Aiming to improve care for children with pneumonia in low-resource settings
Carina King, an infectious diseases epidemiologist, has dedicated over a decade to improving the diagnosis and treatment of paediatric pneumonia in sub-Saharan Africa. Recently, she received a prestigious Consolidation Grant from the Swedish Research Council for a project that aims to refine referral guidelines for children with moderate hypoxaemia – a critical gap in current clinical practice.
Carina King at the Department of Public Global Health is an infectious diseases epidemiologist whose research focuses on paediatric pneumonia diagnosis, treatment, and management in sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2012, she has worked extensively in Malawi on projects ranging from vaccine effectiveness studies to piloting and redesigning diagnostic technologies. Her work also includes developing predictive algorithms to support better treatment decisions. Carina is particularly interested in clinical research conducted at the community level, where healthcare challenges are most acute.
Congratulations on the grant! What does this mean to you, and how do you plan to use it?
“The project Serial oximetry for improved triage and referral (SOFTeR) focuses on understanding which children with moderate hypoxaemia should be referred for hospital care and which can be safely managed as outpatients in Nigeria and Malawi. These children are currently not included in widely used clinical guidelines, despite having a high risk of death. Referrals are often difficult for families to follow, and hospitals have limited resources, so finding the right balance is crucial. Being granted the consolidator was very gratifying, as this project idea is the culmination of 12 years' work (and was rejected twice as a KI Consolidation Grant!)”
In what ways do you hope your research will contribute to the field of global public health?
“Referrals are often a weak link in healthcare systems. By optimizing this process, we hope to improve child survival rates. One work package in the project involves co-developing referral guidelines with healthcare workers and caregivers, which could also strengthen trust between communities and the health system.”
You are also taking on the role of Deputy Director of Doctoral Education at the department. What aspects of the role are you most eager to explore?
“I am excited to meet colleagues from different departments and learn how they support their PhD students. I have already gained a glimpse of how varied the doctoral education can be organized across KI.“
Are there specific areas you hope to strengthen in doctoral education during your tenure?
“I think it would be to support Emilie and Veronique in creating an inclusive environment for PhD students. We have a very diverse student population, and during my own PhD, feeling part of a community was invaluable. Promoting that sense of belonging is important.”
What motivates you in your work with global public health?
“The people! Maybe it’s cliché, but the part of my job I enjoy the most is working with diverse, enthusiastic and capable colleagues – which means we are always learning and growing.”