Probiotics as adjunct preventive therapy for childhood diarrhea and antimicrobial resistance in Africa
Can probiotics, improved education in hygiene and advanced mathematical models prevent children from contracting diarrhea and antimicrobial resistance in low- and middle-income countries?
The premise
Diarrhea is one of the main causes of child deaths globally, killing nearly two million every year. One of the most important causes is the rotavirus. Vaccine efficacy in Africa remains suboptimal (30-60%) compared to developed nations (80-90%). The efficacy difference could be attributed to various factors, including composition of gut microbiota.
Healthy gut bacteria composition may prevent the settlement and growth of harmful bacteria and stimulate gut immune responses, whilst protecting against gut damage.
Probiotics may play a pivotal role in forming and maintaining the healthy gut of children, thereby preventing diarrhea and antimicrobial resistance.
About us
The PRoRota Consortium is an interdisciplinary scientific team, integrating healthcare, life science, mathematical modelling, economy and policy-making.
We are spread across four countries – Tanzania, Malawi, Ivory Coast and Norway – and five leading institutions:
- Muhumbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS)
- National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR)
- Training &Research Unit of Excellence (TRUE)
- The PAC-CI Programme
- University of Bergen (UiB)
Who can benefit
Our beneficiaries are newborns and infants less than 6 months old who will be protected against morbidity and mortality due to diarrheal diseases.
We also aim to help and support parents and caregivers of the vulnerable children who bear the social and economic suffering due to childhood diarrheal diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
Our impact
Our mission is to improve child health across sub-Saharan Africa, creating lasting impact for generations to come.
This project is supported by the Global Health’s “European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership Joint Undertaking” (EDCTP3), and its members, as part of the Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Specifically, the project is part of the global collaborative action “Tackling diarrheal diseases in the context of climate and health”. The project will be active in a period from 1st May, 2026 to 30th April, 2030. Project ID: 101248988.