AAS Open Research最新文献

{"title":"Detecting level of wetland encroachment for urban agriculture in Uganda using hyper-temporal remote sensing","authors":"S. Kabiri, Molly Allen, Juduth Toma Okuonzia, B. Akello, Rebecca Ssabaganzi, D. Mubiru","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13040.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13040.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Urbanization is an important indicator of economic growth and social change but is associated with environmental degradation. In Uganda, wetlands cover an area of 11% of the country’s land area, of which half have been converted to industry and residential areas, and urban agriculture. Here, we investigate the extent of wetlands lost in two Ugandan cities, Wakiso and Kampala, in a period of 30 years. Secondly, we demonstrate a simple methodology to monitor agriculture on encroached wetlands. Methods: Using a field survey and free remote sensing data from Landsat TM 1986 and Landsat ETM 2016 we classified the rate of wetland loss and encroachment from 1986 to 2016. Using MODIS NDVI 16-day composites at 500-meter spatial resolution, we generated distinctive crops and crop mixtures in the encroached wetlands for urban agriculture using the ISODATA clustering algorithm. Results: Over 30 years, 72,828 ha (73%) of the Wakiso-Kampala wetlands have been lost. Agriculture areas have doubled, of which 16,488 ha (23%) were reclaimed from wetlands. All cultivated agriculture in Kampala was in the wetlands while in Wakiso, 73% of crop agriculture was in the wetlands. Major crops grown in these urban wetlands were banana (20%), sugarcane (22%), maize (17%), Eucalyptus trees (12%), sweet potatoes (10%). Conclusions: The Kampala-Wakiso wetlands have been disappearing at a rate of 2500 ha annually for the last 30 years. At this rate, there will be no wetlands left by 2029. Policy recommendations should promote wetland reclamation programs so as to restore and reconstruct lost and fragmented wetlands; should mandate food security and poverty eradication to convene with ministries regulating wetlands to merge conflicting policies; and should develop polices that are inclusive of challenges faced by the urban poor while at the same time minimize the pressures on urban environments.","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48175774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The nexus between improved water supply and water-borne diseases in urban areas in Africa: a scoping review protocol.","authors":"Nyamai Mutono,&nbsp;James Wright,&nbsp;Henry Mutembei,&nbsp;Josphat Muema,&nbsp;Mair Thomas,&nbsp;Mumbua Mutunga,&nbsp;Samuel Mwangi Thumbi","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13063.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13063.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction</b>: Currently, an estimated two thirds of the world population is water insufficient. As of 2015, one out of every five people in developing countries do not have access to clean sufficient drinking water. In an attempt to share the limited resource, water has been distributed at irregular intervals in cities in developing countries. Residents in these cities seek alternative water sources to supplement the inadequate water supplied. Some of these alternative sources of water are unsafe for human consumption, leading to an increased risk in water-borne diseases. Africa contributes to 53% of the diarrheal cases reported globally, with contaminated drinking water being the main source of transmission. Water-borne diseases like diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, amoebiasis, dysentery, gastroenteritis, cryptosporidium, cyclosporiasis, giardiasis, guinea worm and rotavirus are a major public health concern. The main objective of this scoping review is to map the available evidence to understand the sources of water among residents in cities in Africa and the relationship between clean water sufficiency and water-borne diseases in urban Africa. <b>Methods and analysis</b>: The search strategy will identify studies published in scientific journals and reports that are directly relevant to African cities that have a population of more than half a million residents as of 2014 AND studies on the ten emerging water-borne diseases, which are diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, amoebiasis, dysentery, gastroenteritis, cryptosporidium, cyclosporiasis, giardiasis, guinea worm and rotavirus. <b>Ethics and dissemination:</b> This scoping review did not require any formal ethical approval. The findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":"12"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7883317/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25413542","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Current and emerging diagnostic tests available for the novel COVID-19 global pandemic.","authors":"Gerald Mboowa","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13059.1","DOIUrl":"10.12688/aasopenres.13059.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) upgraded the status of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak from epidemic to a global pandemic. This infection is caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Several rapid diagnostic tests have been developed at an astonishing pace; however, COVID-19 requires more highly specific rapid point-of-care diagnostic tests. This review describes the currently available testing approaches, as well as the available test assays including the Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test (takes _~45 min) and Abbott ID COVID-19 test (5 min) as easy to use point-of-care tests for diagnosis of novel COVID-19 that have so far received the US Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorizations clearance. This review is correct as of the date published and will be updated as more diagnostic tests come to light.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":"8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7255909/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38044008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimization of bioremediation-cocktail for application in the eco-recovery of crude oil polluted soil.","authors":"Joseph E Agbaji, Eucharia O Nwaichi, Gideon O Abu","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13028.1","DOIUrl":"10.12688/aasopenres.13028.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: Environmental sustainability is the driver for finding the optimal bioremediation cocktail with the combination of highly potent hydrocarbonoclastic strains and the nutrient additives that significantly enhance mineralization of crude oil in polluted soil in order to mitigate its deleterious effects on the environment. In this study, four hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial strains were pre-selected from mined rhizobacterial isolates in aged crude oil-contaminated soil. <b> Method</b>: Agrowaste residues of poultry-droppings, corn chaff, and plantain peel were selected among others for their ability to support high biomass of selected bacterial strains. Baseline proximate analysis was performed on the agrowaste residues. Simplified, one variable at a time (OVAT) was employed in the validation of the variables for optimization using the Multivariate analysis tool of Response Surface Methodology (RSM). To test the significant formulation variables, the Box-Behnken approach using 15 runs design was adopted. <b>Results</b>:  The rate of contaminant removal was observed to fit into a quadratic function. For optimal rate or contaminant removal, the fitted model predicted the optimal formulation cocktail condition to be within 0.54 mg/kg (Corn steep liquor), phosphate 137.49 mg/kg (poultry droppings) and 6.4% inocula for initial TPH of 9744 mg kg ^-1 and THC of 9641 mg kg ^-1 contaminant level. The model for the application of the bioremediation product and the variables evaluated had a significant p-value < 0.005 for the attainment of 85 to 96 % of TPH and THC removal after 56 days of treatment. <b>Conclusions</b>:  This study has shown the need to harness the abundant agrowaste nutrients in supporting high throughput rhizobacteria in the formulation of a bioremediation agent suitable for use in the reclamation of oil spill sites in the Niger Delta oil-producing region.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":"7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7551562/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38521362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"COVID-19: Are Africa's diagnostic challenges blunting response effectiveness?","authors":"Francis Kobia,&nbsp;Jesse Gitaka","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13061.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13061.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Since its emergence in Wuhan, China in December 2019, novel Coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide, achieving pandemic status on 11 ^th March, 2020. As of 1 ^st April 2020, COVID-19, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), had infected over 800,000 people and caused over 40,000 deaths in 205 countries and territories. COVID-19 has had its heaviest toll on Europe, United States and China. As of 1 ^st of April 2020, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa was relatively low, with the highest number registered by South Africa, which had reported 1,380 confirmed cases. On the same date (also the date of this review), Africa had reported 5,999 confirmed cases, of which 3,838 (almost 65%) occurred in South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, with the remaining 2,071 cases distributed unevenly across the other African countries. We speculate that while African nations are currently experiencing much lower rates of COVID-19 relative to other continents, their significantly lower testing rates may grossly underestimate incidence rates. Failure to grasp the true picture may mean crucial windows of opportunity shut unutilized, while limited resources are not deployed to maximum effect. In the absence of extensive testing data, an overestimation of spread may lead to disproportionate measures being taken, causing avoidable strain on livelihoods and economies. Here, based on the African situation, we discuss COVID-19 diagnostic challenges and how they may blunt responses.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":"4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7205356/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37927081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Leveraging investments in Ebola preparedness for COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa.","authors":"Rodgers Ayebare,&nbsp;Peter Waitt,&nbsp;Stephen Okello,&nbsp;Mubaraka Kayiira,&nbsp;Maureen Atim Ajok,&nbsp;Irene Nakatudde,&nbsp;Nahid Bhadelia,&nbsp;Mohammed Lamorde","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13052.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13052.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in China and transmission to more than 80 territories worldwide, including nine countries in Africa, presents a delicate situation for low-resource settings. Countries in Eastern and Central Africa have been on high alert since mid-2018 in anticipation of regional spread of the Ebola virus from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Significant investment has been made to support enhanced surveillance at point of entry and hospitals, infection control practices, clinical case management, and clinical research. With a new threat on the horizon, African countries have an opportunity to leverage the existing capacities for Ebola preparedness to brace for the imminent threat.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":"3"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7236423/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38013944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of birth weight, exclusive breastfeeding and growth in infancy on fat mass and fat free mass indices in early adolescence: an analysis of the Entebbe Mother and Baby Study (EMaBs) cohort.","authors":"Jonathan Nsamba,&nbsp;Swaib A Lule,&nbsp;Benigna Namara,&nbsp;Christopher Zziwa,&nbsp;Hellen Akurut,&nbsp;Lawrence Lubyayi,&nbsp;Florence Akello,&nbsp;Josephine Tumusiime,&nbsp;Alison M Elliott,&nbsp;Emily L Webb","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.12947.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.12947.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> There is limited data from Africa on the effect of pre- and post-natal growth and infant feeding on later body composition. This study's aim was to investigate the effect of birth weight, exclusive breastfeeding and infant growth on adolescent body composition, using data from a Ugandan birth cohort. <b>Methods</b>: Data was collected prenatally from pregnant women and prospectively from their resulting live offspring. Data on body composition (fat mass index [FMI] and fat free mass index [FFMI]) was collected from 10- and 11-year olds. Linear regression was used to assess the effect of birth weight, exclusive breastfeeding and infant growth on FMI and FFMI, adjusting for confounders. <b>Results</b>: 177 adolescents with a median age of 10.1 years were included in analysis, with mean FMI 2.9 kg/m ² (standard deviation (SD) 1.2), mean FFMI 12.8 kg/m ² (SD 1.4) and mean birth weight 3.2 kg (SD 0.5). 90 (50.9%) were male and 110 (63.2%) were exclusively breastfeeding at six weeks of age. Birth weight was associated with FMI in adolescence (regression coefficient β= 0.66 per kg increase in birth weight, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.04, 1.29), P=0.02), while exclusive breastfeeding (β= -0.43, 95% CI (-1.06, 0.19), P=0.12), growth 0-6 months (β= 0.24 95% CI (-0.43, 0.92), P=0.48) and growth 6-12 months (β= 0.61, 95% CI (-0.23, 1.46), P=0.11) were not associated with FMI among adolescents. Birth weight (β= 0.91, 95% CI (0.17, 1.65), P=0.01) was associated with FFMI in adolescence. Exclusive breastfeeding (β= 0.17, 95% CI (-0.60, 0.94), P=0.62), growth 0-6 months (β= 0.56, 95% CI (-0.20, 1.33), P= 0.10), and growth 6-12 months (β= -0.02, 95% CI (-1.02, 0.99), P=0.97) were not associated with FFMI. <b>Conclusions:</b> Birth weight predicted body composition parameters in Ugandan early adolescents, however, exclusive breastfeeding at six weeks of age and growth in infancy did not.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":"11"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7118828/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37908824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>\"We shall have gone to a higher standard</i>\": Training village heath teams (VHTs) to use a smartphone-guided intervention to link older Ugandans with hypertension and diabetes to care.","authors":"Joseph Okello Mugisha,&nbsp;Janet Seeley","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13049.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13049.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: It is not clear whether village health teams (VHTs) can be empowered to participate in interventions to prevent and control hypertension and diabetes in older adults in Uganda. We conducted this study in rural Uganda to establish if VHTs could be effectively trained to use a smart phone guided intervention to link older people with hypertension and diabetes to care. We also explored the experiences of VHTs in managing older adults with health problems, their knowledge of hypertension and diabetes and their understanding of referral systems. We also explored their experiences with smartphones. <b>Methods:</b> We conducted in-depth interviews (IDIs) with and trained 20 VHTs randomly selected from Bukulula sub-county in Kalungu district from October 2017-December 2018. We used interview guides to explore topics relevant to our study objectives. VHTs were trained to measure blood sugar and blood pressure using digital machines. VHTs were trained on identifying symptoms of diabetes mellitus. Data from IDIs were analysed using thematic content analysis. Competence tests were used to evaluate the training. <b>Results:</b> Most of the VHTs were female (75%). All VHTs had some knowledge on hypertension and diabetes and other chronic diseases. They did not have any experience in treating older adults since they had been trained to deal mainly with children. Half of the VHTs owned smartphones. All were willing to participate in an intervention using a smartphone to link older adults with hypertension and diabetes mellitus to care. By the end of the training, all but three participants could comprehend the symptoms of diabetes and measure blood sugar and blood pressure. <b>Conclusion:</b> Village health teams in the study setting need training in managing the health needs of older adults before engaging with an intervention using smartphones to link older adults with diabetes mellitus and hypertension to care.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":"3 ","pages":"25"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8729021/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9149921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Journey of Hope: giving research participants a voice to share their experiences and improve community engagement around advanced HIV disease in Uganda.","authors":"Fiona V Cresswell,&nbsp;John Kasibante,&nbsp;Emily M Martyn,&nbsp;Lillian Tugume,&nbsp;Gavin Stead,&nbsp;Kenneth Ssembambulidde,&nbsp;Morris K Rutakingirwa,&nbsp;Enock Kagimu,&nbsp;Laura Nsangi,&nbsp;Carol Namuju,&nbsp;Jane F Ndyetukira,&nbsp;Cynthia Ahimbisibwe,&nbsp;Florence Kugonza,&nbsp;Alisat Sadiq,&nbsp;Alice Namudde,&nbsp;Joanna Dobbin,&nbsp;Diksha Srishyla,&nbsp;Carson Quinn,&nbsp;Mable Kabahubya,&nbsp;Conrad Muzoora,&nbsp;Stephen Watiti,&nbsp;David B Meya,&nbsp;Alison M Elliott","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13104.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13104.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Over the last decade excellent progress has been made globally in HIV management thanks to antiretroviral therapy (ART) rollout and international guidelines now recommending immediate initiation of ART in people living with HIV. Despite this, advanced HIV disease (CD4 less than 200 cells/mL) and opportunistic infections remain a persistent challenge and contribute significantly to HIV-associated mortality, which equates to 23,000 deaths in Uganda in 2018 alone. Our Meningitis Research Team based in Uganda is committed to conducting clinical trials to answer important questions regarding diagnostics and management of HIV-associated opportunistic infections, including tuberculosis and cryptococcal meningitis. However, clinical research is impossible without research participants and results are meaningless unless they are translated into benefits for those affected by the disease. Therefore, we held a series of community engagement events with the aims of 1) giving research participants a voice to share their experiences of clinical research and messages of hope around advanced HIV disease with the community, 2) dispelling myths and stigma around HIV, and 3) raising awareness about the complications of advanced HIV disease and local clinical research and recent scientific advances. The purpose of this Open Letter is to describe our community engagement experience in Uganda, where we aimed to give clinical research participants a greater voice to share their experiences. These activities build upon decades of work in HIV community engagement and lays a platform for future research and engagement activities.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":"3 ","pages":"33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7682503/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10290649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Career development for infection and immunity research in Uganda: a decade of experience from the Makerere University - Uganda Virus Research Institute research and training programme.","authors":"D. Nakanjako, F. Zalwango, Pamela Wairagala, Fiona Luboga, Irene Andia Biraro, V. Bukirwa, Mary Gorrethy N. Mboowa, S. Cose, J. Seeley, A. Elliott","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13066.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13066.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The Makerere University/Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) Centre of Excellence for Infection & Immunity Research and Training (MUII) is a collaborative programme supporting excellence in Infection and Immunity (I&I) research in Uganda. Set up in 2008, MUII aims to produce internationally competitive Ugandan and East African I&I research leaders, and develop human and infrastructural resources to support research and training excellence. We undertook an internal evaluation of MUII's achievements, challenges and lessons learned between August 2008 and December 2019, to inform programmes seeking to build Africa's health research expertise. Methods: Quantitative data were abstracted from programme annual reports. Qualitative data were obtained in March and April 2019: a cross-sectional evaluation was undertaken among a purposefully selected representative sample of 27 trainees and two programme staff. Qualitative data was analysed according to pre-determined themes of achievements, challenges, lessons learned and recommendations for improvement. Results: By December 2019, MUII had supported 68 fellowships at master's-level and above (50% female: 23 Masters, 27 PhD, 15 post-doctoral, three group-leader fellows) and over 1,000 internships. Fellows reported career advancement, mentorship by experts, and improved research skills and outputs. Fellows have published over 300 papers, secured grants worth over £20m, established over 40 international collaborations, and taken on research and academic leadership positions in the country. Key lessons for success include the following: efficient administration provides an enabling environment; institutions need supportive policies for procurement, including provisions for purchases of specific biological research reagents from international manufacturers; strong international, multi-disciplinary collaboration provides a critical mass of expertise to mentor researchers in development; and mentorship catalyses young scientists to progress from graduate trainees to productive academic researchers, relevant to society's most pressing health challenges. Conclusions: Sustainable academic productivity can be achieved through efficient operational support, global collaboration and mentorship to provide solutions to Africa's health challenges.","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":"3 1","pages":"26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66396823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}