Recognition of and Response to neonatal intrapartum-related complications in home-birth settings in Bangladesh.
Intrapartum-related complications (previously called 'birth asphyxia') are a significant contributor to deaths of newborns in Bangladesh. This study describes some of the perceived signs, causes, and treatments for this condition as described by new mothers, female relatives, traditional birth attendants, and village doctors in three sites in Bangladesh. Informants were asked to name characteristics of a healthy newborn and a newborn with difficulty in breathing at birth and about the perceived causes, consequences, and treatments for breathing difficulties. Across all three sites 'no movement' and 'no cry' were identified as signs of breathing difficulties while 'prolonged labour' was the most commonly-mentioned cause. Informants described a variety of treatments for difficulty in breathing at birth, including biomedical and, less often, spiritual and traditional practices. This study identified the areas that need to be addressed through behaviour change interventions to improve recognition of and response to intrapartum-related complications in Bangladesh.
Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory University, USA.
Kristin E
KE
VanderEnde
Reproductive Health Unit, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
Allisyn C
AC
Moran
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, USA.
Karen
K
Leasure
MIS-Research Department, LAMB, Bangladesh.
Louise T
LT
Day
BRAC Health Program, BRAC, Dhaka, Bangladesh ; James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Kaosar
K
Afsana
Reproductive Health Unit, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
Nahid
N
Kalim
MIS-Research Department, LAMB, Bangladesh.
Shirajum
S
Munira
BRAC Health Program, BRAC, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Nazneen
N
Rahman
BRAC Health Program, BRAC, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Munia
M
Islam
Reproductive Health Unit, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
Jasmin
J
Khan
Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory University, USA ; Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, USA.
Lynn M
LM
Sibley
D000328:Adult; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001459:Bangladesh; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006700:Home Childbirth / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008880:Midwifery; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy
Bangladesh; Home-birth; Intrapartum-related complications