Dr Alice Kamau

Statistician

Dr Alice Kamau, a biostatistician and epidemiologist, holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford and an MSc in Medical Statistics from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Alice has expertise in utilising health facility data to characterise malaria epidemiology. These studies have enhanced our understanding and predicted changes in the age-pattern of malaria burden, crucial for understanding vaccine and chemoprevention impact. These studies has been used to re-calibrate parameters within mathematical models and contributed to global discussions on the feasibility of using routinely collected data as an independent intervention for future malaria control.

She has led research projects exploring spatial heterogeneity. This analysis reveals disparities in disease burden among different geographical areas and demographic groups, enabling targeted interventions. By identifying transmission hotspots, resources can be efficiently directed to areas with the greatest need, optimising intervention impact. This approach empowers policymakers with data-driven insights for effective resource allocation in disease control.

Currently, Alice's research interests focus on developing and implementing statistical tools for large randomised clinical trials, clinical and laboratory-based research projects centered around malaria. She is also interested in exploring the use of mathematical modelling techniques for optimal combinations of malaria control interventions.

Teaching

Alice teaches introduction to statistics and R workshop

Memberships

Member of Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA)
Member of The Applied Malaria Modelling Network (AMMnet)

Selected publications

  • Musau M, Mwakio S, Amadi D, Nyaguara A, Bejon P, Seale AC, Berkley JA, Snow RW, Kamau A (2023). Spatial heterogeneity of low-birthweight deliveries on the Kenyan coast. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23, 270.

    Kamau A, Musau M, Mwakio S, Amadi D, Nyaguara A, Bejon P, Seale AC, Berkley JA, Snow RW (2022). The impact of intermittent presumptive treatment for malaria in pregnancy on hospital birth outcomes on the Kenyan coast. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 76:e875-e883.

    Kamau A, Musau M, Mtanje G, Mataza C, Bejon P, Snow RW (2022). Long-lasting insecticide-treated net use and malaria infections on the Kenyan coast. Transaction of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 116:966-970.

    Kamau A, Paton RS, Akech S, Mpimbaza A, Khazenzi C, Ogero M, Mumo E, Alegana VA, Agweyu A, Mturi N, Mohammed S, Bigogo G, Audi A, Kapisi J, Sserwanga A, Namuganga JF, Kariuki S, Otieno NA, Nyawanda BO, Olotu A, Salim N, Athuman T, Abdulla S, Mohamed AF, Mtove G, Reyburn H, Gupta S, Lourenço J, Bejon P, Snow RW (2022). Malaria hospitalisation in East Africa: age, phenotype and transmission intensity. BMC Medicine, 20:28.

    Alegana VA, Macharia PM, Muchiri S, Mumo E, Oyugi E, Kamau A, Chacky F, Thawer S, Molteni F, Rutazanna D, Maiteki-Sebuguzi C, Gonahasa S, Noor AM, Snow RW (2021). Plasmodium falciparum parasite prevalence in East Africa: updating data for malaria stratification. PLOS Global Public Health, 1:e0000014.

    Paton RS, Kamau A, Akech S, Agweyu A, Ogero M, Mwandawiro C, Mturi N, Mohammed S, Mpimbaza A, Kariuki S, Otieno NA, Nyawanda BO, Mohamed AF, Mtove G, Reyburn H, Gupta S, Bejon P, Lourenço J, Snow RW (2021). Malaria infection and severe disease risks in Africa. Science, 373:926-931.

    Kamau A, Mtanje G, Mataza C, Bejon P, Snow RW (2021). Spatial-temporal clustering of malaria using routinely collected health facility data on the Kenyan Coast. Malaria Journal, 20:227.

    Kamau A, Mtanje G, Mataza C, Malla L, Bejon P, Snow RW (2020). The relationship between facility-based malaria test positivity rate and community-based parasite prevalence. PLoS One, 15:e0240058.

    Kamau A, Mtanje G, Mataza C, Mwambingu G, Mturi N, Mohammed S, Ong'ayo G, Nyutu G, Nyaguara A, Bejon P, Snow RW (2020). Malaria infection, disease and mortality among children and adults on the coast of Kenya. Malaria Journal, 19:210.

    Kamau A, Mogeni P, Okiro EA, Snow RW, Bejon P (2020). A systematic review of changing malaria disease burden in sub-Saharan Africa since 2000: comparing model predictions and empirical observations. BMC Medicine, 18:94.

    Kamau A, Mwangangi JM, Rono MK, Mogeni P, Omedo I, Midega J, Scott JAG, Bejon P (2018). Variation in the effectiveness of insecticide treated nets against malaria and outdoor biting by vectors in Kilifi, Kenya. Wellcome Open Research, 2:22.

    Kamau A, Nyaga V, Bauni E, Tsofa B, Noor AM, Bejon P, Scott JAG, Hammitt LL (2017). Trends in bednet ownership and usage, and the effect of bednets on malaria hospitalization in the Kilifi health and demographic surveillance system (KHDSS): 2008-2015. BMC Infectious Diseases, 17:720.

    Mogeni P, Omedo I, Nyundo C, Kamau A, Noor AM, Bejon P; Hotspot Group Authors (2017). Effect of transmission intensity on hotspots and micro-epidemiology of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. BMC Medicine, 15:121.