Trials & Triumphs: Clinical Research Chronicles
July 2025 Edition
Welcome Message
Dear Readers,
2025 has moved so fast and we can't believe that we are past the halfway mark of the year already! Welcome to the July 2025 edition of Trials and Triumph: Clinical Research Chronicles. In this month's edition, we explore how behavioural economics can influence and impact health decisions at individual and population level with the topic: Nudging Better Health: How Behavioural Economics Is Shaping Public Health Research.
This edition also shares insights from some interesting events that held during the month – with the Q3 2025 edition of the quarterly CCTRIS Academic Seminar and the dissemination meeting of the LVASA-SRS project. One of our very own also got elected as a Fellow of the prestigious Nigeria Academy of Medicine.
We hope you enjoy reading this.
Deputy Director – Implementation Science
CCTRIS-UNILAG
Nudging Better Health: How Behavioural Economics Is Shaping Public Health Research
Understanding Behavioural Economics in Health
Traditional public health approaches often assume people make decisions logically and consistently. However, behavioural economics challenges this notion by acknowledging that human behaviour is frequently influenced by cognitive biases, emotions, habits, and social context. In health research, these insights are being used to better understand why people make certain health choices, and how subtle changes in their environment can influence those decisions for the better.
The Power of the "Nudge"
At the heart of behavioural economics is the concept of the nudge, small, cost-effective interventions that guide individuals toward healthier behaviours without restricting their freedom of choice. Examples include:
- Sending SMS reminders to improve clinic attendance
- Reframing messages about vaccines to emphasise social responsibility
- Automatically scheduling follow-up appointments
These nudges have proven effective across various settings, from increasing childhood immunisation rates to encouraging better dietary choices for patients attending outpatient diabetic clinics.
From Theory to Practice: Applications in Research
Public health researchers are increasingly embedding behavioural economics into their study designs. Randomised controlled trials now test behavioural interventions alongside traditional medical approaches. In maternal health, for example, behavioural nudges are being explored to improve antenatal care attendance. In infectious disease programmes, simplified communication and social norm messaging are helping reduce stigma and increase treatment adherence.
Advancing Health Systems in LMICs
In low- and middle-income countries, behavioural economics offers unique value. Many health challenges such as low facility delivery rates, poor follow-up, or vaccine hesitancy are not purely logistical but behavioural. Interventions that are grounded in behavioural science are helping address these barriers in a culturally sensitive and sustainable manner.
In a world where evidence-based policy is essential, behavioural economics ensures that those policies are not only scientifically sound but also behaviourally informed, increasing the likelihood of real-world impact.
Events and Spotlight
July Academic Seminar – From Protocol to Proof
On 18 July 2025, the CCTRIS Academic Seminar held at the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, featured an engaging session led by Dr Ibraheem Abioye, a physician, epidemiologist, and biostatistician. His lecture, "From Protocol to Proof: How Clinical Trials Deliver Trustworthy Evidence," explored the core principles behind designing and conducting reliable clinical research.
Dr Abioye emphasised that trustworthy evidence starts with well-considered trial design, and that randomisation and blinding serve as critical tools for ensuring fairness and objectivity. He also highlighted the importance of data quality, proper handling of missing values, and the impact of analysis choices—especially how intention-to-treat analysis reflects real-world effectiveness.
The session provided valuable takeaways for researchers, clinicians, and students, reinforcing the fundamentals of rigorous trial methodology.
📺 Watch the full seminar on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/CMwRzEdYwGw
LVASA-SRS Dissemination Meeting – Bridging Data and Policy for Maternal Health
The LVASA-SRS Dissemination Meeting was held from 7 to 8 July 2025 at The Providence Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. Organised by CCTRIS in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, the two-day event convened a diverse group of stakeholders from the research, policy, and implementation landscape under the theme: "Knowledge Translation and Policy Engagement – Driving Evidence-Based Action to End Preventable Maternal and Perinatal Death."
The meeting showcased the technical and operational progress of the Lagos Verbal and Social Autopsy – Sample Registration System (LVASA-SRS) Project, featuring in-depth presentations on community-based surveillance, the use of verbal and social autopsy tools, digital dashboards for real-time data visualisation, and grief-sensitive, ethically grounded data collection. The project has successfully covered all 20 Local Government Areas in Lagos State, reaching over 126,000 households to uncover the biological and social causes of maternal and perinatal deaths.
Distinguished attendees included the Honourable Commissioner for Health, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, and several Directors across key departments. Also in attendance were LVASA-SRS co-investigators from LASUTH/LASUCOM and LUTH/CMUL, the technical partner from the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), and the dedicated technical and administrative team from CCTRIS.
More than a dissemination forum, the event was a dynamic platform for shaping policy and driving sustainability. Discussions focused on integrating project findings into state health policy, enhancing civil registration and vital statistics systems, reinforcing legal frameworks for maternal death notification, and exploring scale-up potential across Nigeria. With notable media coverage by Arise TV, the LVASA-SRS Dissemination Meeting stood out as a national model of how data systems—when people-centred and policy-driven, can directly contribute to saving lives.
Spotlight: Professor Titilope Adeyemo Elected Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Medicine
We are proud to celebrate our very own Professor Titilope A. Adeyemo, Deputy Director of Clinical Trials at CCTRIS and Professor of Haematology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, on her recent election as a Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Medicine—a prestigious honour reserved for individuals who have made enduring contributions to medical science and health advancement in Nigeria.
Professor Adeyemo's election is a testament to decades of dedicated service to patient care, teaching, and groundbreaking research in sickle cell disease, transfusion medicine, and other haematological disorders.
This recognition affirms her leadership and excellence in the field of haematology, and we at CCTRIS are proud to work alongside her as she continues to champion innovation and impact in clinical trials and beyond. Cheers to you Professor Adeyemo!!!!!!!
CCTRIS Laboratory – Your Partner for High-Quality, Research-Ready Diagnostics
The CCTRIS Laboratory located at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, stands out as a centre of excellence in diagnostics and sample management for clinical research. Equipped with cutting-edge eCLIA and ELISA systems, the lab offers robust support for tumour markers, immunoassays, haematology, and chemistry profiling—delivering reliable, automated results for diverse research needs.
With a -80°C biobank for long-term sample storage, custom protocol development, and a Laboratory Information System (LIS) that ensures efficient sample tracking and data management, the CCTRIS Lab is built for precision, scalability, and compliance. Its 24/7 reliable power backup infrastructure further ensures uninterrupted operations essential for time-sensitive studies.
Whether you're running large-scale trials, pilot studies, or on-demand clinical requests, the CCTRIS Lab offers flexible, research-ready services to bring your science to life.
CCTRIS Laboratory
Address: Tafawa Balewa Building, First Floor, College of Medicine, University of Lagos
📱 +234 814 909 2258 | +234 808 201 5394 | +234 818 833 9571
Did You Know?
Many clinical trials fail not because the science is flawed, but because they struggle to recruit enough participants. Poor recruitment is one of the most common reasons trials are delayed, underpowered, or even abandoned altogether. Factors such as low public awareness, mistrust, complex eligibility criteria, and logistical challenges can all hamper enrolment.
Effective community engagement, transparent communication, and streamlined study designs are crucial strategies for improving recruitment and ensuring that well-designed studies have a chance to succeed.