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Neonatal Package Study in Rural District of Pakistan

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Neonatal Infections
Interventions
Other: Kangaroo Mother Care
Other: Essential Neonatal Care
Registration Number
NCT02279381
Lead Sponsor
Aga Khan University
Brief Summary

Neonatal mortality has been a notable health issue in Pakistan. Considering the importance of the issue and well recognized interventions the investigators are proposing a randomized controlled trial in a rural district of Pakistan which will evaluate the effectiveness of a neonatal package comprised of the standard neonatal care, Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) and application of chlorhexidine compared with standard neonatal care coupled with application of chlorhexidine and essential neonatal care alone. The investigators anticipate that this study will provide an evidence base way forward benefiting the children of Pakistan.

Detailed Description

The global neonatal mortality burden is one of the imminent factors which derail the achievement of the MDG 4 in many developing countries including Pakistan. Four million infants infants die in their first 28 days of their lives which account for about 40% of the total under-five mortality. The burden of neonatal mortality in Pakistan is alarming as the current neonatal mortality rate (NMR) is 55 per 1000 live births, third worst in the world. The major causes of these deaths are infections, preterm births and birth asphyxia which are avoidable. Despite many initiatives the NMR remains unchanged since last decade in Pakistan.

Literature shows that low cost facility and community based interventions can reduce NMR significantly. Early neonatal care, application of chlorhexidine for cord care and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) have been recognized as effective intervention in reduction of neonatal morbidity and subsequently neonatal mortality in many developing countries. However these interventions have never been tested as a package and data about their combined effect is scarce both in Pakistan and developing countries.

Considering the importance of the issue and well recognized interventions we are proposing a randomized controlled trial in a rural district of Pakistan which will evaluate the effectiveness of a neonatal package comprised of the standard neonatal care, KMC and application of chlorhexidine compared with standard neonatal care coupled with application of chlorhexidine and standard neonatal care alone. We anticipate that this study will provide an evidence base way forward benefiting the children of Pakistan.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
1450
Inclusion Criteria
  • All healthy newborns born in the study settings will be systematically enrolled in the trial after prior consent.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Infants with congenital/birth defects,
  • any localized infection on the peri umbilical region at the time of birth or application of
  • any other material such as dung etc before enrollment on the cord.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention group AChlorhexidine1. Essential Neonatal Care 2. Kangaroo mother Care 3. Application of 4% Chlorhexidine 4. Education and counseling for mothers and care providers
Intervention group AKangaroo Mother Care1. Essential Neonatal Care 2. Kangaroo mother Care 3. Application of 4% Chlorhexidine 4. Education and counseling for mothers and care providers
Intervention group AEssential Neonatal Care1. Essential Neonatal Care 2. Kangaroo mother Care 3. Application of 4% Chlorhexidine 4. Education and counseling for mothers and care providers
Intervention group BChlorhexidine1. Essential Neonatal Care 2. Application of 4% Chlorhexidine 3. Education and counseling for mothers and care providers
Intervention group BEssential Neonatal Care1. Essential Neonatal Care 2. Application of 4% Chlorhexidine 3. Education and counseling for mothers and care providers
Control groupEssential Neonatal Care1. Essential Neonatal Care 2. Education and counseling for mothers and care providers
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Reduction in the Incidence of Neonatal infections in the first 28 days of life (Clinical presence of danger signs as per the IMNCI guidelines.)28 days post recruitment

Clinical presence of danger signs as per the IMNCI guidelines.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Reduction in the Incidence of omphalitis (Redness and Swelling of umbilical stump/cord (Inflammation))28 days post recruitment

Redness and Swelling of umbilical stump/cord (Inflammation):

Failure to thrive (Weight, length and OFC appropriate for age as per WHO guidelines)28 days post recruitment

Weight, length and OFC appropriate for age as per WHO guidelines

Utilization of KMC Compliance, Frequency and duration28 days post recruitment

Compliance, Frequency and duration - hours/day

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Taluka Hospital KN Shah

🇵🇰

Dadu, Sindh, Pakistan

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