Prevalence and factors associated with neonatal mortality at the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor, Northern Uganda

The neonatal mortality rate in NICU observed in this study was high. The majority of the deaths occurred in the early neonatal period. More than 80% of deaths recorded were due to prematurity. Preterm birth, low birth weight, low 5th minute APGAR score and late initiation of breastfeeding were significant risk factors for neonatal death. Efforts to address preterm birth, quality neonatal resuscitation and early initiation of breastfeeding are critical to achieving survival goals in newborns.