A randomized controlled trial on the effects of the BEMPU® Bracelet in Ghana

The BEMPU® bracelet is a simple device that monitors baby's temperature. The goal of the study is to determine the accuracy of the bracelet in identifying hypothermia and evaluate its effect on Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) practice and neonatal health outcomes in Ghana.

Preterm birth complications are the leading cause of neonatal mortality and accounts for over one million neonatal deaths annually. About 12% of babies are born before 37 weeks of gestation, and are at risk for hypothermia, hypoglycemia, infections, and mortality during the first 28 days of life. Even though Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has been shown to reduce hypothermia, neonatal infections and neonatal mortality, while improving weight gain and mother-infant attachment; implementation to scale has been slow.

The BEMPU® bracelet offers the opportunity to monitor the body temperature of newborns for the early detection of hypothermia and to increase the uptake of KMC. The bracelet emits an alarm when the baby's temperature is below normal. This alerts the mother to warm her baby through corrective actions like the KMC or swaddling. Evidence of high acceptability, accuracy and a significant impact of the bracelet on KMC practices and neonatal health outcomes will provide critical evidence to facilitate prompt identification of hypothermia, maximize the benefits of KMC, and decrease the risk of neonatal death in Ghana and other settings.

The study consists of three components: (1) qualitative interviews with caregivers and health providers of low birth weight(LBW) and preterm infants to determine the acceptability of the BEMPU® bracelet in Ghana, (2) a prospective validation study to assess the accuracy of the bracelet relative to axillary temperatures in a clinical setting; a multicenter, and (3) a non-blinded randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of the BEMPU® bracelet on KMC practices and neonatal health outcomes among LBW and preterm infants.

picture gallery