Semantic analysis of healthcare workers’ perceptions of neonatal mortality in Tshopo Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Introduction Neonatal mortality remains a major public health concern in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in Tshopo Province. While quantitative evidence is widely available, few studies have explored how healthcare workers interpret neonatal death within its sociocultural context. Purpose This study aimed to explore healthcare workers’ perceptions of neonatal mortality in Tshopo Province using semantic analysis. Methods A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in June 2025 among 25 healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, midwives, community health workers, and matrons) from four health zones in Tshopo Province (Lubunga, Yahisule, Makiso-Kisangani, and Yakusu). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted in French, Lingala, and Swahili. Audio recordings were transcribed and analyzed manually using a semantic analysis approach grounded in social construction theory, based on a predefined coding framework. Results Participants perceived neonatal mortality as a major and persistent community problem. Cultural interpretations were prominent, with neonatal deaths frequently explained as God’s will or attributed to witchcraft and misfortune. Respondents also identified health system and socioeconomic factors, including inadequate antenatal follow-up, poor quality of care, limited financial resources, delayed care-seeking, and insufficient parental awareness. Proposed strategies emphasized improving access to maternal and neonatal care, strengthening community education and awareness, enhancing staff training, and ensuring institutional support through better equipment provision, drug availability, and government involvement. Conclusion Healthcare workers’ perceptions of neonatal mortality in Tshopo Province reflect an interaction between sociocultural beliefs and structural barriers to care. Reducing neonatal mortality requires integrated interventions combining culturally sensitive health education, improved healthcare quality, strengthened antenatal follow-up, and stronger institutional commitment