Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality Trend in a Special Care baby Unit of a Tertiary Hospital in Yola: the Need to Educate Health Workers and Mothers on Quality Neonatal Health Practices

Abstract

Background: Neonatal morbidities like neonatal sepsis (NNS), prematurity and perinatal asphyxia constitutes the major causes of neonatal mortality worldwide, even though, there may be slight intra and inter country variations. Objective: The main objectives of our study were twofold: 1) To determine the morbidity and mortality pattern of neonates admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of the Federal Medical Centre Yola (FMCY), Adamawa state. 2) To provide relevant public health information that will be of benefit in reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality. Methods: A hospital-based retrospective study was carried out. Case notes of neonates admitted and managed for various morbidities at the SCBU of the FMCY over a period of seven months between April 2012 and October 2012 were retrieved and reviewed using a structured questionnaire, to document demographic characteristic, diagnosis and the number of deaths that occurred. Statistical analyses were performed by use of SPSS statistical software version 16, Illinois, Chicago USA and a computer program for epidemiologist PEPI version 3.01. Results: Total admission for the period was 292 (100 %). There were 124 (42.5 %) males and 168 (57.5 %) females. The male to female ratio is 1:1.4. Highest morbidity 47 (72.3 %) was observed in April, but highest mortality was bimodal, one in April 14 (27.7 %) and the other 14 (26.9 %) in August. Overall association of the morbidity and mortality figures for the period was not significant (p = 0.296). The mean Morbidity and mortality was 33.0 (8.9) and 8.7 (4.5) respectively. Multivariate test showed a significant difference between NNS on the combined dependent variables (morbidity and mortality), p = 0.012. When the results for the dependent variables were considered separately in a Univariate model using a Bonferroni adjusted alpha levels, both dependent variables were significance at p = 0.001 for morbidity and p = 0.000 for mortality. Conclusions: Neonatal sepsis and prematurity were the major causes of neonatal mortality, whereas, severe perinatal asphyxia was the second cause of morbidity in this study.