Distance to Care, Facility Delivery and Early Neonatal Mortality in Malawi and Zambia

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052110
• Publication Date: 2012-12-27T23:50:07Z
• Authors: Terhi J. Lohela; Oona M. R. Campbell; Sabine Gabrysch
• Keywords: Neonatal Mortality

Background Globally, approximately 3 million babies die annually within their first month. Access to adequate care at birth is needed reduce newborn as well maternal deaths. We explore the influence of distance delivery and level on early neonatal mortality in rural Zambia Malawi, (and care) facility delivery, mortality. Methods Findings National Health Facility Censuses were used classify obstetric for 1131 Zambian 446 Malawian facilities. Straight-line distances facilities calculated 3771 newborns 2007 DHS 8842 2004 Malawi DHS. There was no association between (OR 0.97, 95%CI 0.58–1.60), while Zambia, further (per 10 km) associated with lower 0.55, 0.35–0.87). The provided closest showed either 1.02, 0.90–1.16) or 0.82–1.26). In both countries, strongly use (Malawi: OR 0.35 per 10km, 0.26–0.46). All results are adjusted available confounders. Early did not differ by frequency community. Conclusions While better geographic access higher more frequent there This could be due low quality health facilities, but differential underreporting deaths an alternative explanation. Improved data sources monitor progress provision its impact