TITLE:
Prevalence and Predictors of Neonatal Sepsis among Neonates Admitted at the Newborn Unit of Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
AUTHORS:
Okubatsion Tekeste Okube, Mercy Komen
KEYWORDS:
Preterm Birth, Neonatal Sepsis, Predictors of Neonatal Sepsis, Kenya
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.10 No.9,
September
17,
2020
ABSTRACT: Background: Neonatal sepsis is one of
the primary causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality especially in developing
countries. Despite the availability of different preventive interventions, in Kenya,
the burden of neonatal sepsis remains critically high. Aim: To determine
the prevalence and predictors of neonatal sepsis among newborns admitted at the
newborn unit of Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya. Methods: This is a
hospital-based, cross-sectional study design carried out among 196
neonates and their mothers at the new born unit of Kenyatta National Hospital.
A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select the study
subjects. Data on the possible contributing factors of neonatal sepsis was
collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical
analyses were performed using the statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS: version 22). Data were
descriptively analyzed into frequencies and proportions. The chi-square test of
independence and binary logistic regression were employed to determine
associations between the dependent (neonatal sepsis) and various independents
variables. A multiple logistic regression model was carried out to determine
the variables independently contributed to the occurrence of neonatal sepsis. Results: Our study revealed that the prevalence of neonatal
sepsis was 28.6%. Neonates born of single
mothers (AOR = 5.454, p = 0.012), mothers with history of UTI (AOR = 2.969, p =
0.013), PROM (AOR =
6.124, p = 0.001) and anaemia (AOR = 3.379, p = 0.010) were at higher risk
to develop neonatal sepsis. Prematurity (AOR = 6.402, p th minutes (AOR = 8.212, p Conclusion and Recommendations: The prevalence of neonatal
sepsis in Kenyatta National Hospital is high. This is another piece of evidence
showing both maternal and neonatal-related factor had a significant effect on
the risk of neonatal sepsis. Provision of community-based health education is
highly recommended to increase awareness of women on the risk factors of
neonatal sepsis and their preventive methods such as anaemia and UTI during
pregnancy. Healthcare providers should exercise a high standard of care when
handling premature and babies with low Apgar score to reduce the risks of
neonatal sepsis.