Adaptive e-learning and smartphones to improve newborn and child care in Tanzania
Official title: Using adaptive e-learning and smartphones to improve newborn and pediatric admission care outcomes in Mwanza, Tanzania
Funded at Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences Bugando · NIH-11629861 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new program uses smart devices and tailored online learning to help frontline health workers in Mwanza, Tanzania provide better care for newborns and young children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences Bugando NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mwanza, Tanzania U Rep) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $240,010 |
| NIH project number | 4R33TW012612-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11629861 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Health-care workers in select Mwanza public health centers who provide newborn and paediatric care.
✕Less likely to help
Clinicians in other regions or settings without access to similar digital tools may not experience direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests an AI-assisted learning system that adapts to each clinician’s needs and pairs it with hands-on practice to improve care at four public health centers. It compares digital learning with and without added paper-based skills practice, to see which approach better supports providers in delivering life-saving care. Local experts will build and update learning modules with input from Tanzanian stakeholders so the content fits the real-world setting. The study is led by a Tanzanian university and aims to embed the program into routine practice if successful.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, frontline workers could deliver higher quality paediatric and newborn care, potentially reducing preventable deaths.
How similar studies have gone: Similar adaptive learning approaches have shown promise in improving clinical skills in other low-resource settings, with varying levels of impact.
Where this research is happening
-
Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences Bugando
Mwanza, Tanzania U Rep Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hokororo, Adolfine — Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences Bugando
- Study coordinator: Hokororo, Adolfine
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.