral doses of various drugs in different combinations, with treatment durations and regimens randomly assigned. Participants will be followed for a total of 72 weeks to monitor treatment response and safety. Researchers will assess sputum cultures for TB bacteria and record adverse events up to 26 weeks after starting treatment. The study includes regular visits, imaging, laboratory tests, and adherence monitoring to evaluate how well the treatments work and their side effects. The goal is to find effective shorter treatments for both regular and drug-resistant TB.

Researchers are conducting a long-term observational study called the SAFE study to follow people with sickle cell anemia SCA over time. The main goal is to understand how the medicine hydroxyurea affects growth, puberty, and fertility in adolescents and young adults with SCA. The study also compares pregnancy outcomes between those who take hydroxyurea and those who do not. Participants with SCA will be monitored regularly with clinic visits every few months for health check-ups and blood tests. Girls who have started menstruating will have pregnancy tests every six months, and boys may be asked to provide semen samples if they agree. The study will collect information on growth, development, fertility, and reproductive outcomes while observing how hydroxyurea impacts these aspects. During the study, participants will answer questions about their health and fertility at regular intervals. Researchers will track clinical outcomes and reproductive potential for up to 10 years after enrollment. This long-term follow-up will help gather important information on how hydroxyurea influences health and reproductive outcomes in people living with SCA.

This observational multi-country cohort study focuses on children aged 5 to 16 years admitted to hospitals in East Africa with proven or suspected sepsis. The research aims to develop and improve algorithms that can identify children at risk of death after hospital discharge, addressing a critical period where many children face post-discharge mortality. The study builds on previous work with the Smart Discharges program to better predict and support vulnerable children during this time. Participants are enrolled upon admission to pediatric wards, where clinical and social data are collected. The study includes three phases first, developing and validating a prediction model for post-discharge mortality using data from 4,000 children second, evaluating health-related quality of life and functional status in a subset of 500 children over 12 months and third, conducting qualitative interviews with caregivers, community health workers, and health workers to understand post-discharge experiences and care barriers. Throughout the study, children are followed for up to 6 months after discharge through telephone and in-person visits to monitor outcomes such as mortality, hospital readmission, and quality of life changes. Data collection includes direct observations, surveys, and interviews to capture a comprehensive picture of childrens health trajectories and family experiences after leaving the hospital. The studys findings aim to improve risk prediction and post-discharge care in resource-limited settings.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of two sorfequiline-based treatment regimens combined with pretomanid and linezolid for adults aged 18 to 65 years with newly diagnosed, drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis. This phase 2, randomized, multi-center clinical trial aims to compare a loading dose regimen against a steady dose regimen. The study focuses on adults who have smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis and have not been recently treated for the disease. The primary goal is to assess safety through treatment-emergent adverse events and other health measures, while also exploring effectiveness and drug behavior in the body. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. One group receives sorfequiline 200 mg daily for 4 weeks followed by 100 mg daily for 13 weeks, along with pretomanid 200 mg and linezolid 600 mg daily. The other group receives sorfequiline 100 mg daily for 17 weeks, with pretomanid and linezolid dosed the same way. All treatments are taken orally once daily with food. The study includes a screening period, a 17-week treatment period, and a follow-up period lasting 52 weeks after treatment ends. During the study, participants will undergo various assessments including safety monitoring through adverse event reporting, ECGs, vital signs, laboratory tests, vision checks, and neuropathy evaluations. Effectiveness will be measured by the time to stable sputum culture conversion and favorable treatment outcomes at 26 and 52 weeks post-treatment. Researchers will also study drug levels and quality of life. The total participation time spans from screening through one year after completing treatment, with regular visits throughout the treatment and follow-up phases.

This research aims to understand if infants and young children with sickle cell disease SCD develop adequate protection after receiving measles vaccines. It focuses on children aged between 6 months and 6 years who are eligible for measles vaccination as part of standard care. The study evaluates immune response specifically after the first and second doses of the measles vaccine without investigating long-term protection. Participants are divided into two groups one receiving their first measles vaccine MV1 and the other receiving their second measles vaccine MV2. Blood samples are collected before vaccination and then again at 4 and 8 weeks after vaccination to measure antibody response. The study tracks antibody development following each vaccine dose to assess vaccine immunogenicity in children with SCD. During the study, participants will have blood drawn at specified times and attend follow-up visits for sample collection and evaluations. Researchers will measure measles seroconversion rates at 4 and 8 weeks post-vaccination and analyze factors related to antibody responses. The study duration includes sample collection up to 8 weeks post-vaccination with additional analysis continuing up to 12 weeks. Families provide consent and participate in scheduled visits to support data collection.