Researchers from the GuardiansCan project visit Tanzania
In early August, Louise von Essen and Joanne Woodford from U-CARE visited Dar es-Salaam in Tanzania to meet research partners within the GuardiansCan project. The purpose was to collaborate on the development of the intervention together with staff at Muhimbili National Hospital.
(Image removed) From the left: Dr. Godlove Sandi, Professor Louise von Essen, Senior Nursing Officer Susan Nzungu, Assistant Senior Lecturer Joanne Woodford, Dr. Hadija Mwamtemi, Dr. Rehema Laiti, PhD Student Dr. Faraja Chiwanga, Bioethicist Fortunatus Lyimo, Dr. Magreth Msofe, and Oncology nurse Ruchius Philbert.
Collaboration with healthcare professionals and guardians
The aim of the GuardiansCan project is to develop and test a mobile health intervention to improve adherence to care for Tanzanian children following cancer treatment. U-CARE has an on-site PhD student, Faraja Chiwanga, in Dar es-Salaam, and also collaborates with healthcare employees who will recruit guardians for the Guardians Advisory Board.
In Dar es-Salaam, Joanne Woodford conducted a two-day workshop with the staff about the project and how guardians can be involved in the research through public contribution. Louise von Essen, the principal investigator for GuardiansCan, was very pleased with the workshop and the trip as a whole.
– It was very fruitful, and we made progress with the project, says Louise. The staff were very positive! Public contribution is new to many, but it feels relevant and important for all of us to involve guardians in the research.
Future steps
(Image removed) Professor Louise von Essen
Louise explained that the advisory board is crucial for recruiting guardians for the upcoming studies in the project.
– Reaching study participants in Tanzania can be a challenge, says Louise. The advisory board will help us plan the research procedures. The goal is to do so in a way that attracts guardians to participate and thereby create a valuable intervention in the end.
The project has been approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority, but ethical approvals from authorities in Tanzania are currently pending. The aim is to initiate recruitment of guardians for the advisory board in the autumn.