Using lot quality assurance sampling to study the coverage of Chlorhexidine 7% gel for cord application in Northern Nigeria

Moyosola Bamidele, JSI/Targeted States High Impact Project
Dele Abegunde, JSI/Targeted States High Impact Project
Nosa Orobaton, JSI/Targeted States High Impact Project
Beal Katherine, John Snow, Inc.
Masduk Abdulkarim, JSI/Targeted States High Impact Project
Toyin Akomolafe, JSI/Targeted States High Impact Project

Infections are the single most important cause of neonatal deaths worldwide and are responsible for almost a third of all neonatal mortality. Affordable, feasible and efficacious interventions to reduce neonatal infections and improved neonatal survival are needed. Chlorhexidine, a broad-spectrum antiseptic agent, is active against common organisms causing perinatal infections. In this study, we examined the coverage of Chlorhexidine 7% gel for cord application in Northern Nigeria using lot quality assurance sampling. Data from three waves of LQAS studies which were conducted to monitor progress and impact of TSHIP’s programs were used for the study. Findings show that the coverage of Chlorhexinde in Bauchi and Sokoto States increased significantly in 2015 from the baseline coverage value in 2012. Our findings have direct implications for future policy and interventions for upscaling the distribution and use of chlorhexidine 7% gel to prevent cord infection, especially in the culturally homogeneous northern regions of Nigeria.