Factors associated with the admission of moderate to late preterm and term neonates within 72 hours of birth at Dedza and Mangochi District Hospitals, Malawi: a matched case-control study

To investigate the demographic characteristics, maternal, and perinatal factors associated with the hospitalization of moderate to late preterm and term neonates within 72 h of birth in the Dedza and Mangochi districts of Malawi. This case-control study was conducted with one-to-one matching for age, location, and sex. Cases were sick neonates who were admitted in the Sick Intensive Neonatal Care Unit (SINCU) within 72 h of life, while controls were non-sick neonates delivered within two weeks of the birth dates of cases. Prenatal data were extracted from case files, while other maternal practices and demographic characteristics were obtained by interviewing primary care takers or legal guardians after obtaining consent. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with hospitalization of moderate to late preterm and term neonates within 72 h of birth. Application of tetracycline eye ointment (AOR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.20-0.82, p = 0.012) applying chlorhexidine to the umbilical cord stump (AOR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.10-0.88, p = 0.027), and stimulation resuscitation (AOR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.05-0.78, p = 0.020) were associated with a reduced odd of hospitalization. An increased odds of hospitalization was significantly associated with low birth weight (AOR: 10.48, 95% CI: 4.25-25.89, p = 0.001), Apgar score