Prevalence of early and late neonatal sepsis at chatinkha nursery – Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
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Date
2020-11-11
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Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Important measures and progresses have been made and put in place over the past three decades
to combat and reduce global under 5 mortality from 91 deaths per 1000 live births in 1990 to 43
deaths per 1000 live births in 2015. However, mortality in neonates (under 28 days of age)
remains disproportionately high, representing about two thirds of under 5 deaths. Of these deaths
a huge percentage occur in Sub Saharan Africa thus inclusive Malawi. The prevalence of early
and late neonatal sepsis at Chatinkha Nursery at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital is the problem
that this study will deal with. The broad objective is to investigate the prevalence of early and
late neonatal sepsis at Chatinkha Nursery: Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre. This
will be a cross sectional quantitative study on the prevalence of early and late neonatal sepsis.
This study will analyze secondary data of all files of neonates who had met the criteria of sepsis
from January to March 2019 or data from the Health Management Information System (HMIS)
this will include: patient files, Nurses report book and the Death registration book. Therefore,
this research will be centered on the following specific objectives: to ascertain the prevalence in
HIV exposed and non-HIV exposed at Chatinkha Nursery, to compare the prevalence of neonatal
sepsis in neonates who were born before arrival (BBA) at the hospital and those who were born
at the hospital, to determine the prevalence of neonatal sepsis in neonates born via caesarian
section and those born via spontaneous vaginal delivery and to estimate other predisposing
factors to sepsis. It is expected that at the end of this research, prevalence of early and late
neonatal sepsis will be evaluated in line with our specific objectives. The results of this study
will aide clinical personnel with decisions regarding the management of early and late onset
neonatal sepsis with the aim being to reduce morbidity and mortality. This research will be
presented at College of Medicine research dissemination presentations for the undergraduates, a
final copy will be given to COMREC and COM library.
BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION
The third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for child health aims to end preventable deaths
of newborns and children less than 5 years of age by 2030. It cannot be met without substantial
reduction of infection-specific neonatal mortality in the developing world. [1]
Neonatal infections are a major cause of death worldwide. It is estimated that approximately 4
million deaths occur annually in developing countries in the neonatal period, attributable mostly
to infections, birth asphyxia and consequences of premature birth and low birth weight.[2] Sub
Saharan Africa bears a disproportionate burden of neonatal mortality, contributing an estimated
49.6% of under-5 deaths with mortality rates highest in sub Saharan Africa. Neonatal sepsis is a
condition defined as bacteremia within the first month of life accompanied by signs of systemic
infection. RATIONALE OF THE STUDY
The prevalence of early and late neonatal sepsis despite being generally high in Sub Saharan
Africa, differs within the same region at different times and depends on conditions predisposing
to infection. However, we have limited data for Malawi about the topic, so Chatinkha being one
of the major neonatal care unit in Malawi this calls for a study that will determine the prevalence
of early and late neonatal sepsis, having known the prevalence, the burden of neonatal sepsis will
be reduced.
STUDY OBJECTIVES
GENERAL OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of early and late neonatal sepsis at Chatinkha nursery at Queen
Elizabeth Central Hospital. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
To ascertain the prevalence of early and late neonatal sepsis in HIV exposed and non
HIV exposed neonates
To compare the prevalence of neonatal sepsis in neonates born before arrival(BBA) at the
hospital and those who were born at the hospital
To determine the prevalence of neonatal sepsis in neonates born via Caesarian section
and those born via spontaneous vaginal delivery
To estimate other predisposing factors for sepsis.
Description
The study is going to be a cross sectional study looking at retrospective data from the
period between January to March 2019.