Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
2008-6-2
pubmed:abstractText
We examined the diagnostic accuracy of human touch (HT) method in assessing hypothermia against axillary digital thermometry (ADT) by a trained non-medical field investigator (who supervised activities of community health volunteers) in seven villages of Agra district, Uttar Pradesh, India. Body temperature of 148 newborns born between March and August 2005 was measured at four points in time for each enrolled newborn (within 48 h and on days 7, 30 and 60) by the field investigator under the axilla using a digital thermometer and by HT method using standard methodology. Total observations were 533. Hypothermia assessed by HT was in agreement with that assessed by ADT (<36.5 degrees C) in 498 observations. Hypothermia assessed by HT showed a high diagnostic accuracy when compared against ADT (kappa 0.65-0.81; sensitivity 74%; specificity 96.7%; positive predictive value 22; negative predictive value 0.26). HT is a simple, quick, inexpensive and programmatically important method. However, being a subjective assessment, its reliability depends on the investigator being adequately trained and competent in making consistently accurate assessments. There is also a need to assess whether with training and supervision even the less literate mothers, traditional birth attendants and community health volunteers can accurately assess mild and moderate hypothermia before promoting HT for early identification of neonatal risk in community-based programs.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jun
pubmed:issn
1465-3664
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:volume
54
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
200-1
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2008
pubmed:articleTitle
Human touch vs. axillary digital thermometry for detection of neonatal hypothermia at community level.
pubmed:affiliation
Urban Health Resource Centre, New Delhi 110057, India.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Multicenter Study