Biological and Socio-Demographic Factors Associated with Neonatal Mortality: Evidence from Karanganyar District, Central Java

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: The highest risk of childhood death occurs during the neonatal period. Risks of poor outcomes during pregnancy and childbirth are exacerbated by poverty, low status of women, lack of education, poor nutrition, heavy workloads, and violence. This study aimed to examine biological and socio-demographic factors associated with neonatal mortality. Subjects and Method: A case control study was conducted in Karanganyar, Central Java, Indonesia. Study population was infant neonates. A sample of 200 mothers and their neonates, including 50 dead neonates and 150 alive infants was selected by fixed disease sampling. The dependent variable was infant mortality. The independent variables were maternal mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), maternal age, maternal occupation, family income, and number birth delivery. The data were obtained from medical record and questionnaire. The data were analyzed by a multiple logistic regression. Results: The risk of neonatal death increased with mother working outside the house (b= 0.95; 95% CI= 0.10 to 1.80; p= 0.028). The risk of neonatal death decreased with maternal MUAC ≥23.5 cm (b= -1.21; 95% CI= -2.03 to -0.38; p= 0.004), maternal age 20-35 years (b= -1.06; 95% CI= -1.83 to -0.29; p= 0.007), family income ≥Rp 1,833,000 (b= -1.37; 95% CI= -2.20 to -0.54; p= 0.001), and number of birth delivery 2 to 4 (b= -0.67; 95% CI= -1.39 to 0.05; p= 0.067). Conclusion: The risk of neonatal death increases with mother working outside the house. The risk of neonatal death decreases with maternal MUAC ≥23.5 cm, maternal age 20-35 years, high family income, and number of birth delivery 2 to 4. Keywords: neonatal death, biological factors, socio-demographic factors Correspondence: Amin Sukoco. Masters Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java. Email: soekotjo78@gmail.com. Mobile: +6281329387610. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/the7thicph.03.110