Chlorination Intervention to Reduce Neonatal and Maternal Infections in Rural Health Facilities in Kenya

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the effects of a multi-component chlorination intervention on maternal and neonatal health in public healthcare facilities in western Kenya. The trial focuses on reducing bacterial contamination and antibiotic-resistant infections in neonates born at these facilities. The study is a cluster randomized controlled trial involving 36 health facilities, with a goal to provide evidence on how chlorinated water supply and reliable chlorine disinfectant use impact bacterial contamination and infection rates. Health facilities will be randomly assigned either to a control group or to an intervention group. Intervention facilities will receive passive inline chlorine dosers that automatically treat water used in maternity wards, along with a steady supply of chlorine disinfectant. Half of the intervention sites will produce chlorine on-site using electrochlorinators, while the other half will receive bulk chlorine deliveries. Both intervention and control facilities will receive infection prevention and control messaging. Facilities will also get equipment like mops and spray bottles for surface cleaning. Participants include pregnant adults or mature minors giving birth at enrolled facilities and their newborns. Researchers will collect data over 24 months, assessing bacterial contamination in water, on hands, and on surfaces, as well as gut colonization by pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in mothers and neonates. Health outcomes like possible serious bacterial infection and sepsis symptoms will be monitored during the first week after birth. The study will also track neonatal and maternal mortality up to 28 days postpartum to understand the interventions impact on infection and health.

Clean Trial - Chlorination to Reduce Enteric and Antibiotic Resistant Infections in Neonates