Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39716149›Full record

ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2024

Use of chlorhexidine digluconate 7.1% gel for umbilical cord care in selected regions in Northern Ghana: qualitative perspectives of key stakeholders.

Demi Priscilla Letsa Duah, Andrews Adjekwei Adjieteh, Selase Adjei, Kamil Fuseini, Akua Danquah Obeng-Dwamena, Joseph Addo-Yobo, Augustine Ankomah

Abstract read
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Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Demi Priscilla Letsa DuahTotal Family Planning Organisation, 74 Second Osu Badu Street, Airport West, Accra, Ghana.
Andrews Adjekwei AdjietehTotal Family Planning Organisation, 74 Second Osu Badu Street, Airport West, Accra, Ghana.
Selase AdjeiTotal Family Planning Organisation, 74 Second Osu Badu Street, Airport West, Accra, Ghana.
Kamil FuseiniTotal Family Planning Organisation, 74 Second Osu Badu Street, Airport West, Accra, Ghana. kfuseini@tfhoghana.org.
Akua Danquah Obeng-DwamenaPopulation Council, P. O. Box CT 4906, Cantonment, Accra, Ghana.
Joseph Addo-YoboTotal Family Planning Organisation, 74 Second Osu Badu Street, Airport West, Accra, Ghana.
Augustine AnkomahSchool of Public Health, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 25, Legon, Accra, Ghana.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe Government of Ghana in 2017 included chlorhexidine (CHX) digluconate 7.1% gel in the essential medicines list to replace methylated spirit for umbilical cord care. However, there are limited studies around the use of the CHX gel. This paper explores the perspectives of stakeholders in childcare regarding the use of the gel for umbilical cord care in selected regions in Northern Ghana.

methodsData for the study were from 42 in-depth interviews and 12 focus group discussions conducted among mothers, caregivers, fathers, traditional birth attendants, and health care providers (including pharmacists and over the counter medicine sellers). The transcribed data was analysed and organized into themes and sub-themes using thematic analysis approach. The data analysis was conducted using NVIVO version 12 analytical software.

resultsCHX gel was used side-by-side with methylated spirit for umbilical cord care in the study areas. Use of methylated spirit for umbilical cord care was found to be common, and in the home setting there was evidence of use of traditional substances such as shea butter, toothpaste, cow dung, herbs and chalk. However, shea butter was regarded as the "golden standard" for cord care among non-health professionals. Co-use of traditional and orthodox cord care substances was also rife. The limited use of the CHX gel was attributable to the fact that some participants, especially health providers were convinced that the gel and methylated spirit were both effective; hence they continued prescribing methylated spirit over the gel for cord care. Evidence on the efficacy of the gel was mixed perhaps a reflection of the limited awareness and knowledge about the CHX gel, and the limited use behaviour / use skills. Additionally, awareness of the inclusion of the CHX gel in the national health insurance was also mixed.

conclusionsThe CHX gel is yet to replace other cord care substances as the use of methylated spirit and traditional substances were still prevalent. Hence, a comprehensive strategy is needed to create awareness and educate providers, significant others, and the community about the gel and its efficacy if it is to replace methylated spirit as the cord care substance.

Indexed as

Anti-Infective Agents, LocalChlorhexidineFocus GroupsGelsQualitative ResearchUmbilical CordAdultCaregiversFathersFemaleGhanaHealth PersonnelHumansInfant, NewbornMaleMidwiferyAnti-Infective Agents, LocalChlorhexidinechlorhexidine gluconateGelsChlorhexidineNorthern GhanaUmbilical Cord care

Identifiers

PMID39716149
PMCPMC11667800

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.