Neonatal mortality, characteristics, and risk factors
During the study period, 34 newborns died in the neonatal period, corresponding to a neonatal mortality rate (NMR) of 23.6 per 1000 live births. Seven of the 34 neonatal mortalities were excluded due to incomplete information. The remaining 27 neonatal deaths were included in the analysis; 25 died within the first 24 hours after birth, one between day one and day seven and one between day seven and 28.
Significant risk factors for neonatal death were older maternal age, multiple gestations, previous death of a newborn, no antenatal care attendance (ANC), no foetal movement, manual rupture of membranes, breech presentation, caesarean section, male sex, low birth weight, no immediate cry after birth, APGAR score <7 at 1, 5 and 10 minutes, resuscitation attempt, PPV, suction, and administration of antibiotics to the newborn immediately after birth (Table 2 and 3).