Mortality and associated factors among neonates admitted at the Karatina Sub-County Hospital Newborn Unit, Nyeri

Abstract

Background: Neonatal mortality is death within the first four weeks of life. The developing world accounts for 99% of these deaths. Sub- Saharan Africa and Kenya's Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) in 2022 was 26.7 deaths and 21 deaths per 1000 live births, respectively. There  is need for more data locally and regionally on neonatal mortality.

Aim: To determine the cases of mortality and associated factors at the  hospital between January 1st, 2019, and December 31st, 2020.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytical design using data abstraction forms  for data collection was used. The study included 108 neonates. Data analysis was done using the SPSS software version 23. Descriptive  statistics, measures of association (p-values and odds ratios), and logistical regression were used to compare variables.

Results: The  NMR at Karatina Sub-County Hospital (KSCH) Newborn Unit (NBU) was 78 deaths per 1000 neonates. Statistical significance was found  between neonatal mortality and parity (p=0.025), gestational age at birth (p=0.039), 5th-minute Apgar score (p<0.0001), and need for  resuscitation at birth (p<0.001). Respiratory distress (p=0.003) and respiratory distress syndrome (p=0.016) as morbidities during admission significantly correlated with neonatal mortality.

Conclusion: There is a statistical significance between maternal and neonatal factors with neonatal mortality. The Ministry of Health, the Nyeri County Government, and clinicians should undertake measures to  minimise these risk factors.