Cameroon HepB Birth Dose Feasibility Pilot
- Conditions
- Hepatitis B
- Interventions
- Other: Integration of vaccination services into delivery services
- Registration Number
- NCT04893616
- Lead Sponsor
- Clinton Health Access Initiative Inc.
- Brief Summary
This feasibility assessment is to provide quantitative findings of an intervention integrating immunizations into maternity and newborn care across 15 health facilities in Cameroon.
- Detailed Description
In the Cameroon Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), the birth dose vaccine for oral polio vaccine (OPV-0) and tuberculosis vaccine (BCG), are recommended with a third birth dose vaccine for hepatitis B (HepB-BD) being considered for introduction.
Although Cameroon introduced the HepB antigen as part of the Pentavalent vaccine into the immunization program in 2005, infants are currently unprotected until the first Penta shot at six weeks. Introduction of HepB-BD is a key priority for the Cameroon government through the National Cancer Strategy document as well as the Hepatitis Prevention and Treatment Guidelines. However, the timeliness of administration of Hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth is critical to ensure the highest efficacy and prevent transmission of the virus.
While coverage rates for BCG and OPV 0 are relatively high (91% and 78% respectively), these vaccines are often administered weeks or months after birth , not within the 24-hour timeframe recommended for Hepatitis B birth dose. Therefore, there are concerns from the Cameroon National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) and other stakeholders on the feasibility of achieving high timely coverage of HepB-BD. The timeliness of administration of the birth dose vaccines within facilities relies on many system components including integrated processes between maternity and immunization units and healthcare worker awareness of birth dose administration guidelines.
The main aim of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility of immunizing newborns with BCG and OPV0 (and eventually HepB-BD) within 24 hours of birth by integrating routine immunization into maternity and immediate newborn care in 15 facilities in Cameroon.
Further, the specific objectives of this pilot study are to:
1. Integrate birth dose immunizations into maternity and immediate newborn care services
2. Measure the change in proportion of newborn receiving birth doses BCG and OPV0 within 24 hours compared to baseline data
3. Measure the change in average age of babies receiving birth doses of BCG and OPV0
4. Assess the operational feasibility and acceptability of interventions and describe any factors (barriers and enablers) that may influence further implementation of birth dose strategies
This feasibility assessment is to provide quantitative findings of an intervention integrating immunizations into maternity and newborn care across 15 health facilities in Cameroon. Overall, in 20 weeks an intervention phase will be followed by a final assessment. The approach will utilize quantitative data from healthcare worker surveys, the birth registry and immunization registry, and maternity unit reporting forms. The study findings will be used to inform strategy on HepB-BD introduction in Cameroon as well as interventions to strengthen service delivery structures for newborns.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 13
- Facilities will be those that have both an immunization unit as well as a maternity ward
- Facilities without both units
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- SINGLE_GROUP
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Intervention Arm Integration of vaccination services into delivery services These facilities will be those selected to have the intervention carried out.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Timeliness of birth dose vaccine administration 20 weeks Median hours between birth and administration of oral polio and/or the BCG vaccine
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Coverage of birth dose vaccines 20 weeks The proportion of children born in the facility that obtain an oral polio and/or BCV vaccine
Trial Locations
- Locations (13)
CMA Mbe
🇨🇲Mbe, Adamawe, Cameroon
CSIU Mbalmayo II
🇨🇲Mbalmayo, Center, Cameroon
HD Cite Verte
🇨🇲Cite Verte, Center, Cameroon
CSC Baham
🇨🇲Baham, West, Cameroon
CMA Dibi
🇨🇲Dibi, Adamawa, Cameroon
CMA Ahala
🇨🇲Efoulan, Center, Cameroon
Hospital Nicolas Barre
🇨🇲Nkolndongo, Center, Cameroon
HD Biyem-Assi
🇨🇲Biyem Assi, Center, Cameroon
CSC Nkoabang
🇨🇲Mfou, Center, Cameroon
HD Obala
🇨🇲Obala, Center, Cameroon
CMMR Etoudi
🇨🇲Djoungolo, Center, Cameroon
HD Mifi
🇨🇲Mifi, West, Cameroon
HD Foumbot
🇨🇲Foumbot, West, Cameroon