# Magnitude of Neonatal Near Miss and Associated Factors in Hospitals of South West Shoa Zone, Central Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study finds that nearly 30% of newborns in Ethiopian hospitals experience life-threatening events linked to factors like poor prenatal care and pregnancy complications.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific risk factors for neonatal near-misses in a Central Ethiopian region using hospital data from 2022.

## Key findings

- Neonatal near-miss rate was 29.2% in South West Shoa Zone hospitals.
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension and antepartum hemorrhage were significant predictors of near-miss events.
- Improving prenatal care and early treatment of complications could reduce neonatal near-misses.

## Abstract

Every year, almost 30 million neonates worldwide require hospitalization as a result of life‐threatening situations. Neonatal mortality rate occurrences can have long‐term negative impacts on a child's and their family's health, well‐being, and lifespan. Ethiopia has made efforts to increase infant survival, although the rate of neonatal death remains high.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of neonatal near‐misses and related variables in South West Shoa Zone hospitals in Central Ethiopia in 2022.

From September 9 to November 8, 2022, an institution‐based cross‐sectional study was carried out in the Southwest Shoa Zone. Three hundred fifty‐six mothers and their corresponding newborns were carefully chosen, and the interviewer delivered a structured questionnaire along with a review of the mothers’ and newborns’ medical records to gather the data. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to determine the factors linked to neonatal near misses.

The neonatal near‐miss had a magnitude of 29.2% (95% CI = 24.47%, 33.96%). Pregnancy‐induced hypertension (AOR: 3.07; 1.15, 8.14), non‐vertex presentation (AOR = 5.27; 1.83, 15.16), antepartum hemorrhage (AOR = 5.28; 1.72, 16.18), premature rupture of membrane (AOR = 4.03; 1.88, 8.64), inadequate prenatal care visit (AOR = 2.66; 1.49, 4.76), and cesarean section delivery (AOR = 2.96; 1.28, 3.87) were found to be significant predictors of neonatal near miss.

According to this study, almost three out of ten newborns born in hospitals have a neonatal near‐miss that is influenced by multiple factors. To lower neonatal near misses, it is crucial to improve prenatal care visits and to identify and treat obstetric issues early.