Differentials in neonatal mortality in two adjacent rural areas of Bangladesh: Lessons for neonatal health interventions

Abstract

A household survey, conducted in three rural sub-districts of northeastern Bangladesh, revealed a markedly lower neonatal mortality rate (NMR) in one sub-district compared to two adjacent sub-districts. This study examines the degree to which the differential in NMR can be explained by factors that could be improved by maternal and newborn health programmes, such as knowledge of danger signs and use of antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care. Use of a skilled birth attendant in uncomplicated deliveries, mothers’ knowledge of newborn complications, and use of health care for sick newborns accounted for 32% of the differential in NMR. Pregnancy and delivery complications were associated with increased risk of neonatal mortality, and distance to nearest emergency obstetric care facility was significantly associated with lower risk of neonatal mortality. Therefore, health programmes to improve mothers’ knowledge of newborn complications, to increase access to emergency obstetric care, and to promote appropriate use of health care could significantly reduce neonatal mortality in impoverished communities.