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Darmstadt GL, Ahmed S, Islam MS, Abdalla S, El Arifeen S, Arvay ML, Baqui AH, Bhutta ZA, Bose A, Connor NE, Hossain B, Isaac R, Mahmud A, Mitra DK, Mullany LC, Nisar I, Panigrahi K, Panigrahi P, Rahman QSU, Saha S, Soofi SB, Solomon N, Santosham M, Schrag SJ, Qazi SA, Saha SK. Association of clinical signs of possible serious bacterial infections identified by community health workers with mortality of young infants in South Asia: a prospective, observational cohort study. EClinicalMedicine 2025; 80:103070. [PMID: 39896866 PMCID: PMC11787667 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.103070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2025] [Accepted: 01/02/2025] [Indexed: 02/04/2025] Open
Abstract
Background The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed guidance for community health workers (CHWs) in identifying sick young infants based on clinical signs. We conducted a prospective, observational cohort study to characterise mortality risk of young infants based on their clinical signs. Methods We conducted a population-based, prospective observational cohort study at five sites in Bangladesh (Sylhet, November 01, 2011-December 31, 2013), India (Vellore and Odisha, September 01, 2013-February 28, 2015), and Pakistan (Karachi, January 01, 2012-December 31, 2013; Matiari, March 01, 2012-December 31, 2013) to identify newborn infants who were followed-up by CHWs through 10 scheduled home visits over the first 60 completed days after birth to identify signs of possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI). We determined the frequency of signs and conducted Cox regression to investigate the association of signs with mortality risk within 7 days of identification of the signs. Findings CHWs made 522,309 visits to assess 63,017 young infants and found ≥1 sign(s) of PSBI at 14,245 visits (2.7%), including 5.8% (5568 of 96,390) and 1.8% (6635 of 365,769) of visits of infants 0-<3 and 7-<60 days of age, respectively. Each of the seven signs of PSBI when found alone was associated with significantly (p < 0.0001) increased risk for mortality, which increased further if any other additional sign of PSBI was found concurrently. Over the young infant period (days 0-<60) CHW identification of no movement or movement only on stimulation was associated with the highest risk for mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 73.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 44.4-119.9] followed by poor feeding (aHR 31.9, 95% CI 24.1-42.3) and hypothermia (<35.5 °C) (aHR 31.4, 95% CI 23.5-41.9). Hypothermia had particularly high risk for mortality during days 7-<60 (HR 45.1, 95% CI 27.6-73.4). Interpretation WHO reconsideration of hypothermia as a sign of critical illness is warranted. Implementation research is urgently needed to reduce infant mortality by ensuring immediate referrals and interventions for children identified early by CHWs with no movement or movement only on stimulation, hypothermia, or poor feeding, especially in resource-poor settings. Funding Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, New Venture Fund for Global Policy and Advocacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary L. Darmstadt
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Saifuddin Ahmed
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | | | - Safa Abdalla
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shams El Arifeen
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (icddrb), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Abdullah H. Baqui
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
- Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute for Global Health and Development, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Anuradha Bose
- Christian Medical College and Hospital Vellore, Vellore, India
| | - Nicholas E. Connor
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Belal Hossain
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Rita Isaac
- Christian Medical College and Hospital Vellore, Vellore, India
| | - Arif Mahmud
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dipak K. Mitra
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Luke C. Mullany
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Imran Nisar
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Pinaki Panigrahi
- Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Qazi Sadeq-ur Rahman
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (icddrb), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Senjuti Saha
- Child Health Research Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sajid B. Soofi
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Nardos Solomon
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mathuram Santosham
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Tiruneh GT, Fesseha N, Emaway D, Betemariam W, Nigatu TG, Magge H, Hirschhorn LR. Effect of community-based newborn care implementation strategies on access to and effective coverage of possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) treatment for sick young infants during COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300880. [PMID: 38527000 PMCID: PMC10962833 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Ethiopia, neonatal mortality is persistently high. The country has been implementing community-based treatment of possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) in young infants when referral to a hospital is not feasible since 2012. However, access to and quality of PSBI services remained low and were worsened by COVID-19. From November 2020 to June 2022, we conducted implementation research to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and improve PSBI management implementation uptake and delivery in two woredas in Ethiopia. METHODS In April-May 2021, guided by implementation research frameworks, we conducted formative research to understand the PSBI management implementation challenges, including those due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a participatory process engaging stakeholders, we designed adaptive implementation strategies to bridge identified gaps using mechanism mapping to achieve implementation outcomes. Strategies included training and coaching, supportive supervision and mentorship, technical support units, improved supply of essential commodities, and community awareness creation about PSBI and COVID-19. We conducted cross-sectional household surveys in the two woredas before (April 2021) and after the implementation of strategies (June 2022) to measure changes in targeted outcomes. RESULTS We interviewed 4,262 and 4,082 women who gave live birth 2-14 months before data collection and identified 374 and 264 PSBI cases in April 2021 and June 2022, respectively. The prevalence of PSBI significantly decreased (p-value = 0.018) from 8.7% in April 2021 to 6.4% while the mothers' care-seeking behavior from medical care for their sick newborns increased significantly from 56% to 91% (p-value <0.01). Effective coverage of severely ill young infants that took appropriate antibiotics significantly improved from 33% [95% CI: 25.5-40.7] to 62% [95% CI: 51.0-71.6]. Despite improvements in the uptake of PSBI treatment, persisting challenges at the facility and systems levels impeded optimal PSBI service delivery and uptake, including perceived low quality of service, lack of community trust, and shortage of supplies. CONCLUSION The participatory design and implementation of adaptive COVID-19 strategies effectively improved the uptake and delivery of PSBI treatment. Support systems were critical for frontline health workers to deliver PSBI services and create a resilient community health system to provide quality PSBI care during the pandemic. Additional strategies are needed to address persistent gaps, including improvement in client-provider interactions, supply of essential drugs, and increased social mobilization strategies targeting families and communities to further increase uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nebreed Fesseha
- JSI Research & Training Institute Inc., Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Dessalew Emaway
- JSI Research & Training Institute Inc., Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Wuleta Betemariam
- JSI Research & Training Institute Inc., Washington, DC, United States of America
| | | | - Hema Magge
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Ethiopia and Fenot Project—School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lisa Ruth Hirschhorn
- Feinberg School of Medicine and Havey Institute of Global Health, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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Lokangaka A, Ramani M, Bauserman M, Patterson J, Engmann C, Tshefu A, Cousens S, Qazi SA, Ayede AI, Adejuyigbe EA, Esamai F, Wammanda RD, Nisar YB, Coppieters Y. Incidence of possible serious bacterial infection in young infants in the three high-burden countries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Nigeria: A secondary analysis of a large, multi-country, multi-centre clinical trial. J Glob Health 2024; 14:04009. [PMID: 38299777 PMCID: PMC10832543 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.14.04009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Neonatal infections are a major public health concern worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where most of the infection-related deaths in under-five children occur. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest mortality rates, but there is a lack of data on the incidence of sepsis from this region, hindering efforts to improve child survival. We aimed to determine the incidence of possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) in young infants in three high-burden countries in Africa. Methods This is a secondary analysis of data from the African Neonatal Sepsis (AFRINEST) trial, conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, and Nigeria between 15 March 2012 and 15 July 2013. We recorded baseline characteristics, the incidence of PSBI (as defined by the World Health Organization), and the incidence of local infections among infants from 0-59 days after birth. We report descriptive statistics. Results The incidence of PSBI among 0-59-day-old infants across all three countries was 11.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 11.0-11.4). The DRC had the highest incidence of PSBI (19.0%; 95% CI = 18.2-19.8). Likewise, PSBI rates were higher in low birth weight infants (24.5%; 95% CI = 23.1-26.0) and infants born to mothers aged <20 years (14.1%; 95% CI = 13.4-14.8). The incidence of PSBI was higher among infants delivered at home (11.7%; 95% CI = 11.4-12.0). Conclusions The high burden of PSBI among young infants in DRC, Kenya, and Nigeria demonstrates the importance of addressing PSBI in improving child survival in sub-Saharan Africa to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These data can support government authorities, policymakers, programme implementers, non-governmental organisations, and international partners in reducing preventable under-five deaths. Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12610000286044.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Lokangaka
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Manimaran Ramani
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- University of South Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Melissa Bauserman
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jackie Patterson
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cyril Engmann
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- PATH Organization, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Antoinette Tshefu
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Simons Cousens
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Adejumoke Idowu Ayede
- Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, and University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Ebunoluwa A Adejuyigbe
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Fabian Esamai
- Department of Child Health and Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Robinson D Wammanda
- Department of Paediatrics, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
| | - Yasir Bin Nisar
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Yves Coppieters
- School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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How long should young infants less than two months of age with moderate-mortality-risk signs of possible serious bacterial infection be hospitalised for? Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial from low- and middle-income countries. J Glob Health 2023; 13:04056. [PMID: 37448340 PMCID: PMC10345886 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.04056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hospitalisation and a seven-day injectable antibiotics course are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to treat suspected clinical neonatal sepsis / possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI). Some infants presenting with PSBI signs associated with a moderate risk of mortality may only need a two-day hospitalisation followed by outpatient care treatment with oral antibiotics to complete seven days of antibiotics. Methods A multi-centre, individually randomised, open-label trial will be conducted in seven sites in six countries: Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India (two sites), Nigeria, Pakistan and Tanzania. A common protocol will be used with the same study design, including the participants, intervention, comparison, outcomes, quality control, and analysis procedures. 0-59 days old infants presenting with moderate-mortality risk signs (low body temperature (<35.5°C), movement only when stimulated, stopped feeding well) or two or more signs of clinical severe infection (CSI) will be assessed and pre-enrolled. After 48 hours of hospital stay, clinically stable infants with a negative C-reactive protein test will be randomised either to hospital discharge on oral amoxicillin (intervention) or continued hospitalisation (control) arm. The intervention arm will receive oral amoxicillin for five days, whereas the control arm will receive injection gentamicin plus injection ampicillin for five more days plus supportive therapy if needed. We plan to enrol 5250 eligible young infants, 2625 infants in each of the two study arms. An experienced, well-trained independent outcome assessor will visit all enrolled cases on days 4, 8 and 15 after the initiation of treatment to assess the study outcomes in both intervention and control arms. The primary outcome of poor clinical outcome defined as death between randomisation and day 15 of initiation of treatment, deterioration during the 7-day treatment period, or persistence of the presenting sign of CSI at the end of the 7-day treatment period will be compared to assess if an early discharge and outpatient treatment leads to superior or at least non-inferior clinical outcome than continued inpatient treatment. The harmonisation of activities, including methods and processes, will be carried out diligently. Central training will be conducted by the WHO coordinating team, a central data coordination centre to collate all data, standardisation exercises for all clinical signs and internal and external monitoring. All the selected sites have extensive research experience. Through regular online and physical meetings, data-based monitoring, and physical site visits by WHO monitors, quality assurance and harmonisation will be ensured. This trial has been approved by the WHO and local site institutional ethics committees. Discussion If the results show that young infants with moderate-mortality risk PSBI signs can be safely and effectively treated on an outpatient basis after a shorter hospital stay, it will reduce the burden on the hospitals, potentially reduce nosocomial hospital infections and increase access to treatment for families with poor access to health facilities. It may also reduce the health system costs (human and materials) and allow the overburdened hospitals to pay more attention to critically ill young infants. In addition, this evidence will contribute to making a case for reviewing the WHO PSBI guideline. Registration International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number, ISRCTN16872570.
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Optimal place of treatment for young infants aged less than two months with any low-mortality-risk sign of possible serious bacterial infection: Study Protocol for a randomised controlled trial from low- and middle-income countries. J Glob Health 2023; 13:04055. [PMID: 37449353 PMCID: PMC10346131 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.04055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background World Health Organization (WHO) recommends hospitalisation and injectable antibiotics for clinical sepsis / possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) in young infants up to two months of age. However, some young infants with low-mortality risk signs of PSBI may not require hospitalisation, for which evidence needs to be generated. Methods This is a protocol for a multicentre, individually randomised, open-label trial that will be conducted in seven sites in six countries Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India (two sites), Nigeria, Pakistan and Tanzania. All sites will use this common protocol with the same study design, inclusion of participants, intervention, comparison, and outcomes, as well as quality control and analysis procedures to contribute to the overall sample size. All young infants (age <60 days) presenting at study hospitals with any single low-mortality risk sign (high body temperature ≥38°C, severe chest indrawing, or fast breathing of ≥60 breaths per minute in <7 days old infants) will be randomised to either outpatient care with injectable gentamicin for two days and oral amoxicillin for seven days (intervention) or inpatient care with injection gentamicin plus injection ampicillin along with supportive treatment, where needed, for seven days (control). We plan to enrol 7000 eligible young infants, 3500 infants in each of the two study arms. A trained and standardised independent outcome assessor will visit all enrolled cases on days two, four, eight and 15 post-randomisation to assess the study outcomes in both intervention and control groups. The primary outcome of poor clinical outcome, defined as death within two weeks of initiation of treatment, deterioration during the 7-day treatment period, or persistence of the presenting sign at the end of the 7-day treatment period, will be compared to assess if the outpatient treatment leads to superior or at least non-inferior clinical outcome than inpatient treatment. The selected sites have extensive research experience. The methods and all study procedures will be harmonised through central training of research staff by WHO, standardisation exercises for clinical signs, central data coordination centre and internal and external monitoring. Continuous evaluation of the enrolment by the sites will be carried out through regular calls, databased monitoring, and site visits by WHO monitors. This trial has received ethical approvals from the WHO and local site institutional ethics committees. Discussion If the results show that young infants with any single low-mortality risk PSBI sign can be effectively and safely treated on an outpatient basis, it may substantially increase access to treatment for infants and families with poor access to health facilities. It may also reduce the human, financial and material costs to the health system and allow the currently overloaded health facilities to focus on more critically ill infants. This evidence will contribute toward making a case for reviewing the current WHO PSBI management guideline. Registration International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN44033252.
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Abuya T, Odwe G, Ndwiga C, Okondo C, Liambila W, Mungai S, Mwaura P, K’Oduol K, Natecho A, Gitaka J, Warren CE. Measuring implementation outcomes in the context of scaling up possible serious bacterial infection guidelines: Implications for measurement and programs. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287345. [PMID: 37384785 PMCID: PMC10310014 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reducing the burden of neonatal sepsis requires timely identification and initiation of suitable antibiotic treatment in primary health care (PHC) settings. Countries are encouraged to adopt simplified antibiotic regimens at the PHC level for treating sick young infants (SYI) with signs of possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI). As countries implement PSBI guidelines, more lessons on effective implementation strategies and outcome measurements are needed. We document pragmatic approaches used to design, measure and report implementation strategies and outcomes while adopting PSBI guidelines in Kenya. METHODS We designed implementation research using longitudinal mixed methods embedded in a continuous regular systematic learning and adoption of evidence in the PHC context. We synthesized formative data to co-create with stakeholders, implementation strategies to incorporate PSBI guidelines into routine service delivery for SYIs. This was followed by quarterly monitoring for learning and feedback on the effect of implementation strategies, documented lessons learned and tracked implementation outcomes. We collected endline data to measure the overall effect on service level outcomes. RESULTS Our findings show that characterizing implementation strategies and linking them with implementation outcomes, helps illustrate the pathway between the implementation process and outcomes. Although we have demonstrated that it is feasible to implement PSBI in PHC, effective investment in continuous capacity strengthening of providers through blended approaches, efficient use of available human resources, and improving the efficiency of service areas for managing SYIs optimizes timely identification and management of SYI. Sustained provision of commodities for management of SYI facilitates increased uptake of services. Strengthening facility-community linkages supports adherence to scheduled visits. Enhancing the caregiver's preparedness during postnatal contacts in the community or facility will facilitate the effective completion of treatment. CONCLUSION Careful design, and definition of terms related to the measurement of implementation outcomes and strategies enable ease of interpretation of findings. Using the taxonomy of implementation outcomes help frame the measurement process and provides empirical evidence in a structured way to demonstrate causal relationships between implementation strategies and outcomes. Using this approach, we have illustrated that the implementation of simplified antibiotic regimens for treating SYIs with PSBI in PHC settings is feasible in Kenya.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Samuel Mungai
- Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
| | - Peter Mwaura
- Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
| | - Kezia K’Oduol
- Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Jesse Gitaka
- Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
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Ariff S, Soofi SB, Suhag Z, Chanar S, Bhura M, Dahar Z, Ahmed I, Turab A, Habib A, Nisar YB, Aboubaker S, Wall S, Soomro AW, Qazi SA, Bahl R, Bhutta ZA. Implementation research to increase treatment coverage of possible serious bacterial infections in young infants when a referral is not feasible: lessons learnt. J Public Health (Oxf) 2023; 45:176-188. [PMID: 35138390 PMCID: PMC10017086 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective was to achieve high coverage of possible serious bacterial infections (PSBI) treatment using the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline for managing it on an outpatient basis when referral to a hospital is not feasible. METHODS We implemented this guideline in the programme settings at 10 Basic Health Units (BHU) in two rural districts of Sindh in Pakistan using implementation research. A Technical Support Unit supported the programme to operationalize guidelines, built capacity of health workers through training, monitored their clinical skills, mentored them and assured quality. The community-based health workers visited households to identify sick infants and referred them to the nearest BHU for further management. The research team collected data. RESULTS Of 17 600 identified livebirths, 1860 young infants with any sign of PSBI sought care at BHUs and 1113 (59.8%) were brought by families. We achieved treatment coverage of 95%, assuming an estimated 10% incidence of PSBI in the first 2 months of life and that 10% of young infants came from outside the study catchment area. All 923 infants (49%; 923/1860) 7-59 days old with only fast breathing (pneumonia) treated with outpatient oral amoxicillin were cured. Hospital referral was refused by 83.4% (781/937) families who accepted outpatient treatment; 92.2% (720/781) were cured and 0.8% (6/781) died. Twelve (7.6%; 12/156) died among those treated in a hospital. CONCLUSION It is feasible to achieve high coverage by implementing WHO PSBI management guidelines in a programmatic setting when a referral is not feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabina Ariff
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sajid Bashir Soofi
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
- Centre of Excellence in Women & Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Zamir Suhag
- People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Suhail Chanar
- Centre of Excellence in Women & Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Maria Bhura
- Centre of Excellence in Women & Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Zaib Dahar
- People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Imran Ahmed
- Centre of Excellence in Women & Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ali Turab
- Centre of Excellence in Women & Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Atif Habib
- Centre of Excellence in Women & Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Yasir Bin Nisar
- Department of Maternal Newborn Child, Adolescent Health and Aging, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Samira Aboubaker
- Department of Maternal Newborn Child, Adolescent Health and Aging, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Steve Wall
- Saving Newborn Lives, Save the Children, Washington DC, USA
| | | | | | - Rajiv Bahl
- Department of Maternal Newborn Child, Adolescent Health and Aging, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Zulfiqar A Bhutta
- Centre of Excellence in Women & Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
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Tiruneh GT, Nigatu TG, Magge H, Hirschhorn LR. Using the Implementation Research Logic Model to design and implement community-based management of possible serious bacterial infection during COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1515. [PMID: 36514111 PMCID: PMC9745284 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08945-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community-based treatment of possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) in young infants, when referral to a hospital is not possible, can result in high treatment coverage and low case fatality. However, in Ethiopia, the coverage of PSBI treatment remains low, worsened by COVID-19. To understand the challenges of delivery of PSBI treatment and design and test adaptative strategies to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on neonatal mortality, we did implementation research (IR) employing Implementation Research Logic Model (IRLM). In this paper, we describe IRLM application experiences in designing, implementing, and evaluating strategies to improve community-based treatment of PSBI during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia. METHODS This IR was conducted between November 2020-April 2022 at Dembecha and Lume woredas of Amhara and Oromia regions, respectively. We employed narrative reviews, formative assessment and facilitated stakeholder engagement to develop the PSBI treatment IRLM to identify barriers, understand the conceptual linkages among determinants, choose implementation strategies, elicit mechanisms, and link to implementation outcomes. In addition, we used the IRLM to structure the capture of emerging implementation challenges and resulting strategy adaptations throughout implementation. RESULTS This IR identified COVID-19 and multiple pre-existing contextual factors. We designed and implemented implementation strategies to address these challenges. These adaptive strategies were implemented with sufficient strength to maintain the delivery of PSBI services and improve mothers' care-seeking behavior for their sick young infants. The IRLM offers us a clear process and path to prioritize implementation challenges, choose strategies informed by mechanisms of action, and where the adaptive implementation of community-based management of PSBI would lead to high-implementation fidelity and change in mother behavior to seek care for their sick young infants. The IRLM was also an effective tool for stakeholder engagement, easily explained and used to structure discussion and decision-making during co-design meetings. CONCLUSIONS The use of the IRLM helps us to specify the conceptual links between the implementation challenges, strategies, mechanisms of action, and outcomes to explore the complex community-based management of PSBI during complex contexts to improve high-fidelity implementation and integration of PSBI treatment in the primary healthcare delivery systems through active engagement of stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizachew Tadele Tiruneh
- The Last Ten Kilometers (L10K) Project, JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tsinuel Girma Nigatu
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Jimma University, Ethiopia and Fenot Project - School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Hema Magge
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Lisa Ruth Hirschhorn
- Feinberg School of Medicine and Havey Institute of Global Health, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
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Bang A, Baitule S, Deshmukh M, Bang A, Duby J. Home-based management of neonatal sepsis: 23 years of sustained implementation and effectiveness in rural Gadchiroli, India, 1996-2019. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2022-008469. [PMID: 36162868 PMCID: PMC9516090 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-008469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Although hospitalisation remains the preferred management for neonatal sepsis, it is often not possible in resource-limited settings. The Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) study in Gadchiroli, India (1995–1998) was the first trial to demonstrate that neonatal sepsis can be managed in the community. HBNC continues to operate in Gadchiroli. In 2015, WHO recommended community-based management of neonatal sepsis when hospitalisation is not feasible but called for implementation research. We studied the implementation and effectiveness of home-based management of neonatal sepsis over 23 years in Gadchiroli. Methods In this cohort study (1996–2019), community health workers (CHWs) visited neonates at home in 39 villages in Gadchiroli, India. CHWs screened, diagnosed sepsis and offered home-based antibiotic treatment if hospitalisation was refused. We evaluated the implementation outcomes of coverage, diagnostic fidelity and adoption. We assessed the association between treatment type and odds of neonatal death using mixed effects logistic regression. Time trends were analysed using the Mann-Kendall test. Results CHWs screened 93.8% (17 700/18 874) of neonates (coverage) and correctly diagnosed 89% (1051/1177) of sepsis episodes (diagnostic fidelity). Home-based management was preferred by 88.4% (929/1051) of parents (adoption), with 5.6 percent of total neonates receiving antibioties at home. Compared with neonates treated at home, the adjusted odds of death was 5.27 (95% CI 1.91 to 14.58) times higher when parents refused all treatment, 2.17 (95% CI 1.07 to 4.41) times higher when CHWs missed the diagnosis and 5.45 (95% CI 2.74 to 10.87) times higher when parents accepted hospital referral. Implementation outcomes remained consistent over 23 years (coverage p=0.57; fidelity p=0.57; adoption p=0.26; mortality p=0.71). The rate of facility births increased (p<0.01) and the sepsis incidence decreased (p<0.05) over 23 years. Conclusion Implementation of home-based management of neonatal sepsis was sustainable and effective over 23 years. During this period, the need for home-based management in Gadchiroli is declining. Home-based management is advised where sepsis remains a major cause of neonatal mortality and hospital access is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhay Bang
- Society for Education Action and Research in Community Health, Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sanjay Baitule
- Society for Education Action and Research in Community Health, Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, India
| | - Mahesh Deshmukh
- Society for Education Action and Research in Community Health, Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, India
| | - Anand Bang
- Society for Education Action and Research in Community Health, Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, India
| | - Jessica Duby
- McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Québec, Canada
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Lokangaka A, Ishoso D, Tshefu A, Kalonji M, Takoy P, Kokolomami J, Otomba J, Aboubaker S, Qazi SA, Nisar YB, Bahl R, Bose C, Coppieters Y. Simplified antibiotic regimens for young infants with possible serious bacterial infection when the referral is not feasible in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268277. [PMID: 35771738 PMCID: PMC9246187 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neonates with serious bacterial infections should be treated with injectable antibiotics after hospitalization, which may not be feasible in many low resource settings. In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a guideline for the management of young infants (0-59 days old) with possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) when referral for hospital treatment is not feasible. We evaluated the feasibility of the WHO guideline implementation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to achieve high coverage of PSBI treatment. METHODS From April 2016 to March 2017, in a longitudinal, descriptive, mixed methods implementation research study, we implemented WHO PSBI guideline for sick young infants (0-59 dyas of age) in the public health programme setting in five health areas of North and South Ubangi Provinces with an overall population of about 60,000. We conducted policy dialogue with national and sub-national level government planners, decision-makers, academics and other stakeholders. We established a Technical Support Unit to provide implementation support. We built the capacity of health workers and managers and ensured the availability of necessary medicines and commodities. We followed infants with PSBI signs up to 14 days. The research team systematically collected data on adherence to treatment and outcomes. RESULTS We identified 3050 live births and 285 (9.3%) young infants with signs of PSBI in the study area, of whom 256 were treated. Published data have reported 10% PSBI incidence rate in young infants. Therefore, the estimated coverage of treatment was 83.9% (256/305). Another 426 from outside the study catchment area were also identified with PSBI signs by the nurses of a health centre within the study area. Thus, a total of 711 young infants with PSBI were identified, 285 (40%) 7-59 days old infants had fast breathing (pneumonia), 141 (20%) 0-6 days old had fast breathing (severe pneumonia), 233 (33%) had signs of clinical severe infection (CSI), and 52 (7%) had signs of critical illness. Referral to a hospital was advised to 426 (60%) infants with CSI, critical illness or severe pneumonia. The referral was refused by 282 families who accepted simplified antibiotic treatment on an outpatient basis at the health centres. Treatment failure among those who received outpatient treatment occurred in 10/128 (8%) with severe pneumonia, 25/147 (17%) with CSI, including one death, and 2/7 (29%) young infants with a critical illness. Among 285 infants with pneumonia, 257 (90%) received oral amoxicillin treatment, and 8 (3%) failed treatment. Adherence to outpatient treatment was 98% to 100% for various PSBI sub-categories. Among 144 infants treated in a hospital, 8% (1/13) with severe pneumonia, 23% (20/86) with CSI and 40% (18/45) with critical illness died. CONCLUSION Implementation of the WHO PSBI guideline when a referral was not possible was feasible in our context with high coverage. Without financial and technical input to strengthen the health system at all levels, including the community and the referral level, it may not be possible to achieve and sustain the same high treatment coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Lokangaka
- Faculté de Médecine, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Daniel Ishoso
- Faculté de Médecine, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Antoinette Tshefu
- Faculté de Médecine, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Michel Kalonji
- Faculté de Médecine, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Paulin Takoy
- Faculté de Médecine, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Jack Kokolomami
- Faculté de Médecine, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - John Otomba
- Faculté de Médecine, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- World Health Organization, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | | | - Yasir Bin Nisar
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rajiv Bahl
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Carl Bose
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Yves Coppieters
- School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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Nisar YB, Aboubaker S, Arifeen SE, Ariff S, Arora N, Awasthi S, Ayede AI, Baqui AH, Bavdekar A, Berhane M, Chandola TR, Leul A, Sadruddin S, Tshefu A, Wammanda R, Nigussie A, Pyne-Mercier L, Pearson L, Brandes N, Wall S, Qazi SA, Bahl R. A multi-country implementation research initiative to jump-start scale-up of outpatient management of possible serious bacterial infections (PSBI) when a referral is not feasible: Summary findings and implications for programs. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269524. [PMID: 35696401 PMCID: PMC9191694 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Research on simplified antibiotic regimens for outpatient treatment of 'Possible Serious Bacterial Infection' (PSBI) and the subsequent World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines provide an opportunity to increase treatment coverage. This multi-country implementation research initiative aimed to learn how to implement the WHO guideline in diverse contexts. These experiences have been individually published; this overview paper provides a summary of results and lessons learned across sites. METHODS SUMMARY A common mixed qualitative and quantitative methods protocol for implementation research was used in eleven sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Equateur province), Ethiopia (Tigray and Oromia regions), India (Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh states), Malawi (Central Region), Nigeria (Kaduna and Oyo states), and Pakistan (Sindh province). Key steps in implementation research were: i) policy dialogue with the national government and key stakeholders, ii) the establishment of a 'Technical Support Unit' with the research team and district level managers, and iii) development of an implementation strategy and its refinement using an iterative process of implementation, programme learning and evaluation. RESULTS SUMMARY All sites successfully developed and evaluated an implementation strategy to increase coverage of PSBI treatment. During the study period, a total of 6677 young infants from the study catchment area were identified and treated at health facilities in the study area as inpatients or outpatients among 88179 live births identified. The estimated coverage of PSBI treatment was 75.7% (95% CI 74.8% to 78.6%), assuming a 10% incidence of PSBI among all live births. The treatment coverage was variable, ranging from 53.3% in Lucknow, India to 97.3% in Ibadan, Nigeria. The coverage of inpatient treatment ranged from 1.9% in Zaria, Nigeria, to 33.9% in Tigray, Ethiopia. The outpatient treatment coverage ranged from 30.6% in Pune, India, to 93.6% in Zaria, Nigeria. Overall, the case fatality rate (CFR) was 14.6% (95% CI 11.5% to 18.2%) for 0-59-day old infants with critical illness, 1.9% (95% CI 1.5% to 2.4%) for 0-59-day old infants with clinical severe infection and 0.1% for fast breathing in 7-59 days old. Among infants treated as outpatients, CFR was 13.7% (95% CI 8.7% to 20.2%) for 0-59-day old infants with critical illness, 0.9% (95% CI 0.6% to 1.2%) for 0-59-day old infants with clinical severe infection, and 0.1% for infants 7-59 days old with fast breathing. CONCLUSION Important lessons on how to conduct each step of implementation research, and the challenges and facilitators for implementation of PSBI management guideline in routine health systems are summarised and discussed. These lessons will be used to introduce and scale-up implementation in relevant Low- and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasir Bin Nisar
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Shams El Arifeen
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Shabina Ariff
- Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Shally Awasthi
- Department of Pediatrics, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Adejumoke Idowu Ayede
- Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Abdullah H. Baqui
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ashish Bavdekar
- Vadu Rural Health Program, KEM Hospital Research Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Melkamu Berhane
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | | | - Abadi Leul
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | | | - Antoinette Tshefu
- Department of Community Health, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, DR Congo
| | - Robinson Wammanda
- Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
| | - Assaye Nigussie
- Health science college, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia and Harvard, T.H. CHAN School of Public Health; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lee Pyne-Mercier
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Luwei Pearson
- UNICEF, HQ, New York, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Steve Wall
- Save the Children, Saving Newborn Lives, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | | | - Rajiv Bahl
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland
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Beyene H, Hailu D, Tadele H, Persson LÅ, Berhanu D. A mixed-methods study exploring adherence to the referral of severely sick children in primary health care in Southern Ethiopia. Arch Public Health 2021; 79:159. [PMID: 34474692 PMCID: PMC8414758 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-021-00681-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have shown that Ethiopian primary healthcare providers refer only half of the severely sick children who, according to guidelines, should get an urgent referral. Frequently parents of referred ill children don't bring their children to the next level. We aimed to describe the referral of severely ill Ethiopian children based on primary healthcare register reviews and explore health care providers' and parents' perceptions regarding factors that hinder or enhance referral. METHODS A mixed-methods study was conducted in 11 districts and a town administration of the Hadiya zone in Ethiopia's Southern region from May to June 2019. Data collection included interviews and focus group discussions with healthcare providers, key informant interviews with parents of sick children who had been referred, and reviewing registers of sick children treated during the last 12 months at health posts and health centres. We analysed the association between healthcare providers' and sick children's characteristics and providers' compliance with referral guidelines for sick children 0-59 months old. Content analysis was undertaken to explore the perceived factors that influenced referral and adherence to referral from providers' and parents' perspectives. RESULTS Healthcare providers did not refer nearly half of the severely ill children that should have been referred, according to guidelines. Providers who had received in-service training on child healthcare were more likely to adhere to referral guidelines. The severity of the child's illness and mobile phone communication and transport availability were perceived to be positively associated with adherence to referral guidelines. Lack of knowledge of treatment guidelines and skills, and high health worker workload, were among the factors perceived to be linked to lower adherence to guidelines. The healthcare providers considered parents of referred sick children as having low compliance with the referral advice. In contrast, parents had the opinion that compliance with a referral for sick children was high. Perceived awareness of severity of the child's illness, ability to afford referral costs, and availability of transport or ambulance services were perceived to motivate parents to take their children to the referral facility. Traditional illness perceptions, lack of confidence in the referral site's medical care, and a long distance were perceived to hurdle caregivers' referral compliance. CONCLUSIONS We found that the healthcare providers' adherence to referral guidelines was not optimal. Care providers and parents had divergent opinions on parents' compliance with referral advice. Factors related to the health system, family economy, and available ambulance services influence whether care providers and parents pursued severely ill children's referral. Adequate referral of sick children is an aspect of primary healthcare quality that is essential to avoid unnecessary under-five deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habtamu Beyene
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, and Nutrition, Southern Nations, Nationalities & Peoples Regional Health Bureau, Hawassa, Ethiopia
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Hawassa University, Sidama, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Dejene Hailu
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Hawassa University, Sidama, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Henok Tadele
- College of Health Sciences, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Lars Åke Persson
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Health System and Reproductive Health Research Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, 5654 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Della Berhanu
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Health System and Reproductive Health Research Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, 5654 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Berhane M, Girma T, Tesfaye W, Jibat N, Abera M, Abrahim S, Aboubaker S, Nisar YB, Ahmad Qazi S, Bahl R, Abdissa A. Implementation research on management of sick young infants with possible serious bacterial infection when referral is not possible in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia: Challenges and solutions. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255210. [PMID: 34370744 PMCID: PMC8351942 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Of 2.5 million newborn deaths each year, serious neonatal infections are a leading cause of neonatal death for which inpatient treatment is recommended. However, manysick newborns in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia do not have access to inpatientcare. A World Health Organization (WHO) guideline recommends simplified antibiotic treatment atan outpatient level for young infants up to two months of age with possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI), when referral is not feasible.We implemented this guidelinein Ethiopia to increase coverage of treatment and to learn about potential facilitating factors and barriers for implementation. Methods We conducted implementation research in two districts (Tiro Afata and Gera) in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia, to learn about the feasibility of implementing the WHO PSBI guideline within a programme setting using the existing health care structure. We conducted orientation meetings and policy dialogue with key stakeholders and trained health extension workers and health centre staff to identify and manage sick young infants with PSBI signs at a primary health care unit. We established a Technical Support Unit (TSU) to facilitate programme learning, built health workers’ capacity and provided support for quality control, monitoring and data collection.We sensitized the community to appropriate care-seeking and supported the health care system in implementation. The research team collected data using structured case recording forms. Results From September 2016 to August 2017, 6185 live births and 601 sick young infants 0–59 days of age with signs of PSBI were identified. Assuming that 25% of births were missed (total births 7731) and 10% of births had an episode of PSBI in the first two months of life, the coverage of appropriate treatment for PSBI was 77.7% (601/773). Of 601 infants with PSBI, fast breathing only (pneumonia) was recorded in 432 (71.9%) infants 7–59 days of age; signs of clinical severe infection (CSI) in 155 (25.8%) and critical illnessin 14 (2.3%). Of the 432 pneumonia cases who received oral amoxicillin treatment without referral, 419 (97.0%) were successfully treated without any deaths. Of 169 sick young infants with either CSI or critical illness, only 110 were referred to a hospital; 83 did not accept referral advice and received outpatient injectable gentamicin plus oral amoxicillin treatment either at a health post or health centre. Additionally, 59 infants who should have been referred, but were not received injectable gentamicin plus oral amoxicillin outpatient treatment. Of infants with CSI, 129 (82.2%) were successfully treated as outpatients, while two died (1.3%). Of 14 infants with critical illness, the caregivers of five accepted referral to a hospital, and nine were treated with simplified antibiotics on an outpatient basis. Two of 14 (14.3%) infants with critical illness died within 14 days of initial presentation. Conclusion In settings where referral to a hospital is not feasible, young infants with PSBI can be treated on an outpatient basis at either a health post or health centre, which can contribute to saving many lives. Scaling-up will require health system strengthening including community mobilization. Registration Trial is registered on Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12617001373369.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melkamu Berhane
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Tsinuel Girma
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Workneh Tesfaye
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Nega Jibat
- College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Mulumebet Abera
- Department of Population and Family Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | | | - Samira Aboubaker
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization (Retired) Currently WHO consultants, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Yasir Bin Nisar
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Shamim Ahmad Qazi
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization (Retired) Currently WHO consultants, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rajiv Bahl
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alemseged Abdissa
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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Nisar YB. Community-based amoxicillin treatment for fast breathing pneumonia in young infants 7-59 days old: a cluster randomised trial in rural Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India and Malawi. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e006578. [PMID: 34417274 PMCID: PMC8381301 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Young infants 7-59 days old with fast breathing pneumonia presented to a primary level health facility receive a 7-day course of amoxicillin as per the WHO guideline. However, community-level health workers (CLHW) are not allowed to treat these infants. This trial evaluated the community level treatment of non-hypoxaemic young infants with fast breathing pneumonia by CLHWs. METHODS This cluster-randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial was conducted in rural areas of Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India and Malawi. We randomly allocated clusters (first-level health facility) 1:1, stratified by the population size, to an intervention group (enhanced community case management) or control group (standard community case management). Infants aged 7-59 days with a respiratory rate of ≥60 breaths/min and oxygen saturation (SpO2) ≥90% were enrolled. In the intervention clusters, these infants were treated with a 7-day course of oral amoxicillin (according to WHO weight bands) and were regularly followed up by CLHWs. In the control clusters, CLHWs continued the standard management (assess and refer after pre-referral antibiotic dose) and followed up according to the national programme guideline. The primary outcome of treatment failure was assessed in both groups by independent outcome assessors on days 6 and 14 after enrolment. Secondary outcomes (accuracy and impact of pulse oximetry) were also assessed. RESULTS Between September 2016 and December 2018, we enrolled 2334 infants (1168 in intervention and 1166 in control clusters) from 208 clusters (104 intervention and 104 control). Of 2334, 22 infants with fast breathing were excluded from analysis, leaving 2312 (1155 in intervention clusters and 1157 in control clusters) for intention-to-treat analysis. The proportion of treatment failure was 5.4% (63/1155) in intervention and 6.3% (73/1157) in the control clusters, including two deaths (0.2%) in each group. The adjusted risk difference for treatment failure between the two groups was -1.0% (95% CI -3.0% to 1.1%). The secondary outcome showed that CLHWs in the intervention clusters performed all recommended steps of pulse oximetry assessment in 94% (1050/1115) of enrolled patients. CONCLUSIONS The 7-day amoxicillin treatment for 7-59 days old non-hypoxaemic infants with fast breathing pneumonia by CLHWs was non-inferior to the currently recommended referral strategy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS CTRI/2017/02/007761 and ACTRN12617000857303.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasir B Nisar
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, WHO, Geneve, Switzerland
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Mukhopadhyay R, Arora NK, Sharma PK, Dalpath S, Limbu P, Kataria G, Singh RK, Poluru R, Malik Y, Khera A, Prabhakar PK, Kumar S, Gupta R, Chellani H, Aggarwal KC, Gupta R, Arya S, Aboubaker S, Bahl R, Nisar YB, Qazi SA. Lessons from implementation research on community management of Possible Serious Bacterial Infection (PSBI) in young infants (0-59 days), when the referral is not feasible in Palwal district of Haryana, India. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252700. [PMID: 34234352 PMCID: PMC8279773 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of death in India, which needs hospital management but many families cannot access hospitals. The World Health Organization and the Government of India developed a guideline to manage possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) when a referral is not feasible. We implemented this guideline to achieve high coverage of treatment of PSBI with low mortality. METHODOLOGY The implementation research study was conducted in over 50 villages of Palwal district, Haryana during August 2017-March 2019 and covered a population of 199143. Policy dialogue with central, state and district health authorities was held before initiation of the study. A baseline assessment of the barriers in the implementation of the PSBI intervention was conducted. The intervention was implemented in the program setting. The research team collected data throughout and also co-participated in the implementation of the intervention for the first six months to identify bottlenecks in the health system and at the community level. RE-AIM framework was utilized to document implementation strategies of PSBI management guideline. Implementation strategies by the district technical support unit (TSU) included: (i) empower mothers and families through social mobilization to improve care-seeking of sick young infants 0-59 days of age, (ii) build capacity through training and build confidence through technical support of health staff at primary health centers (PHC), community health centers (CHC) and sub-centers to manage young infants with PSBI signs and (iii) improve performance of accredited social health activists (ASHAs). FINDINGS A total of 370 young infants with signs of PSBI were identified and managed in 5270 live births. Treatment coverage was 70% assuming that 10% of live births would have PSBI within the first two months of life. Mothers identified 87.6% (324/370) of PSBI cases. PHCs and CHCs became functional and managed 150 (40%) sick young infants with PSBI. Twenty four young infants (7-59days) who had only fast breathing were treated with oral amoxicillin without a referral. Referral to a hospital was refused by 126 (84%); 119 had clinical severe infection (CSI), one 0-6 days old had fast breathing and six had critical illness (CI). Of 119 CSI cases managed on outpatient injection gentamicin and oral amoxicillin, 116 (96.7%) recovered, 55 (45.8%) received all seven gentamicin injections and only one died. All 7-59 day old infants with fast breathing recovered, 23 on outpatient oral amoxicillin treatment; and 19 (79%) received all doses. Of 65 infants managed at either district or tertiary hospital, two (3.1%) died, rest recovered. Private providers managed 155 (41.9%) PSBI cases, all except one recovered, but sub-classification and treatment were unknown. Sub-centers could not be activated to manage PSBI. CONCLUSION The study demonstrated resolution of implementation bottlenecks with existing resources, activated PHCs and CHCs to manage CSI and fast breathers (7-59 day old) on an outpatient basis with low mortality when a referral was not feasible. TSU was instrumental in these achievements. We established the effectiveness of oral amoxicillin alone in 7-59 days old fast breathers and recommend a review of the current national policy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Suresh Dalpath
- Department of Health, Government of Haryana, Palwal/Chandigarh, India
| | - Priya Limbu
- The INCLEN Trust International, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | | | - Yogesh Malik
- Department of Health, Government of Haryana, Palwal/Chandigarh, India
| | - Ajay Khera
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| | - P. K. Prabhakar
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Saket Kumar
- Department of Health, Government of Haryana, Palwal/Chandigarh, India
| | - Rakesh Gupta
- Department of Health, Government of Haryana, Palwal/Chandigarh, India
| | - Harish Chellani
- Department of Pediatrics, Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Kailash Chander Aggarwal
- Department of Pediatrics, Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Ratan Gupta
- Department of Pediatrics, Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Sugandha Arya
- Department of Pediatrics, Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Rajiv Bahl
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Yasir Bin Nisar
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Nisar YB, Tshefu A, Longombe AL, Esamai F, Marete I, Ayede AI, Adejuyigbe EA, Wammanda RD, Qazi SA, Bahl R. Clinical signs of possible serious infection and associated mortality among young infants presenting at first-level health facilities. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253110. [PMID: 34191832 PMCID: PMC8244884 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends inpatient hospital treatment of young infants up to two months old with any sign of possible serious infection. However, each sign may have a different risk of death. The current study aims to calculate the case fatality ratio for infants with individual or combined signs of possible serious infection, stratified by inpatient or outpatient treatment. METHODS We analysed data from the African Neonatal Sepsis Trial conducted in five sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya and Nigeria. Trained study nurses classified sick infants as pneumonia (fast breathing in 7-59 days old), severe pneumonia (fast breathing in 0-6 days old), clinical severe infection [severe chest indrawing, high (> = 38°C) or low body temperature (<35.5°C), stopped feeding well, or movement only when stimulated] or critical illness (convulsions, not able to feed at all, or no movement at all), and referred them to a hospital for inpatient treatment. Infants whose caregivers refused referral received outpatient treatment. The case fatality ratio by day 15 was calculated for individual and combined clinical signs and stratified by place of treatment. An infant with signs of clinical severe infection or severe pneumonia was recategorised as having low- (case fatality ratio ≤2%) or moderate- (case fatality ratio >2%) mortality risk. RESULTS Of 7129 young infants with a possible serious infection, fast breathing (in 7-59 days old) was the most prevalent sign (26%), followed by high body temperature (20%) and severe chest indrawing (19%). Infants with pneumonia had the lowest case fatality ratio (0.2%), followed by severe pneumonia (2.0%), clinical severe infection (2.3%) and critical illness (16.9%). Infants with clinical severe infection had a wide range of case fatality ratios for individual signs (from 0.8% to 11.0%). Infants with pneumonia had similar case fatality ratio for outpatient and inpatient treatment (0.2% vs. 0.3%, p = 0.74). Infants with clinical severe infection or severe pneumonia had a lower case fatality ratio among those who received outpatient treatment compared to inpatient treatment (1.9% vs. 6.5%, p<0.0001). We recategorised infants into low-mortality risk signs (case fatality ratio ≤2%) of clinical severe infection (high body temperature, or severe chest indrawing) or severe pneumonia and moderate-mortality risk signs (case fatality ratio >2%) (stopped feeding well, movement only when stimulated, low body temperature or multiple signs of clinical severe infection). We found that both categories had four times lower case fatality ratio when treated as outpatient than inpatient treatment, i.e., 1.0% vs. 4.0% (p<0.0001) and 5.3% vs. 22.4% (p<0.0001), respectively. In contrast, infants with signs of critical illness had nearly two times higher case fatality ratio when treated as outpatient versus inpatient treatment (21.7% vs. 12.1%, p = 0.097). CONCLUSIONS The mortality risk differs with clinical signs. Young infants with a possible serious infection can be grouped into those with low-mortality risk signs (high body temperature, or severe chest indrawing or severe pneumonia); moderate-mortality risk signs (stopped feeding well, movement only when stimulated, low body temperature or multiple signs of clinical severe infection), or high-mortality risk signs (signs of critical illness). New treatment strategies that consider differential mortality risks for the place of treatment and duration of inpatient treatment could be developed and evaluated based on these findings. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry under ID ACTRN 12610000286044.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasir Bin Nisar
- Department of Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Antoinette Tshefu
- Department of Community Health, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, DR Congo
| | | | - Fabian Esamai
- Department of Child Health and Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Irene Marete
- Department of Child Health and Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Adejumoke Idowu Ayede
- College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Ebunoluwa A Adejuyigbe
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Robinson D Wammanda
- Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
| | | | - Rajiv Bahl
- Department of Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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King C, Banda M, Bar-Zeev N, Beard J, French N, Makwenda C, McCollum ED, Mdala M, Bin Nisar Y, Phiri T, Ahmad Qazi S, Colbourn T. Care-seeking patterns amongst suspected paediatric pneumonia deaths in rural Malawi. Gates Open Res 2021; 4:178. [PMID: 33537557 PMCID: PMC7835598 DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13208.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Pneumonia remains a leading cause of paediatric deaths. To understand contextual challenges in care pathways, we explored patterns in care-seeking amongst children who died of pneumonia in Malawi. Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods analysis of verbal autopsies (VA) amongst deaths in children aged 1-59 months from 10/2011 to 06/2016 in Mchinji district, Malawi. Suspected pneumonia deaths were defined as: 1. caregiver reported cough and fast breathing in the 2-weeks prior to death; or, 2. the caregiver specifically stated the child died of pneumonia; or 3. cause of death assigned as ‘acute respiratory infection’ using InterVA-4. Data were extracted from free-text narratives based on domains in the ‘Pathways to Survival’ framework, and described using proportions. Qualitative analysis used a framework approach, with pre-specified themes. Results: We analysed 171 suspected pneumonia deaths. In total, 86% of children were taken to a healthcare facility during their final illness episode, and 44% sought care more than once. Of children who went to hospital (n=119), 70% were admitted, and 25% received oxygen. Half of the children died within a healthcare setting (43% hospital, 5% health centre and 2% private clinics), 64 (37%) at home, and 22 (13%) in transit. Challenges in delayed care, transport and quality of care (including oxygen), were reported. Conclusions: Healthcare was frequently sought for children who died of suspected pneumonia, however several missed opportunities for care were seen. Sustained investment in timely appropriate care seeking, quick transportation to hospital and improved case management at all levels of the system is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina King
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Masford Banda
- Parent and Child Health Initiative, Lilongwe, Malawi.,Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Naor Bar-Zeev
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - James Beard
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Neil French
- Institute of Infection, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Eric D McCollum
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | | | - Yasir Bin Nisar
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tambosi Phiri
- Parent and Child Health Initiative, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Shamim Ahmad Qazi
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tim Colbourn
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
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18
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King C, Banda M, Bar-Zeev N, Beard J, French N, Makwenda C, McCollum ED, Mdala M, Bin Nisar Y, Phiri T, Ahmad Qazi S, Colbourn T. Care-seeking patterns amongst suspected paediatric pneumonia deaths in rural Malawi. Gates Open Res 2021; 4:178. [PMID: 33537557 DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13208.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Pneumonia remains a leading cause of paediatric deaths. To understand contextual challenges in care pathways, we explored patterns in care-seeking amongst children who died of pneumonia in Malawi. Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods analysis of verbal autopsies (VA) amongst deaths in children aged 1-59 months from 10/2011 to 06/2016 in Mchinji district, Malawi. Suspected pneumonia deaths were defined as: 1. caregiver reported cough and fast breathing in the 2-weeks prior to death; or, 2. the caregiver specifically stated the child died of pneumonia; or 3. cause of death assigned as 'acute respiratory infection' using InterVA-4. Data were extracted from free-text narratives based on domains in the 'Pathways to Survival' framework, and described using proportions. Qualitative analysis used a framework approach, with pre-specified themes. Results: We analysed 171 suspected pneumonia deaths. In total, 86% of children were taken to a healthcare facility during their final illness episode, and 44% sought care more than once. Of children who went to hospital (n=119), 70% were admitted, and 25% received oxygen. Half of the children died within a healthcare setting (43% hospital, 5% health centre and 2% private clinics), 64 (37%) at home, and 22 (13%) in transit. Challenges in delayed care, transport and quality of care (including oxygen), were reported. Conclusions: Healthcare was frequently sought for children who died of suspected pneumonia, however several missed opportunities for care were seen. Sustained investment in timely appropriate care seeking, quick transportation to hospital and improved case management at all levels of the system is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina King
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Masford Banda
- Parent and Child Health Initiative, Lilongwe, Malawi.,Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Naor Bar-Zeev
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - James Beard
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Neil French
- Institute of Infection, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Eric D McCollum
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | | | - Yasir Bin Nisar
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tambosi Phiri
- Parent and Child Health Initiative, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Shamim Ahmad Qazi
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tim Colbourn
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
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Liu CE, Pan YM, Du ZL, Wu C, Hong XY, Sun YH, Li HF, Liu J. Composition characteristics of the gut microbiota in infants and young children of under 6 years old between Beijing and Japan. Transl Pediatr 2021; 10:790-806. [PMID: 34012829 PMCID: PMC8107842 DOI: 10.21037/tp-20-376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The composition of intestinal flora in Chinese and Japanese has been reported in many studies but that in infants aged 0-6 years old has not been studied yet. METHODS The distribution characteristics of the fecal flora of infants in Beijing (n=84) and Japan (n=53) were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. RESULTS This study showed the higher relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae_ UCG-003 and Anaerostipes in male group that of Ruminiclostridium, Eubacterium, Senegalimassilia and Senegalimassilia in female group, especially Senegalimassilia, which was not detected in male group. Defecation trait groups indicated significantly higher relative abundance of Bifidobacterium in abnormal bowel trait group than that in the normal group (P<0.05). The feeding groups' analysis showed significantly higher relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Enterococcus and lower abundance of Bacteroides and Lacetospirillaceae in the breast-feeding group than that in the formula feeding and mixed-feeding groups. The relative abundance of Parasutterella and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-003 in the halitosis group was significantly higher than that in the normal group. The comparison of cold and fever group and normal group indicated significantly higher relative abundance of Erysipelatoclostridium and lower relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae _UCG-001 in the fever and cold group than that in the normal group (P<0.05). The regional comparison of intestinal flora of Beijing and Japan showed significant increase in the relative abundance of Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Prevotella, megamonas and Veillonella in the intestinal flora of 0-6 years old infants in Beijing. CONCLUSIONS These findings improve the understanding of intestinal bacterial and viral communities of infants from the two Asian countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-E Liu
- Department of Nutrition, the Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan-Ming Pan
- Department of Gastroenterology, the Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen-Lan Du
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Pediatrics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Cong Wu
- Department of Nutrition, the Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Yang Hong
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Pediatrics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Hui Sun
- Department of Nutrition, the Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Feng Li
- Department of Health Services, the Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Laboratory, the Seventh Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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20
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Ayede AI, Ashubu OO, Fowobaje KR, Aboubaker S, Nisar YB, Qazi SA, Bahl R, Falade AG. Management of possible serious bacterial infection in young infants where referral is not possible in the context of existing health system structure in Ibadan, South-west Nigeria. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248720. [PMID: 33784321 PMCID: PMC8009401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Neonatal infections contribute substantially to infant mortality in Nigeria and globally. Management requires hospitalization, which is not accessible to many in low resource settings. World Health Organization developed a guideline to manage possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) in young infants up to two months of age when a referral is not feasible. We evaluated the feasibility of implementing this guideline to achieve high coverage of treatment. Methods This implementation research was conducted in out-patient settings of eight primary health care centres (PHC) in Lagelu Local Government Area (LGA) of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. We conducted policy dialogue with the Federal and State officials to adopt the WHO guideline within the existing programme setting and held orientation and sensitization meetings with communities. We established a Technical Support Unit (TSU), built the capacity of health care providers, supervised and mentored them, monitored the quality of services and collected data for management and outcomes of sick young infants with PSBI signs. The Primary Health Care Directorate of the state ministry and the local government led the implementation and provided technical support. The enablers and barriers to implementation were documented. Results From 1 April 2016 to 31 July 2017 we identified 5278 live births and of these, 1214 had a sign of PSBI. Assuming 30% of births were missed due to temporary migration to maternal homes for delivery care and approximately 45% cases came from outside the catchment area due to free availability of medicines, the treatment coverage was 97.3% (668 cases/6861 expected births) with an expected 10% PSBI prevalence within the first 2 months of life. Of 1214 infants with PSBI, 392 (32%) infants 7–59 days had only fast breathing (pneumonia), 338 (27.8%) infants 0–6 days had only fast breathing (severe pneumonia), 462 (38%) presented with signs of clinical severe infection (CSI) and 22 (1.8%) with signs of critical illness. All but two, 7–59 days old infants with pneumonia were treated with oral amoxicillin without a referral; 80% (312/390) adhered to full treatment; 97.7% (381/390) were cured, and no deaths were reported. Referral to the hospital was not accepted by 87.7% (721/822) families of infants presenting with signs of PSBI needing hospitalization (critical illness 5/22; clinical severe infection; 399/462 and severe pneumonia 317/338). They were treated on an outpatient basis with two days of injectable gentamicin and seven days of oral amoxicillin. Among these 81% (584/721) completed treatment; 97% (700/721) were cured, and three deaths were reported (two with critical illness and one with clinical severe infection). We identified health system gaps including lack of staff motivation and work strikes, medicines stockouts, sub-optimal home visits that affected implementation. Conclusions When a referral is not feasible, outpatient treatment for young infants with signs of PSBI is possible within existing programme structures in Nigeria with high coverage and low case fatality. To scale up this intervention successfully, government commitment is needed to strengthen the health system, motivate and train health workers, provide necessary commodities, establish technical support for implementation and strengthen linkages with communities. Registration Trial is registered on Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12617001373369.
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MESH Headings
- Ambulatory Care/methods
- Amoxicillin/therapeutic use
- Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use
- Delivery of Health Care/methods
- Feasibility Studies
- Follow-Up Studies
- Gentamicins/therapeutic use
- Guideline Adherence
- Health Personnel
- House Calls
- Humans
- Infant
- Infant Mortality
- Infant, Newborn
- Infant, Newborn, Diseases/drug therapy
- Infant, Newborn, Diseases/epidemiology
- Infant, Newborn, Diseases/microbiology
- Infant, Newborn, Diseases/mortality
- Nigeria/epidemiology
- Pneumonia, Bacterial/drug therapy
- Pneumonia, Bacterial/epidemiology
- Pneumonia, Bacterial/microbiology
- Pneumonia, Bacterial/mortality
- Practice Guidelines as Topic
- Referral and Consultation
- Registries
- Treatment Outcome
- World Health Organization
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Affiliation(s)
- Adejumoke Idowu Ayede
- Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Centre for African Newborn Health and Nutrition, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
- * E-mail:
| | - Oluwakemi Oluwafunmi Ashubu
- Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Centre for African Newborn Health and Nutrition, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Kayode Raphael Fowobaje
- Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Centre for African Newborn Health and Nutrition, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | - Yasir Bin Nisar
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Aging, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Rajiv Bahl
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Aging, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Adegoke Gbadegesin Falade
- Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Centre for African Newborn Health and Nutrition, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
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Prevalence of clinical signs of possible serious bacterial infection and mortality associated with them from population-based surveillance of young infants from birth to 2 months of age. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247457. [PMID: 33626090 PMCID: PMC7904202 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Community-based data on the prevalence of clinical signs of possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) and the mortality associated with them are scarce. The aim was to examine the prevalence for each sign of infection and mortality associated with infants in the first two months of life, using community surveillance through community health workers (CHW). Methods We used population-based surveillance data of infants up to two months of age from the African Neonatal Sepsis Trial (AFRINEST). In this study, CHWs visited infants up to 10 times during the first two months of life at five sites in three sub-Saharan African countries. CHW assessed the infant for signs of infection (local or systemic) and referred infants who presented with any sign of infection to a health facility. We used a longitudinal analysis to calculate the risk of death associated with the presence of a sign of infection at the time of the visit until the subsequent visit. Results During the first two months of their life, CHWs visited 84,759 live-born infants at least twice. In 11,089 infants (13.1%), one or more signs of infection were identified, of which 237 (2.1%) died. A sign of infection was detected at 2.1% of total visits. In 52% of visits, infants had one or more sign of systemic infection, while 25% had fast breathing in 7–59 days period and 23% had a local infection. All signs of infection, including multiple signs, were more frequently seen in the first week of life. The risk of mortality was very low (0.2%) for local infections and fast breathing in 7–59 days old, it was low for fast breathing 0–6 days old (0.6%), high body temperature (0.7%) and severe chest indrawing (1.0%), moderate for low body temperature (4.9%) and stopped feeding well/not able to feed at all (5.0%) and high for movement only when stimulated or no movement at all (10%) and multiple signs of systemic infection (15.5%). The risk of death associated with most clinical signs was higher (1.5 to 9 times) in the first week of life than at later age, except for low body temperature (4 times lower) as well as high body temperature (2 times lower). Conclusion Signs of infections are common in the first two months of life. The mortality risk differs with clinical signs and can be grouped as very low (local infections, fast breathing 7–59 days), low (fever, severe chest indrawing and fast breathing 0–6 days), moderate (low body temperature and stopped feeding well/not able to feed at all) and high (for movements only on stimulation or no movements at all and multiple signs of infection). New treatment strategies that consider differential mortality risk could be developed and evaluated based on these findings. Clinical trial registration The trial was registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry under ID ACTRN 12610000286044.
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Innovative approach for potential scale-up to jump-start simplified management of sick young infants with possible serious bacterial infection when a referral is not feasible: Findings from implementation research. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244192. [PMID: 33544712 PMCID: PMC7864440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonatal bacterial infections are a common cause of death, which can be managed well with inpatient treatment. Unfortunately, many families in low resource settings do not accept referral to a hospital. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed a guideline for management of young infants up to 2 months of age with possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) when referral is not feasible. Government of Ethiopia with WHO evaluated the feasibility of implementing this guideline to increase coverage of treatment. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to implement a simplified antibiotic regimen (2 days gentamicin injection and 7 days oral amoxicillin) for management of sick young infants with PSBI in a programme setting when referral was not feasible to identify at least 80% of PSBI cases, achieve an overall adequate treatment coverage of at least 80% and document the challenges and opportunities for implementation at the community level in two districts in Tigray, Ethiopia. METHODS Using implementation research, we applied the PSBI guideline in a programme setting from January 2016 to August 2017 in Raya Alamata and Raya Azebo Woredas (districts) in Southern Tigray, Ethiopia with a population of 260884. Policy dialogue was held with decision-makers, programme implementers and stakeholders at federal, regional and district levels, and a Technical Support Unit (TSU) was established. Health Extension Workers (HEWs) working at the health posts and supervisors working at the health centres were trained in WHO guideline to manage sick young infants when referral was not feasible. Communities were sensitized towards appropriate home care. RESULTS We identified 854 young infants with any sign of PSBI in the study population of 7857 live births. The expected live births during the study period were 9821. Assuming 10% of neonates will have any sign of PSBI within the first 2 months of life (n = 982), the coverage of appropriate treatment of PSBI cases in our study area was 87% (854/982). Of the 854 sick young infants, 333 (39%) were taken directly to a hospital and 521 (61%) were identified by HEW at health posts. Of the 521 young infants, 27 (5.2%) had signs of critical illness, 181 (34.7%) had signs of clinical severe infection, whereas 313 (60.1%) young infants 7-59 days of age had only fast breathing pneumonia. All young infants with critical illness accepted referral to a hospital, while 117/181 (64.6%) infants with clinical severe infection accepted referral. Families of 64 (35.3%) infants with clinical severe infection refused referral and were treated at the health post with injectable gentamicin for 2 days plus oral amoxicillin for 7 days. All 64 completed recommended gentamicin doses and 63/64 (98%) completed recommended amoxicillin doses. Of 313 young infants, 7-59 days with pneumonia who were treated by the HEWs without referral with oral amoxicillin for 7 days, 310 (99%) received all 14 doses. No deaths were reported among those treated on an outpatient basis at health posts. But 35/477 (7%) deaths occurred among young infants treated at hospital. CONCLUSIONS When referral is not feasible, young infants with PSBI can be managed appropriately at health posts by HEWs in the existing health system in Ethiopia with high coverage, low treatment failure and a low case fatality rate. Moreover, fast breathing pneumonia in infants 7-59 days of age can be successfully treated at the health post without referral. Relatively higher mortality in sick young infants at the referral level health facilities warrants further investigation.
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Kilov K, Hildenwall H, Dube A, Zadutsa B, Banda L, Langton J, Desmond N, Lufesi N, Makwenda C, King C. Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI): a mixed-methods study on implementation, knowledge and resource availability in Malawi. BMJ Paediatr Open 2021; 5:e001044. [PMID: 34013071 PMCID: PMC8098945 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The introduction of the WHO's Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) guidelines in the mid-1990s contributed to global reductions in under-five mortality. However, issues in quality of care have been reported. We aimed to determine resource availability and healthcare worker knowledge of IMCI guidelines in two districts in Malawi. METHODS We conducted a mixed-methods study, including health facility audits to record availability and functionality of essential IMCI equipment and availability of IMCI drugs, healthcare provider survey and focus group discussions (FGDs) with facility staff. The study was conducted between January and April 2019 in Mchinji (central region) and Zomba (southern region) districts. Quantitative data were described using proportions and χ2 tests; linear regression was conducted to explore factors associated with IMCI knowledge. Qualitative data were analysed using a pragmatic framework approach. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed and presented separately. RESULTS Forty-seven health facilities and 531 healthcare workers were included. Lumefantrine-Artemether and cotrimoxazole were the most available drugs (98% and 96%); while amoxicillin tablets and salbutamol nebuliser solution were the least available (28% and 36%). Respiratory rate timers were the least available piece of equipment, with only 8 (17%) facilities having a functional device. The mean IMCI knowledge score was 3.96 out of 10, and there was a statistically significant association between knowledge and having received refresher training (coeff: 0.42; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.82). Four themes were identified in the FGDs: IMCI implementation and practice, barriers to IMCI, benefits of IMCI and sustainability. CONCLUSION We found key gaps in IMCI implementation; however, these were not homogenous across facilities, suggesting opportunities to learn from locally adapted IMCI best practices. Improving on-going mentorship, training and supervision should be explored to improve quality of care, and programming which moves away from vertical financing with short-term support, to a more holistic approach with embedded sustainability may address the balance of resources for different conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Kilov
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helena Hildenwall
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Albert Dube
- Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit (MEIRU), Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Lumbani Banda
- Parent and Child Health Initiative, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Josephine Langton
- Paediatrics, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Nicola Desmond
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Norman Lufesi
- Acute Respiratory Infections Unit, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Carina King
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
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Goyal N, Rongsen-Chandola T, Sood M, Sinha B, Kumar A, Qazi SA, Aboubaker S, Nisar YB, Bahl R, Bhan MK, Bhandari N. Management of possible serious bacterial infection in young infants closer to home when referral is not feasible: Lessons from implementation research in Himachal Pradesh, India. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243724. [PMID: 33351810 PMCID: PMC7755274 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Government of India and the World Health Organization have guidelines for outpatient management of young infants 0–59 days with signs of Possible Serious Bacterial Infection (PSBI), when referral is not feasible. Implementation research was conducted to identify facilitators and barriers to operationalizing these guidelines. Methods Himachal Pradesh government implemented the guidelines in program settings supported by Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies. The strategy included community sensitization, skill enhancement of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and Medical Officers (MOs) to identify PSBI and treat when referral was not feasible. The research team collected information on facilitators and barriers. A technical support unit provided training and oversight. Findings Among 1997 live births from June 2017 to January 2019, we identified 160 cases of PSBI in young infants resulting in a coverage of 80%, assuming an incidence of 10%. Of these,29(18.1%) had signs of critical illness (CI), 92 (57.5%) had clinical severe infection (CSI), 5 (3.1%)had severe pneumonia (only fast breathing in young infants 0–6 days), while 34 (21%) had pneumonia (only fast breathing in young infants 7–59 days). Hospital referral was accepted by 48/160 (30%), whereas 112/160 (70%) were treated with the simplified treatment regimens at primary level facilities. Of the 29 infants with CI, 18 (62%) accepted referral; 26 (90%) recovered while 3 (10%) who had accepted referral, died. Of the 92 infants who had CSI, 86 (93%) recovered, 65 (71%) received simplified treatment and one infant who had accepted referral, died. All the five infants who had severe pneumonia, recovered; 3 (60%) had received simplified treatment. Of the 34 pneumonia cases, 33 received simplified treatment of which 5 (15%) failed treatment; two out of these 5 died. Overall, 6/160 infants died (case-fatality-rate 3.4%); 2 in the simplified treatment (case-fatality-rate 1.8%) and 4 in the hospital group (case-fatality-rate 8.3%). Delayed identification and care-seeking by families and health system weaknesses like manpower gaps and interrupted supplies were challenges in implementation. Conclusions Implementation of the guidelines in program settings is possible and acceptable. Scaling up would require creating community awareness, early identification and appropriate care-seeking, strengthening ASHA home-visitation program, building skills and confidence of MOs and ANMs, uninterrupted supplies and a dependable referral system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Goyal
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, Kalu Sarai, New Delhi, India
| | - Temsunaro Rongsen-Chandola
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, Kalu Sarai, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail:
| | - Mangla Sood
- Department of Pediatrics, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla and Child Health, National Health Mission, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Bireshwar Sinha
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, Kalu Sarai, New Delhi, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, Kalu Sarai, New Delhi, India
| | - Shamim Ahmad Qazi
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Samira Aboubaker
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Yasir Bin Nisar
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rajiv Bahl
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maharaj Kishan Bhan
- Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi, New Delhi, India
- Knowledge Integration and Translational Platform (KnIT), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), New Delhi, India
| | - Nita Bhandari
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, Kalu Sarai, New Delhi, India
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25
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Feasibility of implementation of simplified management of young infants with possible serious bacterial infection when referral is not feasible in tribal areas of Pune district, Maharashtra, India. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236355. [PMID: 32833993 PMCID: PMC7446882 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neonatal infections are a common cause of death in India, but many families cannot access appropriate hospitals for its treatment due to various reasons. We implemented the World Health Organization PSBI management guideline when referral is not feasible within the public health system in Pune, India to evaluate feasibility, barriers and facilitators for its implementation. METHODS A national-level consultative meeting between government officials and study partners resulted in a consensus on adaptation and implementation in four demonstration sites in selected states in India. At the state and district levels, similar meetings to plan the implementation strategy and roles were held between KEM Hospital Research Centre (KEMHRC) Pune and the public health system Pune, Maharashtra. The public health system was responsible for implementation of the intervention at eight tribal primary health centres (PHC) in Pune district, India, including delivering the intervention and ensuring supplies of all commodities while KEMHRC was responsible for technical support including training of health workers, assistance in PSBI identification and management, data collection and documentation of the implementation strategy. RESULTS A total of 175 young infants with PSBI were identified and managed. Of these, 34 had critical illness (CI), 46 had clinical severe infection (CSI) and 10 were infants aged 0-6 days with fast breathing (FB) while 85 infants aged 7-59 days had fast breathing. Assuming a 10% incidence of PSBI among all live births, with 3071 live births recorded, the actual incidence of PSBI found in the study was 5.7%, resulting in an actual coverage was of 57%. Among the 90 infants with CI, CSI and FB in 0-6 days, who were advised referral to government tertiary care centre as per the PSBI guideline algorithm, 81 (90%) accepted referral while 9 (10%) refused and were offered treatment at primary health centres (PHC) with a seven-day course of injectable gentamicin and oral amoxicillin. All infants with FB in 7-59 days were offered treatment at PHCs as per the PSBI guideline algorithm with a seven-day course of oral amoxicillin. All except six infants who died and one with FB in 7-59 days, who was lost to follow-up, were successfully cured. Of the six who died, five had CSI and one had CI. Among the 81 infants with CI, CSI and FB in 0-6 days who accepted referral; 48(53%) were successfully referred to government tertiary facility while 33 (36.6%) preferred to visit a private tertiary health facility. The implementation strategy demonstrated a relatively high fidelity, acceptance and intervention penetration. Lack of training and confidence of the public health staff were major challenges faced, which were resolved to a large extent through supportive supervision and re-trainings. CONCLUSION Management of PSBI is feasible to implement in out-patient facilities in the public health system, but technical support to the health system is required to jump-start the process. Fast breathing in 7-59 days old infants can be managed with oral amoxicillin without referral. A sustainable adoption of this intervention by the health system can lead to decrease in neonatal mortality and morbidity.
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