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NCT Number: NCT07351344

African Survey on Sepsis Knowledge (ASK)

This study is an anonymous online survey on clinical knowledge of sepsis among healthcare professionals in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The survey is to be repeated every 12-24 months.

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Key information

Conditions

Sepsis Infections Inflammation Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

About this study

The survey is being conducted in the partner countries of the research network "sub-Saharan Africa consorTium for the Advancement of Innovative Research and Care in Sepsis (STAIRS)," which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). As part of clinical capacity building in partner institutions in Uganda, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, the project will establish a series of webinars and a learning platform, among other things. The survey will be conducted in two separate cross-sectional waves. The baseline survey serves to identify relevant knowledge gaps and determine the needs of various groups of healthcare professionals. The second wave will compare sepsis knowledge scores between waves.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Occupation: adult members of a healthcare profession (e.g., doctors, nurses, midwifes) or their trainees
  • Place of work: employment in a healthcare facility in one of the seven partner countries (Uganda, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria).
  • Consent: Willingness to participate voluntarily in the anonymous online survey.

Exclusion criteria

  • Not employed in a healthcare profession (e.g., administrative staff, non-medical professionals)
  • Not employed in one of the participating countries. Incomplete questionnaires (< 50% of questions answered)
  • No internet access or technical limitations that make participation impossible. To complete the survey online.
  • Language skills: Sufficient language skills in the survey language (English or French)

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Sepsis - Knowledge - Score

    Time frame: Baseline survey period (January 19, 2026 - April 30, 2026) and follow-up survey period (April 1, 2027 - July 31, 2027)

    • Measured as the sum of correctly answered questions in the questionnaire. This results in a sepsis knowledge score of 0-47 points, with higher scores indicating better knowledge.
    • Assessed in two independent cross-sectional survey waves.
    • Calculated for all participants.
    • Serves as the main measure of clinical sepsis knowledge in partner countries across survey waves conducted before and after the implementation period of capacity-building activities

Secondary outcomes

  1. Domain-specific knowledge of sepsis

    Time frame: Baseline survey period (January 19, 2026 - April 30, 2026), and follow-up survey period (April 1, 2027 - July 31, 2027)

    Domain-specific knowledge of sepsis is measured in five domains, to identify specific knowledge gaps. Domain-specific scores will be measured as the sum of correctly answered questions in the questionnaire in respective domain. Domains are:

    • definitions of sepsis and septic shock (0-8 points, with higher points indicating higher knowledge)
    • sepsis risk groups (0-6 points, with higher points indicating higher knowledge),
    • causes of sepsis (0-6 points, with higher points indicating higher knowledge),
    • sepsis symptoms (0-6 points, with higher points indicating higher knowledge),
    • management of sepsis (0-21 points, with higher points indicating higher knowledge).

    All domains together sum up to the overall sepsis knowledge score (primary outcome).

  2. Analysis of sepsis knowledge scores and domain-specific scores by professional role

    Time frame: Baseline survey period (January 19, 2026 - April 30, 2026), and follow-up survey period (April 1, 2027 - July 31, 2027)

    • Correlations between sepsis knowledge scores and professional roles and different levels of education within professional groups (nurses, doctors, and midwifes).
    • Regression-based predictors of overall sepsis knowledge scores and domain-specific scores by professional roles and different levels of education within the professional groups of nurses, doctors, and midwifes

  3. Country comparison

    Time frame: Baseline survey period (January 19, 2026 - April 30, 2026), and follow-up survey period (April 1, 2027 - July 31, 2027)

    • Between group comparison in sepsis knowledge scores and domain-specific sepsis knowledge between different countries (Uganda, Ethiopia, the Demoratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, (potentially other countries in case of spill-over).

  4. Second survey wave only: Change in sepsis knowledge scores between survey waves

    Time frame: Follow-up survey period (April 1, 2027 - July 31, 2027)

    • Difference in average knowledge score in repeated survey.
    • Between-wave comparison of sepsis knowledge scores and domain specific sepsis knowledge scores in a comparison between baseline assessment and after implementation of STAIRS capacity building measures
    • Comparisons between survey waves will be conducted using appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests

  5. Comparison of sepsis knowledge scores by self-reported participation in capacity-building measures

    Time frame: Follow-up survey period (April 1, 2027 - July 31, 2027)

    • Comparison of sepsis knowledge scores and domain-specific scores between respondents who report participation in capacity-building activities and those who do not
    • If possible, assessment of correlations and adjusted relationships between participation in capacity-building activities and sepsis knowledge scores

  6. Baseline survey only: Self-assessment of perceived training needs

    Time frame: Baseline survey period (January 19, 2026 - April 30, 2026)

    • Exploratory analysis of self-reported sepsis training needs, and preferred formats (virtual vs. in-person)
    • Self-reported perception of the importance of sepsis as a training subject

  7. Vignette-based sepsis knowledge score (sum of correct responses to predefined vignette items)

    Time frame: Baseline survey period (January 19, 2026 - April 30, 2026), and follow-up survey period (April 1, 2027 - July 31, 2027)

    • Calculated as the sum of correct responses (0-9 points) to predefined items across four clinical case vignettes
    • Analyzed separately from the primary sepsis knowledge score
    • Analyzed descriptively and compared between groups and survey waves using appropriate statistical tests

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Claudia Spies, MD, Prof.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+49 30 450 55 11 02

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Claudia Spies

Other

Registry information

Acronym: ASK

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jan 20, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 24, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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