Evaluation of an Information Management and Communication System for Population-wide Point-of-Care Infant Sickle Cell Disease Screening (SMICS)

We will conduct a cluster randomized trial (CRT) of the novel SCD SIMCS and utilize a logical framework of measurable indicators of barriers, utilization, mediating factors, and clinical outcomes of SCD screening and care to evaluate its impact. We will randomize health facilities rather than individual patients because it would be impossible to avoid contamination if we randomized individuals. This design is ideal for evaluating the effectiveness of systems level interventions.

Study procedures Trial Intervention. SCD SIMCS APP, which is an AI-enhanced mobile platform that captures, interprets and relays results of point of care tests for SCD to health care providers and to a centralised public data server at the Uganda Ministry of Health. The SCD SIMCS app prototype consists of four modules: (1) ID module - captures child's demographic and biometric data and builds a printable QR-code; (2) Assay module - captures HemoTypeSCTM and the Sickle Scan TM test image, interprets, and transmits results to the CPHL data centre; (3) Education module - stores and plays back short educational videos for pre- and post-screening counselling; (4) SCD e-Passport module - entry and display of child's longitudinal salient clinical information.

Baseline assessment; following stratified purposive sampling and consent from community leaders, Control and Experimental HCs will undergo baseline evaluation with regards to current resources and childcare visit workflows and the availability of the data sources and measurable indicators of interest. A baseline assessment of resources, workflows, and routine source data collection systems at the centres will facilitate implementation planning for the proposed SCD SIMCS and accurate measurement of its impact on the HCs.