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Williams PC, Qazi SA, Agarwal R, Velaphi S, Bielicki JA, Nambiar S, Giaquinto C, Bradley J, Noel GJ, Ellis S, O'Brien S, Balasegaram M, Sharland M. Antibiotics needed to treat multidrug-resistant infections in neonates. Bull World Health Organ 2022; 100:797-807. [PMID: 36466207 PMCID: PMC9706347 DOI: 10.2471/blt.22.288623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections remain a leading cause of death in neonates. The sparse antibiotic development pipeline and challenges in conducting neonatal research have resulted in few effective antibiotics being adequately studied to treat multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections in neonates, despite the increasing global mortality burden caused by antimicrobial resistance. Of 40 antibiotics approved for use in adults since 2000, only four have included dosing information for neonates in their labelling. Currently, 43 adult antibiotic clinical trials are recruiting patients, compared with only six trials recruiting neonates. We review the World Health Organization (WHO) priority pathogens list relevant to neonatal sepsis and propose a WHO multiexpert stakeholder meeting to promote the development of a neonatal priority antibiotic development list. The goal is to develop international, interdisciplinary consensus for an accelerated neonatal antibiotic development programme. This programme would enable focused research on identified priority antibiotics for neonates to reduce the excess morbidity and mortality caused by MDR infections in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe Cm Williams
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Edward Ford Building, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | | | - Ramesh Agarwal
- Department of Paediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sithembiso Velaphi
- Department of Paediatrics, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Julia A Bielicki
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, University of London, London, England
| | - Sumathi Nambiar
- Johnson & Johnson, Rockville, United States of America (USA)
| | - Carlo Giaquinto
- Department of Women and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - John Bradley
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, USA
| | - Gary J Noel
- Institute for Advanced Clinical Trials for Children, Weill Cornell Medical College, Rockville, USA
| | - Sally Ellis
- Global Antibiotic Research and Development Project, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Seamus O'Brien
- Global Antibiotic Research and Development Project, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Michael Sharland
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, University of London, London, England
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Applegate JA, Ahmed S, Harrison M, Callaghan-Koru J, Mousumi M, Begum N, Moin MI, Joarder T, Ahmed S, George J, Mitra DK, Ahmed ASMNU, Shahidullah M, Baqui AH. Provider performance and facility readiness for managing infections in young infants in primary care facilities in rural Bangladesh. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229988. [PMID: 32320993 PMCID: PMC7176463 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonatal infections remain a leading cause of newborn deaths globally. In 2015, WHO issued guidelines for managing possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) in young infants (0-59 days) using simplified antibiotic regimens when compliance with hospital referral is not feasible. Bangladesh was one of the first countries to adopt WHO's guidelines for implementation. We report results of an implementation research study that assessed facility readiness and provider performance in three rural sub-districts of Bangladesh during August 2015-August 2016. METHODS This study took place in 19 primary health centers. Facility readiness was assessed using checklists completed by study staff at three time points. To assess provider performance, we extracted data for all infection cases from facility registers and compared providers' diagnosis and treatment against the guidelines. We plotted classification and dosage errors across the study period and superimposed a locally weighted smoothed (LOWESS) curve to analyze changes in performance over time. Focus group discussions (N = 2) and in-depth interviews (N = 28) with providers were conducted to identify barriers and facilitators for facility readiness and provider performance. RESULTS At baseline, none of the facilities had adequate supply of antibiotics. During the 10-month period, 606 sick infants with signs of infection presented at the study facilities. Classification errors were identified in 14.9% (N = 90/606) of records. For infants receiving the first dose(s) of antibiotic treatment (N = 551), dosage errors were identified in 22.9% (N = 126/551) of the records. Distribution of errors varied by facility (35.7% [IQR: 24.7-57.4%]) and infection severity. Errors were highest at the beginning of the study period and decreased over time. Qualitative data suggest errors in early implementation were due to changes in providers' assessment and treatment practices, including confusion about classifying an infant with multiple signs of infection, and some providers' concerns about the efficacy of simplified antibiotic regimens. CONCLUSIONS Strategies to monitor early performance and targeted supports are important for enhancing implementation fidelity when introducing complex guidelines in new settings. Future research should examine providers' assessment of effectiveness of simplified treatment and address misconceptions about superiority of broader spectrum antibiotics for treating community-acquired neonatal infections in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Applegate
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | | | - Meagan Harrison
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Callaghan-Koru
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Health Administration and Policy, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | | | - Nazma Begum
- Johns Hopkins University-Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Taufique Joarder
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sabbir Ahmed
- USAID’s MaMoni Health Systems Strengthening Project, Save the Children, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Joby George
- USAID’s MaMoni Health Systems Strengthening Project, Save the Children, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Dipak K. Mitra
- Department of Public Health, School of Health and Life Sciences, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Mohammod Shahidullah
- Neonatal Department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Abdullah H. Baqui
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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Ahmed S, Applegate JA, Mitra DK, Callaghan-Koru JA, Mousumi M, Khan AM, Joarder T, Harrison M, Ahmed S, Begum N, Quaiyum A, George J, Baqui AH. Implementation research to support Bangladesh Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to implement its national guidelines for management of infections in young infants in two rural districts. JOURNAL OF HEALTH, POPULATION, AND NUTRITION 2019; 38:41. [PMID: 31810496 PMCID: PMC6898944 DOI: 10.1186/s41043-019-0200-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND World Health Organization revised the global guidelines for management of possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) in young infants to recommend the use of simplified antibiotic therapy in settings where access to hospital care is not possible. The Bangladesh Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of Bangladesh (GOB) adopted these guidelines, allowing treatment at first-level facilities. During the first year of implementation, the Projahnmo Study Group and USAID/MaMoni Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) Project supported the MoHFW to operationalize the new guidelines and conducted an implementation research study in selected districts to assess challenges and identify solutions to facilitate scale-up across the country. IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT Projahnmo and MaMoni HSS teams supported implementation in three areas: building capacity, strengthening service delivery, and mobilizing communities. Capacity building focused on training paramedics to conduct outpatient management of PSBI cases and developing monitoring and supervision systems. The teams also filled gaps in government supply of essential drugs, equipment, and logistics. Community mobilization strategies to promote care-seeking and referrals to facilities varied across districts; in one district community, health workers made home visits while in another district, the promotion was carried out through community volunteers, village doctors, and through existing community structures. METHODS We followed a plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycle to identify and address implementation challenges. Three cycles-1 every 4 months-were conducted. We collected data utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods in both the community and facilities. The total sample size for this study was 13,590. DISCUSSION This article provides implementation research design details for program managers intending to implement new guidelines on management of young infant infections. Results of this research will be reported in the forthcoming papers. Preliminary findings indicate that the management of PSBI cases at the UH&FWCs is feasible. However, MoHFW, GOB needs to address the implementation challenges before scale-up of this policy to the national level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer A Applegate
- International Center for Maternal and Newborn Health, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Dipak K Mitra
- Department of Public Health, School of Health and Life Sciences, North South University, Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Jennifer A Callaghan-Koru
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Health Administration and Policy, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Taufique Joarder
- BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Meagan Harrison
- International Center for Maternal and Newborn Health, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sabbir Ahmed
- USAID's MaMoni Health Systems Strengthening Project, Save the Children, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Nazma Begum
- Johns Hopkins University-Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1213, Bangladesh
| | - Abdul Quaiyum
- Maternal and Child Health Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Joby George
- USAID's MaMoni Health Systems Strengthening Project, Save the Children, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Abdullah H Baqui
- International Center for Maternal and Newborn Health, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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Applegate JA, Ahmed S, Khan MA, Alam S, Kabir N, Islam M, Bhuiyan M, Islam J, Rashid I, Wall S, de Graft-Johnson J, Baqui AH, George J. Early implementation of guidelines for managing young infants with possible serious bacterial infection in Bangladesh. BMJ Glob Health 2019; 4:e001643. [PMID: 31803507 PMCID: PMC6882554 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neonatal infections remain a leading cause of newborn deaths globally. In 2015, WHO issued guidelines for managing possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) in young infants (0-59 days) with simpler antibiotic regimens if hospital referral is not feasible. Bangladesh was one of the first countries to adapt WHO guidance into national guidelines for implementation in primary healthcare facilities. Early implementation was led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) in 10 subdistricts of Bangladesh with support from USAID's MaMoni Health System Strengthening project. This mixed methods implementation research case study explores programme feasibility and acceptability through analysis of service delivery data from 4590 sick young infants over a 15-month period, qualitative interviews with providers and MOHFW managers and documentation by project staff. Multistakeholder collaboration was key to ensuring facility readiness and feasibility of programme delivery. For the 514 (11%) infants classified as PSBI, provider adherence to prereferral treatment and follow-up varied across infection subcategories. Many clinical severe infection cases for whom referral was not feasible received the recommended two doses of injectable gentamicin and follow-up, suggesting delivery of simplified antibiotic treatment is feasible. However, prereferral antibiotic treatment was low for infants whose families accepted hospital referral, which highlights the need for additional focus on managing these cases in training and supervision. Systems for tracking sick infants that accept hospital referral are needed, and follow-up of all PSBI cases requires strengthening to ensure sick infants receive the recommended treatment, to monitor outcomes and assess the effectiveness of the programme. Only 11.2% (95% CI 10.3 to 12.1) of the expected PSBI cases sought care from the selected service delivery points in the programme period. However, increasing trends in utilisation suggest improved awareness and acceptability of services among families of young infants as the programme matured. Future programme activities should include interviews with caregivers to explore the complexities around referral feasibility and acceptability of simplified antibiotic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Applegate
- International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sabbir Ahmed
- MaMoni Health Systems Strengthening Project, Save the Children, Dhaka, Dhaka District, Bangladesh
| | - Marufa Aziz Khan
- MaMoni Health Systems Strengthening Project, Save the Children, Dhaka, Dhaka District, Bangladesh
| | - Sanjida Alam
- MaMoni Health Systems Strengthening Project, Save the Children, Dhaka, Dhaka District, Bangladesh
| | - Nazmul Kabir
- MaMoni Health Systems Strengthening Project, Save the Children, Dhaka, Dhaka District, Bangladesh
| | - Munia Islam
- MaMoni Health Systems Strengthening Project, Save the Children, Dhaka, Dhaka District, Bangladesh
| | - Mamun Bhuiyan
- MaMoni Health Systems Strengthening Project, Save the Children, Dhaka, Dhaka District, Bangladesh
| | - Jahurul Islam
- National Newborn Health Program, Government of Bangladesh Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dhaka, Dhaka District, Bangladesh
| | - Iftekhar Rashid
- United States Agency for International Development, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Steve Wall
- Save the Children, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | | | - Abdullah H Baqui
- International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joby George
- MaMoni Health Systems Strengthening Project, Save the Children, Dhaka, Dhaka District, Bangladesh
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Theobald S, Brandes N, Gyapong M, El-Saharty S, Proctor E, Diaz T, Wanji S, Elloker S, Raven J, Elsey H, Bharal S, Pelletier D, Peters DH. Implementation research: new imperatives and opportunities in global health. Lancet 2018; 392:2214-2228. [PMID: 30314860 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)32205-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Implementation research is important in global health because it addresses the challenges of the know-do gap in real-world settings and the practicalities of achieving national and global health goals. Implementation research is an integrated concept that links research and practice to accelerate the development and delivery of public health approaches. Implementation research involves the creation and application of knowledge to improve the implementation of health policies, programmes, and practices. This type of research uses multiple disciplines and methods and emphasises partnerships between community members, implementers, researchers, and policy makers. Implementation research focuses on practical approaches to improve implementation and to enhance equity, efficiency, scale-up, and sustainability, and ultimately to improve people's health. There is growing interest in the principles of implementation research and a range of perspectives on its purposes and appropriate methods. However, limited efforts have been made to systematically document and review learning from the practice of implementation research across different countries and technical areas. Drawing on an expert review process, this Health Policy paper presents purposively selected case studies to illustrate the essential characteristics of implementation research and its application in low-income and middle-income countries. The case studies are organised into four categories related to the purposes of using implementation research, including improving people's health, informing policy design and implementation, strengthening health service delivery, and empowering communities and beneficiaries. Each of the case studies addresses implementation problems, involves partnerships to co-create solutions, uses tacit knowledge and research, and is based on a shared commitment towards improving health outcomes. The case studies reveal the complex adaptive nature of health systems, emphasise the importance of understanding context, and highlight the role of multidisciplinary, rigorous, and adaptive processes that allow for course correction to ensure interventions have an impact. This Health Policy paper is part of a call to action to increase the use of implementation research in global health, build the field of implementation research inclusive of research utilisation efforts, and accelerate efforts to bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice to improve health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Theobald
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Neal Brandes
- US Agency for International Development, Bureau for Global Health, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Sameh El-Saharty
- Middle East and North Africa Region, Human Development Sector, The World Bank, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Enola Proctor
- Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Theresa Diaz
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Samuel Wanji
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Soraya Elloker
- City of Cape Town, City Health Department, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Joanna Raven
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Helen Elsey
- Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - David Pelletier
- Programme in International Nutrition, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - David H Peters
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Venturini E, Tersigni C, Chiappini E, de Martino M, Galli L. Optimizing the management of children with latent tuberculosis infection. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2017; 15:341-349. [PMID: 28074660 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2017.1279541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The management of latent tuberculosis (LTBI) in children represents an important issue for paediatricians because of the disease burden, the lack of a gold standard for the diagnosis and the high annual risk of progression to active disease. Areas covered: A review of English language articles on LTBI in children, published between the 1st of January 2010 and the 1st of July 2016, was conducted using multiple keywords and standardized terminology in PubMed database. This review provides an updated overview of the available tests for LTBI diagnosis in children, management strategies and treatment options. Expert commentary: Two tests are available for LTBI diagnosis: tuberculin skin test and interferon-gamma release assays, both with a suboptimal specificity and sensitivity, and both with the lack of capability in distinguishing between infection and disease. Several new markers have been identified but further studies are needed. Among all treatment regimes, because of the high safety and efficacy profile showed and to avoid the poor completion rate, the treatment with a three-month course of isoniazid and rifampicin is currently recommended. New vaccines are needed because of the spread of the disease despite BCG vaccination in high risk countries. Currently, 15 new vaccines are in the pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Venturini
- a Department of Health Sciences , University of Florence, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital , Florence , Italy
| | - C Tersigni
- a Department of Health Sciences , University of Florence, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital , Florence , Italy
| | - E Chiappini
- a Department of Health Sciences , University of Florence, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital , Florence , Italy
| | - M de Martino
- a Department of Health Sciences , University of Florence, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital , Florence , Italy
| | - L Galli
- a Department of Health Sciences , University of Florence, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital , Florence , Italy
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Garces A, McClure EM, Figueroa L, Pineda S, Hambidge KM, Krebs NF, Thorsten VR, Wallace DD, Althabe F, Goldenberg RL. A multi-faceted intervention including antenatal corticosteroids to reduce neonatal mortality associated with preterm birth: a case study from the Guatemalan Western Highlands. Reprod Health 2016; 13:63. [PMID: 27221237 PMCID: PMC4877983 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-016-0178-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research undertook a cluster-randomized trial to assess the impact of a multi-faceted intervention to identify women at high-risk of preterm birth at all levels of care, to administer corticosteroids to women and refer for facility delivery compared with standard care. Of the seven sites that participated in the ACT trial, only two sites had statistically significant reductions in the neonatal mortality among the target group of <5th percentile infants, and of the two, Guatemala's improvement in neonatal mortality was by far the largest. METHODS We used data available from the ACT trial as well as pretrial data in an attempt to understand why neonatal mortality may have decreased in the intervention clusters in <5(th) percentile infants in Chimaltenango, Guatemala. The intervention and control clusters were compared in regards to ACS use, the various types of medical care, outcomes in facility and community births and among births in various birth weight categories. RESULTS Neonatal mortality decreased to a greater extent in the intervention compared to the control clusters in the <5(th) percentile infants in Guatemala during the ACT Trial. ACS use for the <5(th) percentile infants in the intervention clusters was 49.1 % compared to 13.8 % in the control clusters. Many measures of the quality of obstetric and neonatal care improved to a greater extent in the intervention compared to the control clusters during the trial. Births in facilities and births weighing 1500 to 2500 g had the greatest reduction in neonatal mortality. CONCLUSIONS The combination of improved care and greater ACS use may potentially account for the observed difference in neonatal mortality between the intervention and control clusters. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01084096 .
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Nancy F Krebs
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA
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Scientific rationale for study design of community-based simplified antibiotic therapy trials in newborns and young infants with clinically diagnosed severe infections or fast breathing in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2013; 32 Suppl 1:S7-11. [PMID: 23945577 PMCID: PMC3814626 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0b013e31829ff5fc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Newborns and young infants suffer high rates of infections in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Timely access to appropriate antibiotic therapy is essential for reducing mortality. In an effort to develop community case management guidelines for young infants, 0-59 days old, with clinically diagnosed severe infections, or with fast breathing, 4 trials of simplified antibiotic therapy delivered in primary care clinics (Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Nigeria) or at home (Bangladesh and Nigeria) are being conducted. METHODS This article describes the scientific rationale for these trials, which share major elements of trial design. All the trials are in settings of high neonatal mortality, where hospitalization is not feasible or frequently refused. All use procaine penicillin and gentamicin intramuscular injections for 7 days as reference therapy and compare this to various experimental arms utilizing comparatively simpler combination regimens with fewer injections and oral amoxicillin. CONCLUSION The results of these trials will inform World Health Organization policy regarding community case management of young infants with clinical severe infections or with fast breathing.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Three randomized open-label clinical trials [Simplified Antibiotic Therapy Trial (SATT) Bangladesh, SATT Pakistan and African Neonatal Sepsis Trial (AFRINEST)] were developed to test the equivalence of simplified antibiotic regimens compared with the standard regimen of 7 days of parenteral antibiotics. These trials were originally conceived and designed separately; subsequently, significant efforts were made to develop and implement a common protocol and approach. Previous articles in this supplement briefly describe the specific quality control methods used in the individual trials; this article presents additional information about the systematic approaches used to minimize threats to validity and ensure quality across the trials. METHODS A critical component of quality control for AFRINEST and SATT was striving to eliminate variation in clinical assessments and decisions regarding eligibility, enrollment and treatment outcomes. Ensuring appropriate and consistent clinical judgment was accomplished through standardized approaches applied across the trials, including training, assessment of clinical skills and refresher training. Standardized monitoring procedures were also applied across the trials, including routine (day-to-day) internal monitoring of performance and adherence to protocols, systematic external monitoring by funding agencies and external monitoring by experienced, independent trial monitors. A group of independent experts (Technical Steering Committee/Technical Advisory Group) provided regular monitoring and technical oversight for the trials. CONCLUSIONS Harmonization of AFRINEST and SATT have helped to ensure consistency and quality of implementation, both internally and across the trials as a whole, thereby minimizing potential threats to the validity of the trials' results.
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