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    etahm@stanford.edu
    University - Student Department: Department of Biomedical Data Science Position: Graduate

All Publications

  • Effectiveness and acceptability of ventilation modifications in healthcare facilities, Liberia 2022-2023 ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP & HEALTHCARE EPIDEMIOLOGY Arthur, R. F., Styczynski, A., Srinivasan, K., Tandanpolie, A., Bemah, P., Bell, E., Andrews, J. R., Baer, T., Salinas, J. L. 2025; 5 (1)

    View details for DOI 10.1017/ash.2025.10077

    View details for Web of Science ID 001554694400001

  • Effectiveness and acceptability of ventilation modifications in healthcare facilities, Liberia 2022-2023. Antimicrobial stewardship & healthcare epidemiology : ASHE Arthur, R. F., Styczynski, A., Srinivasan, K., Tandanpolie, A., Bemah, P., Bell, E., Andrews, J. R., Baer, T., Salinas, J. L. 2025; 5 (1): e190

    Abstract

    To evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of ventilation interventions in naturally ventilated hospitals in Liberia.Difference-in-differences analysis of pre- and post-air changes per hour of intervention and control spaces.Hospitals in Bong and Montserrado Counties, Liberia.Seventy patient care spaces were evaluated at baseline. Six spaces underwent physical intervention modifications, while 2 spaces were assessed for indirect effects and 2 others used as controls. Healthcare workers were interviewed to assess ventilation knowledge and acceptability.Ventilation interventions included the installation of window screens, louvered doors and windows, and wind turbines.We measured carbon dioxide levels with portable meters and documented persons per room to estimate per-person ventilation rates in both L/s/person for the initial assessment and air changes per hour (ACH) in the intervention. Measurements were taken in patient care spaces in 7 hospitals in Liberia. Healthcare worker acceptability was evaluated via structured interviews.Two-thirds (46/70) of patient care spaces were below the WHO-recommended ventilation threshold of 60 L/s/person. Six spaces underwent ventilation interventions, including placement of window screens (3), wind turbines (2), and louvered doors and windows (1), with 2 additional spaces being indirectly affected by these interventions and 2 more spaces serving as controls. Ventilation improved by an average of 2 ACH in the spaces with wind turbines and louvered doors and windows. Overall acceptability of the interventions was high.Implementing interventions to improve ventilation in naturally ventilated healthcare facilities is efficacious, feasible, and acceptable, though longer-term evaluations should assess sustainability.

    View details for DOI 10.1017/ash.2025.10077

    View details for PubMedID 40893129

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC12394025

  • The Role of Indigenous Healers in Treating Surgical Conditions in the Rural Eastern Cape of South Africa Sangana, N., Rodi, P., Tshabalala, N., Bell, E., Chu, K. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2024: S221

    View details for Web of Science ID 001348680701177

  • The role of indigenous healers in treating surgical conditions in the rural Eastern Cape of South Africa. World journal of surgery Sangana, N., Rodi, P., Tshabalala, N., Bell, E., Mhlatyelwa, P., Miller, A., Mji, G., Chu, K. 2024

    Abstract

    Indigenous knowledge healers (IKHs) provide alternative healthcare to formal health services in rural South Africa, but there is a gap in knowledge regarding their treatment of surgical conditions. This study evaluated IKH surgical care and described their perspective of the dual health system.A cross sectional survey of IKHs in the Madwaleni Hospital catchment of the Eastern Cape, South Africa was conducted. Topics included the training and experience of IKHs, treatment of nine common surgical conditions, referral patterns, disease origin beliefs, benefits and limitations of care, and collaborative opportunities between the two health systems.Thirty-five IKHs completed the survey. IKHs were consulted by persons with all nine surgical conditions. The most common forms of treatment were application of an ointment on the affected site (88%) and oral medication (82%). Operative treatment was only done for abscess. Referrals to the formal healthcare sector were made for all surgical conditions. IKHs reported that they were limited by their lack of training and resources to perform operations. On the other hand, they perceived the treatment of the spiritual aspect of surgical disease as a benefit of their care. Thirty-five (100%) IKHs were interested in closer collaboration with the formal health sector.IKHs treat surgical conditions but refer to the formal health sector when diagnostic and operative services are needed. More research is needed to determine the potential advantages and disadvantages between the formal health sector and IKH collaboration.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/wjs.12356

    View details for PubMedID 39404605