Prevalence and factors associated with admission to the neonatal intensive care unit at Gulu regional referral hospital

Abstract

Background Globally, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions are a global concern, particularly in regions like sub-Saharan Africa. This study explored the prevalence and factors associated with NICU admission at Gulu regional referral hospital GRRH in northern Uganda. Method This was a cross-sectional study that employed quantitative techniques. Data were retrospectively collected from 576 randomly selected hospital records on NICU admissions from 1st July 2022 to 30th June 2023. All data were analysed using SPSS 25.0 statistical software. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses examined factors associated with NICU admission. Results Of the 576 records reviewed, there were111 (19.3%) neonates were admitted to the neonatal intensive care. Factors associated with admission of neonates to the neonatal intensive care unit were caesarean delivery, aOR: 3.82, 95% CI (2.17–6.72), preterm labour, aOR: 4.22, 95% CI (1.18–15.13), premature rupture of membranes, aOR: 11.16, 95% CI (5.79–21.49), and malaria in pregnancy, aOR: 4.37, 95% CI (1.53–12.53). Conclusion The rate of NICU admission at Gulu regional referral hospital was high. The factors associated with the admission of neonates to the neonatal intensive care unit at Gulu regional referral hospital were malaria in pregnancy, premature rupture of membranes, preterm labour and caesarean section.