Ifakara Health Institute

Integrating human rabies vaccines into routine immunization services in Tanzania: A participatory systems mapping study

Abstract Study aim : Human rabies is 100% preventable with post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) administered immediately after exposure to a rabid animal. In low-income countries, access to PEP is hampered by challenges, including frequent vaccine stockouts, limited facilities providi...

Implementation factors of group antenatal care in low-resource settings in Tanzania: A qualitative study using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research

Antenatal care (ANC) is essential for improving maternal and newborn health, yet many women do not complete the recommended follow-up visits and often experience suboptimal quality of care and weak provider-client interactions. Group antenatal care (G-ANC) offers an alternative s...

Impacts of ivermectin mass drug administration for malaria control on smallholder pig health and productivity in Mozambique

Abstract As part of a larger clinical trial testing ivermectin mass drug administration (iMDA) in humans and pigs for malaria vector control in Mozambique, this study evaluates ivermectin’s effects on gastrointestinal nematode burden, daily weight gain and economic outcomes in tr...

Health seeking behaviors and their determinants among adult patients attending health facilities in Ifakara Tanzania

Health seeking behaviour is a key determinant of health outcomes and health system performance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite Tanzania’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC), timely and appropriate use of formal healthcare services remains sub...

Clinical samples with delayed processing time are associated with lower HIV viral load results in a high-volume regional laboratory, Njombe Region, Tanzania (Oct 2024–Mar 2025)

Abstract Background Accurate HIV viral load (VL) testing is essential for monitoring antiretroviral therapy (ART) and detecting treatment failure. In resource-limited settings such as Njombe Region, Tanzania, laboratories often face prolonged turnaround times (TAT) and suboptimal...

Implications of the trade-offs between negative density-dependence and Allee effects for vector control

Abstract Background Understanding population dynamics is fundamental to predicting species persistence and extinction, yet remains challenging due to the complex interplay between ecological, environmental and anthropogenic factors. Population dynamics are regulated by intrinsic...

Modelling the impact of adopting new-generation insecticide-treated nets on malaria transmission and insecticide resistance

Abstract Background The widespread insecticide resistance increasingly threatens malaria elimination, prompting a reassessment of vector control strategies. As Tanzania transitions from standard pyrethroid-only insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to new-generation nets, evaluating th...

Aquatic predators as complementary tools for mosquito vector control: current evidence, ecological considerations, and future directions

Insecticide-based strategies for mosquito control are increasingly constrained by insecticide resistance, sparking interest in eco-friendly alternatives, one of which is the use of aquatic predators to reduce mosquito densities. Evidence from laboratory, semi-field, and localized...