Abigail Link, MPH, PhD
Nominated From: University of Washington/University of Minnesota
Research Site: IDI & Makerere University
Research Area: Meningitis
Primary Mentor: David Meya
Research Project
Meningitis: Burden, Causes and Patient Experiences in Rural Northern Uganda
Each year over one million people, worldwide are affected by meningitis; however, this could be underestimated as some countries have poorer surveillance and monitoring for this disease. In sub-Saharan Africa, most deaths due to meningitis are caused by bacteria or fungi. In Uganda, meningitis was the 9th most common cause for premature death between 2007-2017.
During my Fulbright-Fogarty fellowship year, I will elucidate the burden and causes of meningitis utilizing secondary data from a regional referral hospital in northern Uganda. Additionally, I will seek to understand the experiences of patients with meningitis and the providers who treat and refer meningitis patients through surveys and interviews. This study will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the current prevalence of meningitis and the barriers and facilitators to care in order to improve patient outcomes and meningitis care.
Research Significance
Currently, little is known about the specific causes of meningitis, the overall burden of disease, and the potential impact of prevention measures for meningitis in northern Uganda. Potential ways to prevent meningitis include utilization of vaccines against certain forms of BM, such as meningococcal meningitis, and implementation of CrAg screening programs to prevent CM. The meningococcal vaccine is not currently available in Lira.
Advice for Potential Candidates
Finding supportive and experienced mentors are a key component in creating your research project. Finding these essential collaborations in the research area that piques your interest will allow you to hone your topic and utilize the full expertise of your mentors.
Publications
Mentors
Abigail Link, MPH, PhD
Nominated From: University of Minnesota
Research Site: Makerere University
Research Area: Meningitis
Primary Mentor: David Meya
Research Project
Meningitis: Burden, causes, and prevention in rural northern Uganda
Meningitis is a preventable and treatable infectious disease that affects the lining of the brain. The most common causes are due to bacterial or fungal species. This disease affects over 1.2 million people per year with a case fatality of 6.6-10%. This disease can affect anyone in any country, but sub-Saharan Africa has the highest incidence of meningitis specifically in the area known as the “meningitis belt,” which includes Uganda. Much work through the collaboration of the Meningitis Vaccine Project and the MenAfriVac vaccine for Neisseria meningitidis A decreased the burden for this disease. However, this and other vaccines are not routinely given in northern Uganda. This study will seek to understand the causes and the burden of meningitis using rapid and modern diagnostics that are not currently available in Uganda. The findings from this study will inform the Ministry of Health to understand specific causes of meningitis in northern Uganda to provide informed recommendations for routine vaccination and or screening which is not currently performed at this time.
Research Significance
The goals of the WHO-led global initiative to defeat meningitis by 2030 seek to a) eliminate epidemics of bacterial meningitis, b) reduce cases of and deaths from vaccine-preventable bacterial meningitis, and c) reduce disability and improve quality of life after meningitis of any cause. However, we currently do not know the types of meningitis that are seen in this area due to the lack of testing and unavailable diagnostics at the regional referral hospital. Identifying the true causes of meningitis will provide accurate information on the burden and specific causes of meningitis in northern Uganda to prioritize meningitis vaccination and treatment to decrease mortality and morbidity.
Publications
Mentors
