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Implementation of solar powered oxygen delivery in a conflict zone: preliminary findings from Somalia on feasibility and usefulness.
Mian, Qaasim; Rahman Malik, Sk Md Mamunur; Alinor, Mohamed Adam; Hossain, Md Shajib; Sharma, Jitendar Kumar; Hassan, Osman Moallim; Ahmed, Abdiwali Mohamed; Jama, Abdiweli Abdullahi; Okello, Andrew J; Namasopo, Sophie; Opoka, Robert O; Conradi, Nicholas; Saleh, Abdullah; Conroy, Andrea L; Hawkes, Michael T.
  • Mian Q; Department of Paediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
  • Rahman Malik SMM; World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Alinor MA; World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Hossain MS; World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Sharma JK; World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Hassan OM; Chief of Staff of the Presidency of the Galmudug State of Somalia, Dhusamareb, Somalia.
  • Ahmed AM; Ministry of Health and Human Services, Galmudug State of Somalia, Dhusamareb, Somalia.
  • Jama AA; Minister of Health - Galmudug State of Somalia, Dhusamareb, Somalia.
  • Okello AJ; Centre for International Programs & Linkages, Somali International University, Mogadishu, Somalia.
  • Namasopo S; Research Unit, The Jassa Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Opoka RO; Department of Paediatrics, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Jinja, Uganda.
  • Conradi N; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Mulago Hospital and Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
  • Saleh A; Department of Paediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
  • Conroy AL; Department of Paediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
  • Hawkes MT; Department of Pediatrics, Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Med Confl Surviv ; 38(2): 140-158, 2022 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1900887
ABSTRACT
Access to therapeutic oxygen in low-resource settings remains a significant global problem. Solar powered oxygen (SPO2) delivery is a reliable and cost-effective solution. We followed implementation research methodology to gather data on engineering parameters (remote monitoring), nurse training (before and after knowledge questionnaire), patients treated with SPO2 (descriptive case series), and qualitative user feedback (focus group discussions). In January 2021, SPO2 was installed at Hanano General Hospital in Dusamareb, Galmudug State, Somalia, in a conflict-affected region. Daily photovoltaic cell output (median 8.0 kWh, interquartile range (IQR) 2.6-14) exceeded the electrical load from up to three oxygen concentrators (median 5.0 kWh, IQR 0.90-12). Over the first six months after implementation, 114 patients (age 1 day to 89 years, 54% female) were treated for hypoxaemic illnesses, including COVID-19, pneumonia, neonatal asphyxia, asthma, and trauma. Qualitative end user feedback highlighted SPO2 acceptability. Violent conflict was identified as a contextual factor affecting local oxygen needs. We provide the preliminary findings of this implementation research study and describe the feasibility, fidelity, rapid adoption, usefulness, and acceptability of SPO2 in a low-resource setting characterized by violent conflict during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings demonstrated the lifesaving feasibility of SPO2 in volatile settings.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pandemics / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Qualitative research Limits: Female / Humans / Infant / Male / Infant, Newborn Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: Med Confl Surviv Journal subject: Military Medicine / Social Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 13623699.2022.2081056

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pandemics / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Qualitative research Limits: Female / Humans / Infant / Male / Infant, Newborn Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: Med Confl Surviv Journal subject: Military Medicine / Social Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 13623699.2022.2081056