RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Can traditional birth attendants be trained to accurately identify septic infants, initiate antibiotics, and refer in a rural African setting?
JF Global Health: Science and Practice
JO GLOB HEALTH SCI PRACT
FD Johns Hopkins University- Global Health. Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Communication Programs
SP 318
OP 327
DO 10.9745/GHSP-D-14-00045
VO 2
IS 3
A1 Christopher John Gill
A1 William B MacLeod
A1 Grace Phiri-Mazala
A1 Nicholas G Guerina
A1 Mark Mirochnick
A1 Anna B Knapp
A1 Davidson H Hamer
YR 2014
UL http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/2/3/318.abstract
AB Despite having limited training, these TBAs were able to accurately identify critically ill neonates, initiate treatment in the field, and refer for further care. Given their proximity to the mother/infant pair, and their role in rural communities, training and equipping TBAs in this role could be effective in reducing neonatal mortality. Background: Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of neonatal mortality. In populations with limited access to health care, early identification of bacterial infections and initiation of antibiotics by community health workers (CHWs) could be lifesaving. It is unknown whether this strategy would be feasible using traditional birth attendants (TBAs), a cadre of CHWs who typically have limited training and educational backgrounds. Methods: We analyzed data from the intervention arm of a cluster-randomized trial involving TBAs in Lufwanyama District, Zambia, from June 2006 to November 2008. TBAs followed neonates for signs of potential infection through 28 days of life. If any of 16 criteria were met, TBAs administered oral amoxicillin and facilitated referral to a rural health center. Results: Our analysis included 1,889 neonates with final vital status by day 28. TBAs conducted a median of 2 (interquartile range 2–6) home visits (51.4% in week 1 and 48.2% in weeks 2–4) and referred 208 neonates (11%) for suspected sepsis. Of referred neonates, 176/208 (84.6%) completed their referral. Among neonates given amoxicillin, 171/183 (93.4%) were referred; among referred neonates, 171/208 (82.2%) received amoxicillin. Referral and/or initiation of antibiotics were strongly associated with neonatal death (for referral, relative risk [RR] = 7.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.4–14.3; for amoxicillin administration, RR = 4.7, 95% CI = 2.4–8.7). Neonates clinically judged to be “extremely sick” by the referring TBA were at greatest risk of death (RR = 8.61, 95% CI = 4.0–18.5). Conclusion: The strategy of administering a first dose of antibiotics and referring based solely on the clinical evaluation of a TBA is feasible and could be effective in reducing neonatal mortality in remote rural settings.