Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
Although Lesotho has one of the highest childhood mortality levels in Southern Africa, there has been limited research on the link between type of birth attendant and neonatal mortality in Lesotho. This study examined the relationship between type of birth attendant and neonatal mortality while controlling for socio-demographic characteristics of mothers in Lesotho. The study used data from the children's file of 2014 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey data. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate neonatal mortality rate and Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to assess the association between type of birth attendant and neonatal mortality. Result shows that 5.3% of all births attended to by non-SBAs resulted into neonatal mortality compared to 2.8% of those attended to by SBA. Result further shows that regardless of socio-demographic characteristics, the risks of neonatal mortality were significantly higher with non-SBAs compared to SBA in Lesotho (HR: 2.00, CI: 1.31-3.06). The risk of neonatal mortality is two times higher among children delivered by Non-SBA. Scale-up in access and uptake of SBA is recommended in Lesotho. Thus, Policy on scale-up access to SBA at delivery at no costs need to be put in place.
Highlights
An integral part of the Sustainable Development Goal three is to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services which include Skilled Birth Attendant (SBA) at delivery because access to skilled care at delivery is crucial to reducing maternal and child mortality[1]
The Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS) was implemented by the Lesotho Ministry of Health (MOH), while technical assistance was provided by Inner City Fund (ICF) Macro through the MEASURE Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) program, a USAID-funded project
The sample for the 2014 LDHS was selected from a list of enumeration areas using the 2006 Lesotho Population and Housing Census (PHC) which was provided by the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics (BOS)
Summary
An integral part of the Sustainable Development Goal three (ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being at all ages) is to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services which include Skilled Birth Attendant (SBA) at delivery because access to skilled care at delivery is crucial to reducing maternal and child mortality[1]. Studies have documented that neonatal mortality is expected to be reduced with births by SBA and increase with births by non-SBAs5,15,16. This is because nonSBAs are often associated with unhygienic cord care management, lack of disinfections of instruments used during delivery, lack of weighing of babies and improper management of birth injuries among others[5,17]. This study examined the relationship between type of birth attendant and neonatal mortality while controlling for socio-demographic characteristics of mothers in Lesotho Methods: The study used data from the children’s file of 2014 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey data. Result further shows that regardless of socio-demographic characteristics, the risks of neonatal mortality were significantly higher with non-SBAs compared to SBA in Lesotho (HR: 2.00, CI: 1.31-3.06).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
