MoMS-ATS team prepares for participant enrolment in Bungoma

BY STELLA NJUNG’E 

Preparations are underway for the enrolment of pregnant women into a KEMRI-led study seeking to understand how acceptable different multiple micronutrient supplements are during pregnancy. As part of these preparations, researchers held a four-day training in Bungoma County, bringing together research assistants and health facility staff who will support implementation of the Mother’s Micronutrient Supplement for Pregnancy and Lactation Acceptability Testing Study (MoMS-ATS).

Held from 15th to 17th September 2026 at Liuwa Gardens Resort in Kimilili, the training equipped the study team and facility-based staff with the knowledge and practical skills needed to implement the Acceptability Testing Study (ATS). It also provided an opportunity for the different teams involved to clarify their roles and responsibilities ahead of participant recruitment.

The meeting was officially opened by Bungoma County health officials led by County Reproductive Health Coordinator Maureen Ndinyo, Principal Liaison Officer Simon Simiyu and Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Officer David Wafula. They underscored the importance of maternal health and the role of research in addressing challenges that affect mothers and their communities.

“Mothers are a fundamental part of our community, and anything that contributes to improving their health and wellbeing is important. Supporting research that seeks to address maternal health challenges is therefore important for both mothers and the communities they are part of.” Said Ms. Ndinyo.

The training covered the background and objectives of the MoMS study and ATS, study methodology, eligibility criteria, participant recruitment and randomisation, research ethics and informed consent, as well as the management and reporting of adverse events and protocol deviations.

Participants also received practical guidance on their roles and responsibilities, community engagement and coordination with health facility staff, supplement handling and storage, and the use of data collection tools and REDCap. Practical exercises and role plays were incorporated into the sessions to help participants understand how the study procedures would be applied during implementation.

For Dr. Zipporah Bukania, Principal Investigator of the MoMS study at KEMRI, ensuring that all teams have a common understanding of the study is critical to its implementation.

“The quality of research is closely linked to how well the study is implemented. This training gives the teams a shared understanding of the study objectives, procedures and their respective responsibilities. It is important that everyone involved is well prepared to support participants and implement the study according to the protocol,” said Dr. Bukania.

Community engagement was also integrated into the training, with participants discussing how the research team, health facility staff and community health promoters will work together during participant recruitment and study implementation.

The ATS will assess the acceptability, barriers to use and adherence associated with three different multiple micronutrient supplement formulations among pregnant women. The study will recruit 108 pregnant women at Ndalu Health Centre.

The training was facilitated by members of the MoMS research team, who brought expertise in different areas of study implementation. Dr. Zipporah Bukania, Dr. Hellen Barsosio, Ms. Vyolah Chuchu, Ms. Emma Ouma, Mr. Moses Mwangi, Dr. Ruth Njoroge, Mr. Brian Tangara, Mr. Mike Alow, Dr. Richard Mutisya, Mr. Mongare Mogaka and Ms. Dorothy Chomba led sessions on study methodology, participant recruitment, research ethics, participant safety, community engagement, supplement management, data collection and study systems.

With the study teams now oriented on the procedures and their respective responsibilities, preparations are moving into the next phase recruitment of the 108 women who will participate in the MoMS-ATS.