Thysen SM, da Silva Borges I, Martins J, Stjernholm AD, Hansen JS, da Silva LMV, Martins JSD, Jensen A, Rodrigues A, Aaby P, Stabell Benn C, Fisker AB. Can earlier BCG-Japan and OPV vaccination reduce early infant mortality? A cluster-randomised trial in Guinea-Bissau.
BMJ Glob Health 2024;
9:e014044. [PMID:
38350670 PMCID:
PMC10862335 DOI:
10.1136/bmjgh-2023-014044]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of providing BCG and oral polio vaccine (OPV) at an early home visit after delivery.
DESIGN
Cluster-randomised trial, randomising 92 geographically defined clusters 1:1 to intervention/control arms.
SETTING
Bandim Health Project Health and Demographic Surveillance System, Guinea-Bissau.
PARTICIPANTS
2226 newborns enrolled between July 2016 and August 2019.
INTERVENTIONS
In both arms, newborns received a home visit within 72 hours after birth. In intervention clusters (n=46), BCG and OPV were provided at the home visit.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Rates of non-accidental mortality were compared in Cox proportional hazards models from (last of) day 1 or enrolment, until (first of) day 60 or registration of non-trial vaccines.
RESULTS
A total of 35 deaths (intervention: 7, control: 28) were registered during the trial. Providing BCG and OPV reduced non-accidental early infant mortality by 59% (8-82%). The intervention also reduced non-accidental hospital admissions. The intervention had little impact on growth and BCG scarring and tended to increase the risk of consultations.
CONCLUSIONS
The trial was stopped early due to lower-than-expected enrolment and event rates when 33% of the planned number of newborns had been enrolled. Despite the small size of the trial, the results support that early BCG and OPV vaccinations are beneficial and reduce early child mortality and morbidity.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT02504203).
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