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Why Are Babies Dying in the First Month after Birth? A 7-Year Study of Neonatal Mortality in Northern Ghana

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Listed:
  • Paul Welaga
  • Cheryl A Moyer
  • Raymond Aborigo
  • Philip Adongo
  • John Williams
  • Abraham Hodgson
  • Abraham Oduro
  • Cyril Engmann

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the neonatal mortality rate in the Kassena-Nankana District (KND) of northern Ghana, and to identify the leading causes and timing of neonatal deaths. Methods: The KND falls within the Navrongo Health Research Centre’s Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS), which uses trained field workers to gather and update health and demographic information from community members every four months. We utilized HDSS data from 2003–2009 to examine patterns of neonatal mortality. Results: A total of 17,751 live births between January 2003 and December 2009 were recorded, including 424 neonatal deaths 64.8%(275) of neonatal deaths occurred in the first week of life. The overall neonatal mortality rate was 24 per 1000 live births (95%CI 22 to 26) and early neonatal mortality rate was 16 per 1000 live births (95% CI 14 to 17). Neonatal mortality rates decreased over the period from 26 per 1000 live births in 2003 to 19 per 1000 live births in 2009. In all, 32%(137) of the neonatal deaths were from infections, 21%(88) from birth injury and asphyxia and 18%(76) from prematurity, making these three the leading causes of neonatal deaths in the area. Birth injury and asphyxia (31%) and prematurity (26%) were the leading causes of early neonatal deaths, while infection accounted for 59% of late neonatal deaths. Nearly 46% of all neonatal deaths occurred during the first three postnatal days. In multivariate analysis, multiple births, gestational age

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Welaga & Cheryl A Moyer & Raymond Aborigo & Philip Adongo & John Williams & Abraham Hodgson & Abraham Oduro & Cyril Engmann, 2013. "Why Are Babies Dying in the First Month after Birth? A 7-Year Study of Neonatal Mortality in Northern Ghana," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(3), pages 1-8, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0058924
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058924
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Denham, Aaron R. & Adongo, Philip B. & Freydberg, Nicole & Hodgson, Abraham, 2010. "Chasing spirits: Clarifying the spirit child phenomenon and infanticide in Northern Ghana," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(3), pages 608-615, August.
    2. Mikkel Zahle Oestergaard & Mie Inoue & Sachiyo Yoshida & Wahyu Retno Mahanani & Fiona M Gore & Simon Cousens & Joy E Lawn & Colin Douglas Mathers & on behalf of the United Nations Inter-agency Group f, 2011. "Neonatal Mortality Levels for 193 Countries in 2009 with Trends since 1990: A Systematic Analysis of Progress, Projections, and Priorities," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(8), pages 1-13, August.
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