Prevalence of neonatal hypothermia and associated risk factors at a referral hospital in Northern Province, Rwanda

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Neonatal hypothermia is a global concern, common among those born at hospitals and homes, regardless of geographical environment. Hypothermia has a significant impact on neonatal mortality and is frequently associated with preterm birth, asphyxia, and severe neonatal infections. Lack of thermal protection in developing countries is a significant challenge for newborn survival, including those born in Rwanda. There is minimal data on neonatal hypothermia in Rwanda, particularly in regions other than Kigali city. Aim: To determine the prevalence of neonatal hypothermia and associated risk factors in neonatology at a Referral Hospital in the Northern Province. Methodology: A prospective cross-sectional design was used to search for neonatal hypothermia at a Referral Hospital in the Northern Province of Rwanda. A convenience sampling strategy was used to select 303 neonates admitted to neonatology from October, 2021 to January, 2022. The instrument was developed based on the literature review of neonatal hypothermia, a conceptual framework and the study‘s objectives. Bivariate analysis with chi-square test was used to analyse the relationship between categorical variables. The prevalence of neonatal hypothermia was 65.3%. Born from adolescent mothers (OR=26.9), prematurity (OR = 9.4), not breastfed within 1 hour of delivery (OR = 9.7), having health problems (OR= 6.9), low birth weight (OR= 10.3), delivered at night time (OR = 6.0), and multiple births (OR = 29.7) showed significant association with neonatal hypothermia. Conclusion: In this study, the prevalence of hypothermia was high in the period of study starting from October, 2021 to January, 2022. Therefore, special attention is needed for the thermal care of preterm neonates who has the risks said above and all neonates in general.