An Interdisciplinary Approach to Malaria Burden in Sub-Saharan Africa

描述（由申请人提供）：尽管100多年来控制和根除疟疾的努力，估计今天死于疟疾的人比以前多。然而，正在为改善全球疟疾控制创造新的机会。例如，正在努力开发新的药物和疫苗，改进病媒控制战略，并在全球范围内增加经杀虫剂处理的蚊帐。虽然这些机会表明人们对改善疟疾控制以及可能消除和根除疟疾持乐观态度，但这些战略的成功将取决于对人类行为的理解，以及对社会、文化、环境和其他背景影响疟疾负担的过程的了解。因此，需要进行新的研究，以建立与影响疟疾的行为、文化、社会和其他背景有关的跨学科数据的坚实基础。这些数据将有助于更好地了解影响可持续接受和使用疟疾控制战略的关键因素。目前的研究计划概述了一个培训计划，其长期目标是在疟疾研究中满足这些需求。具体目标是：1)在与疟疾管理和控制有关的行为、文化和社会因素方面进行培训；2)在与理解和在多种情况下（即家庭、社区、卫生保健环境）模拟疟疾管理和控制周围的人类行为有关的高级研究方法方面进行培训；3)运用理论知识和方法技能，在撒哈拉以南非洲疟疾流行国家（SSA）开展国际研究和实地工作。通过拟议的培训，申请人将通过以下方式推进控制疟疾的新战略：1)编写文稿，改进目前对SSA疟疾负担的了解；2)获得必要的技能，对影响疟疾流行国家疟疾负担的多种情况进行跨学科和高级研究。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Despite over 100 years of control and eradication efforts, it is estimated that more people die from malaria today than in previous years. However, new opportunities are being made towards improved malaria control globally. For example, efforts are underway to develop new drugs and vaccines, to improve vector control strategies, and to increase insecticide treated bed-nets globally. While these opportunities signal optimism for improved malaria control, and possibly elimination and eradication, the success of these strategies will depend on understanding human behaviors, and knowledge of the process through which social, cultural, environmental, and other contexts affect malaria burden. As a result, new research is needed to establish a solid base of interdisciplinary data pertaining to behavioral, cultural, social and other contexts that influence malaria. These data will help to better understand the key factors that influence sustainable acceptance and use of malaria control strategies. The current research proposal outlines a training plan with a long-term goal of fulfilling these needs in malaria research. The specific goals are: 1) to train in behavioral, cultural, and social factors related to malaria management and control, 2) to train in advanced research methodology related to the understanding of and the ability to model human behavior surrounding malaria management and control in multiple contexts (i.e. family, communities, healthcare contexts), 3) to employ theoretical knowledge and methodological skills to develop expertise in international research and fieldwork experience in a malaria endemic country in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Through the proposed training, the applicant will advance new strategies to control malaria by: 1) preparing manuscripts that improve current knowledge of malaria burden in SSA, 2) acquiring the skills necessary to conduct interdisciplinary and advanced research on the multiple contexts that influence malaria burden in a malaria endemic country. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The training plan addresses the agenda of the Demographic and Behavioral Sciences Branch (DBSB) of the NICHD by its focus on improving health using an interdisciplinary approach and advanced research methodology to identify the multi-level mechanisms that influence malaria burden among families and populations in a malaria endemic country. It is also in agreement with NlAlD's Malaria Research Agenda Objectives by its focus on understanding "field reality" (conditions in the field), including behavioral, cultural, and social factors that contribute to malaria burden.