This project aims to improve the poor integration of localized data linking various WASH dimensions (infrastructure, access, practices) and children nutritional status at the population level as well as the poor involvement of policy makers concerned with WASH in local and country level nutritional programs. Our network aims include:
1. To develop capacity on the collection of standardized WASH and nutrition data through different methods (surveys, health care facilities, crowdsourced mobile app data, satellite imagery, and weather data) and on advanced data analysis tools (machine learning and geospatial mapping techniques).
2. To apply machine learning (i.e. neural networks, cluster algorithms, and predictive regression algorithms) and geospatial mapping tools to existing data in Burkina Faso, South Africa, and Guatemala to generate site-specific predictive algorithms on the risk of children undernutrition and diarrhoea by integrating environmental, WASH, household socio-demographic, economic, and food security data, and other carefully selected factors.
3. To conduct a pilot study in Burkina Faso deploying crowdsourced mobile data (developed as part of the Grand Challenge Africa WASH project in South Africa) and satellite imagery to geospatially map WASH facilities conditions and the associated spatial gradient of children undernutrition and diarrhoea.
Principal Investigators:
Dr Palwende Romuald Boua (PhD)
Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro
Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/DRCO
- Dr Rihlat Said Mohamed (PhD)
Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge
SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
Co-Investigators:
- Dr Douglas Momberg (PhD)
SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health
School of Clinical Medicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
University of the Witwatersrand
- Dr. Lee Voth Gaeddert (PhD)
SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health
School of Clinical Medicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
University of the Witwatersrand
- Prof. Alastair van Heerden (PhD)
SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit
School of Clinical Medicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
University of the Witwatersrand
- Prof. Julian May (PhD)
DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security
University of the Western Cape
- Prof. Shane Norris (PhD)
DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Human Development
SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit
School of Clinical Medicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
University of the Witwatersrand
Senior Research Assistants:
- Ms Bongiwe Nkambule
SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit
School of Clinical Medicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
University of the Witwatersrand
- M. Elie Rouamba
Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro
Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/DRCO
Academy of Medical Sciences
