Baylor Eswatini

To influence and document change in health policy, medical practice, standards of care and models of care, Baylor Swaziland conducts diverse research in pediatric care and treatment. We maintain an Institutional Review Board, which is responsible for streamlining and ensuring the integrity of all research projects. During 2016-2017, we havethe following studies ongoing:

• Host genetic factors influencing HIV and TB disease progression in African pediatric HIV (Ongoing multi-center study)

• The Immunologic Effects of Helminthic Infection on Tuberculosis and HIV Specific Immunity and Progression. (Ongoing - Conducted in collaboration with Global TB Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.)

• Assessment of the Knowledge,Attitudes and Behaviors of Primary Caregivers of Children and Adolescents to Isoniazid Preventative Therapy. (Ongoing)

• Operational Evaluation of an Intensified TB Case Finding Program Intervention (Ongoing)

• Association between Malnutrition and Diagnosed Drug Susceptible Tuberculosis Amongst Children Aged Zero to Fifteen Years old in Swaziland.

• Developing Sustainable and Effective Diagnostic Testing Algorithms for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea in Adolescents Living with HIV in Swa- ziland using gene x-pert technolo-gies. (Funded through Global Health Innovations Grant)

• “Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis in Pedi-atric HIV Population of Swaziland”. This is a collaborative study between Emory University, a local ophthalmologist, Dr. Jonathan Pons and Baylor Swaziland.

• Drug Resistant Tuberculosis-Understanding infection to support prevention (An additional study awaiting IRB approval)

 

Through our collaboration with other local leaders like Dr. Jonathon Pons (ophthalmologist), we have been able to educate our staff members on early identification of this sight-threatening diagnosis. The preliminary data suggests that as many as one quarter of our HIV positive young people may be suffering from this condition. If untreated, it can lead to permanent damage, but if well controlled you can avoid these long term consequences. The study team has already started engaging local leadership through the Ministry of Health to procure the affordable drug used to treat this condition for a lasting benefit to allpeople living with HIV in Swaziland. There has been a marked enthusiasm and engagement among staff on re-

search issues from every department in the COE and satellite clinics. This is demonstrated by the fact that 23 abstracts were presented and 13 have been accepted to the 19th BIPAI network meeting from the various COE departments.