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Introduction: Cerebral palsy (CP) describes a heterogeneous group of motor disorders resulting from disturbance in the developing brain. CP occurs in approximately 2.1 per 1000 live births in high-income countries, but in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) the prevalence and severity of CP may be greater and aetiological risk factors different. In Sri Lanka, a LMIC, there have been no epidemiological studies of CP to date. Systematically collected data are required to identify opportunities for primary and secondary prevention, to plan and establish services to support children and adults with CP and their families and to act as a sampling frame for new research. Here we describe a pilot study protocol for a CP register in Sri Lanka. Methods and analysis: The aim of this study is to establish a CP register in Sri Lanka. We will use different surveillance methodologies in two provinces of Sri Lanka: hospital and community surveillance in the Western Province and community surveillance in the Eastern Province. A common record form will collect demographic, clinical and service data for children with CP <18 years living in these two provinces. Data will be transferred to a secure online data repository and used to describe the epidemiology of CP in these regions. We will describe the strengths and challenges of the surveillance mechanisms and estimate the resources required for ongoing hospital and community based surveillance in the Western and Eastern provinces and to include additional provinces across the country. Ethics and dissemination: This study has ethical clearance from The University of Kelaniya, National Health Research Council, the Institutional Ethics Review Committee of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo South Teaching Hospital and the Director of the North Colombo Teaching Hospital. Results from this research will be disseminated through local and international conferences and through publications in peer-reviewed journals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a preventable cause of neurodevelopmental disability. Australian guidelines recommend pregnant women are informed about CMV hygiene precautions to reduce their risk of infection however less than 10% of maternity health professionals routinely provide such prevention advice. We developed and evaluated the effectiveness of an eLearning course for midwives to improve knowledge and confidence about CMV. Participants undertaking the online course through the Australian College of Midwives Learning Management System between March and November 2020 were invited to complete a course evaluation questionnaire; prior to commencing the course (T1), immediately following completion (T2) and three months after completion (T3). A linear mixed model with random intercept was used to evaluate change in participant scores over time, while accounting for within-subject correlation. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. 363 midwives (87%), midwifery students (8%) and other nurses (5%) participated. At T1 80% indicated they had not received education about CMV. Total adjusted mean scores for questionnaires completed between T1 (n=363) and T2 (n=238) increased significantly (from 17.2 to 22.8, p<0.001). Limited data at T3 (n=27) indicated that whilst scores were lower than at T2 (-1.7, p<0.001), they remained significantly higher than at T1 (+3.6, p <0.001). Participant's awareness of CMV information resources improved from 10% at T1 to 97% by T2 and 100% at T3. Confidence in providing CMV advice increased from 6% at T1 to 95% at T2 (p<0.001). 99% of participants indicated they would recommend the course to their colleagues. Participants who completed the eLearning course had significantly improved knowledge and confidence in providing advice about CMV. Programs targeting other maternity health professional groups should be considered, to further support the implementation of the congenital CMV prevention guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]