Improving dementia care in rural Uganda using local health workers
Official title: Pilot feasibility study of the WHO Lay Health Worker Dementia Care, with Internal Facilitation (WLDC+IF) in rural Uganda
Funded at Mbarara University/science/ Technology · NIH-11061425 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mbarara University/science/ Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mbarara, Uganda) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $160,554 |
| NIH project number | 5R21TW012563-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061425 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in rural Uganda or those who are not experiencing dementia symptoms may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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 University/science/ Technology
Mbarara, Uganda Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wakida, Edith — Mbarara University/science/ Technology
- Study coordinator: Wakida, Edith
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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.