Determinants of neonatal mortality at Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria
A A Onayade1, S S Sule, J B C Elusiyan
1Department of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Insights
Neonatal deaths in Nigeria are linked to teenage pregnancy, low birth weight, and poverty. Addressing these factors is crucial for improving newborn survival rates and reducing child mortality.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Neonatal Medicine
- Demography
Background:
- Millions of children under five die annually in developing countries from preventable causes.
- Neonatal mortality, particularly in the first month of life, constitutes a significant proportion of under-five deaths.
- This study investigates the determinants of neonatal mortality at Wesley Guild Hospital (WGH), Ilesa, Nigeria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess sociodemographic and other determinants of neonatal mortality.
- To identify key risk factors contributing to newborn deaths in a Nigerian hospital setting.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective record review of 235 neonatal deaths and 235 live-born neonates (controls) from 2001-2003.
- Data collected included maternal bio-data, birth weight, gestational age, delivery details, and socioeconomic status.
- Statistical analysis using Epi-Info 2002 to identify significant associations.
Main Results:
- Teenage pregnancy, low birth weight (LBW), prematurity, and neonatal tetanus were significantly associated with increased neonatal death risk.
- Unbooked mothers, home/mission deliveries, and low socioeconomic status were also positively correlated with neonatal mortality.
- No significant association was found between neonatal sex, maternal parity, or pregnancy complications and neonatal death.
Conclusions:
- Key determinants of neonatal mortality include teenage pregnancy, prematurity, LBW, poverty, and lack of skilled birth attendance.
- Addressing these fundamental factors is essential for improving newborn survival and reducing overall child mortality in developing nations.
Background:
More than 10 million under five children die each year of preventable and easily treatable conditions in developing countries. Of these, eight million are infants, half of whom are newborns in their first month of life. A high proportion of babies die in their first month of life, many of them during their first week. The objective of this study is to assess sociodemographic and other determinants of neonatal mortality in Wesley Guild Hospital (WGH), Ilesa, Nigeria.
Methods:
This is a record review of 235 neonatal deaths reported at WGH from January 01 2001 to December 31 2003. Similarly, records of equal number of neonates (235) admitted to the same hospital during the same period but who were discharged alive was also reviewed for comparison. Four hundred and seventy records were reviewed. The two groups were matched for age, sex and within a 7-day period of admission. Information was collected with the aid of predesigned schedule from the patients' case notes, death registers and discharge summaries in the Records Department of the hospital. Information collected included the bio-data of the mothers, birth weight of neonates, estimated gestational age at delivery, age at death or discharge, date of admission, duration of the illness and date of discharge. Others included mode and place of delivery, maternal booking status and complications of pregnancy and birth. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics by computer software, Epi-Info 2002.
Results:
Teenage pregnancy, low birth weights (LBW), prematurity and neonatal tetanus were positively associated with neonatal death. Unbooked mothers, deliveries at missions and homes and low socioeconomic status were also positively associated with neonatal death (P < 0.05 in all cases). There was no statistically significant association between the sex of neonate, parity of mother and complications in pregnancy with neonatal death (P > 0.05 in all cases).
Conclusion:
The major determinants of neonatal deaths were teenage pregnancy, prematurity, LBW, poverty and lack of skilled attendance at delivery. Addressing the basic determinants of neonatal mortality will improve newborn survival and health and this will significantly reduce mortality among under five children in developing countries.
