Prevalence, Patterns and Associated Factors for Neural Tube Defect Among Young Infants Admitted at Bugando Medical Centre in Northwestern Tanzania: A Cross Section Hospital Based Observational Study

Background

In Africa, including Tanzania, the trend for neural tube defects (NTDs) has been increasing, and has been shown to increase morbidity and mortality in young infants.

At Bugando Medical Centre (BMC)-a tertiary hospital serving the population of Northwestern Tanzania, the cases of NTD are commonly reported, but its exact prevalence, patterns and associated factors in young infants admitted at BMC remain unknown. Therefore, this study determined the prevalence, patterns and associated factors for NTD among young infants admitted at BMC.

Methodology

It is a cross-sectional observational study involving young infants aged 0-3 months admitted at BMC. Ethical approval and clearance to conduct the study was obtained from relevant authority before beginning the study. Since the total number of young infant admitted at the respective BMC premises (E4, neonatal Unit, C5, E5, C6, neonatal intensive care unit, and C2 wards) per month is small, therefore, a census sampling technique to ensure all eligible subjects are included during the study period was chosen. To supplement information on the young infants, a questionnaire-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from the infants’ mothers.

Data were managed using Microsoft Excel database, and were cleaned and imported to STATA version 13 for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis done, significant levels was set at p-value less than 0.05.

Results

A total of 525 young infants were enrolled in the study from February to May 2021, of which 298 (56.8 percent) were male. NTDs was found in 73 (13.9%) of the 525 infants hospitalized at BMC during the study period, and the most common pattern was myelomeningocele 50(68.5%). Failure to use folic acid supplementation during preconception and early first trimester, living in rural residence, lower education and overweight during pre-conception period are the key factors associated with NTD among young infants

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that NTD is one of the prevalent condition contributing to admission among young infants at BMC.

Recommendation

BMC should provide regular health education on NTD prevention to all women of reproductive age in the community. The use of folic acid supplement in preconception should be emphasized to all women of reproductive age since folic acid use have been reported to reduce NTD in various studies including the present study.