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Background: Neonatal Sepsis remains a significant burden globally, accounting for over 2.5 million neonatal deaths annually, with low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) including Ghana disproportionately affected. The current study sought to ascertain the prevalence of neonatal sepsis and associated factors based on analysis of institutional records from Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) in Ghana. Methods: The study involved a retrospective cross-sectional review of randomly sampled medical records of 360 neonates CCTH from January 2018 to December 2021. Descriptive proportions and binary logistic regression analysis were conducted to estimate the prevalence of neonates with sepsis and associated factors. Results: The prevalence of neonates with sepsis over the period was estimated to be 59%, with early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) and late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS) accounting for about 29% and 30%, respectively. Neonatal factors associated with sepsis were low Apgar score (AOR = 1.64; 95% CI:1.01–2.67, p = 0.047) and low birth weight (AOR = 2.54; 95% CI:1.06–6.09, p = 0.037), while maternal factors were maternal education (AOR = 2.65; 95% CI:1.04–6.7, p = 0.040), caesarean deliveries (AOR = 0.45; 95% CI:0.26–0.75, p = 0.003), maternal infection (AOR = 1.79; 95% CI:1.09–2.94, p = 0.020) and foul-smelling liquor (AOR = 1.84; 95% CI:1.09–3.07, p = 0.020). Conclusion: The study underscores the need for improved routine care and assessment of newborns to prevent the onset of neonatal sepsis, with particular emphasis on the neonatal and maternal risk factors highlighted in the current study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folate is a vitamin B‐related substance needed by expectant mothers during the period right before and after conception (peri‐conceptional period) to help protect foetuses against neural tube defects (NTDs). Despite efforts to promote the peri‐conceptional uptake of folic acid (FA), adherence remains low. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of peri‐conceptional FA uptake among childbearing women in northern Ghana. In a cross‐sectional study, data from 303 women accessing antenatal care services in the Upper East Region of Ghana between February and July 2017 were collected and analysed in Stata (Version 12.1). Chi‐square and logistic regression analysis were used to identify the independent determinants of peri‐conceptional uptake of FA. The mean age of the study population was 27.4 (±5.73) years. The prevalence of uptake of peri‐conceptional FA was 28.7% (95% confidence interval: 26.7%‐34.2%); 66% of the women were aware of FA and 52% had acceptable knowledge about FA. Initiating ANC after 3 months of pregnancy was associated with 91% less chance of peri‐conceptional FA use [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04‐0.22; P <.001]. Not knowing the frequency of dosing of FA was associated with a 58% less likelihood of uptake of peri‐conceptional FA (AOR 0.42; 95% CI 0.23‐0.76; P =.004). There is low uptake of peri‐conceptional FA among women of childbearing age accessing antenatal services in Northern Ghana, and this uptake is determined by the time of initiation of ANC visit and knowledge of dosage regimen of FA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]