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Abstract:
The incidences of neonatal deaths are often associated with various factors, some of which are preventable. Most causes of neonatal deaths in sub-Saharan Africa are related to health worker factors and as such avoidable.
Aim: This study investigated avoidable and unavoidable factors contributing to neonatal deaths recorded in 2013 at a national hospital in the Khomas region of Namibia.
Methods: The study used a quantitative research approach with a retrospective descriptive design to investigate avoidable and unavoidable factors contributing to neonatal deaths.
The primary data were collected from a population of 231 record files of all neonates who died during the period 1 January to 31 December 2013 while admitted at the national hospital.
Findings: The study noted the avoidable factors, which were related to healthcare providers and could be avoided, as well as congenital abnormalities that were deemed as unavoidable factors.
Conclusion: The study concluded that most of neonatal deaths are the result of actions or inactions of the healthcare providers and hence can be avoided.
Recommendations: Based on the results of the study, further research is required to assess the knowledge, skills, and behaviours of the healthcare providers.
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