# Neonatal sepsis in a tertiary health facility in Cape Coast, Ghana

## TL;DR

This study examines neonatal sepsis in Cape Coast, Ghana, finding a high prevalence and identifying key risk factors in newborns and mothers.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into neonatal sepsis prevalence and risk factors in a Ghanaian hospital setting.

## Key findings

- The overall prevalence of neonatal sepsis was 59%, with early-onset and late-onset cases each accounting for about 29% and 30%.
- Low Apgar score and low birth weight were significant neonatal risk factors for sepsis.
- Maternal factors like education, caesarean delivery, and maternal infection were also associated with neonatal sepsis.

## Abstract

Neonatal Sepsis remains a significant burden globally, accounting for over 2.5 million neonatal deaths annually, with low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) including Ghana disproportionately affected. The current study sought to ascertain the prevalence of neonatal sepsis and associated factors based on analysis of institutional records from Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) in Ghana.

The study involved a retrospective cross-sectional review of randomly sampled medical records of 360 neonates CCTH from January 2018 to December 2021. Descriptive proportions and binary logistic regression analysis were conducted to estimate the prevalence of neonates with sepsis and associated factors.

The prevalence of neonates with sepsis over the period was estimated to be 59%, with early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) and late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS) accounting for about 29% and 30%, respectively. Neonatal factors associated with sepsis were low Apgar score (AOR = 1.64; 95% CI:1.01–2.67, p = 0.047) and low birth weight (AOR = 2.54; 95% CI:1.06–6.09, p = 0.037), while maternal factors were maternal education (AOR = 2.65; 95% CI:1.04–6.7, p = 0.040), caesarean deliveries (AOR = 0.45; 95% CI:0.26–0.75, p = 0.003), maternal infection (AOR = 1.79; 95% CI:1.09–2.94, p = 0.020) and foul-smelling liquor (AOR = 1.84; 95% CI:1.09–3.07, p = 0.020).

The study underscores the need for improved routine care and assessment of newborns to prevent the onset of neonatal sepsis, with particular emphasis on the neonatal and maternal risk factors highlighted in the current study.