| dc.description.abstract | Background
Fetal and early neonatal death is still a significant public health concern in both developing and developed countries. This study aimed to assess the risk factors associated with fetal and early neonatal deaths in health facilities in Kamuli district, Uganda.
Methodology
This study was a case control, where by cases were fetal and early neonatal deaths(n=102) live births (n=204) that occurred within the maternity wards and the newborn units of Kamuli General Hospital, Namwendwa HC IV and Nankandulo HC IV from 1st July 2014 to 30th June 2016. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels, chi-square test for independence and logistic regression analysis were taken
Results
The odds of having 0-2 ANC visits relative to three visits were much higher for cases than controls (AOR--).There were lower odds among cases of having doctors rather than a midwives as a birth attendance AOR 0.37, 95%CI 0.03-5.31, P-Valve 0.467.The odds of having Apgar score of below six at five minutes and ten minutes AOR 0.36 .95% CI 0.17 .0.80 p-values 0..012 were higher for cases than controls. The odd of cases who received resuscitation were much lower compared to those who did not receive any resuscitation.(AOR 0.05,95%CI 0.00-054,P-value 0.013).There were lower Odd among cases of babies weighing 2.5kgs above compared to those weighing less than 1.5kg
Conclusion
Fetal and early neonatal death in Kamuli district accounts for 91/1000 live births higher than that of the national average of 51/1000 live births. The risk factors that were significantly associated with fetal and early neonatal deaths were low Apgar score at five minutes, low birth weight, poor/non-antenatal clinic attendance and high birth order. Additionally, the most frequently noted causes of neonatal death were Asphyxia (10%), fetal distress (6%), However, missing data could have reduced the magnitude of these causes of death.
Recommendations
In order to ensure new born survival, Resuscitation equipments, skilled personnel attendance must be available during birth and emergences. The stakeholders should promote and strengthen family planning interventions in order to reduce on parity , strengthen the ANC attendances as recommended by WHO and involving the community health workers and the political leaders in sensitization and mobilization of mothers, hence reducing on fetal and early neonatal deaths | en_US |
