Improving children's health in Tanzania through better house designs
Star Homes - Better Health Through Better Housing: Phase 2 House Evaluation
This study is testing if new house designs can help reduce illnesses like malaria and respiratory infections in children under 13 living in Tanzania.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 2750 (estimated) |
| Ages | N/A to 12 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Oxford Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Dar Es Salaam, Mtwara) |
| Trial ID | NCT04529434 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates whether innovative house designs, referred to as 'healthy houses', can reduce the incidence of malaria, respiratory infections, and diarrhoea in children under 13 years old in Tanzania. The research will compare health outcomes between children living in these new designs and those in traditional African houses over a three-year period. The study will involve regular household visits, mosquito density assessments, and surveys to evaluate the acceptability of the new house designs among residents. Approximately 2,750 participants from 550 households will be monitored for health improvements and disease prevention.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children under 13 years old living in the Mtwara region of Tanzania who have resided in their village for at least three years.
Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit from this study include those who do not reside in the study villages or whose parents/guardians refuse to participate.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to significant reductions in childhood illnesses and improve overall health outcomes in vulnerable populations.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar interventions aimed at improving housing conditions to enhance health outcomes, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria Main study * Children, aged under 13 years old, male or female * Residing in a study village for at least 3 years * Parents/guardian is willing and able to give written informed consent for the child to participate in the baseline and end-of study evaluation and the surveillance for malaria, respiratory tract infection and diarrhoeal disease. * Additionally, children 10, 11, and 12 years of age provide assent to participate. Ancillary studies * Head of a household or other family member of a household that is taking part in the main study * 18 years and above * Consent to take part in the main study * Residing and live in the village for 3 years or more * Live in the intervention or comparison houses or a trusted community member (community leaders, medical officer and community health worker) Exclusion criteria Main study * Any participant who refuses, or in the case of children whose parents/guardian refuses, to participate in the study. * Any child who is between 10 and 12 years who refuses to provide assent * If the family plans for moving to other village during the study period * Parents/guardians have mental health problems Ancillary studies * Under 18 years * Not provide consent * Not living in the study village for 3 years or more
Where this trial is running
Dar Es Salaam, Mtwara
- CSK Research Solutions — Dar Es Salaam, Mtwara, Tanzania (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Lorenz von Seidlein, Ass.Prof. — Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
- Study coordinator: Lorenz von Seidlein, Ass.Prof.
- Email: Lorenz@tropmedres.ac
- Phone: 66 9 2648-6322
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.