Trend and Determinants of Neonatal Mortality at the Buea and Limbe Regional Hospitals, Southwest Region, Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Over the years the rate of neonatal mortality in low-income settings has been on the increase and most cases of neonatal mortality can be associated with modifiable risk factors. However, the rate of neonatal mortality remains high in Cameroon with the Southwest Region having one of the highest rates of neonatal mortality. Objectives: We aimed to determine the trend and determinants of neonatal mortality in Buea and Limbe Regional Hospitals. Method and Materials: A hospital based retrospective study of files of neonates was conducted from the 1st of January 2017 to the 31st of December 2022. Socio-demographic, clinical and outcome data were obtained using a data extraction form and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 27. Results: The trend of neonatal mortality was apparently constant (16.1% and 17.8%) between 2017 to 2022. Birth asphyxia 150(53.4%) was found to be the most common cause of neonatal mortality. Identified determinants were: acute fetal distress (AOR:2.6 [1.333-5.346]), no ANC visit (AOR:13.1 [3.849-44.284]), birth weight less than 2500g (AOR:2.050 [0.039-4.216]), birth weight greater than 4000 g (AOR:2 [1.002-3.43]), Apgar Score ˂ 3 (AOR:99.9 [87.036-100.000]) and Apgar score ˂ 6 (AOR=5.164 [1.768-15.082]). Conclusion: Neonatal mortality in our context is still below the expectations of SDG3 with perinatal asphyxia and its related modifiable factors influencing neonatal mortality the most. Therefore, more impactful community education and information sessions to build a positive mind set on pregnant women and their families to reduce neonatal mortality is required from all health sectors.