Maternal and perinatal Health Research Collaboration, India (MaatHRI):
establishing a hospital-based international collaborative research
platform
Abstract
Objective: To describe the processes used to establish and standardise a
UK-India collaborative platform for maternal and perinatal health
research (MaatHRI). Design: Hospital-based research platform. Setting:
India Population: Pregnant women Methods: MaatHRI 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 Indian
research team includes 20 nurses, a project manager, 16 obstetricians,
two pathologists, a public health specialist, a general physician and a
paediatrician. The UK partners include clinicians and epidemiologists
from the University of Oxford. MaatHRI has advanced standardisation of
data and laboratory parameters, monitoring data and participant safety,
and secure transfer of data. An integral component of MaatHRI is
bi-directional capacity building. It is overseen by a steering committee
and a data safety and monitoring board which ensure equitable
partnerships between the collaborating institutions. Conclusion: MaatHRI
is the first prototype of UKOSS and other similar platforms in a low and
middle income country (LMIC). The model used to develop the platform can
be replicated in other LMICs. Funding: Medical Research Council Career
Development Award to Manisha Nair (Ref:MR/P022030/1).