Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Causes of Neonatal Sepsis: Insights from Hospitals in Tripoli-Libya

الملخص

Around the world, sepsis is the single largest cause of neonatal deaths, and about 36% of neonatal mortality caused by infection. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, causes, and risk factors of neonatal sepsis in Tripoli’s hospitals, Libya. In this observational descriptive study, the researchers relied on the information in hospital’s files of three big hospitals and two specialized private hospitals, the information collected according to a form prepared by the researchers and checked by neonatologists. The overall prevalence of neonatal sepsis (NS) was 37.5%. Low gestational age, mode of delivery, duration of stay in hospitals, type of feeding, resuscitation, and maternal infections (Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and Chorioamnionitis as well as prolonged rupture of the membrane (PROM)) were the most important risk factors associated with neonatal sepsis. Mortality from neonatal sepsis can be avoided and the proper implementation of preventive and curative measures against neonatal sepsis can reduce the mortality rate.