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A new project aims to protect pregnant women and their babies from a common – but dangerous – infection while addressing the growing global threat of antibiotic resistance.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are a major cause of mortality in expectant mothers and their children in parts of Kenya. Doctors have struggled to treat the infections partly due to lack of diagnosis and rising levels of antimicrobial resistance, where bacteria become unaffected by antibiotics.

Now, researchers at Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ Leicester (Âéw¶¹´«Ã½) and the University of Kenya have teamed up to help improve health outcomes working first in Kisumu County, Kenya, which has a population of more than 1.1 million people.  The project has been awarded nearly £80,000 by the International Science Partnership Fund, run by the British Council.




Dr Shivanthi Samarasinghe, Associate Professor in Microbial Genetics and Genomics, will lead the project at Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ with co-investigator Professor Bertha Ochieng. Dr Eunice Toko from Maseno University Kenya will lead the research activities from Kenya.

Dr Samarasinghe said: “This collaboration is about working together to reducing the number of women who suffer from these kind of infections which go undiagnosed, and the impact which that can have on them and their unborn child.

“It builds on previous research we have done together with colleagues in Kenya and we are hoping that we will be able to make a positive difference.”

The team will use their diagnostic expertise to help local healthcare professionals identify UTI-causing bacteria. The tests are quick and simple to do and mean that women can receive faster, more targeted treatments.

 A second part of their work will be around education, creating culturally inclusive and tailored advice for pregnant women, helping them understand symptoms, risks and when to seek medical help. “We want to empower women to take control of their health,” added Dr Samarasinghe.

By testing these strategies and measuring their impact on hospital practices, the project hopes to create a model that can be used across Kenya and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

“This collaboration goes beyond research,” said Dr Samarasinghe. “It’s about equipping healthcare providers with better tools and empowering communities to reduce the burden of infections. It’s a step toward healthier families and stronger healthcare systems.”

The initiative also supports global health priorities set by the World Health Organization to combat AMR and improve maternal health. With the potential to save lives and reduce healthcare costs, this innovative approach is a beacon of hope for resource-limited regions.