Neonatal sepsis is a clinical illness characterized by infection-related signs and symptoms in the first month of life, with or without bacteremia. Septicemia, meningitis, pneumonia, arthritis, osteomyelitis, and urinary tract infections are all examples of systemic illnesses that can affect newborns. Hence, the main aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with neonatal sepsis among newborns in Woldia and Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, northeast Ethiopia, from January 1 to July 30, 2021. Methods: This institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to July 30, 2021, on 344 randomly selected neonates who visited the hospital. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select samples, and data were collected using a pre-tested standardized questionnaire. For data entry and analysis, Epi Data version 4.1 and SPSS version 24 applications were used, respectively. The goodness-of-fit was tested by the Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic test. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regressions were used to identify associated factors at a 95% confidence interval. Significance was considered at p-value <0.05. Results: In this study, the prevalence of neonatal sepsis was 79.4% (95% CI: 75.2-83.6%). Maternal UTI/STI history [AOR: 3.1; 95% CI (1.5-7.1)], gestational age <37 weeks [AOR: 4.4; 95% CI (1.0-8.9)], PROM [AOR: 4.9; 95% CI (2.5-6.8)], and new-born resuscitation history [AOR: 2.3; 95% CI (1.5-4.3)] were all significantly associated with neonatal sepsis. Conclusion:This study indicates that the proportion of neonatal sepsis is high. A history of maternal PROM, being a preterm neonate, a history of maternal UTI/STIs, and having received resuscitation at birth were identified as risk factors for neonatal sepsis.

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ObjectivesTo examine the survival rate and predictors of mortality among preterm neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit at South Gondar public hospitals, 2021.DesignProspective follow-up study.SettingSouth Gondar public hospitals, Northwest, Ethiopia.ParticipantsWe recruited 283 preterm neonates who were admitted at neonatal intensive care unit at selected hospitals from 15 February 2020 to 22 January 2021.Outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure of this study was the survival rate of preterm neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit. Moreover, the study assessed the predictors for the occurrence of mortality by the Cox-proportional hazard model. Data were entered into Epi data V.4.2 and exported to Stata V.14 statistical software for analysis. The log-rank test determines the survival difference between predictor variables.ResultsA total of 283 preterm neonates, 61 died during the follow-up. Born from antepartum haemorrhage mother (adjusted HR (AHR)=2.2 (95% CI 1.10 to 4.37)), being small weight for gestational age (AHR=4.6 (95% CI 2.22 to 9.53)), not having kangaroo mother care practice initiated (AHR=2.7 (95% CI 1.39 to 7.74)), hypothermia (AHR=4.0 (95% CI 1.96 to 8.30)) and perinatal asphyxia (AHR=3.9 (95% CI 1.97 to 7.94)) were significant predictors of preterm neonate mortality.ConclusionIn this study, the preterm neonates survival rate (78.4%) and the median survival time (21 days) were found to be low. Preventing and managing the predictors, including an antepartum haemorrhagic mother, small weight for gestational age, hypothermia and prenatal asphyxia, is crucial. In addition, more emphasis should be placed on initiating universal kangaroo mother care practice soon after birth to increase the survival of preterm neonates.

Background The leading cause of neonatal death worldwide is birth asphyxia. Yearly, in the first month of life, 2.5 million children died around the world. Birth asphyxia is a major problem, particularly in developing nations like Ethiopia. The goal of this study was to determine the magnitude of birth asphyxia and the factors that contributed to it among neonates delivered at the Aykel Primary Hospital in north-central Ethiopia. Methods From August 1 to August 31, 2021, a hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 144 live births. An Apgar score less than 7 in the fifth minute of birth authorized the diagnosis of birth asphyxia. Variable contention (P < 0.250) for multivariable analysis was determined after data examination and cleaning. Then, to identify important factors of birth asphyxia, a multivariable logistic regression model with a p-value of 0.05 was developed. Finally, a significant relationship between a dependent variable and independent factors was defined as a p-value less than 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval. Results The majority of the mothers, 71.53%, received at least one Antenatal care visit, and more than half of the newborns were male (62.50%). The percentage of neonates that had asphyxia at delivery was 11.11% (95% CI: 6.3 -16.9%). Male newborns were 5.02 times more probable than female newborns to asphyxiate [AOR: 5.02, 95% CI (1.11–22.61)]. Mothers who have not had at least one Antenatal Care visit were 3.72 times more likely to have an asphyxiated newborn than those who have at least one Antenatal Care visit [AOR: 3.72, 95%CI (1.11–12.42)]. Similarly, mothers who had an adverse pregnancy outcome were 7.03 times more likely to have an asphyxiated newborn than mothers who had no such history [AOR: 7.03, 95% CI (2.17–22.70)]. Conclusion Birth asphyxia in newborn has come to a standstill as a major public health issue. The sexual identity of the newborn, Antenatal Care visits, and a history of poor pregnancy outcomes were all found to be significant risk factors for birth asphyxia. These findings have great importance for various stakeholders who are responsible for reducing birth asphyxia; in addition, policymakers should establish and revise guidelines associated to newborn activities and workshops.