Determinants of neonatal sepsis in NICUs of selected hospitals in southern Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background

Despite of implementing a number of interventions and initiatives to remarkably reduce child mortality, still neonatal death is continuing as the major public health problem in Ethiopia, and this is mainly due to neonatal sepsis.

Objective

The aim of the study was to identify determinants of neonatal sepsis among neonates admitted on neonatal intensive care unit in southern Tigray hospitals, Tigray, Ethiopia 2022.

Methods

Institution based unmatched case-control study was conducted among 258 consecutively admitted neonates (86 cases and 172 controls) to the neonatal intensive care units in public hospitals of Southern Tigray, North Ethiopia from July 01/07/2021 to August 31/08/2021. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was used to identify the independent determinants of neonatal sepsis and P-value <0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.

Results

A total of 258 mother-infant pairs were included in this study. Frequent per vaginal examination [(AOR 2.90, 95% CI 1.46-5.77), child not cried immediately after birth [(AOR 2.85,95% CI 1.39-5.84), child resuscitated at birth [(AOR 2.85,95% CI 1.39-5.84), birth weight <2.5kg? [(AOR 3.90,95% CI 2.03-7.50), gestational age <37 [(AOR 4.94, 95% CI 2.55-9.56) were independently and statistically significant determinants of neonatal sepsis.

Conclusions

Frequent per vaginal examination, child no cries immediately after birth, birth weight <2.5 kg, Gestational age <37, and were independent determinant of neonatal sepsis. Therefore, Health care providers should avoid frequent vaginal examination and focus on timely vaginal examination. Health care providers should introduce essential newborn for neonates who are not cry immediately and born with are low birth weight and gestational age less than 37 weeks. Health care providers should encourage and counsel mothers for continuum of maternal health services.