Factors Associated with Neonatal Sepsis at the War Memorial Hospital.

Abstract

Neonatal sepsis is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among both term and preterm infants. The current study was carried out to identify factors associated with neonatal sepsis among neonates admitted to the Navrongo War Memorial Hospital. A retrospective cross sectional study involving the review of hospital records of neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the hospital between January, 2015 and June. 2017 as undertaken. All neonates that were diagnosed as neonatal sepsis were considered as cases and those with conditions other than neonatal sepsis were considered as controls. Data are collected on maternal. neonatal and delivery factors likely to be associated with neonatal sepsis onto a data collection form specifically designed for this study. Data entry was done in M~ excel and analyzed using STATA version 14 software. Data on 243 mother and new-born pairs were analyzed and the prevalence of neonatal sepsis found to be 56.4%. Factors found to be associated with sepsis were: asphyxia, low birth weight, preterm delivery. place of delivery and assisted ventilation. It is expected that when these factors are effectively addressed. the problem of neonatal sepsis can be reduced and in the long term neonatal morbidity and mortality reduce. Factors associated with Neonatal Sepsis at the War Memorial Hospital