Patterns and Determinants of Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality at the EHFA Foundation Teaching Medical Centre, Bangourain: A Retrospective Study

The neonatal period, defined as the first 28 days of life, is the most vulnerable time for a child’s survival. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 2.3 million neonatal deaths occur annually, accounting for almost 47% of all under-five deaths globally. Despite global advances in maternal and child health, neonatal morbidity and mortality continue to pose serious public health concerns in sub-Saharan Africa, with Cameroon ranking among the countries with the highest neonatal mortality rates. This retrospective study aimed to determine the patterns and determinants of neonatal morbidity and mortality at the EHFA Foundation Teaching Medical Centre, Bangourain. A hospital based retrospective study was conducted and involved the collection of data from hospital record files and patient medical report books for a period of 1 month from 2024 to 2025 using a data extraction form. Authorization was obtained from the Regional Delegate of Health for the West Region and institutional authorization was obtained from the Director of the hospital. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21 and statistical significance was considered if p value was less than 0.05. The study involved 122 participants, mostly rural-based mothers aged 20 - 34 years with primary education (58.2%) and working as farmers (51.6%). Neonatal morbidity and mortality affected 23 newborns, with the most common complications being premature birth (27.3%) and sepsis (22.7%). Significant associations were found with maternal education (p = 0.009), occupation (p = 0.05), residence (p = 0.05), parity (p = 0.018), and fetal conditions (p = 0.0001). No significant associations were found with maternal medical conditions (p = 0.59), gestation type (p = 0.998), access to healthcare (p = 0.28), or environmental factors (p = 0.906). Neonatal death was highest among babies of primiparous mothers (73.9%). Female newborns had higher complications, but the association with sex was not significant (p = 0.46). It can therefore be recommended that Interventions should prioritize maternal education, improved rural healthcare access, and support for first-time mothers to reduce neonatal mortality.