NHLBI Office of Global Health

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Kenya - Moi University, School of Medicine

Center of Excellence

Moi University, School of Medicine
Eldoret, Kenya
Principal Investigator: Sylvester Kimaiyo, MB.ChB., M.Med.
Ampath

Center of Excellence Activity Site

Western Kenya

Developed Country Partner

Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
Principal Investigator: Eric Velazquez, M.D.

Background

In 2001, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases (CVPD) were responsible for almost 30 percent of the disability-adjusted life-years lost in sub-Saharan Africa that were attributable to all noncommunicable diseases combined. In African countries, the majority of CVPD deaths occur among people between 30 and 69 years old, 10 years earlier than in Europe and North America. As a result, a large proportion of individuals with CVPD in Africa are part of the work force. The potential financial costs of this CVPD epidemic on the African continent are staggering.

In most African countries, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is now the second leading cause of death after infectious disease, accounting for 10 percent of total deaths. The Global Burden of Disease Project estimates that between 1990 and 2020, the burden of CVD faced by African countries will double.

Objectives

To establish the American/Sub-Saharan Africa Network for Training and Education (ASANTE) Center of Excellence in Eldoret, Kenya. The ASANTE center will provide clinical, research, and training leadership in cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.

Research Activities

Examine the prevalence, etiology, and outcomes of heart failure in Western Kenya.
Conduct a population-wide, home-based study of hypertension prevalence in Western Kenya.
Investigate the relationship of exposure to indoor air pollution to isolated right heart failure and pulmonary function abnormalities in women in Western Kenya.

Training

The goals are to establish a clinical research training program to develop physician-investigators and to expose health care providers on the front lines of delivering care to research methodologies. The program will use train-the-trainer techniques with clinicians and other support personnel.

Physicians (junior faculty/clinical research fellows): mentoring framework for trainees to include didactic session, modeling, coaching, and practice projects.
Health care providers: community care coordinators, nurses, and clinical/medical officers — didactic sessions based on Web-based modules, including facilitated workshops and self study.