Trends and determinants of preterm birth and neonatal mortality in Ghana (2008–2022): a WHO antenatal care guidelines analysis

Akalanka, KHM; Lin, K; Sun, J

Trends and determinants of preterm birth and neonatal mortality in Ghana (2008–2022): a WHO antenatal care guidelines analysis

Akalanka, KHM Lin, K Sun, J

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Global Health Journal, 2025, 9, (4), pp. 344-354
Issue Date:: 2025-12

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Akalanka, KHM
dc.contributor.author	Lin, K
dc.contributor.author	Sun, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0097-2438
dc.date.accessioned	2026-03-10T04:06:29Z
dc.date.available	2026-03-10T04:06:29Z
dc.date.issued	2025-12
dc.identifier.citation	Global Health Journal, 2025, 9, (4), pp. 344-354
dc.identifier.issn	2096-3947
dc.identifier.issn	2414-6447
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/193810
dc.description.abstract	Background Preterm birth and neonatal mortality continue to pose significant public health challenges in Ghana. This study explores their temporal trends and associated determinants from 2008 to 2022. Methods Birth record data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (2008, 2014, and 2022) were used to analyse trends and determinants in neonatal mortality and preterm birth aligned with World Health Organization antenatal care (ANC) guidelines using Pearson s Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression with statistical significance at P 0.05 and 95 confidence intervals (CI). Results Preterm birth rate and neonatal mortality rate decreased from 13.0 to 9.1 and 27.6 to 23.7 per 1000 live births from 2008 to 2022 respectively. Lack of iron supplementation (odds ratio [OR]1.127, 95 CI 1.047 to 1.967) a nutritional intervention maternal assessments (moderate/severe anaemia (OR 1.423, 95 CI 1.178 to 2.051), preventive measures (Untreated malaria (OR 1.449, 95 CI 1.104 to 2.411) or deworming (OR 1.267, 95 CI 0.970 to 1.645) were associated with increased preterm birth risk. Attending 8 ANC visits raised the odds of preterm birth (OR 1.24, 95 CI 1.03 to 1.257) and neonatal mortality (OR 1.583, 95 CI 1.120 to 2.480). Conclusion Despite reductions in preterm birth and neonatal mortality rates, substantial gaps in antenatal care remain. Strengthening the implementation of World Health Organization ANC guidelines is critical to reducing preterm birth and neonatal mortality in Ghana.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Global Health Journal
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.glohj.2025.11.005
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Trends and determinants of preterm birth and neonatal mortality in Ghana (2008–2022): a WHO antenatal care guidelines analysis
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	9
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	true
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-03-10T04:06:27Z
pubs.issue	4
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	9
utslib.citation.issue	4

Abstract:

Background Preterm birth and neonatal mortality continue to pose significant public health challenges in Ghana. This study explores their temporal trends and associated determinants from 2008 to 2022. Methods Birth record data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (2008, 2014, and 2022) were used to analyse trends and determinants in neonatal mortality and preterm birth aligned with World Health Organization antenatal care (ANC) guidelines using Pearson s Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression with statistical significance at P 0.05 and 95 confidence intervals (CI). Results Preterm birth rate and neonatal mortality rate decreased from 13.0 to 9.1 and 27.6 to 23.7 per 1000 live births from 2008 to 2022 respectively. Lack of iron supplementation (odds ratio [OR]1.127, 95 CI 1.047 to 1.967) a nutritional intervention maternal assessments (moderate/severe anaemia (OR 1.423, 95 CI 1.178 to 2.051), preventive measures (Untreated malaria (OR 1.449, 95 CI 1.104 to 2.411) or deworming (OR 1.267, 95 CI 0.970 to 1.645) were associated with increased preterm birth risk. Attending 8 ANC visits raised the odds of preterm birth (OR 1.24, 95 CI 1.03 to 1.257) and neonatal mortality (OR 1.583, 95 CI 1.120 to 2.480). Conclusion Despite reductions in preterm birth and neonatal mortality rates, substantial gaps in antenatal care remain. Strengthening the implementation of World Health Organization ANC guidelines is critical to reducing preterm birth and neonatal mortality in Ghana.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/193810