Handwashing in the Perinatal Period

Publish Date: July 2014
Author: Pavani K. Ram and Swapna Kumar
Language: English

The purpose of this literature review and synthesis of qualitative research studies from Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Kenya is three-fold:

1. To report on a systematic review of the biomedical literature regarding handwashing in the perinatal period in low- and middle-income country contexts.
2. To synthesize the information available from the MCHIP- and USAID-funded qualitative research studies on the motivators and barriers, and current practices of maternal handwashing behavior in the perinatal period.
3. To provide recommendations to practitioners seeking to develop and implement programs to promote handwashing to reduce neonatal mortality.