Data tools to find health risks in children and teens living with HIV
DSpace: Utilizing Data Science to Predict and Improve Health Outcomes in Pediatric HIV
This project uses computer-based data tools to spot risks like metabolic problems and hidden tuberculosis in children and adolescents with HIV in Botswana and similar settings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Botswana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gaborone, Botswana) |
| Project ID | NIH-11383289 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You or your child may be asked to let doctors use clinic records, lab results, and sometimes blood samples to teach computer programs to recognize who is at risk for metabolic syndrome or undetected TB. The team will adapt tools that worked in adults and try them with children and teens in Botswana to see how well they identify real health problems. Participation could include extra screenings or sharing existing medical information from clinic visits. The goal is to help clinicians find and treat problems earlier for better long-term health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children and adolescents living with HIV who receive care at participating clinics in Botswana (roughly ages 0–20) and whose caregivers agree to share medical records and samples are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without HIV, adults older than the study age range, or those not receiving care at participating sites are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these tools could help catch metabolic problems and hidden TB earlier in children with HIV so they receive treatment sooner and avoid long-term complications.
How similar studies have performed: Related computer-based risk tools have shown promise in adult populations in Western countries, but applying them to children with HIV in Africa is relatively new and untested.
Where this research is happening
Gaborone, Botswana
- University of Botswana — Gaborone, Botswana (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Retshabile, Gaone — University of Botswana
- Study coordinator: Retshabile, Gaone
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 below.