Prevalence And Factors Associated With Neonatal Mortality In China Uganda Friendship Hospital,Naguru

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: The most defenceless period in the newborn’s life is the neonatal period which starts at birth and ends 28 days after birth: Since improving newborn health is a priority for the Ministry of Health Uganda, and the national neonatal mortality rate is at 20.2 per 1000 live births, a study on the factors that contribute to neonatal mortality was worth as the main causes of neonatal deaths are preventable. Objective: The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with neonatal mortality in China Uganda Friendship Hospital, Naguru Methods: The study used a quantitative research approach with a retrospective descriptive study design to investigate factors contributing to neonatal mortality: data was collected using a checklist, from a population of 50 record files of all neonates who died during the period January 2017 and January 2018 from China Uganda Friendship hospital before 28 completed days of life. Data was then entered and analyzed with SPSS version 18.0 computer software. Results: From a total of 50 record files, 52.0 %(26) of the neonates‟ mothers were between ages of 20 to 29 years. 44.0% resided in rural areas, 18.0% were from Urban and 19(38.0%) were from Peri-urban regions. 22(44.0%) of the mothers had attained secondary education and 39(78.0%) were married. 34.0% were doing non-salaried jobs and 48.0% were housewives. 78.0% of the mothers were healthy at the time of giving birth while about 8(16.0%) were Sero-positive, 2(4.0%) hypertensive and 1(2.0%) was diabetic. 52.0%(26) of the mothers were Para 1+: 32(64.0%) delivered by SVD, 15(30.0%) by caesarian section while 3(6.0%) had a vacuum delivery. 28(56.0%) of the neonates were females and 22(44.0%) were males. 52.0%(26) of the neonates weighed between 1.6 to 3.5Kg; 8.0%(4) scored <5 Apgar in the first minute and about 26.0%(13) died within 24 hours following birth. 22.0% of the neonates had low birth weight and 10(20.0%) were premature. 58.0%(29), 12.0%(6) died of sepsis and RDS respectively. Conclusion: Most of the neonatal deaths resulted from preventable causes of neonatal mortality