Meet the Kenyan Medical Entomologist researching malaria prevention
Photo credit: The Mawazo Institute
Author: Alvin Wandabwa
On World Malaria Day, April 25th 2024, to celebrate the gains that African researchers have made in malaria treatment and prevention, we interviewed our very own 2021 Mawazo Fellow, Kenyan Medical Entomologist Dr. Trizah Milugo.
MI: What are the rates of malaria in Kenya?
According to the latest reports by the World Health Organisation (WHO), there were 249 million cases of malaria and 608,000 deaths globally in 2022. Notably over 90% of these cases and deaths were in Africa. In Kenya 70% of the population are at risk of malaria and close to 3.5 million new cases are reported each year. The distribution of malaria burden in the country is not uniform with those living at the coast and in western regions facing a higher risk compared to the general population.
MI: What are Malaria risk factors?
Some of the risk factors that have been reported to favor transmission of malaria include socioeconomic factors such as sex/gender, age (Children age 5 and below are at a greater risk), marital status, level of education, occupation and income; Environmental factors/weather conditions (i.e. temperature, humidity and precipitations), living in close proximity to mosquito breeding sites such as stagnant water, change in mosquito vectors, insecticide resistance and antimalarial drug resistance
MI: Why did you first get into malaria research?
I was born and lived in a malaria endemic region and growing up I suffered multiple bouts of malaria infections, leading to missed school days and the loss of friends and relatives to the disease. The profound impact of surviving malaria fueled my dedication to delve into malaria research and advocacy, with a fervent desire to contribute significantly towards eradicating malaria through research. My current research interest revolves around the development of innovative strategies that target to control mosquitoes that transmit malaria parasites. Overall, being involved in malaria research gives me a feeling of satisfaction in the global fight against this deadly disease.
Photo credit: Dr. Trizah Milugo
MI: Does malaria affect women and young girls more than others?
Whilst mosquitoes are gender blind, malaria is not, as women and girls experience distinct vulnerabilities to the diseases. Young women specifically are more vulnerable to the disease during first #pregnancies as they lack the #immunity that typically develops after multiple pregnancies. The consequences of malaria infection during pregnancy can be severe, leading to complications such as anemia, low birth weight or premature delivery, and death (maternal death and/or stillbirth).
Whilst very little research has been done on gender and vulnerability to malaria, the disease generally has a disproportionate impact on women and girls. For example, in some communities, certain gender roles, such as cooking evening meals outdoors , place women at higher risk of contracting malaria. For young girls, other chores like caregiving for sick family members may hinder their progress in school. Moreover, cultural norms in certain communities may require women to seek permission from their husband before seeking medical treatment, leading to delays in accessing essential medical services.
Therefore, it is crucial to adopt a gender-sensitive approach in combating malaria to expedite progress towards its eradication. An important area to consider in this regard is developing gender intentional policies that address the hidden gender implications of malaria.
Photo credit: Dr. Trizah Milugo
MI: How does your research address malaria prevention and treatment?
My current area of research is on malaria prevention and control, with a specific emphasis on exploring the potential of mosquitos’ plant diet in combating malaria . Mosquitoes feed on plants to obtain sugars important for their survival, growth and development. Studies have shown that mosquitoes infected with malaria parasites are attracted to specific plants. Interestingly, compounds from some of these plants have been tested and found to have antimalarial activity against specific stages of the malaria parasite. Therefore, by scrutinizing mosquito plant feeding behaviors, a novel avenue emerges for the discovery of new antimalarial agents sourced from plants. This research approach is particularly noteworthy as it underscores the significance of plant-derived antimalarial drugs like quinine and artemisinin.
MI: How has Mawazo support impacted your work?
I experienced a significant positive impact on my work as a result of the support provided by Mawazo. Upon joining Mawazo in 2021 through the Mawazo Fellowship Program, I was fortunate to receive funding in two cycles (cycle 1 and 2) to bolster my research endeavors. This financial assistance played a crucial role in enabling me to conduct research aimed at testing innovative ideas within my field of study. Additionally, the funding allowed me to hire research assistants, thereby enhancing the efficiency and productivity of my research projects.
Moreover, with the support from Mawazo, I had the opportunity to engage in various community and public outreach activities. During these engagements, I focused on raising awareness about malaria prevention among youth residing in malaria-prone areas. By encouraging personal action against malaria within these communities, I was able to contribute towards promoting health education and disease prevention at the grassroots level.
Apart from the financial backing, another valuable aspect of Mawazo’s support was access to online virtual courses offered through the MLEx platform. These professional development courses equipped me with new skills that are not only beneficial for my ongoing research initiatives but also essential for advancing my career in teaching and academia. The knowledge gained from these courses has enhanced my capabilities as a researcher and educator, enabling me to make a more significant impact in my field.
MI: What do we need to see more of in malaria research in Africa?
Dr. Trizah: With reference to malaria research, current and future research should focus on the following three areas:
Surveillance: Entomological surveillance to detect and/or track emerging malaria vectors and malaria mosquito species distribution in general. Equally important is epidemiological surveillance to help monitor geographical and temporal trends of the malaria burden
Resistance: New malaria control tools are urgently needed and some of the areas that needs to be addressed with urgency is anti-malaria drug resistance and insecticide resistance
Vaccines and drugs development: Malaria research community should also focus on improving efficacy of existing vaccines. Also research focusing on antimalarials with novel modes of action such as transmission-blocking should be encouraged.
Dr. Trizah Milugo works as a lecturer and researcher at the Technical University of Kenya in the School of Biological and life sciences, in the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology.