Cross-sector partnership uses digital malaria surveillance in Ethiopia
Official title: Cross-sectoral partnership in leveraging the SORMAS digital system for advancing malaria surveillance in Ethiopia
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11624985 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A US-based team will adapt and test a digital malaria surveillance module in SORMAS to help detect and respond to malaria outbreaks in Ethiopia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $9,056 |
| NIH project number | 3R21TW012954-01A1S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11624985 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are populations in malaria-endemic areas and public health workers who would use the digital surveillance tools.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in non-endemic regions without travel or exposure to malaria may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on improving malaria surveillance by adding a malaria-specific module to the SORMAS system and evaluating it in a malaria-endemic setting. It aims to collect case data more quickly and accurately, using a web-based analysis tool to identify outbreaks and support public health action. The project emphasizes collaboration between sectors to strengthen surveillance capacity and knowledge transfer that could inform similar efforts in the future. The work will generate practical tools and insights for malaria surveillance that could benefit at-risk communities and travelers alike.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the enhanced surveillance system could lead to faster outbreak detection and more timely responses, reducing malaria transmission and deaths.
How similar studies have gone: Prior digital surveillance initiatives have shown improvements in data timeliness and actionability in some settings, with mixed results depending on infrastructure and training.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mengist, Abraham — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Mengist, Abraham
Related research
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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.