Infectious diseases are the biggest killers of children in Pakistan, causing 60% of all child deaths under 5 years of age. Neonatal infections (15%), diarrheal illnesses (18%), and pneumonia (21%) cause over 50% of all child deaths in Pakistan (WHO). Pakistan also harbors the highest numbers of poliomyelitis cases in the world, threatening global eradication goals. Although the infectious morbidity and mortality is huge, until this Fogarty-supported program was established in 2007, Pakistan had no formal training programs in infectious diseases, and a tremendous shortage of individuals with the requisite skills to conduct independent research in infectious diseases affecting Pakistani children. The Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at the Aga Khan University in Karachi has a well-established research program relevant to improving child health and survival in developing countries. In collaboration with colleagues at Emory and CDC in Atlanta, AKU can offer unique training opportunities in infectious diseases to Pakistani trainees. The long-term aim is to prepare a cadre of individuals who will provide the evidence, leadership, and enthusiasm needed to reduce the burden of childhood infections of major public health importance in Pakistan and other developing countries. The Infectious Diseases and Child Health in Pakistan (IDCHIP) Research Training Program will provide opportunities for structured long- and short-term training (degree and non-degree course work and mentored research) with particular focus on (i) vaccine-preventable illnesses and, (ii) neonatal infections. Building research skills in thee two areas has particular relevance for infectious disease control and reducing infectious disease-related child mortality in Pakistan. Research training areas will include: polio eradication, sustainable introduction of new vaccines against diarrhea (rotavirus vaccine) and pneumonia (pneumococcal vaccines), measles elimination, optimizing immunization programs;and epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of neonatal infections. Long-term graduate training will be conducted in Pakistan, with short-term training options at Emory and CDC utilized for advanced skills development. A larger group of trainees from Pakistan will also benefit from specialized training in research methodology and research management. Non-technical Summary: Pakistan has a very high burden of infectious disease-related child deaths as well as crippling diseases such as polio. This training program will equip individuals will research skills necessary to reduce the burden of infections in newborn babies and vaccine- preventable childhood illnesses.

Public Health Relevance

Pakistan has a very high burden of infectious disease-related child deaths as well as crippling diseases such as polio. This training program will equip individuals will research skills necessary to reduce the burden of infections in newborns and vaccine- preventable illnesses in Pakistan.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Fogarty International Center (FIC)
Type
International Research Training Grants (D43)
Project #
5D43TW007585-07
Application #
8704773
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IDM-U (56))
Program Officer
Sina, Barbara J
Project Start
2006-07-01
Project End
2018-01-31
Budget Start
2014-02-01
Budget End
2015-01-31
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$243,000
Indirect Cost
$18,000
Name
Aga Khan University
Department
Type
DUNS #
645366253
City
Karachi
State
Country
Pakistan
Zip Code
74800
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Mir, Fatima; Nisar, Imran; Tikmani, Shiyam S et al. (2017) Simplified antibiotic regimens for treatment of clinical severe infection in the outpatient setting when referral is not possible for young infants in Pakistan (Simplified Antibiotic Therapy Trial [SATT]): a randomised, open-label, equivalence trial. Lancet Glob Health 5:e177-e185
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Saleem, Ali Faisal; Mach, Ondrej; Yousafzai, Mohammad T et al. (2017) Needle adapters for intradermal administration of fractional dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine: Evaluation of immunogenicity and programmatic feasibility in Pakistan. Vaccine 35:3209-3214
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Qamar, Farah Naz; Nisar, Muhammad Imran; Quadri, Farheen et al. (2016) Aeromonas-Associated Diarrhea in Children Under 5 Years: The GEMS Experience. Am J Trop Med Hyg 95:774-780
Owais, Aatekah; Schwartz, Benjamin; Kleinbaum, David G et al. (2016) Minimum Acceptable Diet at 9 Months but Not Exclusive Breastfeeding at 3 Months or Timely Complementary Feeding Initiation Is Predictive of Infant Growth in Rural Bangladesh. PLoS One 11:e0165128
Qamar, Farah Naz; Zaman, Umber; Quadri, Farheen et al. (2016) Predictors of diarrheal mortality and patterns of caregiver health seeking behavior in in Karachi, Pakistan. J Glob Health 6:020406

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