OBJECTIVE: Two-thirds of women globally give birth at home, yet little data are available on use of skin-to-skin care (STSC) in the community. We describe the acceptability of STSC in rural Uttar Pradesh, India, and measured maternal, newborn, and ambient temperature in the home in order to inform strategies for introduction of STSC in the community. STUDY DESIGN: Community-based workers in intervention clusters implemented a community mobilization and behavior change communication program that promoted birth preparedness and essential newborn care, including adoption of STSC, with pregnant mothers, their families, and key influential community members. Acceptance of STSC was assessed through in-depth interviews and focus groups, and temperature was measured during home visits on day of life 0 or 1. RESULTS:Incidence of hypothermia (<36.5 degrees C) was high in both low birth weight (LBW) and normal birth weight (NBW) infants (49.2%, (361/733) and 43% (418/971), respectively). Mean body temperature of newborns was lower (P<0.01) in ambient temperatures <20 degrees C (35.9+/-1.4 degrees C, n=225) compared to > or =20 degrees C (36.5+/-0.9 degrees C, n=1450). Among hypothermic newborns, 42% (331/787) of their mothers had a lower temperature (range -6.7 to 0.1 degrees C, mean difference 0.4+/-1.2 degrees C). Acceptance of STSC was nearly universal. No adverse events from STSC were reported. STSC was perceived to prevent newborn hypothermia, enhance mother's capability to protect her baby from evil spirits, and make the baby more content. CONCLUSION:STSC was highly acceptable in rural India when introduced through appropriate cultural paradigms. STSC may be of benefit for all newborns and for many mothers as well. New approaches are needed for introduction of STSC in the community compared to the hospital.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: Two-thirds of women globally give birth at home, yet little data are available on use of skin-to-skin care (STSC) in the community. We describe the acceptability of STSC in rural Uttar Pradesh, India, and measured maternal, newborn, and ambient temperature in the home in order to inform strategies for introduction of STSC in the community. STUDY DESIGN: Community-based workers in intervention clusters implemented a community mobilization and behavior change communication program that promoted birth preparedness and essential newborn care, including adoption of STSC, with pregnant mothers, their families, and key influential community members. Acceptance of STSC was assessed through in-depth interviews and focus groups, and temperature was measured during home visits on day of life 0 or 1. RESULTS: Incidence of hypothermia (<36.5 degrees C) was high in both low birth weight (LBW) and normal birth weight (NBW) infants (49.2%, (361/733) and 43% (418/971), respectively). Mean body temperature of newborns was lower (P<0.01) in ambient temperatures <20 degrees C (35.9+/-1.4 degrees C, n=225) compared to > or =20 degrees C (36.5+/-0.9 degrees C, n=1450). Among hypothermic newborns, 42% (331/787) of their mothers had a lower temperature (range -6.7 to 0.1 degrees C, mean difference 0.4+/-1.2 degrees C). Acceptance of STSC was nearly universal. No adverse events from STSC were reported. STSC was perceived to prevent newborn hypothermia, enhance mother's capability to protect her baby from evil spirits, and make the baby more content. CONCLUSION: STSC was highly acceptable in rural India when introduced through appropriate cultural paradigms. STSC may be of benefit for all newborns and for many mothers as well. New approaches are needed for introduction of STSC in the community compared to the hospital.
Authors: Gary L Darmstadt; Abdullah H Baqui; Yoonjoung Choi; Sanwarul Bari; Syed M Rahman; Ishtiaq Mannan; A S M Nawshad Uddin Ahmed; Samir K Saha; Radwanur Rahman; Stephanie Chang; Peter J Winch; Robert E Black; Mathuram Santosham; Shams El Arifeen Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2009-01 Impact factor: 9.408
Authors: Theodore C Belsches; Alyssa E Tilly; Tonya R Miller; Rohan H Kambeyanda; Alicia Leadford; Albert Manasyan; Elwyn Chomba; Manimaran Ramani; Namasivayam Ambalavanan; Waldemar A Carlo Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2013-08-26 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Gary L Darmstadt; Shams El Arifeen; Yoonjoung Choi; Sanwarul Bari; Syed M Rahman; Ishtiaq Mannan; Peter J Winch; A S M Nawshad Uddin Ahmed; Habibur Rahman Seraji; Nazma Begum; Robert E Black; Mathuram Santosham; Abdullah H Baqui Journal: Health Policy Plan Date: 2009-11-16 Impact factor: 3.344
Authors: Robert A McPherson; Jyotsna Tamang; Stephen Hodgins; Laxmi R Pathak; Ram C Silwal; Abdullah H Baqui; Peter J Winch Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2010-06-07 Impact factor: 3.007