Abstract

An increase in the burden of neonatal admissions to a rural district hospital in Kenya over 19 years

Mwaniki MK, Gatakaa HW, Mturi FN, Chesaro CR, Chuma JM, Peshu NM, Mason L, Kager P, Marsh K, English M, Berkley JA, Newton CR
BMC Public Health. 2010;10

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BACKGROUND: Most of the global neonatal deaths occur in developing nations, mostly in rural homes. Many of the newborns who receive formal medical care are treated in rural district hospitals and other peripheral health centres. However there are no published studies demonstrating trends in neonatal admissions and outcome in rural health care facilities in resource poor regions. Such information is critical in planning public health interventions. In this study we therefore aimed at describing the pattern of neonatal admissions to a Kenyan rural district hospital and their outcome over a 19 year period, examining clinical indicators of inpatient neonatal mortality and also trends in utilization of a rural hospital for deliveries. METHODS: Prospectively collected data on neonates is compared to non-neonatal paediatric ( 7 mmol/l predicted inpatient neonatal death with a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 68%. CONCLUSIONS: There is clear evidence of increasing burden in neonatal admissions at a rural district hospital in contrast to reducing numbers of non-neonatal paediatrics' admissions aged