Risk factors and practices contributing to sepsis in neonates admitted at a Children’s Hospital in Zimbabwe

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a public health issue that consistently emerges as one of the main causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors and practices contributing to neonatal sepsis among neonates admitted at a Children’s Hospital in Bulawayo Zimbabwe. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted at a children’s hospital in Bulawayo Zimbabwe between September and October 2018. A total of 98 mothers of sick new-borns admitted in the children’s hospital and 36 health workers were recruited for the study. The mothers’ demographic characteristics, antenatal history, birth circumstances, and new-born practices were used to predict factors associated with neonatal sepsis risk using odds ratios and regression logistics. Qualitative data from health providers were transcribed, coded, analyzed into themes and triangulated with the information from the questionnaire. Results There were 40 (40.8%) new-borns clinically confirmed to have neonatal sepsis. The majority of sepsis cases (60%) were amongst neonates with low birth weight. Poor hand hygiene, application of substances including cow dung and breast milk for cord care and using information from other sources other than health care workers were the variables found to be associated with neonatal sepsis. Being a young mother (15–20 years) and experiencing some pregnancy related problems before or during delivery were also found to be significantly associated with neonatal sepsis. Problems highlighted by health care workers included shortage of medical sundries in the children’s hospital, infection control training programs not being attended by all personnel and poor hand washing and hygiene practices due to inadequate facilities Conclusions There was high prevalence of clinically confirmed neonatal sepsis among neonates admitted with suspected sepsis. Neonatal sepsis was associated with a variety of factors which included neonatal factors such as low birth weight; maternal factors such as age of the mother, attendance of antenatal clinic and practices associated with hygiene and cord care. Health facility related factors that are linked to infection control such as provision of adequate hand hygiene facilities, medical sundries and disinfectants and adequate training may also be associated with neonatal sepsis