Studying the health benefits of improved housing in rural Tanzania: challenges and progress

• Main Author: Mshamu S.
• Other Authors: Mahidol University
• Format: Article
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Immunology and Microbiology
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/90693

Millions of affordable healthy homes are needed for the rapidly expanding population of sub-Saharan Africa. This enormous challenge is an opportunity to address pervasive health issues linked to housing, where diseases that most impact children-malaria, diarrhoea and respiratory tract infections-are often acquired. A pilot project in northern Tanzania demonstrated the potential of novel house designs to reduce infectious disease transmission in homes. To conduct a randomized controlled trial of one novel-design house, the research team moved to the southeast of the country. This article describes the challenges experienced during the construction and initial evaluation of the novel house.