Kuishi-TBI App: Mobile care tool for traumatic brain injury in Tanzania
Official title: Kuishi-TBI App: A mobile health application for traumatic brain injury care in Moshi, Tanzania
Funded at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre · NIH-11440852 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A mobile health app to help triage, guide treatment, and educate TBI patients in Tanzania and similar settings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Moshi, TANZANIA U REP) |
| Project start | September 7, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $183,457 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS151171-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11440852 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with suspected or confirmed traumatic brain injury in Tanzania and similar low-resource or rural settings where access to timely care is limited.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in well-resourced settings with rapid access to care may experience limited incremental benefit from this specific app.
What this research studies
This project will create the Kuishi-TBI App to speed up and improve brain injury care in low-resource areas by integrating a machine learning risk model, local care guidelines, and coordinated communication among patients, facilities, and transport teams. The app also includes an SMS-based education module to support self-care and rehabilitation after TBI. It leverages the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre network in Moshi, Tanzania, to pilot and refine the tool in real-world clinical settings. By simplifying triage, guiding decisions, and improving communication, the app aims to reduce delays and mortality from TBI. The study design includes a cluster randomization element to evaluate implementation across different settings within the referral network.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could shorten time to appropriate care for TBI patients and lower mortality in low-resource settings.
How similar studies have gone: Prior mHealth approaches have shown promise in improving care coordination and adherence in low-resource settings, but this targeted TBI app is novel in this network.
Where this research is happening
-
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre
Moshi, Tanzania U Rep Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ngowi, Kennedy Michael — Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre
- Study coordinator: Ngowi, Kennedy Michael
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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.