A5018914369- Malaria Research and Control
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Child Nutrition and Water Access
- Blood donation and transfusion practices
- Vibrio bacteria research studies
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Ethics in Clinical Research
- Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations
- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- Sex work and related issues
- COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Hepatitis B Virus Studies
- Reproductive Health and Contraception
- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Misinformation and Its Impacts
- Healthcare Systems and Challenges
- Travel-related health issues
- Community Health and Development
- Health disparities and outcomes
- Pharmacological Effects and Toxicity Studies
Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde
2015-2024
Research Institute for Tropical Medicine
2022
University of Amsterdam
2016
University of Antwerp
2013-2014
To achieve the goal of malaria elimination in low transmission areas such as Cambodia, new, inexpensive, high-throughput diagnostic tools for identifying very parasite densities asymptomatic carriers are required. This will enable a switch from passive to active case detection field. DNA extraction and real-time PCR assays were implemented an "in-house" designed mobile laboratory allowing implementation robust, sensitive rapid strategy tool was employed survey organized context MalaResT...
In certain regions in Southeast Asia, where malaria is reduced to forested populated by ethnic minorities dependent on slash-and-burn agriculture, vector populations have developed a propensity feed early and outdoors, limiting the effectiveness of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLIN) indoor residual spraying (IRS). The interplay between heterogeneous human, as well mosquito behaviour, radically challenges control such transmission contexts. This study examines human behavioural...
Malaria incidence worldwide has steadily declined over the past decades. Consequently, increasingly more countries will proceed from control to elimination. The malaria distribution in low settings appears patchy, and local transmission hotspots are a continuous source of infection. In this study, species-specific clusters associated risk factors were identified based on prevalence data collected north-east Cambodia. addition, Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity, population structure...
Abstract In Cambodia, despite an impressive decline in prevalence over the last 10 years, malaria is still a public health problem some parts of country. This partly due to vectors that bite early and outdoors reducing effectiveness measures such as Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets. Repellents have been suggested additional control measure settings. As part cluster-randomized trial on topical repellents controlling infections at community level, mixed-methods study assessed user rates...
Abstract Human population movements currently challenge malaria elimination in low transmission foci the Greater Mekong Subregion. Using a mixed-methods design, combining ethnography (n = 410 interviews), malariometric data 4996) and surveys 824 indigenous populations; n 704 Khmer migrants) vulnerability among different types of mobile populations was researched remote province Ratanakiri, Cambodia. Different structural human mobility were identified, showing differential risk vulnerability....
Collecting blood samples from individuals recruited into clinical research projects in sub-Saharan Africa can be challenging. Strikingly, one of the reasons for participant reticence is occurrence local rumors surrounding "blood stealing" or selling." Such fears potentially have dire effects on success projects--for example, high dropout rates that would invalidate trial's results--and ethical implications related to cultural sensitivity and informed consent. Though commonly considered as a...
BackgroundAlthough effective topical repellents provide personal protection against malaria, whether mass use of in addition to long-lasting insecticidal nets can contribute a further decline malaria is not known, particularly areas where outdoor transmission occurs. We aimed assess the epidemiological efficacy highly repellent reducing prevalence this setting.MethodsA cluster randomised controlled trial was done 117 most endemic villages Ratanakiri province, Cambodia, controlling...
The goal to eliminate malaria from the Asia-Pacific by 2030 will require safe and widespread delivery of effective radical cure malaria. In October 2017, Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network Vivax Working Group met discuss impediments primaquine (PQ) cure, how these can be overcome methodological difficulties in assessing clinical effectiveness cure. salient discussions this meeting which involved 110 representatives 18 partner countries 21 institutional organizations are reported....
Multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria on the Cambodia–Thailand border is associated with working in forested areas. Beyond broad recognition of “forest-going” as a risk factor for malaria, little known about different forest-going populations this region. In Oddar Meanchey Province northwestern Cambodia, qualitative ethnographic research was conducted to gain an in-depth understanding how populations, mobility and livelihood patterns, activities within forest intersect potentiate...
Objectives The study aimed to assess the determinants of modern contraceptive method use among young women in Benin. Design A mixed-methods design. Setting and participants We used Benin 2017–2018 Demographic Health Survey datasets for quantitative analysis. Data collection was conducted using multiple-cluster sampling through household survey. Qualitative part city Allada, one Fon cultural capitals were purposively selected. Outcomes Contraceptive prevalence rate, unmet need percentage...
Malaria control along the Vietnam–Cambodia border presents a challenge for both countries' malaria elimination targets as region is forested, inhabited by ethnic minority populations, and potentially characterized early outdoor transmission. A mixed methods study assessed vulnerability to among Jarai population living on sides of in provinces Ratanakiri (Cambodia) Gia Lai (Vietnam). qualitative generated preliminary hypotheses that were quantified two surveys, one targeting youth ( N = 498)...
Background Victims of Buruli ulcer disease (BUD) frequently report to specialized units at a late stage the disease. This delay has been associated with local beliefs and preference for traditional healing linked reportedly mystical origin We assessed role play in determining BUD sufferers' choice between biomedical treatments. Methods Anthropological fieldwork was conducted community clinical settings region Ayos Akonolinga Central Cameroon. The research design consisted mixed methods...
As the disease burden in Gambia has reduced considerably over last decade, heterogeneity malaria transmission become more marked, with infected but asymptomatic individuals maintaining reservoir. The identification, timely diagnosis and treatment of malaria-infected are crucial to further reduce or eliminate human parasite This ethnographic study focused on relationship between local beliefs cause itineraries suspected cases. An qualitative was conducted twelve rural communities Upper River...
BackgroundAdherence to effective malaria medication is extremely important in the context of Cambodia's elimination targets and drug resistance containment. Although public sector health facilities are accessible local ethnic minorities Ratanakiri province (Northeast Cambodia), their illness itineraries often lead them private pharmacies selling "cocktails" artemether injections, or diviners prescribing animal sacrifices appease spirits. MethodsThe research design consisted a mixed methods...
Introduction The potential benefits of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) for malaria elimination are being considered in several endemic countries where a decline transmission has been reported. For this strategy to work, it is important that large proportion the target population participates, requiring an in-depth understanding factors may affect participation and adherence MDA programs. Methodology This social science study was ancillary one-round directly observed campaign with...
Abstract Background The importance of community involvement in the response against disease outbreaks has been well established. However, we lack insights into local communities’ experiences coping with current COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored both impact of, and to, within Orthodox Jewish communities Antwerp (Belgium) during first lockdown period (March 2020 – May 2020). Methods We conducted an explorative qualitative using a participatory approach. First, performed mapping to...
BackgroundOver the last years, number of clinical trials carried out in low-income countries with poor medical infrastructure and limited access to health care has increased. In these settings, decision participating a study may be influenced by factors related participants' vulnerability that limit efficacy informed consent. MethodsA mixed methods social science study, based on triangulation qualitative quantitative data, was socio-economically disadvantaged semi-urban area Bobo Dioulasso,...
Clinical trials require high levels of participation and low drop-out rates to be successful. However, collecting blood samples from individuals recruited into clinical can challenging when there is reticence about blood-taking. In addition concerns regarding the feasibility medical research, fears 'blood-stealing' 'blood-selling' have ethical implications related cultural sensitivity informed consent. This study explores anxieties around blood-taking during a malaria treatment trial in...
Abstract Background Reducing the risk of recurrent Plasmodium vivax malaria is critical for control and elimination. Primaquine (PQ) only widely available drug against P. dormant liver stages, but recommended as a 14-day regimen, which can undermine adherence to complete course treatment. Methods This mixed-methods study assess socio-cultural factors influencing PQ regimen in 3-arm, treatment effectiveness trial Papua, Indonesia. The qualitative strand, consisting interviews participant...
Despite emerging drug resistance in Cambodia, artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is still the most efficacious therapy. ACT available free of charge Cambodian public sector and at a subsidized rate private sector. However, un- mistreated cases with population movements may lead to further spread resistant parasites, stressing importance understanding how perceived aetiology malaria associated health-seeking behaviour delay access appropriate treatment. A qualitative study explored...
Abstract Background Ensuring individual free and informed decision‐making for research participation is challenging. It thought that preliminarily informing communities through ‘community sensitization’ procedures may improve decision‐making. This study set out to assess the relevance of community sensitization in rural Gambia. Methods anthropological mixed‐methods triangulated qualitative methods quantitative survey context an observational a clinical trial on malaria carried by Medical...
Continuum of care (CoC) in maternal health is built on evidence suggesting that the integration effective interventions across pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal period leads to better perinatal outcomes. We explored gaps along CoC Benin.