Improving dementia care in rural Uganda using local health workers

Pilot feasibility study of the WHO Lay Health Worker Dementia Care, with Internal Facilitation (WLDC+IF) in rural Uganda

NIH-funded research Mbarara University/science/ Technology · NIH-11061425

This study is all about helping people with dementia in rural Uganda by training local health workers to use special tools and strategies that fit their community, so they can better support patients and their caregivers.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMbarara University/science/ Technology NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Mbarara, Uganda)
Project IDNIH-11061425 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing dementia care in rural Uganda by training local health workers to implement the World Health Organization's dementia care toolkit. The project aims to address the lack of awareness and support for dementia among caregivers and patients in these communities. By utilizing culturally tailored strategies and local resources, the study seeks to improve early detection, management, and caregiver support for individuals living with dementia. The approach involves collaboration with community members to ensure effective delivery of care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals aged 60 and older living in rural Uganda who may be experiencing symptoms of dementia, as well as their caregivers.

Not a fit: Patients who do not reside in rural Uganda or those who are not experiencing dementia symptoms may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of dementia care and support for patients and their caregivers in rural Uganda.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that training local health workers can be an effective strategy for implementing health interventions in low-resource settings, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Mbarara, Uganda

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.