Use of Iris Scanning for Biometric Recognition of Healthy Adults Participating in an Ebola Vaccine Trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND As part of an Ebola outbreak preparedness initiative, a partnership between the University of Antwerp and the University of Kinshasa, through an Innovative Medicines Initiative-European Union (project ‘EBOVAC 3’), implemented a clinical trial on an Ebola vaccine regimen to be administered to health care provider participants (HCP-P) in Tshuapa Province (Democratic Republic of the Congo). The EBOVAC3 clinical trial used iris scan technology to identify all HCP-P participating in the vaccine trial so the right participant received the right vaccine at the right visit. OBJECTIVE To assess the acceptability, accuracy and feasibility of iris scan technology as an identification method within a population of HCP-P in a vaccine trial in a remote setting. METHODS A mixed-method study was utilized. The acceptability was assessed prior to the trial through 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) and assessed at enrolment. Feasibility and accuracy research was conducted using a longitudinal trial study design where iris scanning was compared to the unique study ID card to identify HCP-P at enrolment, and at their follow-up visits. RESULTS During the FGDs, main concerns raised by HCP-P about the iris scan technology were that it may cause physical problems to their eyes or expose them to spiritual problems through sorcery. Though, 99.1% (95%CI: 97.1;100.0) of HCP-P in the FGDs agreed to be identified by the iris scan. Also, at enrolment 99.0% (95%CI:98.3; 99.7) HCP-P accepted to be identified by iris scan. Iris scan technology correctly identified 93.1% (95%CI:91.2; 95.0) of the participants returning for scheduled follow-up visits. Iris scanning operation lasted no more than 2 minutes 30 seconds for 96.0% (95%CI: 99.0;100.0) and one attempt was enough to identify the majority of study volunteers [69.5% (95% CI:66.1;73.0)]. CONCLUSIONS Iris scan is highly acceptable as an identification tool in a clinical trial in HCP-Ps. Its operationalization during the trial demonstrated a high-level of accuracy that can reliably identify individuals. Iris scanning is found to be feasible in clinical trials but it requires a trained operator in order to reduce the duration and the number of attempts to identify a participant.