Lessons regarding the use of birth kits in low resource countries.

Summary: In many developing nations, giving birth at home carries significant risks of infection. To combat this, "birth kits"—simple packages containing sterile blades, soap, plastic sheets, and string—are distributed in over 50 countries to ensure a cleaner delivery environment. A recent review of these programs found that while the kits are widely available, their actual usage varies drastically, from as low as 8% to as high as 99%. Success seems highest when kits are free and part of a research study. However, because these kits are often used by untrained family members outside of hospitals, health experts still lack crucial information on how to best train users and distribute the kits effectively. While promising for saving mothers' lives, more research is needed before they can be scaled up globally.