A Five-Year Neonatal Mortality Trend in a Ghanaian Teaching Hospital after the Implementation of Strategies to Achieve the Millenium Development Goal (MDG) 4

Abstract

Various strategies have been put in place in Ghana to achieve the United Nations millennium development goal 4 (MDG 4) on reducing childhood mortality rates by two-thirds by 2015. Global under-five mortality rate is declining but the proportion of death due to neonatal deaths is still high. We, therefore, examined the trend in neonatal mortality in a tertiary hospital from 2008 to 2012 to ascertain whether the strategies have been effective. Data were analysed using SPSS v 20.32. Neonatal mortality rates decreased steadily from 32 per 1000 live births in 2008 to 14 in 2011, but increased drastically to 39 per 1000 live births in 2012. The overall neonatal mortality rate was 27 per 1000 live births. Majority, 1434 (83%) of the neonates died within 24 hours of birth and 28 (2%) occurred after 2 weeks. The five topmost causes of neonatal deaths within the period were: prematurity, birth asphyxia, neonatal sepsis, neonatal jaundice, and respiratory distress. In furtherance, neonatal mortality decreased gradually in the first four years but turned upward in the fifth year. Improvement in employee incentives and adequate preparation of care providers for early neonatal care was recommended.