Comparative risk factors for neonatal mortality in Rwanda: case study of Eastern and Western Provinces

Abstract

Globally, neonatal mortality represents around 40 percent of all mortality among children under five, with the neonatal deaths concentrated in first week of life. The associated factors include but not limited to socio-economic and healthcare-related factors. This study aimed to identify and compare factors that may be associated with neonatal mortality in Western and Eastern provinces of Rwanda. A cross-sectional study using quantitative and analytical methods was applied. The data were extracted from RDHS 2014/2015, for the women aged 15-49 years, who had given birth to live infants within the two years preceding the survey. For overall (n=6 016) live births, the 50.8 percent were from Western province and 49.2 percent in Eastern province. The early neonatal mortality was at 91.2%. Factors most likely associated with neonatal mortality were living in rural area in both provinces, born with normal and high birth weight in Western province, being of 5th or above birth order, number of tetanus toxoid injection in Eastern province. On other hand, mother’s age group of 41 years or above, head of household age group of 36 years or above had a protective effect against early neonatal mortality. Poor neonatal outcome is still a challenge in this population. Residing in rural area in the two provinces, being the 5th + birth order in the Eastern province remain the key determinants more likely associated with the neonatal mortality. Thus, focusing on improving maternal and child health in rural areas is of key importance to continuously decrease the neonatal mortality in the two provinces.