[Factors Associated With Neonatal Mortality In Diamare, Cameroon].

Objective: To estimate the neonatal mortality rate, causes and factors associated to newborn deaths in Diamaré in Cameroon.

Patients And Methods: It was an analytical and retrospective cross-sectional study. The period of the study was from January 1 2018 to December 31 2019 in 11 health facilities in Diamaré. The Chi 2 test was used to analyze factors associated to neonatal mortality.

Results: A total of 208neonatal deaths out of 29,209 live births were recorded, representing a neonatal death rate of 71 per 100,000 live births. The study showed that neonatal mortality mainly occurred in the early neonatal period 178 cases (85.6%). Neonatal mortality was predominant among girls 121 cases (58.2%). The main reasons for admission linked to neonatal deaths were respiratory distress 44 (21.4%), prematurity 37 (18.0%) and fever 32 (15.5%). The factors associated with neonatal deaths were asphyxia (p=0.007) and neonatal infection (p=0.042) occurring during the ultra-early and late periods respectively.

Conclusion: The neonatal mortality rate was high in Diamaré. These deaths were associated with asphyxia and neonatal infection.