National Institute for Medical Research

The ASCEND Project (2020-2023): Strengthening clinical trial ethics review and pharmacovigilance capacity in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar

Background Clinical trials and related health research in sub-Saharan Africa continue to expand in volume and complexity, increasing the need for strong and responsive research ethics oversight, regulatory reviews, and pharmacovigilance systems. The ASCEND project was implemented...

An Integrated Mobile Laboratory Workflow for Wastewater and Environmental Pathogen Surveillance: Performance Evaluation and Field Application in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Mobile laboratories (MLs) offer a practical solution for decentralized wastewater and environmental surveillance in settings with limited laboratory infrastructure, cold-chain logistics, and trained personnel. However, field-deployable molecular workflows suitable for di...

Multi country training to strengthen leadership among administrative staff of research ethics committees and national regulatory bodies in the East African Community

Clinical research in the East African Community (EAC) has expanded significantly in response to epidemics, increasing the complexity and workload. Research ethics committee (REC) and National research regulatory (NRA) members involved in leadership and administrative work play a...

Community knowledge, hygiene practices, and predictive factors for rotavirus and wastewater-related health risks in Morogoro, Tanzania

ABSTRACT Wastewater is a potential reservoir for pathogens, and poor management increases the risks of diseases such as rotavirus-associated diarrhea. This study assessed community awareness, hygiene practices and socio-demographic predictors of rotavirus and wastewater-related h...

Theory–simulation–application framework to enhance biostatistical capacity for HIV and cancer data analysis in sub-Saharan Africa: lessons learnt from Tanzania

Enhancing biostatistical capacity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is imperative for the efficient analysis of routinely collected health data and for clinical and public health decision-making. We describe the experiences and lessons learnt from implementing advanced statistical capa...

Molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacter cloacae complex in obstetric and neonatal units in Tanga, Tanzania

Abstract Background Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC) poses a significant threat to neonatal healthcare, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study aimed at characterizing the molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of ESBL-producing ECC isolates collected...

A systematic review of mathematical models for soil-transmitted helminthiasis control strategies

Background Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) remains an important public health challenge in endemic settings, and mathematical transmission models are widely used to evaluate STH transmission and control strategies. However, no systematic review has comprehensively classified...

Childcare in Transition: Evidence That Patterns of Childcare Differ by Degree of Market Integration in Northwestern Tanzania

Highlights This study uses novel data on multiple childcare types from both kin and nonkin in two culturally similar communities with varying market integration. It tests the hypothesis that market integration is associated with reduced kin support. Who provides support and the t...

Genomic epidemiology reveals geographically structured co-circulation of AFR10 and AFR13 Vibrio cholerae lineages driving cholera outbreaks in Tanzania (2022–2024)

Cholera remains a persistent public health challenge in Tanzania, with recurrent outbreaks across multiple regions overwhelming the health systems. Despite the ongoing surveillance to control the transmission, limited genomic characterization of circulating Vibrio cholerae strain...

Diagnostic performance of a centrifugation-free stool processing kit in conjunction with Xpert®MTB/RIF Ultra for paediatric tuberculosis: a multicentre prospective study in five low and middle-income countries

Diagnosing paediatric tuberculosis (TB) remains challenging. Currently available diagnostic tests have limited accuracy, and most sampling methods are invasive. In 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) endorsed the use of molecular WHO-recommended rapid diagnostic tests (mWRD...

Insecticide resistance profile and efficacy of next-generation LLINs against pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae s.l. in M’bé, central Côte d’Ivoire

Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) combining pyrethroids with synergists or partner insecticides represent the next-generation tools for controlling malaria transmitted by resistant vectors. Because of their differing modes of action, their deployment in a given area would req...

Metagenomic Profiling of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Pathotypes Reveals Predominance of Diffusely Adherent and Enteroaggregative Subtypes and Mixed Signatures Among Under-Fives in Tanzania

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) is a leading enteric pathogen in children under five in sub-Saharan Africa, yet conventional targeted assays fail to capture mixed virulence signatures or provide quantitative context relative to E. coli carriage. We applied a virulence-aware...