Pakistan has the 4th highest burden of child mortality in the world, with an estimated 500,000 annual child deaths. Infectious diseases are the biggest killers, causing 60% of all deaths under 5 years of age. WHO estimates that neonatal infections (15%), diarrheal illnesses (17%), and pneumonia (21%) cause over 50% of all child deaths in Pakistan. Although the infectious morbidity and mortality is huge, Pakistan has no formal training programs in infectious diseases. Consequently, there is a tremendous shortage of individuals with the requisite skills to conduct independent research in infectious diseases affecting Pakistani children. The Department of Pediatrics at the Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan has a strong track record in research relevant to improving child survival in developing countries. In collaboration with colleagues at Emory University and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, the Department 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 in Karachi and Atlanta with a particular focus on vaccine translational research and neonatal infections. Vaccine science is a key tool to close the health gap between children in rich and poor countries. Vaccine translational research aims to accelerate rational introduction of new vaccines (e.g. against rotavirus diarrhea and pneumococcal pneumonia) in developing countries by assessment of disease burden, vaccine safety and impact studies (trials and demonstration projects), and economic and policy analyses. Reducing neonatal infection rates is also a high priority for Pakistan with tremendous potential for improving neonatal survival rates. Thus building research skills in these two areas has particular relevance for reducing infectious disease-related child mortality in Pakistan. Non-technical Summary: Pakistan has a very high burden of infectious disease-related child deaths. This training program will equip individuals will research skills necessary to reduce the burden of infections in newborn babies and vaccine-preventable childhood illnesses in Pakistan. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Fogarty International Center (FIC)
Type
International Research Training Grants (D43)
Project #
5D43TW007585-03
Application #
7408594
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-ICP2-B (50))
Program Officer
Sina, Barbara J
Project Start
2006-07-01
Project End
2011-03-31
Budget Start
2008-04-01
Budget End
2009-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$141,717
Indirect Cost
Name
Aga Khan University
Department
Type
DUNS #
645366253
City
Karachi
State
Country
Pakistan
Zip Code
74800
Saleem, Ali Faisal; Yousafzai, Mohammad Tahir; Mach, Ondrej et al. (2018) Evaluation of vaccine derived poliovirus type 2 outbreak response options: A randomized controlled trial, Karachi, Pakistan. Vaccine 36:1766-1771
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
Jehan, Fyezah; Qazi, Shamim (2017) Treating Sick Young Infants With Only Fast Breathing With Oral Amoxicillin in Resource-Limited Settings: Taking the High Road? Clin Infect Dis 64:190-191
Ali, Asad; Yousafzai, Mohammad Tahir; Waris, Rabbia et al. (2017) RSV associated hospitalizations in children in Karachi, Pakistan: Implications for vaccine prevention strategies. J Med Virol 89:1151-1157
Shafiq, Yasir; Khowaja, Asif Raza; Yousafzai, Mohammad Tahir et al. (2017) Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to tetanus toxoid vaccination in women of childbearing age: A cross-sectional study in peri-urban settlements of Karachi, Pakistan. J Infect Prev 18:232-241
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
Shakoor, Sadia; Reller, Megan E; LeFevre, Amnesty et al. (2016) Diagnostic methods to determine microbiology of postpartum endometritis in South Asia: laboratory methods protocol used in the Postpartum Sepsis Study: a prospective cohort study. Reprod Health 13:15
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

Showing the most recent 10 out of 44 publications