HOMEAssistant Professor Mami Hitachi

Faculty

Assistant Professor Mami Hitachi

Speciality / Research theme / Keywords
Public Health; Maternal and Child Health; Nutrition; Food Security; Feeding Practices; Preconception Care; Life-course Approach; Neglected Tropical Diseases
Supervision
Masters ProgrammeDoctoral Programme

Qualifications

Master of Public Health，PhD in Medicine，Registered Nurse, Public Health Nurse

Personal/work Web page addresses

Background

Education

  • PhD in Medicine (Epidemiology), Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Japan
  • Master of Public Health, Graduate School of International Health Development, Nagasaki University, Japan
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan Professional Experience
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Eco-epidemiology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Japan
  • Nutrition Assistant (United Nations Volunteer), World Food Programme, Dakar, Senegal
  • Research Assistant (Data Analysis), Department of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Japan
  • Associate Researcher (Field Research Management & Data Analysis), Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Japan
  • Public Health Nurse, Akiruno City Hall, Tokyo, Japan
  • Internship, Nutrition and Epidemiology Team, World Health Organization, Niamey,Niger
  • Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (HIV Prevention & Patient Support), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Gabon
  • Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (Infection Control & Nutrition), JICA, Birni-N Konni, Niger
  • Public Relations Intern, United Nations Population Fund, Tokyo, Japan (Feb 2009 – Mar 2009)

Teaching

  • Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University (Epidemiology)
  • School of Medicine, Nagasaki University (Medical English)

Research

Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition: Epidemiological research is conducted on maternal and child nutritional outcomes, breastfeeding practices, and dietary diversity in African countries. A particular focus is placed on evaluating the effects of nutritional counseling and caregiver peer support on the nutritional status of children under five. This work aims to establish an African model for community-based nutrition programs.

Food Security and Positive Deviance: In response to the multiple shocks currently affecting food systems, research focuses on identifying the characteristics of “Positive Deviance” households—those that maintain adequate household food security despite challenging environments—to inform sustainable intervention strategies.

Life-course approach and Preconception care: Research in this area addresses life-course approaches to maternal and child health through preconception care. Development of school-based educational curricula for preconception health is a key objective. Intervention studies and the development of global platforms for maternal and child health education prior to pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries are central components of this work.

Neglected Tropical Diseases: Work in this area focuses on novel biomarkers and point-of-care diagnostics for eumycetoma. Development of clinical epidemiological platforms to improve diagnosis is also a key objective.

The country/countries where you work currently

  • Senegal
  • Kenya
  • Niger
  • Lao PDR
  • Nepal

Five MOST IMPORTANT/INTERESTING recent publications

  1. Hitachi M, Miyamichi K, Honda S, Wanjihia V, Nzou S. M, & Kaneko S. Association between 2017 ACC/AHA hypertension guideline and neonatal outcomes in Kenya: A retrospective study. Tropical Medicine and Health. 2025; 53(1):41.
  2. Wagatsuma K, Ogawa T, Yang Y. S, Uraguchi K, Hitachi M, Silva S, de Jong EP, Cheng Y, Tobias A, Hashizume M. Do weekends matter in unraveling the impact of acute temperature exposure on daily mortality risk? Hygiene and Environmental Health Advances, 2025; 15:100134.
  3. Akar S. E, Nwachukwu W, Adewuyi O. S, Ahumibe A A, Akanimo I, Okunromade O, Babatunde O, Ihekweazu C, Hitachi M, Kato K, Takamatsu Y, Hirayama K, Kaneko S. Epidemiology of Yellow Fever in Nigeria: Climatic, ecological, socio-demographic, and clinical factors associated with viral positivity, 2017–2023. J Epidemiol Glob Health, 2025; 15(1):2.
  4. Wasonga J, Miyamichi K, Hitachi M, Ozaki R, Karama M, Hirayama K, & Kaneko S. Effects of Community-Led Total Sanitation on latrine ownership in Siaya County, Kenya. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2023; 20(18):6781.
  5. Hitachi M, Wanjihia V, Nyandieka L, Francesca C, Wekesa N, Changoma J, Muniu E, Ndemwa P, Honda S, Hirayama K, Karama M, Kaneko S. Improving dietary diversity through community-based nutritional education in coastal Kenya: An intervention study. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020; 17(19):7269.

Message

Professional experience in low- and middle-income countries has highlighted the importance of community-led approaches to health improvement. Such approaches enable local communities to take ownership and sustain initiatives over time.

Current research focuses on exploring practical strategies to realize this principle. Collaborative efforts are welcomed to generate evidence that can serve as a reliable basis for informed decision-making and empower individuals to shape their own futures.

PAGE TOP