Back to Search Start Over

Phototherapy Device Effectiveness in Nigeria: Irradiance Assessment and Potential for Improvement

Authors :
Hannah Lou
GE Ofovwe
Emmanuel Amuabunosi
Bolajoko O. Olusanya
Hendrik J. Vreman
Krista Donaldson
Kelly Faber
Benjamin K. Cline
Tina M. Slusher
Vinod K. Bhutani
Source :
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics. 59:321-325
Publication Year :
2013
Publisher :
Oxford University Press (OUP), 2013.

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of simple-to-implement adjustments of phototherapy devices on irradiance levels in a cross-section of Nigerian hospitals. A total of 76 phototherapy devices were evaluated in 16 hospitals while adjustments were implemented for a subset of 25 devices for which consent was obtained. The mean irradiance level was 7.6 ± 5.9 µW/cm(2)/nm for all devices prior to adjustments. The average irradiance level improved from 9.0 µW/cm(2)/nm to 27.3 µW/cm(2)/nm for the adjusted group (n = 25) compared with 6.8 ± 5.4 µW/cm(2)/nm for the unadjusted group (n = 51). Simple, inexpensive adjustments to phototherapy devices with sub-optimal irradiance levels can significantly improve their effectiveness to acceptable international standards and should be widely promoted in resource-constrained settings.

Details

ISSN :
14653664 and 01426338
Volume :
59
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....f462cf4472295c068221d150a185fe1f
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/tropej/fmt027