NIHR awardees 2020

We are delighted that the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the research function of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), is providing funding for up to 100 small grants as part of RSTMH’s 2020 small grants programme.

The NIHR is a major funder of high-quality research that directly addresses the diverse health needs of people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), working in collaboration with other global health leaders. This research was funded using UK aid from the UK Government to support global health research.

NIHR Awardees

Aarthi Sundararajan - Association of maternal Toxoplasma gondii infection with child’s developmental and behavioural outcomes in tribal regions of Gujarat, Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar, India

Akissi Rose Delima N'guessan - Compliance factors in dog vaccination against Rabies in Côte d’Ivoire, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, Côte d'Ivoire

Aline Engo - Pharmacogenomics of adverse events of ARVs in Kinshasa, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Allan Ndawula - Geographical Information System (GIS) technology to tackle non communicable diseases, Knowledge for Change Uganda, Uganda

Aparna Ananthakrishnan - Reviewing Evidence on Interventions and Policies to Address Antimicrobial Resistance, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand

Ayebare Dreck - Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever: A survey to identify knowledge, attitudes, and practices of at-risk personnel in Kagadi District, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Uganda

Azuka Adeke - Effect of mHealth on roles of Patents Medicine Vendors in surveillance of skin Neglected Diseases in Ebonyi State. Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Begashaw Melaku Gebresillassie - Health extension workers role, and information requirements during the COVID-19 outbreak in Ethiopia, University of Gondar, Ethiopia

Belete Ayele - Health extension workers as first aid providers for snakebite, Wogeda Primary Hospital, Ethiopia

Bernard Jumba - Documenting knowledge, learning, and narratives about snakes and snakebites, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya

Bincy Mathew - Barriers faced by homeless women in accessing services in the wake of COVID-19, George Institute for Global Health, Delhi, India

Brahmaiah Upputuri - Assessment of psychosocial impact of clofazimine induced skin pigmentation in leprosy patients, LEPRA society-Blue Peter Public Health and Research Centre, India

Chinenye Afonne - Towards universal health coverage: Can Neglected Tropical Disease programs be integrated into Primary health care in Nigeria and Ghana, University of Ibadan, Ghana

Claude Masumbuko Kasereka - Kidney injury in Ebola virus disease, Université Catholique du Graben (UCG), DR Congo

Daniele Bertoluci - Assessment of education interventions on the therapeutic compliance of MB leprosy patients, Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima, Brazil

Darlinda Jiba - COVID-19 presentation and complications in a typical African setting, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone

Deb Pandey - Attitudes, knowledge, and practices of traditional snakebite healers, Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal

Demsy Audu - First-line treatment options of snakebite and fatalities, Federal University of Lafia, Nigeria

Denise Msowoya - Onchocerciasis associated epilepsy in Malawi, a cross-sectional epidemiological survey, University of Malawi, College of Medicine, Malawi

Diane Leslie Nkahe - Evaluation of wash resistance of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets to be distributed in mass campaign in 2019 in Cameroon. University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon

Edson Mollel - Proportion and characteristics of COVID-19 suspects among blood donors in northern Tanzania. Ministry of Health, Tanzania

Elias Phiri - Examining the implementation of antimicrobial resistance policy among One Health stakeholders, Drivers of Resistance in Uganda and Malawi (DRUM) Project, Malawi

Esther Priscilla Biamah Danquah - Burden of schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths, Ghana Health Service, Ghana

Evelyn Kunda-Ng'andu - COVID 19: Screening and tracing methods in the Zambian context, The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Zambia

Fisaha Tesfay - Trachoma elimination strategy in Ethiopia, Deakin and Flinders University, Australia

Francine Berlange Sado Yousseu - Xeno-monitoring of ticks and tick-borne diseases in the Vina department, Adamawa region of Cameroon, University of Buea, Cameroon

Franck, Mounioko - Entomological and Parasitological Study of Neglected Disease Vectors (HAT and Onchocerciasis), Franceville Interdisciplinary Center for Medical Research, Gabon

Frederick Wekesah - Sugar-sweetened beverages and childhood obesity in the slums of Nairobi, African Population and Health Research Center, Kenya

Funmilayo Oluwafemi - Survey of School-based Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Resources Among School-aged Children, Afe Babalola University, Nigeria

Gelly Chikuni - Integrated community led-dog management to enhance the elimination of domestic dog bites and domestic dog-mediated human rabies disease, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Department of Veterinary, Zambia

Gemechu Tiruneh - A status of cutaneous leishmaniasis and its determinant factors in Arjo Town, Wollega University, Ethiopia

Gervase M'ibui - Utilization of Health-Related Quality of Life Data to Assess the Well-being of Residents Bordering Meru National Park, Meru University of Science and Technology, Kenya

Godfrey Philipo - Effectiveness of Preoperative bathing practice using soap in prevention of surgical site infection, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania

Grace Biyinzika Lubega - Perceptions and adherence to preventive measures for Coronavirus Disease 2019 among rural communities in Uganda, Makerere University School of Public Health, Uganda

Hammed Mogaji - Mapping the co-distribution patterns and risk factors for schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthiasis, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria

Hanifah Nabbanja - Characterisation of Cancer Emergencies, Uganda Cancer Institute, Uganda

Helen Nabwera - Improving postnatal breastfeeding support for mothers of low birth weight infants in rural Kenyan hospitals, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK

Ifeoma Umeh - Cost benefit analysis of screening for prostate cancer, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria

Isaac Olufadewa - Assessing the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Internally Displaced Persons Camp, Slum and Rural Health Initiative, Nigeria

Jack Omolo - Assessment of Social and Economic effects of Visceral Leishmaniases on Households in Marsabit County, Field Epidemiology Society of Kenya, Kenya

Johnson Diara - The prevention of Lassa fever through limiting human contact with rats, Rural Health Services of Sudan United Mission and Nigeria Reformed Church/Sudan United Mission School of Health Technology, Nigeria

Joseph Baluku - Association between Helminth infection and cardiovascular risk among patients with drug resistant tuberculosis in Uganda, Mildmay Uganda, Uganda

Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo - Feasibility and benefits of the “Slash and Clear” intervention for onchocerciasis elimination, University of Antwerp, Cameroon

Joshua Coker - An assessment of barriers to the early diagnosis of leprosy, Connaught Hospital, Sierra Leone

Judy Mwai - Factors Influencing Prevention and Control of Tungiasis Infestation among School age Children, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya

Julien Zahouli - Assessing Aedes aegypti basic ecology and susceptibility to insecticides in high arboviral risk areas of Abidjan, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, Côte d'Ivoire

Julius Nteziyaremye - The burden of malaria and possible antimalarial drug resistance among antenatal care booking mothers in Mbale district, Busitema University, Uganda

Kareen Atekem - Human Landing Catching Techniques for blackflies in the era of Onchocerciasis Elimination, Sightsavers International, Cameroon

Kelechi Elizabeth Oladimeji - Knowledge and Preventive Practices towards COVID-19, Walter Sisulu University, South Africa

Kenneth Otabil - Feasibility of integrating IgG4- based rapid tests into onchocerciasis surveillance programmes in Ghana. University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana

Kpongbo Etienne Angora - Molecular characterisation of Schistosoma mansoni among schoolchildren in Côte d’Ivoire, University of Felix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d'Ivoire/France

Kritika Dixit - The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tuberculosis Service Delivery, Birat Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal

Laban Mildred Nje - Community Perceptions on First-aid and Management options of Snakebites Victims in the North of Cameroon. Cameroon Society of Epidemiology, Cameroon

Laibané Dieudonné Dahourou - Serological and molecular evidence of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in cattle, sheep and ticks, University of Dedougou, Burkina Faso

Leslie Aglanu - Snakebite Incidence, Treatment and Effects in Ghana, Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), Ghana

Lucas Esuh Esong - Antimicrobial consumption in Cameroon: a multicentred point prevalence survey, Laquintinie Hospital Douala, Cameroon

Lughano Ghambi - Respiratory pathogens and clinical characteristics of HIV-infected infants hospitalized with non-TB and non-CMV pneumonia, Malawi Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Malawi

Martin Ayanore - Epidemiology and the economic burden of snake bites in three rural districts in Ghana, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana

Masauso Phiri - Primary health-care services for non-communicable diseases among prisoners in Lusaka, University of Zambia, Zambia

Matilda Aberese-Ako - Engaging and empowering communities in responding to COVID-19 in low resource countries: A case study of Ghana, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana

Moses Kamita - Cancer Incidence in Nyandarua County 2013-2019, Mount Kenya University, Kenya

Moses Samje - Impact of the co-existence of onchocerciasis and type 2 diabetes mellitus, The University of Bamenda, Cameroon

Mudji E'kitiak - Psychiatric and psychological morbidity burden in Human Africa Trypanosomiasis, Vanga Evangelical Hospital, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Muinah Fowora - Nasal carriage of virulent Staphylococcus aureus: a possible co-morbidity of Covid-19, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Nigeria

Mundih Njohjam - Impact of Epilepsy on the quality of life for people with epilepsy in communities with high epilepsy prevalence in rural Cameroon. Yaoundé Central Hospital, Cameroon

Mwiza Nyasa - Informational and structural barriers to uptake of preventive behaviours among Healthcare workers during COVID 19, Centre for infectious disease research in Zambia, Zambia

Nkemngo Francis Nongley - Assessment of the impact of malaria and schistosomiasis co-infection on the performance of a malaria rapid-diagnostic-test, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, Cameroon

Nwodoh Oliver - Measuring quality of nursing care delivery, University of Nigeria, Nigeria

Ogochukwu Ofiaeli - Factors affecting uptake of buruli ulcer case management services in Anambra State, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria

Olubukola Adelakun - Seroprevalence of Q-fever among Pastoralists and their Cattle, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Nigeria

Oritseweyinmi Orighoye - Exploring WASH behaviour and practices of children and parents for the prevention of NTDs and NCDs in Nigeria, Leeds Beckett University, UK

Osvaldo Frederico Inlamea - Environmental and entomological determinants of urban transmission of CHIKV, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Mozambique

Pamela Bakkabulindi - Effect of COVID-19 total lock down on severity of non-communicable diseases in HIV positive patients in Kampala, World Health Organization, Uganda

Pandji Dhewantara - Towards integrated STH control and prevention in rural school-aged children (SAC) following 4-years of MDA in Garut, West Java, Indonesia. Ministry of Health of Indonesia, Indonesia

Pastan Lusiba - Understanding COVID-19 survivor experiences, Makerere University, Uganda

Paul Ssajjakambwe - A One Health strategy for Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance in the Dairy sector, Makerere University Kampala, Uganda

Peris Kungu - Snakebite burden in humans and livestock in hard-to-reach areas in Baringo county, Kenya. Washington State University Global Health- Kenya

Rachel Hounsell - The impact of household structure on the effectiveness of shielding vulnerable populations against COVID-19, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Rebecca Nekaka - Perceptions and Behaviors related to Hand Hygiene for the Prevention of COVID-19 transmission, Busitema University, Uganda

Remya S - Awareness assessment and first aid sensitization for snakebite among public health workers in Alappuzha district, Kerala. Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kochi, Kerala, India

Richard Nduwayezu - Human-Animal Conflict in Kigali: A Pilot Surveillance Project on Dog Population Control and Management, University of Rwanda, Rwanda

Richard Nyeko - Pre-hospital antibiotics exposure among febrile children presenting to a tertiary health-facility in northern Uganda, Lira University, Uganda

Rogers Nditanchou - Using satellite imagery to identify remote nomadic camps to inform and evaluate NTD interventions, Sightsavers, Cameroon

Sahar Ahmed - Evaluating the public health response for COVID-19 in Sudan 2020, Sudan

Salimata Berte - Analysis of the correlation between neglected tropical diseases, non-communicable diseases and sustainable development in Côte d’Ivoire, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Côte d'Ivoire

Sarah Matuja - Optimizing the World Health Organization guidelines for health care workers’ protection from COVID-19, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences - Bugando Medical Center, Tanzania

Scott Matafwali - Assessment of the availability of snakebite antivenom in Ndola district, Copperbelt University, Zambia

Seid Getahun - Depression and anxiety among leprosy and cutaneous leishmaniasis patients, Wollo University, Ethiopia

Sharon Bright Amanya - Evaluation of COVID-19 country-wide testing capacity in Uganda, Lira University, Uganda

Soumyadeep Bhaumi - Implications of the cluster-containment strategy for COVID-19 control on snakebite care in India, The George Insitute for Global Health, India

Stephanie Montero - Mayaro infection across a human-wildlife interface in the Amazon basin, Universidad Peruana Cayetano (UPCH) Heredia, Perú

Steven Ndugwa Kabwama - Risk Factors for Non Communicable Diseases among Adults in a District with a High Prevalence of Schistosomiasis, Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Uganda

Susan Kizito - The Role, Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Traditional Healers in Management of Snake Bites in Uganda, Makerere School of Public Health, Uganda

Sylvie Zida - Sero-Prevalence and risk factors of leptospirosis among slaughterhouse workers in Burkina Faso. Institut de recherche en sciences de la santé, Burkina Faso

Tarelayefa Love Omoniyei - Assessment of Antibiotic Prescribing Patterns in Outpatient Pharmacies Across Hospitals in Abuja, Ducit Blue Solutions, Nigeria

Tewelde Gebremariam - Epidemiology of arboviruses in eastern Ethiopia: chikungunya and dengue prevention and control, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

Thomas Tingan - Seroprevalence of paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease) infection in cattle and humans, University of Ghana, Ghana

Véronique Koffi - Participatory art-based health interventions and sustainability of neglected tropical diseases control strategies in rural Côte d'Ivoire, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Côte d'Ivoire

Vivian Mushi - Influence of water, sanitation and hygiene on persistent transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis in children, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania

Winnie Contreras - Eco-epidemiology of Babesia microti infection in humans, small rodents and ticks: A One Health approach, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Perú

Yonas Tefera - Implementing behavioral adaptation to curtail transmission and mental health impact of COVID-19, University of Gondar, Ethiopia

Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi - Risk Communication and Community Engagement Strategies, Surveillance Systems and Laboratory Testing Capacity for COVID-19, Global Health Focus, Nigeria

The purpose of the small grants, which are up to £5,000 each, is to enable early career researchers and global health professionals in the field of tropical medicine or global health to undertake clinical or scientific research or fieldwork, as stand-alone projects or distinct elements within larger projects.

This NIHR funding will provide funding for up to 100 awards for applicants in low- and middle-income countries and is an enormous boost to this unique programme.

"We're pleased to announce that the NIHR Global Health Research programme is partnering once again with the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene on their small grants programme. RSTMH has a strong track record in providing grants to early career researchers, making this partnership a key strand of NIHR's work in developing career pathways in global health research. This year we're increasing our funding contribution to ensure more high quality applicants have the opportunity to develop skills to tackle global health research challenges."

Dr Val Snewin, Head of Global Health Research Partnerships, Department of Health and Social Care

This is the second year of support from DHSC and we are delighted to be working with them on this, ensuring that the pipeline of new research across tropical medicine and global health is further bolstered.

We hope this support, along with that of ITI and RSTMH’s own contribution, will mean all applications which pass the assessment process will be able to be provided with funds.