Neonatal Factors Associated with Timely Referral and Safe Transport of Neonates in Makueni County Referral Hospital

Abstract

The study sought to determine neonatal factors associated with timely referral and safe transport of neonates in Makueni County Referral Hospital. Cross sectional study design was used for this study. The researcher targeted a population of 200 neonates. The researcher used consecutive sampling to recruit all neonates referred from peripheral health facilities to Makueni County Referral Hospital. Data from questionnaires, document reviews, and structured checklists were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Expert assistance from a statistician was sought. To test for independent association, logistic regression was used.  There was no significant association between timely referral and safe transport and neonatal variables such as age, gender, birth weight, gestational age, place of delivery, duration of labour, and complications requiring oxygen. Availability of enough and qualified health care providers to aid in vital signs monitoring, pre-referral, and en-route stabilization of neonates.