Research
TEG Research
Our expertise is constantly evolving but primarily focuses on statistics and epidemiology. We also have expertise in mathematical modelling, data management, and public health. In addition we have good links with social scientists and health economists which adds a further dimension to our work.
Broadly, our research falls into the following areas:
- HIV
- Tuberculosis (including HIV/TB)
- Malaria
- Other major health problems
- Methodological studies and modelling
HIV
We are involved in a number of studies which seek to better understand the dynamics of the HIV epidemic and its drivers as well as various randomised trials to evaluate HIV prevention and treatment strategies. Recently completed studies include i) two cluster randomised trials (CRTs) of sexual health interventions among adolescents in Tanzania and Zimbabwe designed to assess their impact on reducing HIV incidence, ii) a multi-country trial in East and Southern Africa to measure the impact of microbicide gel PRO 2000/5 on HIV incidence and iii) a cluster randomised trial comparing home-based and facility-based HIV care in terms of mortality and virologic failure in Jinja, Uganda.
Read about our current HIV research programmes
Tuberculosis (including HIV/TB)
We are part of the CREATE (Consortium to Respond Effectively to the AIDS TB Epidemic) initiative which is evaluating innovative interventions to reduce TB incidence and prevalence in areas of high HIV prevalence. These evaluations involve large-scale cluster-randomised trials. Our group is also responsible for the clinical coordination and statistical analysis of the OFLOTUB/ Gatifloxacin TB project, a multi-country phase III trial of a 4 month gatifloxacin-containing regimen versus a standard 6 month regimen for the treatment of adult patients with pulmonary TB. TEG has also provided the statistical analysis of DETECTB, a cluster-randomised trial of active case-finding in Harare, Zimbabwe, funded by the Wellcome Trust.
Read about our current Tuberculosis research programmes
Malaria
We have an established research programme in malaria and our activities in this area have increased substantially over the last two years. Our research on malaria ranges from the evaluation of preventative vaccines and combination vector control tools to delivery systems of antimalarial treatments through the Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) consortium. Our input takes a variety of forms from providing statistical and epidemiological support to advising on study implementation and co-ordination. We are also involved in discussions in the West African region on research into malaria elimination.
Read about our current Malaria research programmes
Research on other major health problems
We provide statistical and epidemiological support to a number of studies looking at various neglected tropical diseases such as trachoma, leishmaniasis, dengue and intestinal helminths. These studies include randomised trials of new drugs, surgical treatment and vaccines. Our research on non-communicable diseases in developing countries is expanding as we develop a new research agenda on cardiovascular disease and continue work on mental health and epilepsy.
Read about our research on other health problems
Methodological studies and modelling
Our ideas are motivated by problems we have found on the ground, and facilitated by the many and varied datasets we have helped generate. The major activity is mathematical modelling of HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB and pneumococcal pneumonia. These studies are designed to supplement the empirical data and increase our understanding of the determinants of disease, explore the effects of alternative interventions in different population settings and raise future research hypotheses. We have conducted substantial methodological research on the design and analysis of cluster-randomised trials.
