Zambia
Efficacy of the Personal Insect Repellent Kit (PIRK) to reduce and prevent outdoor transmission of Plasmodium spp.
The objective of this project is to assess the degree to which the Personal Insect Repellent Kit (PIRK) product reduces and prevents outdoor transmission of mosquito-vectored Plasmodium spp. (malaria) using entomological correlates of protection. The outcome will provide a quantitative estimate of reduction in human-mosquito exposure in Macha, Choma District, Southern Province, Zambia. This area has been shown to experience peri-domestic outdoor malaria transmission; current malaria interventions in Zambia are only deployed indoors.
Research Focus
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Epidemiology
At the EIGH, our researchers use epidemiology to understand the distribution and determinants of the health and disease conditions in specific populations, and to identify risk factors for certain diseases. This allows them to develop, implement, and measure the impact of targeted, preventative healthcare methods.
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Infectious Diseases
At the EIGH, our researchers work to combat a number of various illnesses, including infectious diseases caused by organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. These diseases can also be spread from one person to another and may be transmitted from animals to humans.
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Molecular Biology and Microbiology
Researchers at the EIGH use microbiology, which encompasses the study of an entire microorganism, and molecular biology, or the interactivity between molecules within a cell of an organism, to better understand disease and improve global health.
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Vector-borne Diseases
Vector-borne disease research is a historic strength of the EIGH. Our researchers study multiple parts of the vector-borne disease lifecycle, such as how the parasites, viruses, and bacteria cause these kinds of diseases, how the vectors spread these diseases, and how to improve prevention methods in tropical and subtropical areas, which have the highest burden of vector-borne illnesses.
Who’s Involved
EIGH Faculty
GLOBAL PARTNERS
- Macha Research Trust, Macha, Zambia
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME PARTNERSHIPS
- Department of Biological Sciences