Neonatal Sepsis and Associated Risk Factors among Newborns in Gbagada General Hospital, Massey Street Children Hospital, and Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos State

Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is a systemic illness that affects neonates under the age of 28 days. It is one of the primary causes of neonatal mortality in both developed and developing countries. The main aim of this study was to assess the risk factors associated with neonatal sepsis among newborns at Massey Street Children's Hospital, Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, and Gbagada General Hospital in Lagos State. Materials and methods: A case-control study design was employed on 200 neonates in Massey Street Children's Hospital, Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, and Gbagada General Hospital. Data were collected using a pre-tested standardized questionnaire. Data were entered using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version (SPSS). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were done by using binary logistic regression and used to determine the risk factors. Results: A total of 200 neonates were recruited, 82 (41%) had sepsis. The risk factors associated with neonatal sepsis were bottle feeding (AOR= 1.58(0.31, 8.05), Skin/local infection [AOR=1.6(0.36, 6.87), Prolonged rupture of the membrane [AOR = 1.48; (0.57, 3.88) and Previous history of neonatal admission [AOR = 16.91(2.08, 381.76] were the independent predictors of neonatal sepsis. Conclusion: This study indicates that the proportion of neonatal sepsis is high. Prolonged rupture of the membrane, Previous history of neonatal admission, Skin/local infection, and bottle feeding were identified as risk factors for neonatal sepsis.