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Children are taught about the benefits of using a mosquito net at Himbecho Primary School in Ethiopia. © Malaria Consortium / July 2023

How Can We Achieve a Malaria-Free World?

By Shana Warren and Katherine Theiss-Nyland

Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease, and there are more evidence-based tools to treat and prevent malaria than ever before. To promote the integration of malaria vaccines among routine childhood immunization, IPA, in collaboration with Dr. Anne Karing (University of Chicago) and Dr. Mattie Toma (University of Warwick), is partnering on a study with the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health. Together, we aim to scale up a simple, low-cost innovation to increase immunization demand: a colored bracelet that signals a child’s immunization status. In this blog, we highlight interventions and innovations that are driving progress towards the control and elimination of malaria.

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Blog from IPA Leadership

A photo from the IPA Researchers Gathering in February 2024.

A panel discussion held during a Researchers Gathering held by IPA Nigeria. © IPA / February 2024

Bridging the Research Divide and Increasing Diversification in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

By Funmilayo Ayeni, Emeka Eluemunor, and Olayinka David-West

Since 2021, IPA is actively advancing initiatives to bridge the research divide and broaden its research network in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The barriers for LMIC researchers are complex, but we are convinced that locally grounded research leads to more policy-relevant and impactful studies. We have made meaningful progress in addressing these inequalities and are continuing to learn how to better support LMIC researchers.

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Policy Insight

The Impact of Growth Charts and SQ-LNS in Zambia

A child eating a product from Enov range in Burkina Faso © Nutriset

Researchers: Günther Fink, Doug Parkerson, Peter Rockers, and Dorothy Sikazwe

In Zambia, stunting, or being too short for one’s age, impacts 35 percent of children under the age of five. IPA is working with the Ministry of Health to use evidence to address this pressing problem. Recent studies have shown Small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS)—ready-to-eat food-based supplements that provide energy, protein, fats, and micronutrients—can significantly improve child growth, nutrition, and development outcomes. These studies suggest SQ-LNS holds significant promise for making an impact at scale, which is why it is one of IPA’s Best Bets. IPA is currently working with the Ministry of Health to implement, test, and explore a path to scale for SQ-LNS in Zambia.

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Research Highlight

An Innovative Approach in Ghana to Increase On-time Infant Vaccination

A woman administering a vaccination to a child

Researchers: Salifu Amadu, Günther Fink, Gillian Levine, and Issah Mohammed

Early vaccination can safeguard infants from life-threatening illnesses, but in many countries infants are vaccinated late, leaving them vulnerable to these illnesses and exposing them to serious health risks. To encourage on-time vaccination in northern Ghana, researchers measured the impact of mobile phone reminders and financial incentives for caregivers and community health workers. Reminders increased on-time infant vaccinations by 10.5 percentage points while incentives led to a substantial 49.5 percentage point increase. This innovative approach holds promise for improving vaccination coverage in settings where existing health information may be limited.

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