Iranian physician attitudes toward factors in neonatal mortality: A preliminary study and review of the literature

The Neonatal period is a highly vulnerable time. Provision, maintenance and improvement of neonatal welfare level in health care are the most indicators of health and development. The purpose of this study was investigating the Iranian physicians’ attitudes toward factors in neonatal mortality in order to access minimum data set in neonatal death.
This study was a cross-sectional performed using convenience sampling and a researcher made questionnaire in order to access minimum data set in neonatal death. Questionnaires were completed by neonatologists working in Tehran teaching hospitals by 71% contribution rate. In order to compare the results of the questionnaire and real data from neonatal records, t-test, Mann-Whitney and K-square tests were used.
The results of the comparison between questionnaire and neonatal records on four variables that had the highest mean showed that there were relationships between birth weight, gestational age, Apgar scores and mortality, but there was not a significant relationship between neonatal status at birth and mortality rate.
According to local condition and access level to quality care, important parameters in neonatal death were different and it is necessity to have comprehensive analysis in order to reduce neonatal mortality rate. Use of obtained parameters can be helpful in creating clinical decision support system for predicting the neonatal death, but comprehensive studies are needed for further evaluation.