Publication:

Factors predisposing to neonatal sepsis in Yenagoa Nigeria

Background Neonatal unit of the hospital is the hallmark of intensive care hence the full name of the department is neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and sepsis is prevalent.  Predisposing factors to the occurrence of neonatal sepsis is something to be regularly reviewed. This commentary seeks to advance findings from a dissertation on predisposing factors of sepsis NICU.

Methods This was based on critical review of a mixed method study involving clinical observation and survey approaches using purposive sampling techniques. 66 questionnaires were administered to the health professionals working in the NICU of the two tertiary hospitals. Statistical analysis was in frequency description research method.

Results 83.3% of the participants were females and 97% are above the age of 18 years old. Using 2.5/5 as benchmark of the Likert scale, results revealed socio-economic, maternal healthcare, neonatal health, and hygienic delivery practice as main predisposing factors with averages over 3.23. The level of healthcare professionals’ adherence to general infection control measures was found to be moderate (2.6±0.4 out of 5.00). The result also revealed that mothers and visitors adhered abysmally to the use of personal protective equipment (1.7±0.4 out of 5.0).

Conclusion The hygiene level of the health workers and mother/visitors to the NICU may likely be a predisposing factor to the occurrence of neonatal sepsis. Infection control compliance monitoring to avoid sepsis among neonates is strongly recommended.