Host Project: Cohort Study No. 1 on Zika in Pregnancy in Honduras (ZIPH)
Pathfinder Title: A process mapping study to identify challenges and solutions in a cohort study aimed at assessing the frequency of emerging and neglected infections during pregnancy and their association with birth outcomes in Honduras / ZIPH-Track
Objectives
- Generate a process map for the ZIPH study.
- Identify operational components used at each stage of the ZIPH study.
- Describe barriers and solutions that enabled the achievement of the ZIPH study's goals and its transition to ZIPH2.
- Correlate the identified operational components with the described barriers and solutions.
Key Results
- Detailed description of operational components, including tools, methods, approaches, and systems used, highlighting their application and effectiveness in each phase of the ZIPH study.
- Comprehensive analysis of the barriers encountered and the solutions implemented, explaining how they contributed to achieving the objectives of the ZIPH (Zika) study and facilitated its transition to the ZIPH2 study (Chagas disease, arboviruses, and other infections of pandemic relevance).
- Integrated evaluation of the relationship between the identified operational components and the barriers and solutions, to understand their contribution to overcoming challenges and achieving ZIPH study goals.
Lead: Katia López, MSc.
Team: Clarissa Aguilar, MD, PhD(c); Xiomara Medina, Registered Nurse; Alisson Ortez, Registered Nurse; Jorge A. García, MSc; Jackeline Alger, MD, PhD.
📘 April 2025
Participation in Fiocruz Focus Group on Pathfinder Studies
In April, we took part in a focus group organized by Fiocruz, centered on Pathfinder studies.
The session enabled experience-sharing among Latin American countries on processes and lessons learned in host studies.
Progress in ZIPH-Track Data Analysis
Continued analysis of collected data, including consolidation of the quantitative database and thematic coding of qualitative interviews, aiming to identify key operational barriers and solutions for the transition to ZIPH2.
📘 March 2025
News Publication on TGHN LAC
An article was published on The Global Health Network – LAC website to promote the blog recently shared on the Rising Scholars platform, titled:
“Pathfinder Studies: Strengthening Health Research Capacity in Resource-Limited Settings” (Available in Spanish and English).
The article highlights how these platforms contribute to strengthening health research in resource-limited settings.
📢 We invite you to read and share it!
🔗 Promoting Pathfinder Studies through Platforms like AuthorAid
Blog Publication
The blog was published on the Rising Scholars platform under the same title (available in Spanish and English).
🔗 Read the blog here
📊 February – March 2025
Data Collection and Analysis
During this period, data collection for the ZIPH-Track study was carried out. Preliminary analysis focused on organizing the quantitative database and coding qualitative interviews, serving as a foundation for deeper analysis in later phases.
📝 January 2025
Pilot Testing of Online Survey
Pilot testing of the online questionnaire was conducted with a small group of key users. Feedback helped refine question wording and improve the tool's usability prior to full implementation.
🌍 December 2024
Participation in the IX ACENCAI Congress
From December 10 to 12, 2024, the team participated in the IX Congress of the Central American and Caribbean Association of Infectious Diseases (ACENCAI), held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
The presentation was titled:
“Strengthening Health Research Capacity: The Pathfinder Design Approach in Challenging Settings”
📰 See official news on TGHN LAC
📑 June – November 2024
Development and Approval of Study Protocol
During this period, the ZIPH-Track study protocol was drafted and finalized, including data collection tools and the informed consent form. The protocol received institutional approval from Hospital Escuela (Registry No. 034-24/DGAIE-HE, dated October 31, 2024) and was approved by the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (CEIB) of the Faculty of Medical Sciences – UNAH under expedited review (IRB 00003070, Resolution 137-2024, dated November 28, 2024).
📑 Pathfinder Workshop: How to Begin?
Participation in the virtual workshop “Pathfinder: How to Begin?”, organized by The Global Health Network Latin America and the Caribbean (TGHN LAC) and the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), held on August 6 and 27, 2024, with a total duration of 6 hours. The workshop provided key tools for the structured launch of studies under the Pathfinder approach.