Randomisation strategy applied during the original trial
Of the 38 Ugandan lower-level HFs (19 in each arm), 22 were randomised individually (as singletons) while the remaining 16 HCIIIs and nearby HCIIs (within a 10 km radius) were randomised jointly as 8 pairs, to minimise potential contamination owing to their proximity. In Uganda, hospitals and HCIVs are referral HFs for lower-level HFs in their catchment area. To ensure consistent care delivery to any patient referred to them from an intervention facility, all the 6 referral HFs (hospitals/HCIVs) in the project area therefore received the intervention without randomisation [