The neonatal mortality and its determinants in rural communities of Eastern Uganda
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Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Reproductive health
Abstract
In Uganda, neonatal mortality rate (NMR) remains high at 27 deaths per 1000 live births. There is
paucity of data on factors associated with NMR in rural communities in Uganda. The objective of this study was to
determine NMR as well as factors associated with neonatal mortality in the rural communities of three districts from
eastern Uganda.
Methods: Data from a baseline survey of a maternal and newborn intervention in the districts of Pallisa, Kibuku and
Kamuli, Eastern Uganda was analyzed. A total of 2237 women who had delivered in the last 12 months irrespective
of birth outcome were interviewed in the survey. The primary outcome for this paper was neonatal mortality. The
risk ratio (RR) was used to determine the factors associated with neonatal mortality using log - binomial model.
Results: The neonatal mortality was found to be 34 per 1000 live births (95 % CI = 27.1–42.8); Kamuli 31.9, Pallisa 36.5
and Kibuku 30.8. Factors associated with increased neonatal deaths were parity of 5+ (adj. RR =2.53, 95 % CI =1.14–5.65)
relative to parity of 4 and below, newborn low birth weight (adj. RR = 3.10, 95 % CI = 1.47–6.56) and presence of newborn
danger signs (adj. RR = 2.42, 95 % CI = 1.04–5.62). Factors associated with lower risk of neonatal death were, home visits
by community health workers’ (CHW) (adj. RR =0.13, 95 % CI = 0.02–0.91), and attendance of at least 4 antenatal visits
(adj. RR = 0.65, 95 % CI = 0.43–0.98).
Conclusions: Neonatal mortality in rural communities is higher than the national average. The use of CHW’s to mobilize
and sensitize households on appropriate maternal and newborn care practices could play a key role in reducing neonatal
mortality.
Description
Keywords
Neonatal mortality, Log-binomial model, Community health workers, Uganda
Citation
Kananura, R. M., Tetui, M., Mutebi, A., Bua, J. N., Waiswa, P., Kiwanuka, S. N., ... & Makumbi, F. (2016). The neonatal mortality and its determinants in rural communities of Eastern Uganda. Reproductive health, 13(1), 1-9. DOI 10.1186/s12978-016-0119-y