Understanding epilepsy and its effects on adolescents in Uganda
Official title: Epilepsy in Uganda: Clinical characterization and co-morbidities, their relation to stigma among adolescents and impact of a community-based engagement program (AWE Change project)
Funded at Makerere University College of Health Sciences · NIH-10923809 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how epilepsy affects teenagers in Uganda, including other health issues they might have and the stigma they face, with the goal of finding ways to improve their care and support through community involvement.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Makerere University College of Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kampala, Uganda) |
| Project start | September 17, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $538,076 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD106277-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10923809 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults living with epilepsy in Uganda, particularly those facing stigma and co-existing health conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside of Uganda or those without a diagnosis of epilepsy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the clinical characteristics of epilepsy among adolescents in Uganda, focusing on the co-existing medical conditions and the stigma associated with the disorder. It aims to engage the community through a program designed to address these issues and improve access to care. By gathering data on the experiences of individuals with epilepsy, the project seeks to highlight the challenges they face and develop strategies to enhance their quality of life. The approach includes community involvement and collaboration with local health systems to ensure sustainable improvements.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes and reduced stigma for adolescents living with epilepsy in Uganda.
How similar studies have gone: Similar community-based approaches have shown promise in addressing health disparities and stigma in other regions, indicating potential for success in this context.
Where this research is happening
-
Makerere University College of Health Sciences
Kampala, Uganda Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kakooza, Angelina Mwesige — Makerere University College of Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Kakooza, Angelina Mwesige
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Scaling Up Task-Shifted Epilepsy Care for Children in Africa
A study to help children with epilepsy in Africa get diagnosed and receive seizure care through trained community health workers.
-
Closed-loop control of interneuron timing to influence seizures and memory in epilepsy
A study tests a brain-quieting system that uses light to precisely time certain brain cells in epilepsy-prone mice to see if this can lessen seizures and improve memory.
-
Epilepsy Data Ecosystem: A Big-Data Sharing Platform for Better Care
A national effort to collect and share large, multi‑modal brain data from people with medication‑resistant epilepsy to speed discoveries and improve treatment options.
-
Exploring epilepsy genes in zebrafish to understand human brain seizures
A study in zebrafish will model human epilepsy genes to help explain how certain brain mutations contribute to seizures.
-
New MRI tools to better plan pediatric epilepsy surgery
A new MRI-based approach helps doctors decide the best time to surgically remove brain tissue in children with difficult-to-control seizures.
-
Sahel Epilepsy Study: finding patterns in epilepsy in rural Africa and its links to genes
A plan to study epilepsy in rural Nigeria to discover how common it is, what factors affect risk, and how genetics may influence it, with results that could improve care for people with epilepsy.
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.