Kilifi Perinatal and Maternal Health Research Programme (KIPMAT)

Other investigators: Anna Seale, Maureen Owiti

Maternal and Child Health is the highest priority in international development; recognised through Millennium Development Goals (MDG) four and five. Almost a half of child deaths less than five years occur in neonates (< 28 days), 75% in the first seven days of life. Still births equal the number of neonatal deaths worldwide.

The greatest un-met need is in sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for a half of all maternal and child deaths worldwide. There has been little or no progress towards MDG 4 or 5. Furthermore, our understanding of the problems of maternal and perinatal health (<7 days of age), where the burden of morbidity and mortality is highest, is extremely limited.

The Kilifi Perinatal and Maternal Health Research Programme (KIPMAT) aims to address fundamental questions on the risk factors for perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality in this setting, based on systematic clinical surveillance, supported by appropriate investigation, in Kilifi District Hospital Maternity unit.

The core study aims to identify the contribution of key risk factors to perinatal and maternal health, such as HIV infection, malaria, bacterial infection, under nutrition and anaemia; risk factors which are also potentially amenable to intervention. In addition, it will establish a birth cohort to monitor long-term effects on child health. Surveillance data and routine samples collected will facilitate subsequent detailed basic science research on factors that influence the health of pregnant mothers and their infants.

Collaborators:
Stephen Kennedy, Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oxford
http://www.obs-gyn.ox.ac.uk

Androulla Efstratiou, Health Protection Agency, Colindale, London
http://www.hpa.org.uk