Work Package 2
‘End-user’ feedback obtained on ‘End-user facing’ paediatric formulation target product characteristics
This WP is a social research study to determine which of the ‘end-user facing’ formulation characteristics such as taste, suitability for mixing with soft foods, or ease of swallowing as a liquid formulation are important. Our understanding of end-user preferences for paediatric formulations in countries endemic for the neglected infectious diseases of interest is limited and is an important consideration.
The WP will involve the preparation of a social research protocol to define the rationale, methods, data to be collected, data handling standards and consenting process for individuals asked to participate. The protocol will be prepared in collaboration with consortium members before approval is sought from the local and national research ethics committees. Following ethics approval, consenting parents, community drug distributors and (assenting) children with experience of giving/taking paediatric formulations will be surveyed about the characteristics under consideration for the short-listed formulations, the characteristics of other paediatric formulations currently in development for children or other medications or supplements in use.
Up to 1600 individuals will be involved in the surveys and focus group discussions conducted at 4 sites in rural Cameroon (40 people per community, up to 10 communities/site). The results of this study will be summarised in a report and submitted for publication.
Deliverables achieved