Abstract:
Background: Intrapartum Antibiotic Prophylaxis (IAP) is highly effective in preventing early-onset Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease among infants. The burden of GBS in Ghana is comparable to the global prevalence yet standardized IAP guidelines have neither been developed nor implemented. This is important in averting GBS-associated mortality and morbidity.
Objective: To determine the impact of introducing a GBS screening and IAP protocol at Tamale Teaching Hospital in Ghana.
Materials and methods: This is a two-time points experimental study. In the pre-intervention phase, clinicians providing reproductive health services will be first interviewed on GBS IAP practices and then trained on the proposed GBS IAP protocol. During the post-intervention phase, the clinicians will be re-interviewed on GBS IAP practices. During both phases, data will be extracted from the patient files to assess GBS IAP practice.
Conclusion: The introduction of a GBS IAP protocol will increase clinicians’ knowledge substantially and reduce neonatal mortality.
