Publications

Globally early-onset neonatal sepsis is one of the most significant causes of morbidity andmortality among neonates. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence ofearly-onset neonatal sepsis and its associated factors among neonates admitted to theNeonatal Intensive Care Unit at Hoima regional referral Hospital. A cross-sectional study wherein-depth interviewing of caregivers of infants diagnosed with early onset neonatal sepsis usingIMCI was tallied and then put in frequencies and percentages. 156 neonates and their motherswere enrolled into the study. Using Microsoft Excel 2021 data was coded and encoded andpresented in tables and charts. In the study, 156 neonates were enrolled into the study.60(39.1%) had early-onset neonatal sepsis. Maternal factors contributing to neonatal sepsiswere PROM (70.00%), UTIs (60.00%), ANC attendance less than three times (64.29%), parity ofmore than 3(46.07%), meconium staining (59.38%), more than 4 vaginal Examination duringlabour (54.27%) and delivery by cesarean section (52.38%). The neonatal factors contributing toneonatal sepsis were; an APGAR score of less than 7(48.75%), gestational age of less than 37weeks (42.86%), birth weight of less than 2.50kg (42.16%), positive history of beingresuscitated at birth (47.50%), and being diagnosed on their 0-4 days (47.13%). The prevalenceof early-onset neonatal sepsis in Hoima Regional Referral Hospital is still high. Maternalhistory of PROM, UTI, attended antenatal visit less than thrice, more than 4 vaginalexaminations, delivered by cesarean section, meconium staining and parity of more than 3were associated with early onset neonatal sepsis. Neonatal factors associated with early onsetneonatal sepsis are an Apgar score of less than 7, gestational age of less than 37 weeks, Birthweight of less than 2.50kg, positive history of being resuscitated at birth, and age of 0-4 days.