Facility level factors that determine consistent delivery of essential newborn care at health centers in Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Essential newborn care (ENC) is a package of interventions which should be provided for every newborn baby regardless of body size or place of delivery immediately after birth and should be continued for at least the seven days that follows. Although a minimum package of proven interventions to reduce newborn mortality have been adopted, countries are still challenged by multiple system related problems. Methods: This study employed a retrospective cross-sectional study design and used program monitoring data collected from 425 facilities between October and December 2019. Descriptive statistics were formulated and presented in tables. Binary logistic regression was employed to assess the statistical association between the outcome variable and the independent variables. All variables with p<0.2 in the bivariate analysis were identified as candidate variables. Then, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed using candidate variables to determine statistically significant predictors of the consistent delivery of ENC by adjusting for possible confounders. Results: A total of 273, (64.2%), of facilities demonstrated consistent delivery of ENC. Five factors - availability of essential obstetrics drugs in delivery rooms, high CSC performances, availability of maternity waiting homes, consistent partograph use, and availability of women-friendly delivery services were included in the model. The strongest predictor of CD-ENC was consistent partograph use, recording an odds ratio of 2.66. Similarly, providing women-friendly services was strongly associated with increased likelihood of exhibiting CD-ENC. Furthermore, facilities with essential obstetric drugs had 1.88 times higher odds of exhibiting consistent delivery of ENC. Conclusion: Health worker commitment to provide ENC is linked to the practices and platforms created by health facility management. Health facility managers should establish a platform or mechanism to enhance providers relationship with their clients as well as comprehensive tools to remind health workers’ responsibilities with regards to ENC. In addition, the health service managers should also consider availing the required supplies and drugs closer to the service delivery rooms and tables.