Overview
This project aimed to develop hypotheses on infection pathways, with a view to undertaking a large-scale study on the sources and effects of enteropathogen infections and stunting in Timor-Leste.
Stunting (low height/length for age), wasting (low weight for height/length) and underweight (low weight for age) are internationally recognised markers of child malnutrition and are commonly observed in children in low and middle income countries. There are many socio-economic and environmental factors that contribute to malnutrition; however, one that has only been explored recently is enteropathogen infection. There is growing evidence of an association between infectious gastroenteritis and malnutrition in low-income countries.
This study sought to develop a better understanding of the relationship between malnutrition and enteropathogen infections in infants in Timor-Leste and the contribution of social, zoonotic, and environmental factors affecting their transmission.
The research will generate hypotheses on potential sources of gastrointestinal infections, and determine the feasibility of a larger study to investigate associations between these infections and malnutrition in Timor-Leste.
The results will be provided to public health practitioners and the local community at a workshop and via dissemination of a final report.
Project outcomes
- Developed a better understanding of the relationship(s) between malnutrition and enteropathogen infections in infants and children in Timor-Leste.
- Determined the potential contribution of social, zoonotic, and environmental factors in human enteropathogen infections in a small sample of infants in Timor-Leste.
- Built capacity in human and animal public health laboratory diagnosis, surveillance, and outbreak detection and investigation for enteropathogens in Timor-Leste.
