Abstract

Prevalence and associated factors of perinatal asphyxia among newborns in Dilla University referral hospital, southern Ethiopia, 2017

Author(s): Getnet Melaku

Perinatal asphyxia is a global neonatal problem which significantly contributes to both neonatal morbidity and mortality.  Perinatal asphyxia in Ethiopia is the leading cause of neonatal mortality that constituents 34% followed by preterm birth. As this study mainly focused on the platform for assessment of the Magnitude and determinant factors of perinatal asphyxia of neonates or the newborn at Dilla University Referral Hospital. Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital is found in the Tigray region Mekelle town, which is around 778 km from the capital city Addis-Ababa.  The clinical service to more than a population of 8 million in the catchment areas are provided to Tigray, Afar, and southeastern parts of the Amhara regional state. It provides a broad range of medical services to both in- and outpatient for all age groups. It also serves as a teaching hospital to several medical, dental medicine, nursing, midwifery, public health, pharmacy, anaesthesia, and medical laboratory students in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. It is the second largest hospital in the nation and has more than 500 inpatient beds in the four major departments (internal medicine, pediatrics, gynaecology and obstetrics, and surgery and other specialties). Mainly pediatricians and child health caretakers which have 18 specialists and six sub specialists. Approximately there are 43 residents in the department and 30-40 medical interns rotating every three months. The NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) ward provides service for approximately 200 neonates per month with a total of 43 beds and one room for KMC (kangaroo mother care). There are 65 BSC nurses, 1 neonatologist, 1 general pediatrician, 4 residents, and 8 interns. It is equipped with 4 radiant warmers, 6 incubators, 5 phototherapy devices, and two mechanical ventilation machines.