Determinants of Late Preterm Hospitalisation During the Neonatal Period at Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kakamega County

Purpose: Late preterm infants frequently face specific difficulties stemming from their physiological underdevelopment, which heightens their risk for health issues and the need for later hospitalization. Nevertheless, the factors influencing late preterm hospitalization following discharge from delivery have not been thoroughly investigated within the healthcare system in Kenya. In particular, the study determined the relationship between neonatal characteristics, maternal characteristics, neonatal care practices, and hospitalization outcome. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional quantitative research was conducted using a sample of 74 infant-mother dyad pairs selected through purposive sampling. Late preterm infants hospitalized in the KCTRH pediatric emergency unit within 28 days after birth discharge were recruited. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. A bivariate test using chi-square was conducted to assess the associations between maternal, late preterm, and neonatal care practices and late preterm hospitalization outcomes. Subsequently, multivariate logistic regression was performed on the variables found to be significant in the bivariate analysis to further evaluate their independent effects on hospitalization outcomes. P-values were set at <.05 Results: Late preterm infants who were hospitalized for more than 48 h had worse outcomes (AOR = 0.08, p = 0.006), as did infants who were appropriately breastfed (AOR = 0.13, p = 0.022). Symptomatic danger signs before hospitalization were linked to the worst outcomes (AOR = 44.50, p =. 040). Maternal education post-basic/tertiary (AOR = 66.72, p =. 014), antenatal care utilization (AOR = 0.02, p =. 031), and the lack of previous pregnancy complications (AOR = 21.27, p =.031). 017) were also associated with favorable outcomes. Some of the neonatal practices done during the first few days of life, which included breastfeeding after birth (AOR |= 1.44, p = .001) and receiving teaching from nurses on dangerous signs (AOR = 2.32, p = .007), appeared to be beneficial. Implication: The findings emphasize the importance of effective maternal and neonatal care in the outcomes for hospitalization late in the preterm period. It is important to develop specific neonatal care strategies that are based on maternal education and early intervention measures in order to improve late preterm infant health and limit hospital stays.