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. 2016 Jul 19:2:7.
doi: 10.1186/s40748-016-0035-8. eCollection 2016.

Neonatal mortality and causes of death in Kersa Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Kersa HDSS), Ethiopia, 2008-2013

Nega Assefa  1 , Yihune Lakew  2 , Betelhem Belay  1 , Haji Kedir  1 , Desalew Zelalem  1 , Negga Baraki  1 , Melake Damena  1 , Lemessa Oljira  1 , Wondimye Ashenafi  1 , Melkamu Dedefo  3
Affiliations

Neonatal mortality and causes of death in Kersa Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Kersa HDSS), Ethiopia, 2008-2013

Nega Assefa et al. Matern Health Neonatol Perinatol. .

Abstract

Background: In the world, Neonatal mortality accounts for 40 % of death of children under the age of 5 years. Majority of neonatal deaths occur in developing countries outside of formal health system, among which death in the first hour of first day of their life constitute the huge bulk. This analysis is intended to estimate neonatal mortality rates and identify the leading causes of death based on the surveillance data over 6 years period in Kersa health and demographic surveillance system (Kersa HDSS) site, Eastern Ethiopia.

Methods: Kersa HDSS is an open dynamic cohort of population established in 2007. The surveillance started after conducting a baseline census followed by population update and events registration on house-to-house visits every 6 months. Data were collected using verbal autopsy (VA) questionnaire from close relatives (usually mothers in this case) and causes of deaths were assigned by 2 to 3 physicians. This analysis was done based on 301 neonatal deaths and 10,934 live births occurred during 2008 to 2013.

Results: The overall neonatal death rate during the study period was 27.5 per 1000 live births. Nearly all neonatal deaths (94 %) occurred at home. More than four-fifth (82.4 %) of the deaths was occurred in the first week of life. More than 80 % of the deaths were due to perinatal causes. Bacterial sepsis of the newborn accounted for 31.2 % followed by birth asphyxia and perinatal respiratory disorder (28.2 %), and prematurity (17.3 %). Higher number of death was observed in Tolla and Bereka sub-districts located at the southern parts of the study site which are away from the main road network.

Conclusion: The overall neonatal mortality over 6 years is the same to the national average (27 per 1000 live births). The leading causes of neonatal death were bacterial sepsis of newborn and birth asphyxia. Community-based skilled health care delivery during birth should be emphasized.

Keywords: Causes of death; Ethiopia; Kersa HDSS; Neonatal deaths; Verbal autopsy.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Kersa District and Kersa HDSS, Ethiopia
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Pattern of Neonatal death rates over years (2008–2013), Kersa HDSS, Ethiopia
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Difference between male and female neonatal death over the years (2008–2013), Kersa HDSS, Ethiopia
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Sum of 2008–2013 Neonatal death rate distribution in sub-districts of Kersa HDSS, Ethiopia
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Percent of broad causes of neonatal death in 2008–2013, Kersa HDSS, Ethiopia. *Others include diseases of the circulatory system, external causes of death and gastrointestinal disorders with cases less than 5
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