COVID-19DTECTNCT05684887
Digital Tools to Expand COVID-19 Testing in Exposed Individuals in Cameroon
A study testing Digital based contact tracing in people with COVID-19, run by Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation at 22 sites in Cameroon.
Trial summary
According to the WHO, contact tracing - along with robust testing, isolation, and care of cases is a key strategy for interrupting chains of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and reducing mortality associated with COVID-19. Contact tracing, however, has a number of challenges. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- COVID-19
- What is being tested?
- Digital based contact tracing
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 433 participants
- Where
- 22 sitesCameroon
- Study dates
- 18 Oct 2022to 30 Jul 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- All contacts listed by individuals registered in the Mamal Pro app for testing, who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the selected health district testing units and health facilities in Cameroon.
Who cannot join
- None
Trial locations and contacts
22 sites in 1 country.
22 sites in 1 country
Cameroon22 sites
Bonanjo Integrated Health Center
Douala, Littoral Region
Bonassama District COVID testing unit
Douala, Littoral Region
Bonassama district hospital
Douala, Littoral Region
Cité des palmiers District COVID testing unit
Douala, Littoral Region
Cité des palmiers district hospital
Douala, Littoral Region
CMA Bonamoussadi
Douala, Littoral Region
CMA Nyala
Douala, Littoral Region
CMA Soboum hospital
Douala, Littoral Region
Deido District COVID testing unit
Douala, Littoral Region
Deido district hospital
Douala, Littoral Region
General Hospital Douala
Douala, Littoral Region
Gynecological-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital Douala (HGOPED)
Douala, Littoral Region
Japoma District COVID testing unit
Douala, Littoral Region
Laquintinie Hospital
Douala, Littoral Region
Logbaba District COVID testing unit
Douala, Littoral Region
Logbaba district hospital
Douala, Littoral Region
Mbangue District COVID testing unit
Douala, Littoral Region
Mboppi Baptist hospital
Douala, Littoral Region
New Bell District COVID testing unit
Douala, Littoral Region
New Bell district hospital
Douala, Littoral Region
Nylon District COVID testing unit
Douala, Littoral Region
Nylon district hospital
Douala, Littoral Region
About this study
Official title: Digital Tools to Expand COVID-19 Testing in Exposed Individuals in Cameroon (DTECT Cameroon)
According to the WHO, contact tracing - along with robust testing, isolation, and care of cases is a key strategy for interrupting chains of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and reducing mortality associated with COVID-19. Contact tracing, however, has a number of challenges. These include incomplete identification of contacts, inefficiencies in paper-based reporting systems, complex data management requirements, and delays in the identification of contacts and testing of contacts. In many settings, contact tracing has proven to be too resource-intensive to implement at scale, especially with higher levels of community transmission, highlighting the need for more efficient contact tracing approaches. Digital tools afford the possibility of strengthening contact tracing for COVID-19, in a more efficient way. However, there is limited evidence of the effectiveness and impact of these tools in the COVID-19 response, including contact tracing.
This study proposes to compare the cascade of care between two strategies for COVID-19 contact tracing of SARS-CoV-2 infected index patients in Cameroon. In one strategy (intervention), the health facilities and health district testing units will implement contact tracing using a digital tool developed to support the tracing and testing of contacts (addition of a digital contact tracing module to the main platform for COVID-19 testing in Cameroon (Mamal Pro app)). This strategy will be compared to the standard contact tracing process (control), based on the current routine approach (use of the Mamal Pro application without the digital contact tracing module).
Read the detailed description
The study's general objective is to assess the effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability, and cost associated with the addition of a Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module to the Mamal Pro app in improving COVID-19 contact tracing and testing in Littoral, Cameroon.
Specific objectives are:
- Primary objective: To determine the effectiveness of the use of a Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module added to the Mamal Pro app in improving COVID-19 contact tracing and testing compared to the SOC as measured by:
- The number and proportion of reported contacts who received SARS-CoV-2 testing.
- The number and proportion of contacts who are successfully reached by phone by MOH district contact tracing unit.
- The number and proportion of contacts testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- The time from SARS-CoV-2 infected index patient identification of contacts to communication with the contact by the district contact tracing unit.
- Secondary objectives:
- To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the use of the Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module through structured interviews with MOH facility staff, district unit contract tracing teams, and individuals undergoing SARS-CoV-2 testing.
- To estimate the total cost of using the Mamal Pro contact tracing module for tracing SARS-CoV2 positive case contacts and cost per contact traced using the module.
- Conditions
- COVID-19
- Being tested
- Digital based contact tracing
- Keywords
- COVID-19, Contact Tracing, mHealth
- Medical subject headings
- COVID-19
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Digital based contact tracingOther
- Listing of contacts by SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals in Mamal Pro app + verification and validation by a health care worker.
- Immediate access to the contact list in Mamal Pro once validated by the health care worker.
- Contacts are immediately notified by text message automatically sent to all contacts with phone numbers and later called by the HCWs responsible for carrying out the contact tracing at the district level.
- Contacts will be invited to go to the nearest testing facilities/units to get tested.
- Those who are unable or refuse to come for testing are followed up by phone for 10 days for the occurrence of COVID-19 symptoms.
- Information about the contact tracing process during communication with contacts are recorded in Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Standard of care model (SOC) | No intervention | This model is based on the standard of care recommended by the Cameroon National COVID-19 response program. |
| Intervention model (ITV) | Experimental | Implementation of the contact tracing using a digitalized process (addition of the Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module to the Mamal Pro app). Receives: Other: Digital based contact tracing |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Successful contact tracing
The primary outcome is the proportion of contacts declared by the index case who are successfully called by the district contact tracing unit and the proportion of contacts who receive SARS-CoV-2 testing, as per MOH standard testing procedures.
Measured: 10 days
Secondary outcomes (6)
Contacts testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The proportion of contacts testing positive for SARS-CoV2 infection
Measured: 10 days
Feasibility of the intervention model of contact tracing
- ease of use
- time to complete the process in the Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module
- integration with other clinic activities
Measured: 4 months
Acceptability intervention model of contact tracing by the index cases (negative and positive) and health care workers
- satisfaction of using the Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module compared with the usual standard of care approach
- challenges with this approach to contact tracing
- suggestions for improvement.
Measured: 4 months
Cost of the intervention
Cost estimates for using Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module to trace contacts, and cost per contact traced.
Measured: 4 months
Timely communication with contacts
Time (days) between receipt of contact list and contacts' call attempts
Measured: 4 months
SMS sent
Proportion of SMS delivered, (numerator: SMS sent, denominator: phone numbers)
Measured: 4 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Jan 2023
- Study start18 Oct 2022
- Primary completion31 Mar 2023
- Study completion30 Jul 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for COVID-19Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This is a cluster randomized trial conducted in eight (8) Health Districts with a high number of people being tested for SARS-CoV-2 in the Littoral region in Cameroon, comparing two strategies for COVID-19 contact tracing of SARS-CoV-2 infected index patients: * The standard of care (SOC) implements the contact tracing using a manual process based on current routine approach (use of the Mamal Pro application without digital contact tracing module). * The intervention (ITV) will implement the contact tracing using a digitalized process (addition of the Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module to the Mamal Pro app). The randomization unit (cluster) will be the district with selected testing units and/or health facilities where SARS-CoV-2 infected patients (index cases) are diagnosed.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 433 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Find, Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Boris Tchakounte Youngui, MD, MPH, Principal investigator, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS FoundationGodfrey Woelk, PhD, MCOMMH, Principal investigator, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05684887
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- EG0284
- Acronym
- DTECT
- Status last verified
- Dec 2023
- First submitted
- 9 Jan 2023
- Last updated
- 18 Dec 2023
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Songane M, Tchakounte Youngui B, Mambo A, Bonabe G, Djikeussi T, Epee E, Tsigaing PN, Ndongo MLA, Mayap Njoukam C, Kana R, Tenkeu SZ, Simo L, Kouatchouang AV, Machekano R, Zoung-Kanyi Bissek AC, Tchendjou P, Tiam A, Guay L, Suleiman K, Akinwusi O, Kadam R, Akugizibwe P, Mukherjee S, Woelk G, Tchounga B. Using an app for COVID-19 contact tracing costs less per person traced than manual tracing: microcosting analysis of a randomised trial in Cameroon. BMJ Public Health. 2025 Jan 21;2(Suppl 1):e001064. doi: 10.1136/bmjph-2024-001064. eCollection 2024 Jul.
PubMed 40017704Tchakounte Youngui B, Mambo A, Machekano R, Kana R, Epee E, Tenkeu SZ, Tsigaing PN, Ndongo MLA, Njoukam CM, Bichara L, Katcho TD, Mbunka MA, Longla TA, Simo L, Kouatchouang AV, Tchendjou P, Tiam A, Guay L, Suleiman K, Akinwusi O, Kadam R, Akugizibwe P, Songane M, Woelk G, Tchounga BK; DTECT study group. Improving COVID-19 contact tracing and testing of exposed individuals in Cameroon using digital health technology: a cluster randomised trial. EClinicalMedicine. 2024 Jul 13;74:102730. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102730. eCollection 2024 Aug.
PubMed 39109192
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Dec 2023. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Digital Tools to Expand COVID-19 Testing in Exposed Individuals in Cameroon (DTECT Cameroon)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05684887
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- DTECT / EG0284
- Conditions
- COVID-19
- Keywords
- COVID-19, Contact Tracing, mHealth
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 433 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS FoundationUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Find, Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon
- Study start
- 18 Oct 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Mar 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Jul 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 13 Jan 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
According to the WHO, contact tracing - along with robust testing, isolation, and care of cases is a key strategy for interrupting chains of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and reducing mortality associated with COVID-19. Contact tracing, however, has a number of challenges. These include incomplete identification of contacts, inefficiencies in paper-based reporting systems, complex data management requirements, and delays in the identification of contacts and testing of contacts. In many settings, contact tracing has proven to be too resource-intensive to implement at scale, especially with higher levels of community transmission, highlighting the need for more efficient contact tracing approaches. Digital tools afford the possibility of strengthening contact tracing for COVID-19, in a more efficient way. However, there is limited evidence of the effectiveness and impact of these tools in the COVID-19 response, including contact tracing.
This study proposes to compare the cascade of care between two strategies for COVID-19 contact tracing of SARS-CoV-2 infected index patients in Cameroon. In one strategy (intervention), the health facilities and health district testing units will implement contact tracing using a digital tool developed to support the tracing and testing of contacts (addition of a digital contact tracing module to the main platform for COVID-19 testing in Cameroon (Mamal Pro app)). This strategy will be compared to the standard contact tracing process (control), based on the current routine approach (use of the Mamal Pro application without the digital contact tracing module).
Detailed description
The study's general objective is to assess the effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability, and cost associated with the addition of a Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module to the Mamal Pro app in improving COVID-19 contact tracing and testing in Littoral, Cameroon.
Specific objectives are:
- Primary objective: To determine the effectiveness of the use of a Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module added to the Mamal Pro app in improving COVID-19 contact tracing and testing compared to the SOC as measured by:
- The number and proportion of reported contacts who received SARS-CoV-2 testing.
- The number and proportion of contacts who are successfully reached by phone by MOH district contact tracing unit.
- The number and proportion of contacts testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- The time from SARS-CoV-2 infected index patient identification of contacts to communication with the contact by the district contact tracing unit.
- Secondary objectives:
- To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the use of the Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module through structured interviews with MOH facility staff, district unit contract tracing teams, and individuals undergoing SARS-CoV-2 testing.
- To estimate the total cost of using the Mamal Pro contact tracing module for tracing SARS-CoV2 positive case contacts and cost per contact traced using the module.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This is a cluster randomized trial conducted in eight (8) Health Districts with a high number of people being tested for SARS-CoV-2 in the Littoral region in Cameroon, comparing two strategies for COVID-19 contact tracing of SARS-CoV-2 infected index patients: * The standard of care (SOC) implements the contact tracing using a manual process based on current routine approach (use of the Mamal Pro application without digital contact tracing module). * The intervention (ITV) will implement the contact tracing using a digitalized process (addition of the Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module to the Mamal Pro app). The randomization unit (cluster) will be the district with selected testing units and/or health facilities where SARS-CoV-2 infected patients (index cases) are diagnosed.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Standard of care model (SOC) | No intervention | –This model is based on the standard of care recommended by the Cameroon National COVID-19 response program. |
| Intervention model (ITV) | Experimental | Other: Digital based contact tracingImplementation of the contact tracing using a digitalized process (addition of the Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module to the Mamal Pro app). |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- All contacts listed by individuals registered in the Mamal Pro app for testing, who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the selected health district testing units and health facilities in Cameroon.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- None
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Digital based contact tracing* Listing of contacts by SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals in Mamal Pro app + verification and validation by a health care worker. * Immediate access to the contact list in Mamal Pro once validated by the health care worker. * Contacts are immediately notified by text message automatically sent to all contacts with phone numbers and later called by the HCWs responsible for carrying out the contact tracing at the district level. * Contacts will be invited to go to the nearest testing facilities/units to get tested. * Those who are unable or refuse to come for testing are followed up by phone for 10 days for the occurrence of COVID-19 symptoms. * Information about the contact tracing process during communication with contacts are recorded in Mamal Pro digital contact tracing module. | Other | Intervention model (ITV) |
Primary outcome
Successful contact tracing
Time frame: 10 days
The primary outcome is the proportion of contacts declared by the index case who are successfully called by the district contact tracing unit and the proportion of contacts who receive SARS-CoV-2 testing, as per MOH standard testing procedures.
6 secondary outcomes
Contacts testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Time frame: 10 days
Feasibility of the intervention model of contact tracing
Time frame: 4 months
Acceptability intervention model of contact tracing by the index cases (negative and positive) and health care workers
Time frame: 4 months
Cost of the intervention
Time frame: 4 months
Timely communication with contacts
Time frame: 4 months
SMS sent
Time frame: 4 months
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Dec 2023.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 40017704Songane M, Tchakounte Youngui B, Mambo A, Bonabe G, Djikeussi T, Epee E, Tsigaing PN, Ndongo MLA, Mayap Njoukam C, Kana R, Tenkeu SZ, Simo L, Kouatchouang AV, Machekano R, Zoung-Kanyi Bissek AC, Tchendjou P, Tiam A, Guay L, Suleiman K, Akinwusi O, Kadam R, Akugizibwe P, Mukherjee S, Woelk G, Tchounga B. Using an app for COVID-19 contact tracing costs less per person traced than manual tracing: microcosting analysis of a randomised trial in Cameroon. BMJ Public Health. 2025 Jan 21;2(Suppl 1):e001064. doi: 10.1136/bmjph-2024-001064. eCollection 2024 Jul.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 39109192Tchakounte Youngui B, Mambo A, Machekano R, Kana R, Epee E, Tenkeu SZ, Tsigaing PN, Ndongo MLA, Njoukam CM, Bichara L, Katcho TD, Mbunka MA, Longla TA, Simo L, Kouatchouang AV, Tchendjou P, Tiam A, Guay L, Suleiman K, Akinwusi O, Kadam R, Akugizibwe P, Songane M, Woelk G, Tchounga BK; DTECT study group. Improving COVID-19 contact tracing and testing of exposed individuals in Cameroon using digital health technology: a cluster randomised trial. EClinicalMedicine. 2024 Jul 13;74:102730. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102730. eCollection 2024 Aug.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Boris Tchakounte Youngui, MD, MPH principal investigator
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Godfrey Woelk, PhD, MCOMMH principal investigator
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
22 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Digital based contact tracing in people with COVID-19, run by Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation at 22 sites in Cameroon.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Dec 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 22 sites in Cameroon. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Successful contact tracing (time frame: 10 days). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05684887, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Dec 2023.