Translational Research for Action in Community Health
TRACH is a centre committed to bridging the gap between scientific research and real-world health outcomes in Cameroon. We specialize in translating evidence into practical, community-centred interventions.
Our Vision
A Cameroon where community-driven, evidence-based solutions enhance the health and well-being of every woman and adolescent.
Our Mission
To translate evidence on communicable diseases and nutrition into practical, scalable, community-centred interventions that strengthen health systems and drive measurable improvements in the health and well-being of women and adolescents across Cameroon.
Why We Exist
At TRACH, we believe research should do more than inform—it should save lives.
Despite remarkable scientific progress, many communities in Cameroon continue to face preventable diseases. Women and adolescents bear the greatest burden, with limited access to reliable health information and essential care. Too often, life-saving research remains out of reach for those who need it most.
TRACH was created to close this gap.
We bring together researchers, health professionals, and community members to transform evidence into action. Through participatory methods and implementation science, we translate research findings into practical policies and programs that improve health outcomes and advance equity for underserved populations.
At TRACH, knowledge becomes action—and action saves lives.
Core Values
The principles that guide everything we do at TRACH.
Community-Centred Action
We listen to communities, respect local knowledge, and co-create solutions that address real needs.
Evidence and Integrity
Our work is grounded in rigorous research, guided by transparency, accountability, and ethical practice.
Equity and Gender Responsiveness
We prioritize women, girls, and underserved communities to ensure health interventions are inclusive, fair, and culturally relevant.
Strategic Collaboration
We build strong partnerships with communities, researchers, health workers, governments, and donors to amplify impact.
Sustainability and Innovation
We embrace creative, data-driven approaches that strengthen local systems and deliver lasting, community-owned change.
Core Pillars
The strategic areas where we focus our expertise and resources.
Research Translation
We take community health research and turn it into practical policies and programs that work in real life.
Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
We help communities prevent and control diseases like malaria, schistosomiasis and female genital schistosomiasis, HIV and more through local surveillance and education.
Capacity Building and Empowerment
We train health workers, mentor graduates/youth leaders, and strengthen local organizations to lead their own health solutions.
Women & Youth Health
We support reproductive health, safe motherhood, and youth-friendly services that meet the real needs of women and adolescents.
Nutrition & Healthy Behaviours
We support nutrition programs and behavior change campaigns to improve diets and daily health practices.
Our Team
Our multidisciplinary team brings expertise in public health, epidemiology, Biology, implementation science, community engagement, and policy translation. Together, we offer donors and partners a reliable, skilled workforce capable of designing, executing, and evaluating high-impact health programs.
Prof. Judith Kuoh Anchang-Kimbi
Project Coordination
University of Buea, Cameroon
Dr. Vicky Daolyne
Project Management
Regional Delegation of Public Health, SWR, Cameroon
Dr. Adeline Enjema Green
Communication and Network Coordination
Regional Delegation of Public Health, SWR, Cameroon
Dr. Vera Fontem
Gynaecologist
Cameroon Development Corporation, Cottage Hospital Tiko, SWR, Cameroon
Mr. Elvis Bum
Community Focal Point
Cameroon Development Corporation, Central Clinic Tiko
Mrs. Ntubian Gemuh Delphine Temesas
Community Focal Point
Integrated Medical Centre, Bolifamba, Buea
Mr. Hanesh Fru Chi
Clinical Laboratory Scientist
Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND)
Dr. Ntui Vincent
Molecular Biologist
MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM & University of Buea
Dr. Dzekashu Fairo Foryuy
Disease Ecology Scientist
University of Lethbridge, Canada
Dr. Julius Anchang
GIS and Remote Sensing Scientist
New Mexico University, USA
Dr. Benedict Nchang Anchang
Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Scientist
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute of Health (NIEHS-NIH), USA
Collaborations and Partnerships
We believe meaningful impact requires collective effort. TRACH partners with research institutions, Ministries of Public Health, NGOs, and community-based organizations to develop and implement evidence-informed interventions.
Department of Animal Biology and Conservation
University of Buea
Regional Delegation of Public Health, SWR
Cameroon
Cameroon Health Initiative (CHI-UAB)
University of Alabama at Birmingham
GREME Consulting
Group for Research Monitoring and Evaluation
TRACH is proud to highlight the PREMISE clinical trial, a collaborative study conducted with clinical researchers from the University of Alabama, USA, on innovative approaches to protect maternal health in Cameroon.
This randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled Phase IIB trial enrolled over 300 pregnant women living with HIV in the Mount Cameroon region to test whether adding monthly azithromycin (AZ) to the standard daily trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) (also known as cotrimoxazole) prophylaxis could reduce malaria and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at delivery.
Key Findings:
- •The addition of azithromycin did not significantly reduce malaria or bacterial STIs compared to TMP-SMX alone.
- •Adverse birth outcomes (preterm delivery, low birthweight) were slightly lower in the TMP-SMX+AZ group, but differences were not statistically significant.
- •TMP-SMX remains the evidence-based standard of care for HIV-positive pregnant women.
Impact:
This collaborative research underscores the importance of rigorous clinical trials in guiding maternal health policy. While azithromycin did not provide added benefit, the findings strengthen confidence in TMP-SMX prophylaxis and highlight the need for continued innovation in integrated malaria and STI prevention strategies for vulnerable populations.
Seasonal and Environmental Drivers of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Cameroon
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292943
In collaboration with ecologists from the University of Buea, University of Würzburg, Germany and the University of Lethbridge, Canada, we conducted a year-long study to understand how seasonal and environmental factors shape the abundance of Bulinus snails—the intermediate host of Schistosoma haematobium—in Tiko, a semi-urban endemic focus in the Mount Cameroon region.
Key Evidence:
- •Over 2,100 freshwater snails were collected across 12 human water contact sites.
- •Snail Diversity: Physa (51.4%) most abundant, followed by Melanoides (28.6%) and Bulinus (15.5%).
- •Bulinus snails showed seasonal peaks in the dry season (December–February), marking probable high-risk transmission periods.
- •Environmental drivers:
- ✓Positive associations: higher water temperature, rocky or sandy substrates.✓Negative associations: faster water flow, medium vegetation cover.
- •Other snail genera (Physa, Melanoides) were abundant, raising concern for additional trematode diseases.
Policy Implications:
- •Seasonal targeting: Snail control and behavioural interventions should be intensified during dry season peaks.
- •Environmental management: Habitat modification (substrate, vegetation, flow velocity) can reduce snail breeding.
- •Integrated vigilance: Monitoring of snail populations is critical to anticipate schistosomiasis transmission and emerging trematode threats.
- •Collaborative action: Strengthening partnerships between researchers, Ministries of Public Health, and communities ensures evidence-based, locally adapted interventions.
Conclusion: This collaborative research provides actionable evidence for timely, environment-sensitive snail control programmes to reduce urogenital schistosomiasis transmission in Cameroon, while reinforcing vigilance against other trematode infections.
Detection of Female Genital Schistosomiasis using Syndromic, Microscopic, Molecular, and Colposcopic Methods in Cameroon
Our follow-up study on Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) in Cameroon, conducted in collaboration with the INSIGHT consortium and supported by the Fogarty International Center, NIH Global Health Program, underscores the urgent burden of FGS in endemic regions. By combining advanced diagnostic methods with community-based engagement, the study demonstrates both the high prevalence of FGS and the critical need for accessible screening strategies that can be integrated into primary care and community health systems.
Through this collaborative effort, we are advancing community-driven solutions to safeguard women's reproductive health and strengthen health systems in affected communities.
Urogenital Schistosomiasis (UGS) Control Campaign in High-Risk Communities of the Tiko Health Area, Cameroon
TRACH, in collaboration with community partners and Regional Delegation of Public Health, Buea, Southwest Region, launched an evidence-based intervention in August 2025 to reduce the burden of UGS/FGS in targeted communities in Tiko.
This initiative integrated:
- •Awareness & Education: Delivering tailored messages on causes, transmission, symptoms, and prevention to empower communities.
- •Community-Based Screening: Using urine membrane filtration method as a standard test diagnostic tools to identify infection.
- •Treatment Access: Administering praziquantel in line with WHO and national guidelines to prevent chronic complications.
- •Behavioural Change Advocacy: Engaging communities to adopt safer water contact practices and improve sanitation.