Essential Newborn Care Utilization and Associated Factors in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background: Globally, neonatal death accounted for 46% of under-five deaths and more than 80% of newborn deaths are the result of preventable and treatable conditions. In Ethiopia, contradict and inconsistent studies have been conducted to assess the prevalence of essential newborn care utilization and associated factors. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of essential newborn care utilization and associated factors in Ethiopia. Methods: The international databases include MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Sciences, Scopus, and Grey literature databases, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Cochrane library were scientifically explored. All primary studies reporting the prevalence of essential neonatal care utilization and associated factors in Ethiopia were considered. All necessary data were retrieved by using a standardized data extraction format, spreadsheet. STATA 14 statistical software was used to analyze the data and Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 test was used to assess the heterogeneity between the studies. There was significant heterogeneity between the studies so that a random effect model was computed. Results: The pooled estimate for utilization essential newborn care utilization from 11 studies in Ethiopia was 48.768% (95% CI: 27.891, 69.645). Residence [ OR = 2.50 (95% CI: 1.64, 3.88)], Postnatal care [OR=5.53, 95% CI = (3.02, 10.13], counseling during pregnancy and delivery [OR=4.39, 95% CI = (2.99, 6.45], antenatal care follows up (OR=6.84; 95% CI: 1.15, 4.70) and maternal educational status [OR = 1.63 (95% CI: 1.12, 2.37)] were identified as the associated factors of essential newborn care utilization. Conclusion: Based on the current study essential newborn care utilization in Ethiopia was significantly low as compared to the current global recommendation on essential neonatal care utilization. Place of residence, Postnatal care, counseling during pregnancy and delivery, antenatal care follows up and maternal educational status were associated risk factors variables. Hence, appropriate newborn services utilization at health facilities and raising mother’s level of awareness about newborn care practices should be recommended.