Paul Burns, PhD MA
Nominated From: University of Michigan
Research Site: Kenya
Research Area: Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Bioinformatics
Primary Mentor: Judd Walson
Research Project
Neighborhoods, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and HIV/AIDS in Kenya
The goal of the proposed project is to better understand the ways in which neighborhood physical characteristics, specifically access to water and sanitation infrastructure contribute to HIV disease progression among a sample of children ages 0-13 years in Kenya. The study is designed to address two specific questions:
1.Is the type of WASH facilities and infrastructure associated with CD4 cell count, net of individual socio-demographic characteristics?
2.Does the provision of a low cost WASH kit delay HIV-1 progression in resource-limited settings?
Research Significance
Of the 40 million people globally infected with HIV, the majority live in resource-limited countries in sub-Saharan Africa without adequate access to basic water and sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities. Several studies have shown endemic infections, including diarrhea caused by waterborne infections is a frequent cause of illness in people living with HIV-1 infection in resource- limited settings, particularly in children, and may be associated with more rapid HIV-1 disease progression. This study seeks to determine whether the provision of a WASH kit, consisting of chlorine dioxide water purification tablets, a disinfectant and disposable napkins to HIV-1 infected ART-naïve children in Kenya delay HIV disease progression.
Mentors
Publications
Antihelminthics in helminth-endemic areas: effects on HIV disease progression.
