Factors influencing irradiance of locally fabricated phototherapy devices in Jos, north-central Nigeria.
Trop Doct
; 48(2): 142-146, 2018 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29153050
ABSTRACT
Locally fabricated phototherapy devices (LFPDs) are widely used in Nigeria for the treatment of neonatal jaundice. Ours was a cross-sectional observational study of all LFPDs in major hospitals in Jos between January and March 2015. We evaluated a total of 24 LFPDs. The irradiance at the level of the baby was in the range of 2-23.9 µW/cm2/nm. Fourteen devices had the recommended irradiance of ≥10 µW/cm2/nm and none had irradiance in the intensive range. Decreasing distance from the baby, presence of reflectors and increasing number of flourecent tubes significantly contributed to higher irradiance. A combination of six tubes, presence of reflectors and a distance of 10 cm from the baby produced a mean irradiance of 23.40 µW/cm2/nm. The irradiance of LFPDs varies widely and can be improved by simple modifications.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Phototherapy
/
Radiation Dosage
/
Radiometry
/
Jaundice, Neonatal
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Humans
/
Infant
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
En
Journal:
Trop Doct
Year:
2018
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Nigeria