Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
2
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam
3
Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam
4
Department of Pediatrics, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction: Neonatal mortality is a key indicator of community health and healthcare quality. Identifying individual- and population-level risk factors can inform maternal and child health policies and interventions. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with neonatal mortality in Ilam Province during 2019–2025 using a multivariable logistic regression model.
Methods: In this matched case-control study, neonatal deaths were compared with surviving neonates. Data were obtained from medical records and maternal telephone interviews. Maternal, neonatal, and delivery-related characteristics were assessed. Univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors independently associated with neonatal mortality. Adjusted odds ratios and their respective 95% confidence intervals were estimated. All statistical analyses were performed using Stata software version 17, and a two-sided P-value <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Paternal occupation, maternal blood group, history of abortion, and inadequate antenatal care were significantly associated with neonatal mortality. Compared with unemployed fathers, self-employed fathers had higher odds of neonatal mortality (AOR=3.39, 95% CI: 1.18–9.74; P=0.023), whereas children of fathers who were workers had substantially lower odds (AOR=0.06, 95% CI: 0.01–0.24; P<0.001). Compared with mothers with blood group A, those with blood group B had higher odds of neonatal mortality (AOR=3.39, 95% CI: 1.69–9.16; P<0.001). A history of abortion was also associated with increased odds of neonatal mortality (AOR=4.75, 95% CI: 2.30–9.81; P<0.001). Mothers who received fewer than six antenatal care visits had markedly higher odds of neonatal mortality compared to those who received six or more visits (AOR=9.05, 95% CI: 3.02–27.12; P<0.001).
Conclusion: Neonatal biological factors were the strongest contributors to neonatal mortality in Ilam Province. Targeted prenatal and postnatal interventions, evidence-based policymaking, and parental education may help reduce neonatal mortality and improve neonatal health indicators.
Highlights
Masoumeh Karimi (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
Ali Khorshidi (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
Kourosh Sayehmiri (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
Sajjad Noorollahi (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
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Subjects
