SI-Improving maternal health outcomes in Ethiopia by integrating of point-of-care testing for sexually transmitted infections in antenatal

ET2022SIN344A103 01/09/2022 - 31/08/2024 The project primary aims are to tackle neonatal and maternal mortality and morbidity and to improve quality of postgraduate education on women’s health through advanced research. These goals respond to the sustainable development goals (SDG) 3.2 (reducing under-5 years mortality), SDG 3.8 (universal access to effective treatment) and SDG 4 (quality education). Although Ethiopia has made strides in reducing maternal and childhood mortality, the mortality rates are still unacceptably high. An estimate in 2015 indicated that maternal mortality in Ethiopia was 412 per 100,000 live births while infant and neonatal mortality rates were 48 and 20 per 1000 live births. None of the targets of the MDG are met here. With its focus on maternal and child health and improving diagnostics of sexually transmitted infections in pregnancy, a major contributor to perinatal morbidity and mortality, we believe that this project will immensely contribute to the attainment of SDG3 in Ethiopia. Quality in education is recognized as one of the main drivers of economic development and poverty reduction. It is among the series of indicators for the achievement of sustainable future for all set out in 2016 by the UN. This project further aims to contribute to SDG targets 4.7 (Acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development) and that of 4.B (Expanding globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries) by enabling a PhD student to work on this project, by periods of expert training and research at Ghent University, and by implementing this expertise at the partner institutions in Ethiopia (Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa University (AAU) and ALERT hospital). Higher education institutions have a big role to play in developing innovative local strategies required for a sustainable future and positive societal transformation. Ethiopia has an underdeveloped education system that is plagued by quality problems. Education both at undergraduate level is tasked with knowledge generation for national development and this requires integration of good-quality research especially at the postgraduate level. This project envisages engaging a PhD student and providing all the required facilities to perform good-quality research on sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women and contribute towards the attainment of SDG4.