The Mothers Micronutrient Supplement for Pregnancy and Lactation Study (MoMS) has entered its formative stages, with Bungoma County chosen as the main research location for this groundbreaking project aimed at enhancing mother and child health outcomes.
The study team led by the Principal Investigator, KEMRI’s Dr. Zipporah Bukania, visited the proposed study sites in the County, including, Kimilili Sirisia, and Bumula Sub-County hospitals, to determine whether the study sites were appropriate. In addition, provided a great platform for the research team to interact with the hospitals’ leadership who are important health stakeholders in the implementation of the study.
As part of the visit, the study team held discussions with the County Health Management Team, led by County Chief Officer of Health Dr. Magrina Mayama, where they were briefed on the current birth and child mortality in Bungoma County, and the major issues affecting pregnant and lactating women such as anemia. In addition, the teams explored ways to enhance collaboration for its successful implementation for better health outcomes for both mother and child.
In her remarks, Dr. Bukania stated, "This study marks an important step in strengthening maternal and child health through improved multiple micronutrient supplementation. By working closely with local health teams and international experts, we aim to generate evidence that will inform policies and interventions in maternal and childcare. The study will assess and monitor nutritional, developmental and cognitive, outcomes among pregnant and lactating mothers and their newborns."
On her part, Dr. Mayama, noted "Having this study in Bungoma is a great opportunity for our mothers and children. Nutrition plays a vital role in maternal and child health, and we are excited to be part of a project that could lead to real, lasting improvements for Mothers and Children in Kenya.”
The study brings together leading experts in micronutrient research, including Prof. Tor Strand from the University of Bergen and Post doc, Dr. Beate Slovik from Innlandet Hospital Trust, both based in Norway, alongside Prof. Benedikte Grenov from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Additionally, the team was joined by Dr. Mads Friil Hjorth, a representative of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, one of the key funding partners. The project is jointly funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the Gates Foundation.
Before embarking on the site visits, the research team paid a courtesy call to Ag. Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok, who expressed his strong support for the initiative. He highlighted the importance of the study in advancing maternal and child health and emphasized its potential to enhance micronutrient research capacity in Kenya.
"Not many partners invest in nutrition studies, and we are grateful that you chose to collaborate with us on this initiative. I am especially excited about what this study means for the Maternal and child health landscape in the county," he stated. Prof. Songok, further highlighting the study’s broader significance, "I am also excited about what this means for the Institute. This study serves as a steppingstone toward realizing our vision of establishing a Centre of Excellence in Nutrition in KEMRI"
Prof. Benedikte Grenov who shared in his enthusiasm stated, “We look forward to carrying this study that is of great importance alongside your teams.”
The team also held meetings with the Scientific Ethics Review Committee (SERU), to understand how the Scientific and Ethics processes are managed; the Department of Epidemiology and Statistics (DESI) to learn more on matters data, which included discussions on data handling and sharing and finally discussed with ICT on the capacity for cloud data storage, access and control.
Notably, MoMS will be the pioneering trial that helps shape the proposed clinical trials curriculum at the KEMRI Graduate School (KGS). To ensure a well-grounded course the team will be working closely with the Lead Clinical Trials Training Officer at KGS, Dr. Hellen Barsosio. This program is highly critical to the Institute since it will not only improve the skills of researchers and clinicians in conducting quality clinical trials but also spark more interest in the space of clinical trials, ultimately contributing to better healthcare outcomes.
The KEMRI Team included, Ms. Vyola Chuchu, Mr. Moses Mwangi, Mr. Alfred Muya, and Ms. Lorna Makhandia. Accompanying the team were Bungoma County Health officials including, Mr. David Wangila, County M and E Officer, Mr. Simon Mukoko, County Partnerships and Liaison Officer and Ms. Joan Wasike, County Head of Laboratories.
Source: KEMRI Bulletin Issue 131 (11 March 2025).
The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is part of an exciting five-year study, the ‘Mother’s Micronutrient Supplement for Pregnancy and Lactation’ (MoMS), that aims at developing and testing an improved dietary supplement to combat low birth weight, enhance maternal and child health, and support cognitive development in children.
The study, which will be conducted in Bungoma County, seeks to recruit 3,000 pregnant women who will be closely monitored throughout their pregnancies and during their children’s first year of life. The research is a collaborative effort between scientists from Kenya, Norway, and Denmark, with a parallel study taking place in Pakistan and India.
Pregnant women require increased nutrient intake to support fetal development, yet many in low- and middle-income countries face dietary deficiencies due to limited access to nutrient-rich foods. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) in 2020, which include 15 essential vitamins and minerals. Many nations are transitioning from iron-folic acid supplements to MMS as part of standard antenatal care.
Emerging research indicates that the effectiveness of MMS could be further enhanced. The current formulation may lack certain essential nutrients or contain lower-than-optimal doses. MoMS aims to refine and improve the supplement, referred to as MMS+ by adjusting dosages and incorporating additional nutrients to maximize health benefits.
“Nutrient deficiencies during pregnancy can have serious consequences for both mothers and their children. Ensuring proper nutrition for pregnant women is crucial, not only for the health of their fetuses but also for their children’s overall development,” said study Principal Investigator (PI), KEMRI’s, Dr. Zipporah Bukania.
As part of this effort, researchers are focusing on the inclusion of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and choline, alongside increased doses of vitamin B3, in the new formulation. These nutrients are believed to have a significant impact on maternal health, fetal development, and childhood growth. Specifically, DHA and choline are essential for brain development and cognitive function in children. A deficiency in these nutrients during pregnancy could lead to lifelong developmental challenges for the child. By enhancing the supplement with these critical nutrients, researchers hope to further improve health outcomes for both mothers and their children.
Bungoma County, the study’s focal point, faces significant food insecurity and dietary diversity limitations. The local diet primarily consists of starchy foods such as ‘ugali’ and with vegetables and tubers like sweet potatoes. However, the intake of fish and animal protein remains low, exacerbating nutritional deficiencies among pregnant women.
The MoMS study is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
“This grant is a significant recognition of the need for better care mother child nutrition, and we aim for our research to not only improve health outcomes in the study regions but also to contribute to shaping new global health standards for maternal and childcare.” stated Dr. Bukania.
The Scandinavian part of MoMS is organised in collaboration with Associate Prof. Benedikte Grenov at the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports at the University of Copenhagen and Prof. Tor A. Strand from the University of Bergen and Innlandet Hospital Trust.
Researchers hope the findings will contribute to improved maternal and child health policies, ultimately benefiting populations in Kenya and beyond.
Source: KEMRI Bulletin Issue 131 (11 March 2025).
