Project Details

Effect of Cement Floors on Perinatal and Neonatal Mortality in Bangladesh

Jade Benjamin-Chung, PhD, MPH

Summary

BACKGROUND: Perinatal mortality rates are extremely high in South Asia, and causes are likely infectious. GAP: Existing interventions for perinatal mortality largely overlook household exposure to pathogens. Soil floors are common in many low- and middle-income countries and may harbor pathogens that lead to perinatal mortality, especially given common home delivery and post-birth confinement in these settings. HYPOTHESIS: Concrete floors may reduce pathogen exposure and prompt better hygiene practices, reducing perinatal mortality outcomes. METHODS: Mothers in an ongoing randomized controlled trial comparing household concrete vs. soil floors will be followed as they become pregnant to study the effects of floor material on perinatal mortality. We will measure infections and pathogens in the household environment to assess whether effects of household floors are mediated by pathogen exposure, infections, and maternal behaviors. RESULTS: Pending. IMPACT: Demonstrating persistent mortality effects over multiple births and elucidating causal pathways would position household floor upgrades as a highly cost-effective intervention for reducing perinatal mortality. Website Link: https://sites.google.com/stanford.edu/cradle