# GH16-006: Conducting Communicable Disease Research in Kenya

> **NIH ALLCDC U01** · WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $3,539,782

## Abstract

Project Summary
Washington State University (WSU) proposes research in Kenya to address 7 objectives in Component
A, Communicable Disease, of RFA-GH-16-006. The research is organized into three projects that
together address the following objectives: Project 1 (i) develop, maintain and expand surveillance
systems combining population-based and facility-based demographic, morbidity and mortality
surveillance; (ii) develop laboratory capacity and platforms for etiologic investigation and evaluation of
novel diagnostic; Project 2 (iii) conduct studies to assess the disease burden, risk factors, and
prevention of zoonotic infections; (iv) conduct surveillance and research on antimicrobial resistance; (v)
conduct research on the epidemiology and ecology of arboviruses and their vectors; and Project 3 (vi)
conduct socio-cultural research on knowledge, attitudes and practice related to infectious disease and
acceptance of prevention methods; (vii) develop cost of disease and intervention estimates. To
accomplish these objectives, WSU has assembled a team of 20 scientists derived from WSU,
University of Nairobi (UON), Emory University, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kansas
State University, and the government of Kenya. In addition, we have enlisted the infrastructural support
of KEMRI, UON, and Henry Jackson Foundation. Since 2001, CDC has managed the human
demographic surveillance system, rural and urban population-based infectious disease surveillance in
Kenya. These platforms and the supporting laboratories were designed to assist in determining the
burden of diseases and in conducting disease intervention trials. Here, WSU proposes to start by
managing the platforms as-is, but also pilot new approaches to promote their fiscal sustainability.
Through the platforms and other surveillance approaches, WSU will investigate the burden and risk
factors of endemic and emerging diseases and antimicrobial resistance. In addition, we will conduct
intervention studies to address the threats, and engage the government of Kenya to share data and
advocate for policy change. Social scientists will work with the disease research team to assess the
perceptions of diseases and treatment options, as well as behaviors that may affect human-human and
animal-human transmission. To assess the economic burden of disease and cost-effectiveness of
interventions, both direct and indirect impacts will be considered. The outcome of this project will be
better understanding of level of these threats, and development of interventions that result in
improvement of the health of Kenyans and reduction in global health threats.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10002061
- **Project number:** 5U01GH002143-05
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** M KARIUKI NJENGA
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $3,539,782
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-30 → 2021-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10002061

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10002061, GH16-006: Conducting Communicable Disease Research in Kenya (5U01GH002143-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10002061. Licensed CC0.

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