PREVALENCE OF NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG NEONATES ADMITED IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS OF CENTRAL ETHIOPIA REGION, ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Background: - Necrotizing enterocolits (NEC) is a critical gastrointestinal emergency affecting newborns, especially premature infants in neonatal intensive care units. In general, the burden of NEC in infants, their family and society is high cost in economic and social burden. Also its left untreated causes health problem like intestinal failure, bowel perforation developmental delay, malnutrition, morbidity and mortality. There is a limited research on this topic in study area and Ethiopia. Knowing the prevalence and factors associated with necrotizing enter colitis is crucial for developing effective treatments and prevention strategies. Objective: - This study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of necrotizing enterocolits among neonates admitted in public hospitals of Central Ethiopia Region in 2024. Methods: - Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 5 up to Sept 15, 2024 on 459 Neonates admitted in neonatal intensive care units of Central Ethiopia Region public hospitals. Hospitals was selected by simple random sampling techniques but study participant was selected by systematic random sampling techniques. Data was collected by data extraction tool through face to face interviews question of mother and check list question for reviewing new born profile cards and it was collected by BSc nurse and MSc nurse. The data was entered in epi data version 4.7 and it was exported and analyzed using SPSS version 26, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to measure the associated factors of necrotizing enterocolitis. Statistically, significance was declared at p <0.05. Results: - This study found that a total of 459 participant enrolled with the response rate of 98.91%. The prevalence of NEC was (29.5%) (n=134, [95% CI; 25.3, 33.9]). being < 37week gestational age (AOR=2.5,95%CI [1.2,5.2]), being gestational age 37-42 week (AOR=0.25, 95% CI [0.13, 0.46]), chorioamnionitis (AOR=2.2, 95% CI [1.1, 4.4]), mixed milk (AOR= 3.8, 95% CI [2.2, 6.5]) and length of hospital stay ≥7days (AOR= 2.3,95%CI [1.3,3.9]) were factors significantly associated with NEC. Conclusion: - In this study the prevalence of NEC in the study area was high compared to other study. The study identified factories associated with prevalence of NEC like gestational age, chorioaminotisis, mixed milk feed and length of hospital stay. These finding gives an important evidence to give, healthcare providers and hospitals for the management of NEC.