%0 Journal Article
%T Neonatal survival interventions in humanitarian emergencies: a survey of current practices and programs
%A Jennifer O Lam
%A Ribka Amsalu
%A Kate Kerber
%A Joy E Lawn
%A Basia Tomczyk
%A Nadine Cornier
%A Alma Adler
%A Anne Golaz
%A William J Moss
%J Conflict and Health
%D 2012
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1752-1505-6-2
%X Between August 18 and September 25, 2009, 56 respondents that work in humanitarian emergencies completed a web-based survey either in English or French. A snow ball sampling technique was used to identify organizations that provide health services during humanitarian emergencies to gather information on current practices for maternal and newborn care in these settings. Information was collected about continuum-of-care services for maternal, newborn and child health, referral services, training and capacity development, health information systems, policies and guidelines, and organizational priorities. Data were entered into MS Excel and frequencies and percentages were calculated.The majority of responding organizations reported implementing components of neonatal and maternal health interventions. However, multiple barriers exist in providing comprehensive care, including: funding shortages (63.3%), gaps in training (51.0%) and staff shortages and turnover (44.9%).Neonatal care is provided by most of the responding humanitarian organizations; however, the quality, breadth and consistency of this care are limited.Humanitarian emergencies are acute or chronic situations of conflict, war or civil disturbance, natural disasters, food insecurity or other crises that affect large civilian populations and result in significant excess mortality [1]. These crises are often characterized by the collapse of basic health services as well as local and national infrastructure, resulting in the need for international assistance and aid by humanitarian organizations [1]. Recent examples include the conflicts in Sudan and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and the 2010 floods in Pakistan, all of which resulted in massive population displacement, distress and casualty. In addition to high fatality rates due to direct impacts of the disaster, a humanitarian crisis often leads to indirect and prolonged effects on population health that result in inc
%U http://www.conflictandhealth.com/content/6/1/2