Feasibility and acceptability of gentamicin in the Uniject prefilled injection system for community-based treatment of possible neonatal sepsis: the experience of female community health volunteers in Nepal

Objective: Explore feasibility and acceptability of gentamicin in the Uniject prefilled injection system, in combination with oral cotrimoxazole-p and an appropriate newborn weighing scale, for treatment of possible neonatal sepsis when administered in the community by female community health volunteers. Study Design: In a community-based program in Nepal, 45 volunteers recorded 422 live births. Among these, 82 infants were identified as having possible severe bacterial infection. In all, 67 of these infants were treated with gentamicin in Uniject and 15 were referred to the health facility. Mixed methods were used to collect data about Uniject performance, acceptability and safety. Result: Volunteers successfully treated 67 infants with gentamicin in Uniject. Gentamicin in Uniject performed well and was acceptable. Conclusion: Gentamicin in Uniject, in combination with cotrimoxazole-p and an appropriate newborn weighing scale, is a feasible and acceptable option for treatment of possible neonatal sepsis in the community by female community health volunteers. Journal of Perinatology (2012) 32, 959-965; doi:10.1038/jp.2012.20; published online 15 March 2012