Usability and acceptability of an automated respiratory rate counter to assess children for symptoms of pneumonia: A cross-sectional study in Ethiopia

C Ward; K Baker; H Smith; A Maurel; D Getachew; T Habte; C McWhorter; P LaBarre; J Karlstrom; J Black; Q Bassat; A Ameha; A Tariku; M Petzold; K Källander

Journal article

Usability and acceptability of an automated respiratory rate counter to assess children for symptoms of pneumonia: A cross-sectional study in Ethiopia

C Ward, K Baker, H Smith, A Maurel, D Getachew, T Habte, C McWhorter, P LaBarre, J Karlstrom, J Black, Q Bassat, A Ameha, A Tariku, M Petzold, K Källander

Acta Paediatrica International Journal of Paediatrics | WILEY | Published : 2020

DOI: 10.1111/apa.15074

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Abstract

Aim: Manually counting respiratory rate (RR) is commonly practiced by community health workers to detect fast breathing, an important sign of childhood pneumonia. Correctly counting and classifying breaths manually is challenging, often leading to inappropriate treatment. This study aimed to determine the usability of a new automated RR counter (ChARM) by health extension workers (HEWs), and its acceptability to HEWs, first-level health facility workers (FLHFWs) and caregivers in Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in one region of Ethiopia between May and August 2018. A total of 131 HEWs were directly observed conducting 262 sick child consultations after training and 3..

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