Hand Washing Reduces Mortality Risk in Newborns. HIP Note to the Field. Sept. 2008

Summarizes a recent study in Nepal that examined the relationship between hand washing practices and neonatal deaths. Demonstrated the reduction in neonatal mortality from hand washing with soap by the birth attendant prior to delivery (19%) and hand washing by mothers before handling newborns (44%) compared with those who did not wash hands. Among newborns exposed to both birth attendant and maternal hand washing, the risk of death was 41% lower.

Hand washing reduces newborn mortality Sept. 08.pdf  (27.5 kB)