Kanga

Problem being addressed

Postpartum hemorrhaging is one of the most severe causes of maternal mortality. PPH (Postpartum hemorrhaging) rates in the developed worlds have severely decreased, but they are still a great threat in developing countries. The World Health Organization suggests that there are over 100,000 deaths due to postpartum hemorrhaging every year.

Detailed description of the solution

Kanga, a type of fabric made of cotton commonly used by African women, is rectangular (100cm × 155 cm) in shape. Two pieces of kanga (with a mentioned size) soaked in blood estimate the threshold for blood loss more than 500 ml. Hence, kanga can be used a measurement tool to estimate PPH [3].

Designed by

• Designed and manufactured by:

Women from rural Africa, primarily Tanzania.

When and where it was tested/implemented

Funding Source

References

Peer-reviewed publication

• Example External URL

Other internally generated reports

Externally generated reports

Prata, N., G. Mbaruku, and M. Campbell, Using the kanga to measure postpartum blood loss. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2005. 89(1): p. 49-50.

IP and copyright

Approval by regulatory bodies or standards boards