Maternal and perinatal Health Research Collaboration, India (MaatHRI): methodology for establishing a hospital-based research platform in a low and middle income country setting [version 3; peer review: 2 approved]
Manisha Nair,
Babul Bezbaruah,
Amrit Krishna Bora,
Krishnaram Bora,
Shakuntala Chhabra,
Saswati S. Choudhury,
Arup Choudhury,
Dipika Deka,
Gitanjali Deka,
Vijay Anand Ismavel,
Swapna D. Kakoty,
Roshine M. Koshy,
Pramod Kumar,
Pranabika Mahanta,
Robin Medhi,
Pranoy Nath,
Anjali Rani,
Indrani Roy,
Usha Sarma,
Carolin Solomi V,
Ratna Kanta Talukdar,
Farzana Zahir,
Michael Hill,
Nimmi Kansal,
Reena Nakra,
Colin Baigent,
Marian Knight,
Jenny J. Kurinczuk
Affiliations
Manisha Nair
National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX3 7LF, UK
Babul Bezbaruah
Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH), Ghungoor Road, Masimpur, Assam, 788014, India
Amrit Krishna Bora
Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital, Panbazar, Guwahati, Assam, 781001, India
Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram, Maharashtra, 442102, India
Saswati S. Choudhury
Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Bhangagarh, Guwahati, Assam, 781032, India
Arup Choudhury
Dhubri Civil Hospital, Jhagrarpar, Dhubri, Assam, 783324, India
Dipika Deka
Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences, Narkashur Hilltop, Bhangagarh, Assam, 781032, India
Gitanjali Deka
Tezpur Medical College, NH 15, Tezpur, Assam, 784153, India
Vijay Anand Ismavel
Makunda Christian Leprosy and General Hospital, Bazaricherra, Karimganj, Assam, 788727, India
Swapna D. Kakoty
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital (FAAMCH), Barpeta-Hospital-Jania Rd, Joti Gaon, Assam, 781301, India
Roshine M. Koshy
Makunda Christian Leprosy and General Hospital, Bazaricherra, Karimganj, Assam, 788727, India
Pramod Kumar
Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram, Maharashtra, 442102, India
Pranabika Mahanta
Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, Kushal Konwar Path, Barbheta, Jorhat, Assam, 785001, India
Robin Medhi
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital (FAAMCH), Barpeta-Hospital-Jania Rd, Joti Gaon, Assam, 781301, India
Pranoy Nath
Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH), Ghungoor Road, Masimpur, Assam, 788014, India
Anjali Rani
Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Aurobindo Colony, Banaras Hindu University Campus, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
Indrani Roy
Nazareth Hospital, Arbuthnot Rd, Nongkynrih, Laitumkhrah, Shillong, Meghalaya, 793003, India
Usha Sarma
Tezpur Medical College, NH 15, Tezpur, Assam, 784153, India
Carolin Solomi V
Makunda Christian Leprosy and General Hospital, Bazaricherra, Karimganj, Assam, 788727, India
Ratna Kanta Talukdar
Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Bhangagarh, Guwahati, Assam, 781032, India
Farzana Zahir
Assam Medical College (AMC), Barbari, Dibrugarh, Assam, 786002, India
Michael Hill
NDPH Wolfson Laboratories, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX3 7LF, UK
Nimmi Kansal
National Reference Laboratory, Dr Lal PathLabs, B7 Rd, Block E, Sector 18, Rohini, New Delhi, Delhi, 110085, India
Reena Nakra
National Reference Laboratory, Dr Lal PathLabs, B7 Rd, Block E, Sector 18, Rohini, New Delhi, Delhi, 110085, India
Colin Baigent
MRC Population Health Research Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxfordshire, OX3 7LF, UK
Marian Knight
National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX3 7LF, UK
Jenny J. Kurinczuk
National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX3 7LF, UK
Background: Maternal and perinatal Health Research collaboration, India (MaatHRI) is a research platform that aims to improve evidence-based pregnancy care and outcomes for mothers and babies in India, a country with the second highest burden of maternal and perinatal deaths. The objective of this paper is to describe the methods used to establish and standardise the platform and the results of the process. Methods: MaatHRI is a hospital-based collaborative research platform. It is adapted from the UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS) and built on a pilot model (IndOSS-Assam), which has been extensively standardised using the following methods: (i) establishing a network of hospitals; (ii) setting up a secure system for data collection, storage and transfer; (iii) developing a standardised laboratory infrastructure; and (iv) developing and implementing regulatory systems. Results: MaatHRI was established in September 2018. Fourteen hospitals participate across four states in India – Assam, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The research team includes 20 nurses, a project manager, 16 obstetricians, two pathologists, a public health specialist, a general physician and a paediatrician. MaatHRI has advanced standardisation of data and laboratory parameters, real-time monitoring of data and participant safety, and secure transfer of data. Four observational epidemiological studies are presently being undertaken through the platform. MaatHRI has enabled bi-directional capacity building. It is overseen by a steering committee and a data safety and monitoring board, a process that is not normally used, but was found to be highly effective in ensuring data safety and equitable partnerships in the context of low and middle income countries (LMICs). Conclusion: MaatHRI is the first prototype of UKOSS and other similar platforms in a LMIC setting. The model is built on existing methods but applies new standardisation processes to develop a collaborative research platform that can be replicated in other LMICs.
