Document Type
Article
Department
Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health; Obstetrics and Gynaecology (East Africa)
Abstract
Background:Evidence on caffeine citrate (CC) for apnoeaof prematurity (AOP) originate from high-income countries. This study aimed to develop consensus on research design for evidence in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Methods:We surveyed physicians in newborn units across SSA to assess their opinions on CC research and their preferred study designs.
Participants rated four study designs:a) an observational before-and-after study; a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of b) caffeine versus placebo; c) caffeine versus aminophylline; d) a traditional or stepped wedge cluster trial. They assessed each design using a Likert scale for evidence, feasibility, and ethics considerations.
Results:Ninety-two newborn physicians across 21 SSA countries participated. Most respondents (72%) felt a trial on CC in SSA was important. An RCT of CC vs. aminophylline and a cluster RCT had the highest ratings for importance (82% and 73%), feasibility (75% and69%), and ethical appropriateness (78% and 69%), while an RCT of CC vs. placebo received the lowest ratings in these categories.
Conclusions:Newborn SSA physicians agree that local research on CC is needed and rated an individual or cluster RCT comparing caffeine with aminophylline to evaluate CC's impact on key clinical outcomes.
Publication (Name of Journal)
Medical Research Archives
DOI
https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v14i3.7360
Recommended Citation
Bolaji, O.,
Ekhaguere, O.,
Houndjahoue, F.,
Embleton, N.,
Nabwera, H.
(2026). A physician survey on research and implementation priorities for caffeine citrate use in newborn care in sub-Saharan Africa. Medical Research Archives, 14(3), 1-11.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/coe-wch/190
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Included in
Maternal and Child Health Commons, Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons, Women's Health Commons