Jinja

Researchers are evaluating a family-centred approach to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among adolescents and their families in Uganda. This study addresses the growing challenge of non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, which are linked to modifiable behaviors such as diet and physical inactivity. Adolescence is a critical time for adopting healthy habits that can last into adulthood, so the study focuses on this age group to reduce future CVD risk. The research team includes partners from Uganda, Canada, the USA, and the UK, with guidance from Uganda's Ministry of Health. The study compares two groups: one receiving the FaCe-D intervention, which includes home visits with diet, physical activity, and health messaging delivered by Village Health Teams (VHTs), and a control group receiving standard care from VHTs that involves regular health promotion visits but may not engage the whole family. The intervention will be adapted from a previous successful program in Asia and the UK, tailored to Uganda's local context. The study is planned to take place over five years in 32 villages starting in April 2024, with phases for adapting, implementing, and evaluating the intervention. Participants aged 10 to 19 years and their families will be involved for at least 12 months. Researchers will assess changes in cardiovascular health by measuring behaviors, diet, physical activity, and blood pressure. Village Health Teams will support the intervention, and the study will track how well the approach is adopted, its feasibility, and costs. The main outcome is ideal cardiovascular health after one year of follow-up. The study also monitors participants for safety and effectiveness during this time.

Researchers are evaluating how well etavopivat works to reduce the number of vaso-occlusive crises (painful blood vessel blockages) in adolescents and adults living with sickle cell disease. The study also aims to assess if etavopivat can decrease organ damage, improve exercise tolerance, and reduce fatigue. This is a global Phase 3 study involving participants aged 12 years and older with confirmed sickle cell disease. The study is randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled to ensure accurate evaluation of the treatment effects. Participants will receive either etavopivat or a matching placebo by mouth. Which treatment they receive is determined randomly. The study will last about two years, during which participants will take the assigned medication and be monitored closely. Etavopivat is an investigational drug currently under evaluation in multiple studies for sickle cell disease. During the study, participants will have regular assessments including documentation of vaso-occlusive crisis events, blood tests, and physical evaluations. Researchers will track the number of crises that require medical attention over a 52-week period, as well as measures of organ health, exercise ability, and fatigue. Safety and overall health will be monitored throughout the study, with the total participation time lasting approximately two years.

Researchers are evaluating the protective effect of Mossie-GO, an active spatial repellent device releasing transfluthrin, in reducing malaria prevalence among children aged 5 years and under in Uganda. This cluster-randomized double-blinded control trial also aims to assess the impact of the device on mosquito behavior, mosquito density, insecticide resistance, and the effect on people not using the device nearby. Data collection will include surveys, air sampling to measure transfluthrin levels, and safety monitoring over two malaria transmission seasons lasting up to 18 months. The study involves distributing the Mossie-GO device to households in two groups: an intervention group receiving devices with transfluthrin-treated discs and a control group receiving devices with blank untreated discs for blinding. Each household receives one device powered by solar energy, used overnight for 8-12 hours, with discs replaced monthly. The devices are placed in rooms where enrolled children sleep. Households continue usual malaria prevention methods such as bed nets during the study. Participants will be monitored at baseline and every six months with malaria testing of children using rapid diagnostic tests and microscopy. Selected households will have mosquito collections using indoor light traps and human landing catches, plus air sampling to measure repellent concentrations. Surveys will gather information on household behavior and acceptability of the device. The study will measure malaria prevalence differences between groups after 18 months and collect adverse event data throughout the trial.