Background: is a leading cause of acute watery diarrhea, dysentery, and diarrhea-attributed linear growth faltering, a precursor to stunting and lifelong morbidity. Several promising vaccines are in development and field efficacy trials will require a consortium of potential vaccine trial sites with up-to-date diarrhea incidence data.
Methods: The Enterics for Global Health (EFGH) surveillance study will employ facility-based enrollment of diarrhea cases aged 6-35 months with 3 months of follow-up to establish incidence rates and document clinical, anthropometric, and financial consequences of diarrhea at 7 country sites (Mali, Kenya, The Gambia, Malawi, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Peru).
Open Forum Infect Dis
March 2024
Background: The Gambia, located in West Africa, is one of 7 country sites conducting the Enterics for Global Health (EFGH) Surveillance Study to establish incidence and consequence of -associated medically attended diarrhea among children 6-35 months old.
Methods: Here we describe the study site and research experience, sociodemographic characteristics of the study catchment area, facilities of recruitment for diarrhea case surveillance, and known care-seeking behavior for diarrheal illness. We also describe The Gambia's healthcare system and financing, current vaccine schedule and vaccine adaptation, local diarrhea management guidelines and challenges, and antibiotic resistance patterns in the region.