Role of community engagement in maternal health in rural Pakistan: Findings from the CLIP randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Community-based strategies to promote maternal health can help raise awareness of pregnancy danger signs and preparations for emergencies. The objective of this study was to assess change in birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) and pregnant women's knowledge about pre-eclampsia as part of community engagement (CE) activities in rural Pakistan during the Community Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP) Trial. METHODS: The CLIP Trial was a cluster randomized controlled trial that aimed to reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality using CE strategies alongside mobile health-supported care by community health care providers. CE activities engaged pregnant women at their homes and male stakeholders through village meetings in Hyderabad and Matiari in Sindh, Pakistan. These sessions covered pregnancy complications, particularly pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, BPCR and details of the CLIP intervention package. BPCR was assessed using questions related to transport arrangement, permission for care, emergency funds, and choice of facility birth attendant for delivery during quarterly household surveys. Outcomes were assessed via multilevel logistic regression with adjustment for relevant confounders with effects summarized as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: There were 15 137 home-based CE sessions with pregnant women and families (n = 46 614) and 695 village meetings with male stakeholders (n = 7784) over two years. The composite outcomes for BPCR and pre-eclampsia knowledge did not differ significantly between trial arms. However, CE activities were associated with improved pre-eclampsia knowledge in some areas. Specifically, pregnant women in the intervention clusters were twice as likely to know that seizures could be a complication of pregnancy (odds ratio (OR) = 2.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.11, 4.23) and 2.5 times more likely to know that high blood pressure is potentially life-threatening during pregnancy (OR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.31, 4.83) vs control clusters. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested that a CE strategy for male and female community stakeholders increased some measures of knowledge regarding complications of pre-eclampsia in low-resource settings. However, the effect of this intervention on long-term health outcomes needs further study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov - INCT01911494.

Self-reported maternal morbidity: Results from the community level interventions for pre-eclampsia (CLIP) baseline survey in Sindh, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: Community-based data regarding maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality are scarce in less-developed countries. The aim of the study was to collect representative community-level demographic health information to provide socio-demographic and health outcome data. METHODS: A retrospective household survey of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) living in two districts of Sindh Province, Pakistan was conducted. Pregnancy incidence over the past 12 months and during each woman's lifetime; maternal, fetal, infant and child deaths in the past 12 months; and rates of hypertension and seizures in pregnancy were calculated. RESULTS: From June to September 2013, 88,410 households were surveyed with 1.2 (±0.6) women of reproductive age per household. 19,584 women (11.9%) reported pregnancies in the preceding 12 months; 83.0% had live births, 3.5% resulting in stillbirths and 13.6% in miscarriages. 34.2% of deliveries occurred at home. Out of all women who reported a pregnancy in past 12 months, 62.1% reported high blood pressure and 11.9% reported seizures complicating her most recent pregnancy. Blood pressure was not measured during survey to confirm hypertension. The perinatal, neonatal and maternal mortality ratios were 64.7/1000, 39/1000 and 166/100,000 livebirths, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study estimated population-level mortality ratios that can be used for the planning of health interventions in these regions. Self-reported pregnancy hypertension and seizures was inaccurate, reflecting limited community understanding of these disorders. Mortality estimates are comparable to those reported by the World Health Organization for maternal mortality ratio and neonatal mortality rate of 170/100,000 and 36/1000 live births, respectively.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice among mothers about newborn care in Sindh, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Each year nearly 7.7 million children under five years die around the world; out of which approximately 3.1 million of the newborns die during the neonatal period and almost all these (99%) deaths occur in the developing countries. According to the World Health Organization's estimation neonatal deaths account for 45% of the under-five deaths. More than one-third of these deaths occur in the first 24 h of birth, whereas three-quarter of the neonatal deaths takes place in the first seven days of birth. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) among mothers about newborns' care and its related factors in district Badin Sindh province of Pakistan. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2017 to August 2017 to assess the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) in mothers regarding newborn care. A structured questionnaire was administered, after pretest, for data gathering through face to face interview. All survey participants were identified using multi-stage cluster sampling. A scoring system was used to calculate the level of KAP among participants. Independent sample t-test, ANOVA, and GLM were applied to identify the statistical difference between the means of various groups. RESULT: A total of 518 survey participants were interviewed. Among the study sample, more than half of the newborns were bathed within six hours of delivery. Around 50% started breastfeeding after 1 h of birth. A substantial proportion (45%) of mothers gave pre-lacteal feeding and 44.8% of them did not feed colostrum to their newborns. Among those who administered pre-lacteal to their newborn babies included animal/formula milk (15.4%), honey (24.5%) and fresh butter/ghee (5.2. %). Mothers with no education had less significant KAP score about newborn care as compared to those who had higher education (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that high-risk factors such as immediate bathing, application of traditional substances on the cord, delayed initiation of breastfeeding, discarding colostrum and giving pre-lacteal feed to newborns were highly prevalent. This requires urgent attention of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) programs and health care delivery system to prevent harmful care practices and adopt healthy practices especially in the rural settings.

Treatment of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome with a combination of lopinavir-ritonavir and interferon-ß1b (MIRACLE trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: It had been more than 5 years since the first case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus infection (MERS-CoV) was recorded, but no specific treatment has been investigated in randomized clinical trials. Results from in vitro and animal studies suggest that a combination of lopinavir/ritonavir and interferon-ß1b (IFN-ß1b) may be effective against MERS-CoV. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of treatment with a combination of lopinavir/ritonavir and recombinant IFN-ß1b provided with standard supportive care, compared to treatment with placebo provided with standard supportive care in patients with laboratory-confirmed MERS requiring hospital admission. METHODS: The protocol is prepared in accordance with the SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) guidelines. Hospitalized adult patients with laboratory-confirmed MERS will be enrolled in this recursive, two-stage, group sequential, multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized controlled trial. The trial is initially designed to include 2 two-stage components. The first two-stage component is designed to adjust sample size and determine futility stopping, but not efficacy stopping. The second two-stage component is designed to determine efficacy stopping and possibly readjustment of sample size. The primary outcome is 90-day mortality. DISCUSSION: This will be the first randomized controlled trial of a potential treatment for MERS. The study is sponsored by King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Enrollment for this study began in November 2016, and has enrolled thirteen patients as of Jan 24-2018. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02845843 . Registered on 27 July 2016.

Genetic characterization of phenicol-resistant Escherichia coli and role of wild-type repressor/regulator gene (acrR) on phenicol resistance.

The genetic basis for phenicol resistance was examined in 38 phenicol-resistant clinical Escherichia coli isolates from poultry. Out of 62 isolates, 38 showed resistance for chloramphenicol and nine for florfenicol, respectively. Each strain also demonstrated resistance to a variety of other antibiotics. Molecular detection revealed that the incidence rates of the cat1, cat2, flo, flo-R, cmlA, and cmlB were 32, 29, 18, 13, 0, and 0%, respectively. Nineteen strains were tolerant to organic solvents. PCR amplification of the complete acrR (regulator/repressor) gene of five isolates revealed the amino acid changes in four isolates. DNA sequencing showed the non-synonymous mutations which change the amino acid, silent mutation, and nucleotide deletion in four isolates. MY09C10 showed neither deletion nor mutation in nucleotide. The AcrA protein of the AcrAB multidrug efflux pump was overexpressed in these strains. Complementation with a plasmid-borne wild-type acrR gene reduced the expression level of AcrA protein in the mutants and partially restored antibiotic susceptibility one- to fourfold. This study shows that mutations in acrR are an additional genetic basis for phenicol resistance.

Outcome of patients with acute kidney injury in severe sepsis and septic shock treated with early goal-directed therapy in an intensive care unit.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is commonly caused by severe sepsis and septic shock. There is limited data regarding the incidence and outcomes of patients developing AKI treated with early goal-directed therapy (EGDT). Our aim was to observe the incidence and outcomes of patients with AKI in severe sepsis and septic shock, treated with EGDT as compared with historic controls. Study subjects included all adults admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of severe sepsis and septic shock prior to (historic controls) and after introduction of EGDT (intervention group). Two groups were compared for incidence of AKI, length of ICU and hospital stay, incidence and requirement for renal replacement therapy, serum creatinine at discharge, maximum RIFLE (Risk, injury, failure, loss, end stage) in each group and 28-day mortality. Two groups were well matched for age, sex, (April 16, 2014) and acute physiological and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II scores. We found no significant difference in the incidence of AKI (51% vs. 46%). There was no statistical difference in any of the above outcomes, including 28-day mortality in historic controls versus patients treated with EGDT. Septic AKI is a complex syndrome. The incidence and outcomes have not improved despite advances in sepsis management and EGDT. Very early detection of septic AKI and targeted therapies may improve outcomes.

Implementing a collaborative sepsis protocol on the time to antibiotics in an emergency department of a saudi hospital: quasi randomized study.

Background. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of an ED sepsis protocol on the time to antibiotics for emergency department (ED) patients with severe sepsis. Methods. Quasiexperimental prospective study was conducted at the emergency department. Consecutive patients with severe sepsis were included before and after the implementation of a sepsis protocol. The outcome measures were time from recognition of severe sepsis/septic shock to first antibiotic dose delivery and the appropriateness of initial choice of antibiotics based on the presumed source of infection. Results. There were 47 patients in preintervention group and 112 patients in postintervention group. Before implementation, mean time from severe sepsis recognition to delivery of antibiotics was 140 ± 97 minutes. During the intervention period, the mean time was 68 ± 67 minutes, with an overall reduction of 72 minutes. The protocol resulted in an overall improvement of 37% in the compliance, as 62% received appropriate initial antibiotics for the presumed source of infection as compared to 25% before the start of protocol. Conclusion. Implementation of ED sepsis protocol improved the time from recognition of severe sepsis/septic shock to first antibiotic dose delivery as well as the appropriateness of initial antibiotic therapy.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: hospital and intensive care unit outcomes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: There is little data surrounding the survival of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are admitted to the critical care unit with exacerbation of symptoms. We conducted a study to measure the in-hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes of patients admitted with COPD exacerbation, and identified the related prognostic factors. METHOD: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who were admitted to the adult ICU between January 2006 and July 2011 for COPD exacerbation in King Abdulaziz National Guard Hospital, Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 119 patients were admitted to the ICU with acute respiratory failure attributed to COPD exacerbation. The mean age was 72 ± 13 years, and 44 (37%) were females. The main cause of respiratory failure was infection, which occurred in 102 (86%) patients. Thirty-nine (33%) of the admitted patients were mechanically ventilated, and the median duration was 2.6 (1-42) days. The median lengths of the ICU and hospital stays were 3 (1-40) and 9 (2-43) days, respectively. The ICU mortality was 6%, and hospital mortality was 11%. Low Glasgow Coma Scale on admission, intubation, duration of mechanical ventilation, current smoking, tracheostomy, cardiopulmonary arrest, and the development of acute renal failure were associated with higher hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Early ICU and hospital mortality is low for COPD patients who have been admitted to the ICU with exacerbation. Low Glasgow Coma Scale scores on admission, intubation, prolonged use of mechanical ventilation, and the development of acute renal failure were identified as risk factors associated with increased hospital mortality.

Impact of 6-hour sepsis resuscitation bundle compliance on hospital mortality in a saudi hospital.

Purpose. To assess the effect of improved compliance with 6-hour sepsis resuscitation bundle on mortality in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Materials and Methods. A quasi-experimental prospective study was conducted at a 10-bedded combined medical and surgical intensive care unit. The historical group included all consecutive patients with severe sepsis and septic shock admitted from January 2008 to March 2009. Intervention included evidence-based written sepsis pathway, antibiotic recommendations, and an educational program.The post-intervention group included all consecutive patients admitted from July 2009 to June 2011. The primary outcome measures were the overall compliance to seven 6-hour sepsis resuscitation bundle elements and 30-day hospital mortality. There were 99 patients in the historical group and 199 in the post-intervention group. Results. The baseline patients' characteristics were similar. Overall compliance to all seven sepsis resuscitation bundle elements in historical group was 5.1% [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.1-11.3] which improved after intervention to 23.6% (95% CI, 17.9-30.1); P < 0.001. The overall compliance to 6-hour sepsis resuscitation bundle elements was associated with improved survival [odds ratio (OR), 5.8 (95% CI, 2.2-15.1; P < 0.001)]. 30-day hospital mortality reduced from 31.3% in the historical group to 21.1% in the intervention group; P = 0.05. Conclusion. Improvement in compliance to 6-hour sepsis resuscitation bundle was associated with a reduction in 30-day hospital mortality.

Venous thromboembolism risk and prophylaxis in a Saudi hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors and physician's compliance to American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines recommendations for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention at our hospital. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at King Abdulaziz Hospital, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia from November 2009 to December 2009. We used the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) 2008 guidelines and Caprini's scores to assess VTE risk and to determine whether patients had received recommended prophylaxis. All hospital in-patients aged 15 years or above were assessed for risk of VTE by reviewing the hospital chart. A data sheet was developed to obtain the data on demographics, VTE prophylaxis medication, dose, route, duration, and associated risk factors. The primary endpoint was the rate of appropriate thromboprophylaxis. RESULTS: Nine hundred and sixty-eight patients were included. The mean age was 40 +/- 18.7 years, and 647 (66.8%) were women. According to the ACCP criteria, 547 (56.5%) patients were at risk for VTE. Of 210 patients that qualified for prophylaxis, 117 (55.7%) received some form of prophylaxis. However, 46 (39.3%) of them received ACCP-recommended VTE prophylaxis. In contrast, 25.6% of patients with no risk, according to Caprini score, had thromboprophylaxis prescribed. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that only a small proportion of eligible patients received the recommended VTE prophylaxis. Efforts should be made to develop strategies to improve patient safety practices.

Central venous catheter practice in an adult intensive care setting in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To study the standard central venous catheter (CVC) practice in an adult intensive care unit (ICU) for potential improvement. METHODS: This is a prospective descriptive study conducted in an adult ICU of the 300-bedded King Abdul- Aziz Hospital, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. All consecutive patients admitted over 18 months (April 2007 to September 2008) were included. Details of CVCs, indications, complications, and patients' demographic information were recorded daily until CVCs were removed. RESULTS: Overall, 379 patients had 474 CVCs, which accounted for 3024 catheter-days, with a mean duration of 6.35 +/- 4.7 days (95% confidence intervals: 5.92-6.78). The most common site of insertion was the internal jugular vein (230 [48.5%]); 192 (40.5%) subclavian catheters, and 52 (11%) femoral. The CVC utilization ratio was 0.64. The catheter related local infection (CRLI) rate was 4.6 per 1000 catheter-day (the highest in the femoral site) and the catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) rate was 1.98 per 1000 catheter-day (the highest for the jugular route). There were only a few mechanical complications including 2 pneumothoraces, 5 arterial cannulations, and a single significant catheter dislodgement causing respiratory failure. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the current CVC practice enabled us to keep the rate of complications low, which is comparable to international standards.

Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding influenza vaccination among healthcare workers in a Saudi hospital.

BACKGROUND: Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for healthcare workers (HCWs) in order to reduce the morbidity associated with influenza in healthcare settings. The objectives of the study were to determine the rate of influenza vaccination, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs toward influenza immunization among healthcare workers at our hospital, and to identify reasons for electing or declining the immunization. METHODS: Between January and February 2009, we carried out a cross-sectional study of influenza vaccination coverage among HCWs at King Abdul-Aziz Hospital, Saudi Arabia. After receiving a brief description of the aim of the study, 512 of 902 HCWs self-completed an anonymous questionnaire. RESULTS: Influenza vaccination coverage was low at a rate of 34.4% in 2008-9. The knowledge of influenza disease and prevention was low, with a mean knowledge score of 5.8+/-2.1. The most common reason for being vaccinated was self-protection from illness (95%), and the most common reason for not being vaccinated was a belief that vaccine is not effective in disease prevention (51%). We found that being female, awareness of effectiveness of vaccine in disease prevention, feeling at risk of influenza, self-protection, to protect the patients, previous influenza vaccination were statistically significant factors for influenza vaccination. CONCLUSION: Despite the recommendations, influenza vaccination coverage is low among HCWs at our hospital. Misconceptions about influenza vaccination were prevalent among the healthcare workers. Specific continuous educational and vaccination programs for different targets should be organized to reduce morbidity and mortality in high-risk patients.

Extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia. Risk factors and outcome in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To study the risk factors for bacteremia caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) or Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and their outcome. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in King Abdul-Aziz National Guard Hospital, Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from January 2006 through December 2007. All adult patients for whom culture results were positive for E. coli or K. pneumoniae were eligible. Twenty-nine patients with ESBL producing bacteremia (cases) were compared with 80 patients with non-ESBL producing bacteremia controls. Hospital mortality was the primary end point. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed to analyze risk factors for ESBL bacteremia and its 30-day mortality. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients with bacteremia were enrolled that included 29 cases and 80 controls. Forty-nine percent of the patients were male. The mean age was 60.2+/-21.1 years. Nosocomial infection was the only independent risk factor for bacteremia due to ESBL-producing pathogens (odds ratio [OR] 3.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-8.44, p=0.02). Overall 30-day mortality was 22%, and was similar in both groups. The nosocomial infection (OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.48-6.94, p=0.01), presentation with septic shock (OR 48.88, 95% CI 6.01-397.32, p=0.004), and intensive care unit care (OR 7.40, 95% CI 1.94 -28.34, p=0.001) were the independent risk factors for 30-day mortality. CONCLUSION: The ESBL rate is high in our study among the bacteremic patients. Nosocomial infection is identified both as a risk factor for ESBL bacteremia and mortality.

Penetrating cardiac injury by a metallic fragment.

An adult male had a penetrating injury of the chest resulting in cardiac tamponade. The injury resulted as a consequence of a detached iron piece from an iron bar in a steel mill. Emergency sternotomy and percardiotomy revealed blood in the pericardial cavity and full thickness penetration of the right ventricle. The defect was repaired following the removal of the iron fragment. Postoperative recovery was uneventful.