Determinants of Timely Referral and Safe Transport of Neonates Referred to and those Transferred Out of Makueni County Referral Hospital, Kenya
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Date
2024-12
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Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Internationally, 2.5 million babies lose their lives before first 28 days of life, many of the deaths occurs in the under developed countries and a third occurs on day one of life. According to the World Health Organization, many neonate deaths are preventable by simple interventions. The primary goal of the study was to establish determinants of timely referral and safe transport of neonates in Makueni County Referral Hospital. The study employed cross-sectional study design. The researcher collected data from 50 neonates through consecutive sampling. The researcher used a self-administered questionnaire, document reviews of the patients’ files and structured data checklist. Patients condition on admission was obtained from the health record. The researcher analyzed the data quantitatively using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26 (SPSS V26). The data obtained was summarized using frequency tables. Inferential statistics such as Chi-square tests Fishers Exact, bivariate and multivariate analysis were used to test for associations. Graphs, text, tables and pie charts were used to present the ultimate results. In total 50 admitted neonates were recruited to the study and results analyzed. According to the study findings, the researcher found out that there was no significant association between timely referral and safe transport and neonatal and maternal variables. Conversely, analysis of institutional characteristics highlights several significant factors associated with the likelihood of timely referral and safe transport during a referral. Patients who did not receive stabilization were found to be more prone to experiencing a lack of timeliness and safe transport during referral (P=0.004), patients who did not undergo vital signs monitoring were 9.25 times more prone to experiencing delays and unsafe transportation (P = 0.035). The results suggest that patients with a response time exceeding 2 hours were more likely to face a lack of timeliness and safe transport during referral (P=0.032). The availability of an ambulance emerged as a significant factor, with 59.5% (25) reporting waiting for an ambulance as the reason for the delay. The study concludes that institutional factors influenced safe transport and timely referral to include patient stabilization, vital signs monitoring, response time for referral, and the availability of an ambulance. The study recommends that ambulances should be availed timely, in adequate numbers, and be equipped with the necessary drugs and equipments so that in the event of a problem, the healthcare provider can intervene appropriately. Also, hospitals should be supplied with all the necessary equipments and drugs to aid in stabilization of patients.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science (Paediatric Nursing) in the School of Health Sciences Kenyatta University, December 2024.
Supervisor
1. Talaso Barako
2. Sarah Bett