Making Locally Fabricated Phototherapy Devices Work Better

Area of Science:

• Neonatal care
• Medical device engineering
• Public health in low- and middle-income countries

Background:

• Phototherapy (PT) device efficiency depends on skin surface irradiance.
• Cost barriers limit access to commercial PT devices in low-resource settings.
• Local fabrication of PT devices in Nigeria necessitates evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and document essential features of locally fabricated phototherapy (FPT) devices used in Nigeria.
• To assess the technical adequacy of FPT devices for neonatal jaundice management.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey of FPT devices in Kaduna State health facilities.
• Characterization of devices by mobility, adjustability, and lamp type/color.
• Measurement of irradiance using a BiliMeter™ at traditional and optimal distances.

Main Results:

• 59.3% of 54 PT devices were locally fabricated (32 devices).
• 68.8% of FPT devices were non-adjustable; only 15.6% used special blue lamps.
• Only 3 FPT devices provided adequate irradiance at traditional distances.

Conclusions:

• FPT devices in Kaduna function sub-optimally due to technically inadequate designs.
• Future FPT designs must incorporate adjustability for varying device-patient distance.
• The use of high-irradiance lamps is crucial for effective phototherapy.