Voices of MEPI Junior Faculty fellows: Dr Henry Mark Lugobe

As told to Susan Scutti

My Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Junior Faculty Research Training project looked at the maternal and fetal outcomes for Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP). Our study found 12% of HDP mothers had experienced these disorders in their previous pregnancies - most of their babies had low birth weight and over a quarter were stillbirths. HDP mothers often had postpartum hemorrhage and their babies had heightened risk of brain disorders. Our most unusual finding was that a high number of patients presented with HDP in the wet season. If HDP has seasonality it needs to be understood, especially in light of global warming. The other thing I noted is the difficulty in follow-up. Many patients had to travel from quite a distance so we might need to come up with an innovative solution to offer them continued care.

In addition to supporting my research, the fellowship also provided classes on research methods, including one with experts from the U.K. and U.S. where I learned cohort study skills and how to write and publish my manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. The grant writing sessions taught me how to respond to funding calls and how to put together applications.

I’ve also worked with mentors here on quality improvement processes for mothers with HDP. We developed a treatment sheet so health care workers can provide and document proper care for these women. Every mother deserves a live baby at the end of her term.