Evaluation of Quality of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Service in Primary Hospitals of Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Background: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a health facility based package of interventions to address newborns that need advanced care for ill or premature new-borns in the first 28 days of life. The period with in the first month of life was the most important time for child’s survival and they face the highest risk of death. There is paucity of information regarding this important issue in south west Ethiopia therefore, it is very important to evaluate quality of neonatal Intensive Care Unit services especially in the era of mid covid-19 pandemic. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of neonatal intensive care unit service at primary hospitals in Jimma zone, 2020. Methods: : A single case study using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods was conducted from August 20 to September 15, 2020 in neonatal intensive care units of primary hospitals located in Jimma zone. The evaluation was done using Donabedian’s Structure-Process-Outcome model in terms of availability, compliance and acceptability dimensions. Data were entered in EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the data. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to see the association between independent variable and satisfaction of parents on quality of service. The quantitative findings were supplemented with qualitative data. Finally the findings of the evaluation were interpreted on the basis of pre-determined judgment matrix. Results: : Most of the required resources (88.32%) were available at the study sites. But the rooms had been inadequate. Health care providers’ compliance was 82.59%. However, after discharge, only 26.67% of neonates received appointment based on guideline. About 72.75% of parents were satisfied with the services given to their babies. The overall quality of neonatal intensive care service was partially implemented (82.42%) according to the preset judgment criteria. Parental satisfaction was found to be associated with place of residence (AOR=3.68, 95 % CI: 1.15-11.76) and occupation (AOR=2.69, 95% CI: 1.01-7.2). Conclusions: and Recommendations: The overall quality of neonatal intensive care service was partially implemented according to the preset judgment criteria. Rural residence and having no occupation were predictors for parenteral satisfaction. There is a need for improvements on preparation of maternal waiting area, hand washing facilities, provision of appointments to discharged neonates and the availability of medical equipment’s (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure).