17 research outputs found
COMPARING POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS IN FARM-RAISED AND WILD- CAUGHT CATFISH FROM SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Evaluation of relative effect potencies (REPs) for dioxin-like compounds to derive systemic or human-specific TEFs to improve human risk assessment
Addendum to: Evaluation of PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB serum concentration data from the 2001–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of the United States population
Applying the maximum cumulative ratio methodology to biomonitoring data on dioxin-like compounds in the general public and two occupationally exposed populations
Evaluation of PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB serum concentration data from the 2001–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of the United States population
Unrecognized dislocation of the medial portion of the triceps: another cause of failed ulnar nerve transposition
The pigment characteristics and productivity shifting in high cell density culture of Monascus anka mycelia
Learning behavior in rat offspring after in utero and lactational exposure to either TCDD or PCB126
Clean delivery practices in rural northern Ghana: a qualitative study of community and provider knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs
BACKGROUND: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of community members and healthcare providers in rural northern Ghana regarding clean delivery are not well understood. This study explores hand washing/use of gloves during delivery, delivering on a clean surface, sterile cord cutting, appropriate cord tying, proper cord care following delivery, and infant bathing and cleanliness. METHODS: In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using NVivo 9.0. RESULTS: 253 respondents participated, including women with newborn infants, grandmothers, household and compound heads, community leaders, traditional birth attendants, and formally trained health care providers. There is widespread understanding of the need for clean delivery to reduce the risk of infection to both mothers and their babies during and shortly after delivery. Despite this understanding, the use of gloves during delivery and hand washing during and after delivery were mentioned infrequently. The need for a clean delivery surface was raised repeatedly, including explicit discussion of avoiding delivering in the dirt. Many activities to do with cord care involved non-sterile materials and practices: 1) Cord cutting was done with a variety of tools, and the most commonly used were razor blades or scissors; 2) Cord tying utilized a variety of materials, including string, rope, thread, twigs, and clamps; and 3) Cord care often involved applying traditional salves to the cord - including shea butter, ground shea nuts, local herbs, local oil, or “red earth sand.” Keeping babies and their surroundings clean was mentioned repeatedly as an important way to keep babies from falling ill. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a widespread understanding in rural northern Ghana of the need for clean delivery. Nonetheless, many recommended clean delivery practices are ignored. Overarching themes emerging from this study included the increasing use of facility-based delivery, the disconnect between healthcare providers and the community, and the critical role grandmothers play in ensuring clean delivery practices. Future interventions to address clean delivery and prevention of neonatal infections include educating healthcare providers about harmful traditional practices so they are specifically addressed, strengthening facilities, and incorporating influential community members such as grandmothers to ensure success