Predictors of Neonatal Deaths in Ashanti Region of Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background. Neonatal mortality continues to be a public health problem, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was conducted to assess the maternal, neonatal, and health system related factors that influence neonatal deaths in the Ashanti Region, Ghana. Methods. 222 mothers and their babies who were within the first 28 days of life on admission at Mother and Baby unit (MBU) at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ashanti Region of Ghana, were recruited through systematic random sampling. Data was collected by face to face interviewing using open and closed ended questions. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the influence of proximal and facility related factors on the odds of neonatal death. Results. Out of the 222 mothers, there were 115 (51.8%) whose babies did not survive. Majority, 53.9%, of babies died within 1-4 days, 31.3% within 5-14 days, and 14.8% within 15-28 days. The cause of death included asphyxia, low birth weight, congenital anomalies, infections, and respiratory distress syndrome. Neonatal deaths were influenced by proximal factors (parity, duration of pregnancy, and disease of the mother such as HIV/AIDS), neonatal factors (birth weight, gestational period, sex of baby, and Apgar score), and health related factors (health staff attitude, supervision of delivery, and hours spent at labour ward). Conclusion. This study shows a high level of neonatal deaths in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. This finding suggests the need for health education programmes to improve on awareness of the dangers that can militate against neonatal survival as well as strengthening the health system to support mothers and their babies through pregnancy and delivery and postpartum to help improve child survival.

Factors affecting neonatal mortality in the general population: evidence from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS)—multilevel analysis

“…The odds of neonatal death was lower among female births compared with male births. This finding is in agreement with a study from Ghana [11], Nigeria [27], and Indonesia [28]. Accordingly, male neonates were at higher risk of death than female neonates.…”

“…According to different studies suggested there are many factors contributing to neonatal mortality. Among these: educational level [10], sex of the neonate, duration of pregnancy [11], home delivery without skilled provider [12], pregnancy complication [13], birth weight [14, 15], delay in seeking care during illness [16, 17], lack of preparedness of families and care providers, harmful cultural practices [18], economic status [19], social exclusion, maternal illiteracy [20], negative parental attitudes arising from the social environment, gender bias, inability to pay for care [20], and lack of basic prenatal, natal, and postnatal services [7, 21] were the main determinants of poor newborn survival rates in developing countries [22–26].…”

Inter‐regional trends in causes of childhood blindness and low vision in Ghana

“…This could be due to low survival rate of preterm babies in Ghana and most developing countries. 27 Second, there is improved neonatal care in controlling complications of retinopathy of prematurity for those who survive.…”

Determinants of Mortality in Newborn with Sepsis Condition Using Binary Logistic Model at the Tamale Teaching Hospital

“…According to [7] Sepsis in newborns can be hard to identify. Some of the symptoms in newborn babies may include but not limited to the following; Signs of distress during labor or delivery, such as a rapid heart rate, Changes in temperature (usually fever), breathing problems, such as very fast breathing, Digestive problems like poor appetite or an enlarged liver, Nervous system [8].…”