Respiratory distress and its associated factors among preterm neonates admitted to Mizan Tepi University teaching hospital, Bench Maji Zone, South West Ethiopia, 2020

Abstract Background Respiratory distress (RD) is a common problem in the neonatal period and one of the most common reasons for neonates to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) which frequently leads to neonatal mortality. However, there are few studies on neonatal respiratory distress and its associated factors in Ethiopia. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of respiratory distress in the neonatal intensive care unit at Mizan Tepi University teaching hospital. Methods An institutional based retrospective cross sectional study was conducted among preterm infants admitted in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Mizan Tepi University teaching hospital from May 9/2016 to December 30/2019. Simple random sampling technique was used to recruit a predetermined sample size by using registration numbers of the clients enrolled through computer generated random numbers. Binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between neonatal respiratory distress and explanatory variables. Explanatory variables that had a P-value of less than 0.25 and fulfilled the assumption of logistic regression from bi-variable logistic regression were considered for the multivariable logistic regression model. The strength of association was evaluated using an odds ratio at 95% confidence interval and a P-value Result The proportion of respiratory distress in the current study was 34.0% at 95% CI 29.4%–38.6%. Respiratory distress was significantly associated with being a multiple (twin) AOR = 1.8(1.05–3.09), non-cephalic presentation at delivery AOR = 4.9(1.96–12.2), presence of asphyxia AOR = 1.85(1.01–3.69), an APGAR of Conclusion The prevalence of neonatal respiratory distress in the current study was high. Nearly one out of three neonates admitted to Mizan Tepi University teaching hospital NICU's had respiratory distress. Respiratory distress was significantly associated with a low 5-min APGAR score, a gestational age between 28 and 31, a multiple (twin) pregnancy, non-cephalic presentation, and neonatal asphyxia. Therefore, health professionals working in the delivery room and/or the neonatal intensive care unit should be mindful of these associated factors for early detection and appropriate management of RD to ensure better outcomes in all infants presenting with respiratory distress.