Strengthening Intrapartum and Immediate Newborn Care to Reduce Morbidity and Mortality of Preterm Infants in Health Facilities in Migori County, Kenya and Busoga Region, Uganda: an Implementation Science RCT

The randomized, controlled cluster trial (RCCT) will test whether the study intervention reduces the combined incidence of fresh stillbirth and neonatal mortality by 30% compared with the control group incidence of FSB+NMR. Given a Type I error of 0.05, power=80%, a one-tailed test, a balanced (1 control :1 intervention) sample, and a baseline PTB NMR of 10%, the RCCT requires 1,133 PTBs in each study group. The sample size has been increased by 35% to account for a 25% design effect and a 10% loss to follow-up/missing information, requires 1,530 PTBs in each study group. Secondary outcomes will be assessed using this sample. The study randomized facilities to either the control or intervention group, matched on various characteristics to improve the similarity of the study groups and minimize design effect. This a priori hypothesis is proposed prior to analyzing the intervention period study primary outcome, using the baseline PTB incidence of FSB+NMR, and an effect size previously observed with PRONTO.

This implementation science study includes a package of interventions. Control sites receive only the limited package of data strengthening and implementation of the modified Safe Childbirth Checklist. The randomly selected intervention facilities receive an enhanced package which also includes provider training/mentoring using PRONTO simulation and teamwork training, ongoing clinical mentoring, and support for Quality Improvement cycles (PDSA cycles) using a Model for Improvement framework. More detail about the contents of the intervention is included below.

Data Strengthening Strategies: initial training focused on routinely collected data plus ongoing refreshers and mentorship throughout study duration

• Strengthen the MOH data collection system (birth registries, admission/discharge registries), as well as introduction of expanded documentation to capture preterm birth details
• Perform facility assessment to determine gaps in infrastructure, supplies as well as skills and competencies of providers and data managers to accurately and consistently report routine facility data
• Support facilities to use standardized definitions of indicators currently collected for antenatal and postnatal care
• Support adherence to national guidelines on documentation in the registers and patient charts through training, provision of registers/charts and motivation
• Introduce expanded routine documentation of preterm births including improving the register to capture data on preterm and still births, and implementation of the modified WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (see below)
• Support periodic data quality assessment cycles
• Create a synchronized online data dashboard repository system representing key indicators on an ongoing basis with selective access for health care providers and national policy makers

WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist modified to address identification of preterm labor and newborn care for preterm babies: initial training plus ongoing refreshers and mentorship throughout study duration