Neonatal tetanus mortality in Kilifi District, Kenya : results of a community survey, 1989

The crude birth rate was 60.5 per 1,000 population, the neonatal mortality rate 21.1 per 1,000 live births, and the NNT mortality rate 3.1 per 1,000 live births. The neonatal mortality and NNT mortality rates were higher in boys than in girls. There was no geographical or seasonal variation. NNT was not associated with mother"s age, parity, or history of previous child death. A total of 72% of the children were adequately protected at birth against NNT. Children with documented protection had a NNT mortality rate of 0 per 1,000 live births, while those with undocumented protection and other children had 1.2 and 8.5 rates, respectively. Other risk factors for NNT included: home delivery, untrained assistance during delivery, unclean cord cutting, and application of potentially infectious substances on the umbilical stump. The survey and additional data indicate that over the past decade Kilifi District has greatly reduced NNT incidence and overall neonatal mortality. Policies and strategies have been identified by the survey for accelerated NNT control. (Author abstract)