There are about 33 clinical studies being (or have been) conducted in Liberia. The country of the clinical trial is determined by the location of where the clinical research is being studied. Most studies are often held in multiple locations & countries.
Background: - Ebola is a viral infection that can spread quickly and causes life-threatening disease. Right now there is an Ebola outbreak in many countries in West Africa. There are no approved treatments for Ebola. But possible treatments are being developed. Researchers need to study these treatments to see if they help people get better. Objective: - To identify possible Ebola treatments. Also, to learn if adding 1 or more experimental drugs to advanced Ebola care can reduce the risk of death. Eligibility: - People who have recently been diagnosed with Ebola, usually by a test called the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and have been hospitalized in an isolation unit for treatment. Design: - Participants will be randomly assigned to Group A or B. Both groups will get advanced level care. One group will also get an experimental drug. - Participants may have blood tests. They may have another PCR test. - Researchers will try to learn how the participant got Ebola. - Participants put in the experimental drug group may start taking medicine within 24 hours of enrollment. It may be given by mouth or intravenously. Additional doses may be needed. - Participants may have a series of timed blood tests over the first 24 to 48 hours after they take the medicine. - Blood will be drawn frequently. Other body fluids (urine, stool, vaginal fluid, etc.) may also be collected. - Participants will be followed for up to 60 days. They may be evaluated for any long-term effects of the experimental treatment(s). They may be asked to return for 1 or more outpatient visits. - For consenting participants, follow-up will be extended for up to one full year past Day 58 with contact/visits every 1-3 months to assess for a history of signs or symptoms potentially consistent with late onset of virologic relapse syndrome.
Background: - Ebola virus disease (EVD) affects many people in Liberia and other countries in West Africa. It is caused by the Ebola virus and makes people sick with fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and bleeding. About half the people with EVD die. There is no approved treatment for it. Researchers are studying two Ebola vaccines. The vaccines do not cause Ebola. Objectives: - To study the safety and efficacy of two Ebola vaccines. Eligibility: - Adults 18 and older who live in Liberia and are at risk for Ebola infection but have never had Ebola. Design: - Participants will give information including birthdate, gender, occupation, and location of home. They will give contact information for themselves and 2 alternate contacts. They will give a history of their contact with people with Ebola. Some participants may have a physical. They may have blood taken. - Participants will be injected with either an Ebola vaccine or a placebo with a needle in the upper arm. The placebo is a salt solution. - Participants will have blood taken. - Participants will be watched for 30 minutes. - Participants will return to the clinic 1 week and 1 month after they get the shot. They will have blood taken. - After that, participants will be contacted monthly to discuss how they are feeling. They may be contacted by phone, may visit the clinic, or may have a home visit. - The study ends 8-12 months after participants get the shot. If one of the vaccines works against Ebola and does not have many side effects, participants can get the vaccine if they did not get it in the study.
Approximately 5,200 people will participate per year. The study population will include females and males over 5 years of age who live in filariasis and onchocerciasis endemic areas. Subject selection will not be based on health status. Two sites will be studied, and each study will last for 4 years. Participants will be studied only once in cross-sectional surveys. Some subjects may be included in more than one annual population survey, but this is not a longitudinal study. Investigators will compare annual and semiannual mass drug administration (MDA) for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, and investigators will compare the impact of these MDA schedules on soil transmitted helminth infections. MDA will be administered by others (Liberian Ministry of Health or Liberian Institute of Biomedical Research). The investigators will test the hypothesis that semiannual mass drug administration (MDA) is superior to annual MDA for elimination of lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis and for control of soil transmitted helminth (STH) infections. 1. Compare the relative impact and cost effectiveness of annual vs. twice yearly mass drug administration (MDA) for elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in these populations. 2. Compare the relative impact and cost effectiveness of annual vs. twice yearly mass drug administration (MDA) for elimination of onchocerciasis in these populations. 3. Study the impact of annual vs. semiannual MDA on soil transmitted helminth (STH) infection in these populations. Continuation Activities (2019/2020): Additional one-time cross-sectional surveys will be completed in the Harper site in Maryland district in 2019 and in Lofa in 2020 to measure the long-term impact of MDA on W. bancrofti, O. volvulus, and on STH infection parameters following these cumulative 7-9 rounds of MDA since the baseline survey taken in 2013. Since the last DOLF surveys (3rd follow-ups) in these sites in 2016 & 2017, respectively, there have been a total of 3 annual rounds of MDA in both areas. These additional surveys will recruit 2,500 participants in the Maryland area villages and 3,200 in the Lofa area villages.
The aim of this study is to assess the impact of an intervention to improve parenting practices, pre-academic and developmental skills, and use of mosquito nets for children in kindergarten in Liberia. A rigorous impact evaluation using a randomized, waitlist controlled design will be conducted to measure the impact of the intervention on three primary outcomes: positive parenting skills, children's cognitive and educational skills, and malaria knowledge and prevention behaviors.
This project is an evaluation of an agricultural training and resettlement program for high-risk young adults in Liberia, especially poorly integrated male ex-combatants. The primary aim is to see to what extent an intensive economic and life skills intervention can rehabilitate high-risk individuals and reduce aggression and armed violence.
This is a Phase 3 study comparing the efficacy, safety and tolerability of moxidectin and ivermectin in subjects infected with Onchocerca volvulus, which is the parasite that causes river blindness. Subjects participating in the study will be randomly assigned (by a 2 to1 ratio) to receive one orally-administered dose of either moxidectin or ivermectin.
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based HIV/sexually transmitted disease prevention program in reducing sexual risk behaviors of youth attending school in Liberia.