Impact of family planning on maternal and infant mortality in Cameroon: Protocol for a clustered non-randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the impact of family planning on maternal and infant mortality in Tiko CDC plantation camp. This is a clustered non-randomized controlled trial with a predetermined intervention site (Tiko CDC plantation camp) and a control site (Pena Mboko camp). Four clusters were randomly selected in each group using simple ballot and the intervention administered in all clusters in the intervention site.  Households/participants were then systematically sampled (250 in each site) for data collection and analysis. The intervention comprises a triad of health education, facilities strengthening and distribution of contraceptives in the intervention cohort. After baseline study, re-evaluation visits are scheduled for 3rd, 6th and 9th month of intervention and a post-intervention data collection at 12th months of intervention. The pre-intervention phase was conducted from December 2019 to February 2020; data was partially analysed and intervention was designed. Primary outcomes to be measured are contraceptive knowledge, perception and practice while secondary outcomes are maternal and infant morbi-mortality. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional ethics committee for research on human health at University of Douala. While the study adds to existing literature, its strengths and limits could be useful in informing similar interventions in the study area and beyond. Key words: Non-randomized clustered, Family planning, Health education, Maternal, Infant, mortality, Cameroon.