Group Antenatal/Postnatal Care in Rwanda (PTBi Rwanda)

June 21, 2019 updated by: University of California, San Francisco

Group Antenatal/Postnatal Care in Rwanda: a Cluster Randomized Control Trial (RCT) to Measure Its Effectiveness on Increasing Gestational Age, Mortality Among Preterm and Low Birth Weight Infants

The focus of this work is to improve antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) at the health center level in five districts in Rwanda (Bugesera, Burera, Nyamasheke, Nyarugenge, and Rubavu). 36 health centers in these districts are included in this cluster randomized control trial (RCT) of group ANC and PNC care to measure this alternative model's effects on gestational age at birth, survival of preterm and low birth weight infants at 42 days of life, and ANC and PNC coverage. To improve antenatal assessment of gestational age, nurses will be trained in obstetric ultrasound at 18 health centers. These facilities will also incorporate pregnancy testing with urine dipstick to be performed by community health workers in charge of maternal health to facilitate early entry into ANC. This trial will test the hypothesis that women who participate in this alternative model of group ANC will experience increased gestational age at birth, as compared to women who receive standard focused ANC. This study is a collaboration with the University of Rwanda, the Rwandan Ministry of Health (MOH), the Rwanda Biomedical Center, and UCSF.

The group care model used in this study is Rwanda-specific model developed by a Rwandan technical working group. The model includes an individual clinical visit for the first antenatal visit, followed by three group visits spaced about 8 weeks apart throughout pregnancy and a postnatal group visit at approximately 6 weeks after birth. Women will be grouped into stable groups of approximately 8-12 women with similar due dates. A community health worker (CHW) and a health center nurse will work together as co-facilitators to lead each of the groups. Each group visit includes clinical assessment, education, and treatments as appropriate for the women who attend. The model is founded on facilitative leadership of the groups, in which the co-facilitators allow women's experiences and interests to drive the content and women are encouraged to help one another cope with obstacles to optimal health. Facilitators will be supported by master trainers who will visit health centers to observe group sessions and offer supportive feedback.

Data collected in this trial will include measures of the satisfaction of both women and providers with the group care, content of care differences between standard and group care, and perinatal outcomes such as gestational age at delivery and 42-day preterm and low birth weight infant survival.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This study aims to determine the effect of a group care model, which incorporates both group care antenatal (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC), on the following:

  1. Gestational age (GA) at birth;
  2. Adherence to the recommended four ANC and one facility-based PNC visits; and
  3. Mortality at 42 days among preterm and low birth weight infants.

In this cluster RCT at the health center level, facilities will be pair-matched based on factors affecting GA at delivery such as monthly ANC enrollment, quality of ANC and PNC delivery, potential lost-to-follow-up (LTFU) rate, and additional criteria pertaining to facility capacity. Within each pair, a facility will be randomly chosen to implement the intervention, group ANC and PNC, while the control facility will continue to provide standard ANC and PNC. Pairs will then be further matched with other pairs into quadruples (to the extent possible), within which one pair will be assigned to additionally implement ultrasound at the health center level and early pregnancy testing at the community level. Overall, each facility will have one of the following assignments:

  • Arm 1: Standard ANC and PNC care only
  • Arm 2: Standard ANC and PNC care, with the addition of early pregnancy testing and ultrasound
  • Arm 3: Group ANC and PNC only
  • Arm 4: Group ANC and PNC care, with the addition of early pregnancy testing and ultrasound

This design will allow a primary analysis on the difference between group care and standard care and will also make it possible to assess the effect of early pregnancy testing in the community and obstetric ultrasound at the health center on early entry into ANC and number of visits attended.

The Rwanda group ANC/PNC model was developed by a Technical Working Group of representatives from maternal-child health stakeholders in Rwanda. Key characteristics:

  1. Women sit in a circle in a group space where confidentiality and mutual respect are prioritized. Key messages consistent with Rwanda's ANC/PNC packages are delivered through facilitated discussion; women speak more than the facilitators.
  2. Women and newborns receive the routine assessments, screening, and treatments described in the Rwanda guidelines, as well as treatments indicated for special conditions. Health assessments are conducted at the start of the visit, and women participate as much as possible in their own self-assessments. Individual consultations with facilitators are conducted in a semi-private area.
  3. Two co-facilitators lead each group visit (one midwife/nurse and one CHW). Co-facilitators "debrief" after every group visit in a continuous learning and quality improvement process. The group care co-facilitators are trained and supported by 6 Rwandan Master Trainers.
  4. Women can return to the health facility at any time for evaluation of danger signs or other concerns. Referrals to the district hospital are done per current national guidelines.

Both control and intervention sites, as well as district hospitals that may receive referrals from our study sites, will receive the initial intervention of data strengthening and training around data use activities so as to improve the quality of data being collected and strengthen outcome measurement within all facilities involved in the study

Additionally, in order to evaluate other secondary outcomes, data will also be collected through: (1) questionnaires administered to a random sample of ANC and PNC participants and all providers at baseline and different time points throughout the study; (2) observations and debriefs of group care sessions; (3) qualitative research around acceptability of the group model from participants and providers; (4) cost-effectiveness analysis of the group care model.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
26381

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Rwanda
      • Kigali, Rwanda
        • University of Rwanda
      • Kigali, Rwanda
        • Rwanda Biomedical Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

13 years to 64 years (Child, Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Female

Description

Individual inclusion Criteria:

Women receiving ANC and PNC care

  • all women who enroll in ANC -including pregnant adolescents
  • primary data analysis will be restricted to those women in the intervention and control facilities who present for ANC 1 before 24 weeks gestation and have attended more than 1 ANC visit at the health facility.

Providers • Currently provide antenatal or postnatal care

Individual exclusion Criteria:

Women receiving ANC and PNC care

  • women who present for ANC 1 after 24 weeks gestation
  • women who do not attend more than 1 ANC at the health facility will be excluded from the primary analysis

Providers

• Providers that do not provide antenatal or postnatal care

Site-level exclusion criteria:

• sites that have less than 2 ANC providers.

Site-level inclusion criteria:

• Study sites that have at least 2 ANC providers were included in the final selection of 36 sites. The following are study sites by district:

Nyamasheke District Nyamasheke Kibingo Mugera Mwezi Karengera Kibogora Gisakura Yove

Nyarugenge District Cor-unum Biryogo Rugarama Kabusunzu

Rubavu District Murara Nyakiriba Busasamana Karambo Gisenyi Kigufi Mudende

Bugesera District Ruhuha Gakurazo Gashora Ngeruka Kamabuye Nyamata Ntarama Juru Mayange Nzangwa Nyarugenge

Burera District Cyanika Kirambo Ndongozi Gitare Gahunga Mucaca

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Factorial Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
No Intervention: Standard ANC and PNC care only
Standard care offered following national guidelines of ANC and PNC.
Other: Standard Care + Ultrasound+Pregnancy Testing
Standard care in combination with early pregnancy testing and ultrasound.
Procedure: Ultrasound+Pregnancy Testing

Half of all study sites will receive early pregnancy testing, conducted by community health workers at community level and ultrasound for gestational age dating and early screening at the health center.

The primary analysis will not assess the effectiveness of this intervention.
Experimental: Group ANC and PNC only
Health facilities randomized to provide group ANC/PNC.
Behavioral: Group ANC/PNC
The primary intervention is group antenatal and postnatal care wherein women receive their care in a group with other women with similar due dates. After an initial individual visit all care is given in groups although the majority of the time is dedicated to facilitated discussion and women can come for additional acute care if needed. Group antenatal care will be three group visits between 20 and 40 weeks gestation and group postnatal care will be one group visit and approximately 6 weeks post delivery.
Experimental: Group Care + Ultrasound+Pregnancy Testing
Group ANC and PNC care, in combination with early pregnancy testing and ultrasound.
Procedure: Ultrasound+Pregnancy Testing

Half of all study sites will receive early pregnancy testing, conducted by community health workers at community level and ultrasound for gestational age dating and early screening at the health center.

The primary analysis will not assess the effectiveness of this intervention.

Behavioral: Group ANC/PNC
The primary intervention is group antenatal and postnatal care wherein women receive their care in a group with other women with similar due dates. After an initial individual visit all care is given in groups although the majority of the time is dedicated to facilitated discussion and women can come for additional acute care if needed. Group antenatal care will be three group visits between 20 and 40 weeks gestation and group postnatal care will be one group visit and approximately 6 weeks post delivery.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Gestational Age
Time Frame: within the first 3 days after delivery
Average gestational age at delivery among women who enroll in ANC before 24 weeks of gestation and had at least 2 ANC visits at that facility.
within the first 3 days after delivery

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Preterm birth rate
Time Frame: At delivery
Proportion of preterm deliveries among mothers enrolled in ANC
At delivery
Preterm 28-day and 42-day mortality rate
Time Frame: 28 days and 42 days post delivery
28-day and 42-day mortality rate among preterm infants whose mother enrolled in ANC
28 days and 42 days post delivery
Women who adhered to four ANC visits
Time Frame: From the day of first ANC visit at the health center until the day of delivery
Proportion of women who adhered to four ANC visits among all mothers who have received at least one ANC visit at facility.
From the day of first ANC visit at the health center until the day of delivery
Adherence to 6 week postnatal visit
Time Frame: 42 days post delivery
Proportion of women who adhered to the 6-week PNC visit at the health center among those who attended at least 2 ANC at the facility.
42 days post delivery
1st ANC visit during the first trimester
Time Frame: up to 14 weeks gestation
Proportion of women with 1st ANC visit during the first trimester among those who have at least one ANC visit.
up to 14 weeks gestation
High-risk Women
Time Frame: From the day of first ANC visit at the health center until the day of delivery
Proportion of women identified during ANC as being high-risk
From the day of first ANC visit at the health center until the day of delivery
C-section deliveries
Time Frame: At Delivery
Proportion of pregnancies resulting in C-section deliveries among those enrolled in ANC at facility.
At Delivery
Newborns with neonatal morbidities, specifically, jaundice, rapid breathing, fever, pneumonia, hypothermia, and/or cord infection
Time Frame: 28 days post delivery
Proportion of newborns with neonatal morbidities, specifically, jaundice, rapid breathing, fever, pneumonia, hypothermia, and/or cord infection, among all those whose mother received ANC at facility, and among all those who received PNC at facility.
28 days post delivery

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Cost-effectiveness
Time Frame: Costs will be measured prospectively from baseline through the end of the intervention once sample size is achieve--approximately 18 months from baseline.
Costs of ANC delivery and program costs will be collected prospectively, and costs associated with each adverse outcome that may be potentially averted will be calculated. Effectiveness measures will be: number of deliveries conducted by skilled health workers; total number of ANC visits, first ANC visit before 16 weeks and 4 standard ANC visits completed; and number of preterm births prevented.
Costs will be measured prospectively from baseline through the end of the intervention once sample size is achieve--approximately 18 months from baseline.
Qualitative assessment of group care feasibility and acceptability to women and providers
Time Frame: up to 18 months
Qualitative work (in-depth interviews and focus group discussions) with women and providers to inform any fine tuning to the model will be conducted at 9 and 18 months after implementation.
up to 18 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of California, San Francisco

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
University of Rwanda
Ministry of Health, Rwanda
Rwanda Biomedical Centre

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Dilys Walker, MD, University of California, San Francisco
  • Principal Investigator: Sabine F Musange, MD, MSc, University of Rwanda

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
May 15, 2017

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
May 31, 2019

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 31, 2019

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
April 14, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 12, 2017

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
May 16, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 25, 2019

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 21, 2019

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • A123218-Rw (UCSF RAS #)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

Undecided

IPD Plan Description

Data from the study will be shared, but the extent to which individual participant data can be shared is yet to be determined. This will be done to the extent possible, conforming to any partner requirements or Rwanda IRB requirements.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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