Overcoming Geography With Technology: Medical Drones Project

• Conditions: Sexually Transmitted Infections (Not HIV or Hepatitis); COVID-19; HIV Infections
• Interventions: Other: Unmanned ariel vehicle

• Registration Number: NCT05259761
• Lead Sponsor: Makerere University

Brief Summary

In this study, the investigators shall evaluate the use unmanned air vehicles (medical drones) to deliver ART to adult patients eligible/enrolled in community DSD models in Bufumira Islands, Kalangala district. The geography of the islands is ideal for this project because of the flat landscape and water coverage. The investigators hypothesize that the use of drones would be acceptable to patients and stakeholders, reduce facility drug stock outs, increase retention in care by 10% in intervention (at 12 months) compared to the control health centres and be cost neutral (to the patients and health sector perspectives). The investigators will also undertake evaluation of an efficient sample delivery system using medical drones especially for expansive rural areas like Moyo and Adjumani.

Detailed Description

Stage one will be a cross-sectional observational study with baseline data collection on ART accessibility, adherence, challenges as well as perceptions and attitudes towards possible medical drones. Stage two will be a non-randomized observational pilot of medical drones at 3 landing sites in Kalangala District, comparing to 3 landing sites without drones, and at five health facilities in Moyo and Adjumani districts. The investigators shall use qualitative and quantitative methods and a process evaluation to assess the feasibility of using drones for ART delivery and determine the impact on patient outcomes. The COVID pandemic has taken hold in Uganda since this protocol was first approved in June 2020, and having received approval from the Ministry of Health, the investigators will extend this pilot to Moyo and Adjumani Districts. The investigators shall use qualitative and quantitative methods and a process evaluation to assess the feasibility of using drones for COVID sample delivery and determine the impact on result turnaround times. Stage two includes a sub-study on validity and quality of transport of biological samples including HIV, STI, TB and COVID diagnostic and monitoring samples.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2021-09-22
• Study First Submitted: 2021-12-14
• Status Verified: 2022-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-02-15
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-02-15
• Study First Posted: 2022-03-02
• Last Update Posted: 2022-03-02
• Primary Completion: 2022-03-22
• Study Completion: 2022-06-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 1450

Inclusion Criteria

• Adult (>18 years) or emancipated minor (15-17 years) who is HIV-infected and receiving antiretroviral therapy in Bufumira sub-county or non PLHIV adult who has attended a government health facility in Bufumira sub-county
• Resident in Kalangala district for at least the preceding 12 months with an intent to stay for a minimum next 12 months (resident is defined as those who spend more than 9 out of 12 months per year in Kalangala district, even if they move within the district)
• Evidence of a personally signed and dated informed consent document indicating that the subject (or a legal representative) has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study.
• Willingness to comply with survey procedures

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Exclusion Criteria

• Patients with mental illness or any other medical condition that compromises decision making process.
• Any other clinical condition that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would make the participant unsuitable for the study or unable to comply with joining a DSD group.

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Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
PLHIV Kalangala District	Unmanned ariel vehicle	250 People living with HIV registered for care at Bufumira Health Centre and Mazinga Health Centre, Kalangala District
NonPHLIV Kalangala District	Unmanned ariel vehicle	100 People not living with HIV attending for medical services at Bufumira Health Centre and Mazinga Health Centre, Kalangala District
COVID Suspects Moyo District	Unmanned ariel vehicle	1200 people attending for COVID tests at Moyo Hospital

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Acceptability for ART delivery as reported using qualitative methods with key stakeholders including health care workers, district officials, people living with HIV	24 months	To assess acceptability of medical drone use for ART in Kalangala as compared to boat delivery through qualitative assessment including focus group discussions and in depth interviews with key stakeholders including district officials, health care workers, people living with HIV

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Feasibility of medical drones for ART delivery to peer support workers using number of successful flights delivering ART	24 months	To undertake a process evaluation for feasibility of medical drones for ART and sample transport
Turnaround times of COVID samples from arrival in receiving laboratory to results returned to receiving laboratory delivered by medical drone as compared to by land transport	24 months	To compare turnaround times for samples delivered by drones as compared to delivered by land transport (standard of care) in Moyo and Adjumani districts
Retention in care as determined by attendance for ART refils at health facility or peer support group meetings in Bufumira health centre (with drone delivery) as compared to Mazinga health centre (with boat only)	12 months	To gather information on retention in care in PLHIV receiving ART by medical drone at 6 and 12 months in patients accessing ART compared with other ART service delivery models in Bufumira Sub County and Mazinga sub county, Kalangala District
Acceptability for use of medical drone to move COVID samples as reported using qualitative methods	24 months	To assess acceptability of medical drone use for COVID samples as compared to ground delivery through qualitative assessment including focus group discussions and in depth interviews with key stakeholders including district officials, health care workers, people who have been tested for COVID-19
Cost of samples transport by medical drone as compared to by land using cost of fuel and staff time	24 months	To compare the cost of drone delivery compared to other sample delivery models bike or car in Moyo and Adjumani districts.
Cost of ART transport by boat as compared to drone based on actual costs of fuel and staff time	24 months	To compare the cost of drone delivery compared to other ART service delivery models (e.g. individual care at health centre, outreach from health centre to landing sites, community drug distribution by boat, community drug distribution by drone) in Bufumira Sub County, Kalangala District.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Infectious Diseases Institute; 🇺🇬 Kampala, Uganda