Prevalence and Factors Associated with Neonatal Sepsis among Cesarean Section Babies admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Mengo Hospital.ngo Hospital

Abstract

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening bloodstream infection causing high neonatal morbidity, mortality, and permanent neurological damage, especially during the first week.  Objective: To explore the prevalence and factors associated with Neonatal Sepsis among cesarean section babies admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Mengo Hospital.  Methods: The study was a quantitative retrospective cross-sectional review of 101 cesarean mother–neonate records admitted to the NICU. Systematic sampling selected files, and checklist data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 to identify factors associated with neonatal sepsis.  Results: Neonatal sepsis was significantly associated with several maternal and neonatal factors. Neonates born to single mothers were five times more likely to develop neonatal sepsis than those born to married mothers (AOR = 5.454, 95% CI: 1.457–20.556, p = 0.012). Maternal urinary tract infection increased the risk nearly threefold (AOR = 2.969, 95% CI: 1.261–6.948, p = 0.013), while maternal fever during pregnancy increased the odds over threefold (AOR = 3.379, 95% CI: 1.343–8.504, p = 0.010). Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) was associated with a sixfold increase in neonatal sepsis (AOR = 6.124, 95% CI: 2.984–14.625, p = 0.001). Among neonatal factors, preterm birth (AOR = 6.402, 95% CI: 2.731–15.006, p < 0.001) and a low 5-minute Apgar score (<7) (AOR = 8.212, 95% CI: 3.419–19.722, p < 0.001) were the strongest predictors of neonatal sepsis.  Conclusion: The study found that maternal socio-demographic factors, pregnancy illnesses, obstetric complications, prematurity, low Apgar score, and invasive procedures were significantly associated with neonatal sepsis. These findings provide valuable evidence to inform policy and improve neonatal care at Mengo Hospital and in Uganda.  Recommendation: Recommend pregnancy monitoring to detect distress and membrane rupture early, then intervene appropriately, thus enabling reduced emergency C-sections.