Abstract

Quantitative decision making for investment in global health intervention trials: Case study of the NEWBORN study on emollient therapy in preterm infants in Kenya

Stylianou, A. Blanks, K. J. H. Gibson, R. A. Kendall, L. K. English, M. Williams, S. Mehta, R. Clarke, A. Kanyuuru, L. Aluvaala, J. Darmstadt, G. L.
J Glob Health. 2022; 1204045

Permanent descriptor

https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.12.04045

BACKGROUND: Partners from an NGO, academia, industry and government applied a tool originating in the private sector - Quantitative Decision Making (QDM) - to rigorously assess whether to invest in testing a global health intervention. The proposed NEWBORN study was designed to assess whether topical emollient therapy with sunflower seed oil in infants with very low birthweight /=15%), a 45% chance of a negative outcome (defined as a significant relative reduction in mortality <10%), and an 8% chance of ending in the consider zone (ie, a mortality reduction of 10 to <15%) for infants <1500 g. CONCLUSIONS: QDM is a novel tool from industry which has utility for prioritisation of investments in global health, complementing existing tools [eg, Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative]. Results from application of QDM to the NEWBORN study suggests that it has a high probability of producing clear results. Findings encourage future formation of public-private partnerships for health.