African Survey on Sepsis Knowledge (ASK)

NCT07351344 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: STAIRS
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 300
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study is an anonymous online survey on clinical knowledge of sepsis among healthcare professionals in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The survey is to be repeated every 12-24 months.

Conditions

Sepsis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Sepsis - Knowledge - Score

  * Measured as the sum of correctly answered questions in the questionnaire. This results in a sepsis knowledge score of 0-47 points, with higher scores indicating better knowledge. * Assessed in two independent cross-sectional survey waves. * Calculated for all participants. * Serves as the main measure of clinical sepsis knowledge in partner countries across survey waves conducted before and after the implementation period of capacity-building activities

  Baseline survey period (January 19, 2026 - April 30, 2026) and follow-up survey period (April 1, 2027 - July 31, 2027)

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Domain-specific knowledge of sepsis

  Baseline survey period (January 19, 2026 - April 30, 2026), and follow-up survey period (April 1, 2027 - July 31, 2027)

• Analysis of sepsis knowledge scores and domain-specific scores by professional role

  Baseline survey period (January 19, 2026 - April 30, 2026), and follow-up survey period (April 1, 2027 - July 31, 2027)

• Country comparison

  Baseline survey period (January 19, 2026 - April 30, 2026), and follow-up survey period (April 1, 2027 - July 31, 2027)

• Second survey wave only: Change in sepsis knowledge scores between survey waves

  Follow-up survey period (April 1, 2027 - July 31, 2027)

• Comparison of sepsis knowledge scores by self-reported participation in capacity-building measures

  Follow-up survey period (April 1, 2027 - July 31, 2027)

Study Arms (2)

Participants from the first wave

150 adult participants from healthcare professions from partner institutions in Uganda, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria are surveyed.

Participants from the second wave

150 adult participants from healthcare professions from partner institutions in Uganda, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria are surveyed.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult members of a healthcare profession (e.g., doctors, nurses, clinical officers) or their trainees from healthcare facility in one of the seven partner countries (Uganda, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria).

You may qualify if:

• Occupation: adult members of a healthcare profession (e.g., doctors, nurses, midwifes) or their trainees
• Place of work: employment in a healthcare facility in one of the seven partner countries (Uganda, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria).
• Consent: Willingness to participate voluntarily in the anonymous online survey.

You may not qualify if:

• Not employed in a healthcare profession (e.g., administrative staff, non-medical professionals)
• Not employed in one of the participating countries. Incomplete questionnaires (\< 50% of questions answered)
• No internet access or technical limitations that make participation impossible. To complete the survey online.
• Language skills: Sufficient language skills in the survey language (English or French)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Claudia Spies: lead

Study Sites (1)

The Komfo Anokye teaching hospital

Kumasi, Ghana

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sepsis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Infections; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome; Inflammation; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Claudia Spies, MD, Prof.

  Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (CCM/CVK), Charité - University Medicine Berlin

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Claudia Spies, MD, Prof.

CONTACT

+49 30 450 55 11 02; claudia.spies@charite.de

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Head of the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (CCM/CVK), Charité - University Medicine Berlin

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 16, 2025
• First Posted: January 20, 2026
• Study Start: February 20, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2027
• Last Updated: February 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

GH (1)