Brief Summary

According to the WHO, contact tracing - along with robust testing, isolation, and care of cases is a key strategy for interrupting chains of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and reducing mortality associated with COVID-19. Contact tracing, however, has a number of challenges. These include incomplete identification of contacts, inefficiencies in paper-based reporting systems, complex data management requirements, and delays in the identification of contacts and testing of contacts. In many settings, contact tracing has proven to be too resource-intensive to implement at scale, especially with higher levels of community transmission, highlighting the need for more efficient contact tracing approaches. Digital tools afford the possibility of strengthening contact tracing for COVID-19, in a more efficient way. However, there is limited evidence of the effectiveness and impact of these tools in the COVID-19 response, including contact tracing. This study proposes to compare the cascade of care between two strategies for COVID-19 contact tracing of SARS-CoV-2 infected index patients in Cameroon. In one strategy (intervention), the health facilities and health district testing units will implement contact tracing using a digital tool developed to support the tracing and testing of contacts (addition of a digital contact tracing module to the main platform for COVID-19 testing in Cameroon (Mamal Pro app)). This strategy will be compared to the standard contact tracing process (control), based on the current routine approach (use of the Mamal Pro application without the digital contact tracing module).

Trial Health

On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment

433

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable covid19

Timeline

Completed

Started Oct 2022

Geographic Reach

1 country

22 active sites

Status

completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

10 months study duration

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 18, 2022

Completed

3 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 9, 2023

Completed

4 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 13, 2023

Completed

3 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

March 31, 2023

Completed

4 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

July 30, 2023

Completed

Last Updated

December 18, 2023

Status Verified

December 1, 2023

Enrollment Period

5 months

First QC Date

January 9, 2023

Last Update Submit

December 12, 2023

Conditions

COVID-19

Keywords

COVID-19Contact TracingmHealth

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

Successful contact tracing
The primary outcome is the proportion of contacts declared by the index case who are successfully called by the district contact tracing unit and the proportion of contacts who receive SARS-CoV-2 testing, as per MOH standard testing procedures.
10 days

Secondary Outcomes (6)

Contacts testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
10 days
Feasibility of the intervention model of contact tracing
4 months
Acceptability intervention model of contact tracing by the index cases (negative and positive) and health care workers
4 months
Cost of the intervention
4 months
Timely communication with contacts
4 months
+1 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Standard of care model (SOC)

NO INTERVENTION

This model is based on the standard of care recommended by the Cameroon National COVID-19 response program.

Intervention model (ITV)

EXPERIMENTAL

Implementation of the contact tracing using a digitalized process (addition of the Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module to the Mamal Pro app).

Other: Digital based contact tracing

Interventions

Digital based contact tracingOTHER

* Listing of contacts by SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals in Mamal Pro app + verification and validation by a health care worker. * Immediate access to the contact list in Mamal Pro once validated by the health care worker. * Contacts are immediately notified by text message automatically sent to all contacts with phone numbers and later called by the HCWs responsible for carrying out the contact tracing at the district level. * Contacts will be invited to go to the nearest testing facilities/units to get tested. * Those who are unable or refuse to come for testing are followed up by phone for 10 days for the occurrence of COVID-19 symptoms. * Information about the contact tracing process during communication with contacts are recorded in Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module.

Intervention model (ITV)

Eligibility Criteria

Sexall

Healthy VolunteersYes

Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

All contacts listed by individuals registered in the Mamal Pro app for testing, who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the selected health district testing units and health facilities in Cameroon.

You may not qualify if:

None

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.