I am a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Malaria Research, Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ho, Ghana. My work as a population and public health researcher focuses on Sexual and Reproductive Health, Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health, Malaria, and the Intersections between Climate Change and Health.
I hold a PhD in Population Studies from the University of Ghana, specializing in Family Planning and Maternal and Child Health; a Master of Arts in Population Studies from the same institution, with a focus on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science (Economics and Sociology) from the University of Cape Coast.
My research addresses pressing public health priorities across Ghana and the wider region, including malaria prevention in pregnancy, adolescent reproductive health, contraceptive use and the effects of climate change on disease transmission. I draw on large national datasets, as the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey and the Malaria Indicator Survey, to identify the factors that shaping health outcomes for women, children and adolescents.
Beyond research, I contribute to training, capacity building and mentorship. I teach Malaria Epidemiology at the Fred Newton Binka School of Public Health and Demography and Public Health at the School of Pharmacy. I train early-career researchers in systematic reviews, quantitative data analysis and manuscript writing. I have guided as well as trained field research assistants in ethical data collection practices. I have served as a co-investigator on major research projects covering climate change, malaria transmission, digital diagnostics for healthcare in Africa and health data systems for adolescent reproductive health. I am currently a Principal Investigator of the project “Impact of Free Senior High School on Adolescent Fertility, Early Marriage and Girls' Reproductive-Health Outcomes: A Mixed-Method Impact Evaluation Study” funded by the William and Floda Hewlett Foundation.
With over 50 peer-reviewed publications in journals such as BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, Reproductive Health and The Lancet, I contribute to global collaborations including the Global Burden of Disease Study. I also serve as an Associate Editor for reputable international journals and an active member of professional networks, including the Union for African Population Studies and International Union for the Scientific Study of Population.
As a trained demographer and population scientists, my expertise spans demographic profiling of population at risk of infectious and non-communicable diseases, adolescents’ sexual behaviour and the implication of population dynamics for health policy. My research and advocacy advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), with a strong commitment to inclusive, community‑driven approaches to health and climate policy across Africa.
Research Links
ORCID: Desmond Klu
Google Scholar: Desmond Klu
ResearchGate: Desmond Klu
Scopus:Desmond Klu
Pubmed: Desmond Klu
Scholargps: Desmond Klu
Specialization
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Maternal And Child Health
Malaria And Hiv/Aids
Non-Communicable Disease
Climate Change And Health
Education
Program
Doctor of Philosophy, Population Studies (Taught and Research)
Areas of specialization: Family Planning, Maternal and Child Health
Areas of specialization: Family Planning, Maternal and Child Health
Program
M.A Population Studies (Taught and Research)
Areas of specialization: Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
Areas of specialization: Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
Program
B. A (Hons) Social Science (Economics and Sociology)
Areas of specialization: Street Hawking and its Socioeconomic Impact
Areas of specialization: Street Hawking and its Socioeconomic Impact
Projects
Impact Of Free Senior High School On Adolescent Fertility, Early Marriage, And Girls’ Reproductive-Health Outcomes: A Mixed-Method Impact Evaluation Study
Parental Care Practices And Childhood Development In Ghana
Enhancing Infection Prevention And Rational Antibiotic Use For Neonatal Infection In Four Health Facilities In The Volta Region, Ghana
The Relationship Between Climate Change And Transmission Of Lymphatic Filariasis And Malaria In Sub-Saharan Africa And The Local Perceptions Of The Relationship In Ghana
Standards For Official Statistics On Climate-Health Interactions
Digital Diagnostics For A Smarter Healthcare In Africa
Strengthening The Capacity Of Health Management Teams To Use Dhims Data In Engaging Stakeholders For Effective Decision-Making In Addressing Teenage Pregnancy In The Volta Region Of Ghana
Conference
Determinants Of Men’s Perspectives On Women Contraceptive Use In Ghana: An Analysis Of The 2022 Ghana Demographic And Health Survey
Assessing The Preparedness Of Health Providers To Use Locally Manufactured Microscopes In Ghana: A Mixed Method Approach
Trajectories Of Lived Experiences Of People Living With Diabetes Mellitus In Africa: An Evidence Mapping Of Conceptual Framework
Components Of Contraceptive Counselling Postpartum Women Receive During Antenatal And Postnatal Health Care Services: A Qualitative Approach
Workshop
Impact Evaluation And Matchmaking Workshop
African Centre for Development Impact (ACDi) Mensvic Grand Hotel, East Legon, Accra, Ghana
Workshop On Writing For Publication In High Impact Journal
Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) in collaboration with Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) and Kenyata University, at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi County, Kenya
Massive Open Online Course (Mooc) On Implementation Research
World Health Organisation (WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Disease
Online Short Course On The Gender-Based Analysis For Vector Borne Diseases And Climate Change Research
University of Witwatersrand in collaboration with WHO-TDR