Major causes and associated factors of anemia among neonates admitted to the five comprehensive and specialized hospitals of Northwest Amhara region in Ethiopia (2023): Cross sectional study

Anemia is a common hematological problem in the neonatal admissions. Understanding the major causes and factors contributing to neonatal anemia is needed to identify interventions that can reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality. Evidence about the prevalence and contributing factors of anemia in neonates are limited in Ethiopia particularly in the Amhara region, so knowing the prevance and contributing factors may reduce the long-term, untreated complications of anemia. A cross-sectional study design was conducted from October 1 to 31, 2023, and systematic random sampling was used to select a sample of 1004 participants. Data was collected by interviewing mothers and reviewing neonates' medical. The collected data was entered using Epi-Data version 4.2.0 and exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. Variables that have a P-value <0.25 in a bivariable were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model to control for confounder and statistical significance was declared at p-value <0.05. A total of 991 participants were recruited into the study. The prevalence of anemia among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit was found 25.13 % (95 % CI: 20.52 29.35 %). Antepartum hemorrhage [(AOR: 2.69, 95 %CI: (1.62 4.49)], RH incompatibility [AOR: 3.11; 95 %CI (2.08 4.64)], subgaleal hemorrhage [(AOR: 2.77, 95 %CI: (1.83 4.21], traditional uvuloctomy [AOR: 2.92; 95 %CI (2.06 4.14)] were factors significantly associated with anemia. To deplete the burden of neonatal anemia better to eliminate traditional uvuloctomy and give special attention to neonates diagnosed with RH incompatibility, subgaleal hemorrhage, mothers who had antepartum hemorrhage.