Prevalence and Predictors of Neonatal Sepsis among Neonates Admitted at the Newborn Unit of Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Neonatal sepsis is one of the primary causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. Despite the availability of different preventive interventions, in Kenya, the burden of neonatal sepsis remains critically high. Aim: To determine the prevalence and predictors of neonatal sepsis among newborns admitted at the newborn unit of Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya. Methods: This is a hospital-based, cross-sectional study design carried out among 196 neonates and their mothers at the new born unit of Kenyatta National Hospital. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select the study subjects. Data on the possible contributing factors of neonatal sepsis was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using the statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS: version 22). Data were descriptively analyzed into frequencies and proportions. The chi-square test of independence and binary logistic regression were employed to determine associations between the dependent (neonatal sepsis) and various independents variables. A multiple logistic regression model was carried out to determine the variables independently contributed to the occurrence of neonatal sepsis. Results: Our study revealed that the prevalence of neonatal sepsis was 28.6%. Neonates born of single mothers (AOR = 5.454, p = 0.012), mothers with history of UTI (AOR = 2.969, p = 0.013), PROM (AOR = 6.124, p = 0.001) and anaemia (AOR = 3.379, p = 0.010) were at higher risk to develop neonatal sepsis. Prematurity (AOR = 6.402, p < 0.001), low Apgar score at 5 th minutes (AOR = 8.212, p < 0.001) and history of invasive procedure (AOR = 2.464, p = 0.046) were the neonatal factors independently associated with neonatal sepsis. Conclusion and Recommendations: The prevalence of neonatal sepsis in Kenyatta National Hospital is high. This is another piece of evidence showing both maternal and neonatal-related factor had a significant effect on the risk How to cite this paper: Okube, O.T. and Komen, M. (2020) Prevalence and Predictors of Neonatal Sepsis among Neonates

Bacterial etiology and risk factors among newborns suspected of sepsis at Hawassa, Ethiopia

“…The finding is in agreement with studies conducted in different parts of Ethiopia and other countries (30–36%) 4 , 11 – 17 . In contrast to our study, lower than 30% prevalence of neonatal sepsis was reported in Southeast Ethiopia 3 , India 18 ; and less than 20% prevalence was reported in Pakistan 13 , Ghana 19 , Uganda 20 , Kenya 21 , and Nepal 22 . We have noted that even higher prevalence of neonatal sepsis in Shashamane, Ethiopia (77.6%) 23 and Gondar, Ethiopia (64.8%) 23 .…”

Preterm Neonatal Sepsis: Associated Risk Factors and Microbial Profiles at Kitale County Hospital New-born Unit, Western Kenya

“…This finding may be attributed to various factors among them is poor health care practice/management in both maternal and neonatal care or by environmental factors. Similar studies have been done in Kenya, for instance a study done at Kisii level five hospital (Muturi et al, 2018) found out a prevalence of 19.7% and at Kenyatta National Hospital a prevalence of 28.6% was reported (Geyt & Hauck, 2016;Okube & Komen, 2020). Both of these studies did indicate that maternal, neonatal and environmental factors were responsible for such prevalence.…”

“…For instance, in one study carried out in Ethiopia, the prevalence of neonatal sepsis among 351 neonates admitted in NICU Arbaminch general hospital Southern Ethiopia was 78.3% (Erkihun et al, 2019). In Kenya neonatal mortality rate by 2019 was at 21 deaths per 1000 livebirths (UNICEF, 2020) while prevalence of sepsis was estimated to be 28.6% at the new born unit of Kenyatta National hospital in central Kenya (Geyt & Hauck, 2016;Okube & Komen, 2020).…”

Neonatal Sepsis and Associated Factors Among Newborns in Woldia and Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, North-East Ethiopia, 2021

“…11 Similar results could be the result of similarities in the research population and the time period in which the investigations were conducted. This finding, however, is significantly greater than that of research from Wolaita (33.8), 9 Gondar (64.8), 12 Kenya (28.6), 13 Uganda (11%), 14 Tanzania (31.4%), 15 and Nigeria (34%). 16 This disparity could be due to methodological differences, discrepancies, and variances in diagnostic modalities to confirm newborn sepsis.…”

“…This finding is in agreement with the findings from the study conducted in Debre Markos, Arbaminch general hospital, Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania. 11,13,15,21,25 It is explained that preterm neonates tend to have poor host defenses and are more likely to suffer neonatal sepsis. Preterm infants may experience limited enteral feedings and/or exposure to breast milk, which collectively increase the risk for infection.…”