Determinants of neonatal mortality among hospitalised neonates with sepsis at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi: A mixed-methods study.

Neonatal sepsis-related deaths remain a significant health problem contributing to higher morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in low resource settings, such as Malawi. However, there is limited information to associate risk factors and health system factors with mortality. This study investi...

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Main Authors: Lucky Mangwiro, Joseph Misyenje, Pui-Ying Iroh Tam, Kondwani Kawaza, Alinane Linda Nyondo Mipando
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2024-01-01
Series:PLOS Global Public Health
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004059
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author Lucky Mangwiro
Joseph Misyenje
Pui-Ying Iroh Tam
Kondwani Kawaza
Alinane Linda Nyondo Mipando
author_facet Lucky Mangwiro
Joseph Misyenje
Pui-Ying Iroh Tam
Kondwani Kawaza
Alinane Linda Nyondo Mipando
author_sort Lucky Mangwiro
collection DOAJ
description Neonatal sepsis-related deaths remain a significant health problem contributing to higher morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in low resource settings, such as Malawi. However, there is limited information to associate risk factors and health system factors with mortality. This study investigated the risk factors associated with mortality and explored health system factors contributing to deaths among neonates with sepsis at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Blantyre, Malawi. This mixed-method study utilised a convergent parallel approach to describe the determinants of neonatal mortality among neonates with sepsis. We selected this design because it allowed the researchers to triangulate, support and enhance the internal and external validity of the results. We retrospectively reviewed 237 neonatal records using a simple random sampling technique for cross-sectional quantitative data. Exploratory qualitative data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide from 10 purposively selected healthcare workers directly involved in providing neonatal care through in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression in Stata v.14; qualitative data were analysed manually using a thematic analysis approach. We found that gestation age (OR 0.76 (95% CI: 0.58, 0.99), p-value = 0.040) and number of days spent in the hospital (OR 0.64 (95% CI: 0.48, 0.85), p-value = 0.002) were the most predictive risk factors. The qualitative inquiry showed the maternal behavioural factors; reporting late to hospital, cultural and religious beliefs; maternal health related factors: prolonged labour, unnecessary vaginal examinations, premature rupturing of membranes; Neonatal factors: prematurity, meconium aspiration, home deliveries and lastly, health system factors included delay in treatment, referrals and blood culture results, limited resources contributed to documented clinical outcomes. Determinants of neonatal mortality were gestation age, number of days spent in the hospital, maternal behavioural and health related, neonatal and health system factors. Reducing mortality among neonates with sepsis will require a multi-sectoral approach.
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spelling doaj-art-c2dc18673c50439388fa9a70b5758bc92025-08-20T03:05:55ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLOS Global Public Health2767-33752024-01-01412e000405910.1371/journal.pgph.0004059Determinants of neonatal mortality among hospitalised neonates with sepsis at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi: A mixed-methods study.Lucky MangwiroJoseph MisyenjePui-Ying Iroh TamKondwani KawazaAlinane Linda Nyondo MipandoNeonatal sepsis-related deaths remain a significant health problem contributing to higher morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in low resource settings, such as Malawi. However, there is limited information to associate risk factors and health system factors with mortality. This study investigated the risk factors associated with mortality and explored health system factors contributing to deaths among neonates with sepsis at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Blantyre, Malawi. This mixed-method study utilised a convergent parallel approach to describe the determinants of neonatal mortality among neonates with sepsis. We selected this design because it allowed the researchers to triangulate, support and enhance the internal and external validity of the results. We retrospectively reviewed 237 neonatal records using a simple random sampling technique for cross-sectional quantitative data. Exploratory qualitative data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide from 10 purposively selected healthcare workers directly involved in providing neonatal care through in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression in Stata v.14; qualitative data were analysed manually using a thematic analysis approach. We found that gestation age (OR 0.76 (95% CI: 0.58, 0.99), p-value = 0.040) and number of days spent in the hospital (OR 0.64 (95% CI: 0.48, 0.85), p-value = 0.002) were the most predictive risk factors. The qualitative inquiry showed the maternal behavioural factors; reporting late to hospital, cultural and religious beliefs; maternal health related factors: prolonged labour, unnecessary vaginal examinations, premature rupturing of membranes; Neonatal factors: prematurity, meconium aspiration, home deliveries and lastly, health system factors included delay in treatment, referrals and blood culture results, limited resources contributed to documented clinical outcomes. Determinants of neonatal mortality were gestation age, number of days spent in the hospital, maternal behavioural and health related, neonatal and health system factors. Reducing mortality among neonates with sepsis will require a multi-sectoral approach.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004059
spellingShingle Lucky Mangwiro
Joseph Misyenje
Pui-Ying Iroh Tam
Kondwani Kawaza
Alinane Linda Nyondo Mipando
Determinants of neonatal mortality among hospitalised neonates with sepsis at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi: A mixed-methods study.
PLOS Global Public Health
title Determinants of neonatal mortality among hospitalised neonates with sepsis at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi: A mixed-methods study.
title_full Determinants of neonatal mortality among hospitalised neonates with sepsis at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi: A mixed-methods study.
title_fullStr Determinants of neonatal mortality among hospitalised neonates with sepsis at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi: A mixed-methods study.
title_full_unstemmed Determinants of neonatal mortality among hospitalised neonates with sepsis at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi: A mixed-methods study.
title_short Determinants of neonatal mortality among hospitalised neonates with sepsis at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi: A mixed-methods study.
title_sort determinants of neonatal mortality among hospitalised neonates with sepsis at queen elizabeth central hospital blantyre malawi a mixed methods study
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004059
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