Magnitude of Jaundice and Associated Factors among Neonates Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract
Background: Neonatal jaundice is the most dangerous sign of neonatal illness. It is the most common cause of neonatal re-admission and mortality in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is limited information regarding neonatal jaundice in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of Jaundice and associated
factors among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units in Eastern Ethiopia.
Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among newborns admitted to selected public hospitals
in eastern Ethiopia from January 1/2019 to December 31/2020. The neonates’ medical records were selected by systematic random sampling for examination. Data were collected using a structured checklist and analyzed SPSS version
20. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with neonatal
jaundice. A p-value of < 0.05 was used to declare a level of statistical significance.
Results: The magnitude of neonatal jaundice was 32 % (95% CI: 28.8, 35.8). Being preterm (AOR = 2.21; 95%
CI:1.45, 3.38), Instrumental delivery (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI:1.11, 4.48), neonatal hypoglycemia (AOR=2.27, 95% CI:
1.35, 3.82), neonatal sepsis (AOR =2.13, 95%CI: 1.83, 4.38), ABO blood group incompatibility (AOR= 5.16; 95%
CI:4.5, 13.71), and birth trauma (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.14, 4.34) were factors significantly associated with neonatal
jaundice.
Conclusion: The magnitude of neonatal jaundice was found to be relatively high. Preventing and treating conditions
like neonatal infection, birth trauma, and neonatal hypoglycemia can reduce the likelihood of neonatal jaundice.