Approximately 20-21% of neonatal deaths and 29-40%% of all post neonatal deaths in children less than 5 years can be prevented by simple, evidence-based practices such as exclusive breastfeeding, prevention of hypothermia and infection and promotion of hand washing [ 1, 6, 7].
But the site advises that "in most cases, it is not necessary to close schools because of an MRSA infection in a student" and that "it is important to note that MRSA transmission can be prevented by simple measures such as hand hygiene and covering infections".
Each year, according to the United Nations Children's Fund, 3.5m children die from diarrhoea or related diseases that could be prevented by simple hygiene.George Orwell goes on to ponder the question "do the 'lower classes' smell?"Yet, in the West, standards of cleanliness seem to have moved beyond science into the realm of fashion and fad.
"That is the real issue: The study has not been done to show whether this can be prevented by simple efforts".
Evidence suggests that these deaths could be prevented by simple, inexpensive practices and interventions during the pregnancy, delivery and postnatal period.
However, adverse health outcomes can often be prevented by simple adaptive behaviour.
Eighty per cent of those deaths could be prevented by simple, often low-cost treatments, and quality obstetrics care.
Toxoplasmosis, listeriosis and cytomegalovirus (CMV) can negatively affect pregnancy outcomes, but can be prevented by simple precautions of pregnant women.
Pregnancy complications associated with Toxoplasma gondii, Listeria monocytogenes and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are prevented by simple precautions and behaviours of pregnant women [ 1- 3] (Table 1).
