Survey-weighted neonatal death risk stratification using nationally representative Nigeria DHS 2024 data. This study develops and internally validates a prediction model integrating maternal, perinatal, and immediate newborn-care factors to improve population-level neonatal risk assessment, surveillance, and policy targeting.
# ndhs2024-neonatal-death-risk-model
Survey-weighted neonatal death risk stratification using nationally representative Nigeria DHS 2024 data. This study develops and internally validates a prediction model integrating maternal, perinatal, and immediate newborn-care factors to improve population-level neonatal risk assessment, surveillance, and policy targeting.
# NDHS 2024 Neonatal Death Risk Model
**Survey-weighted neonatal death risk stratification in Nigeria using the 2024 Demographic and Health Survey: a nationally representative cross-sectional prediction study with internal validation**
## Overview
This repository contains the analytic pipeline, tables, and figures for a nationally representative neonatal death risk-stratification study using the **Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2024** birth recode. The study evaluates whether adding a prespecified **perinatal and immediate newborn-care block** improves prediction of neonatal death beyond maternal sociodemographic characteristics alone.
## Authors
**Sunday A. Adetunji, MD, MPH**
College of Health, Oregon State University
ORCID:
orcid.org
Email: adetunjs@oregonstate.edu
**Rhoda O. Oyewusi, RN, RM, PON**
Department of Midwifery, University of Lagos
Email: royebunmi@gmail.com
## Study summary
We conducted a survey-weighted cross-sectional prediction study of **104,557 live births** recorded in the NDHS 2024 birth recode. The primary outcome was **neonatal death**, defined as death at age 0 months, with all surviving live births retained as non-events.
The extended model incorporated maternal sociodemographic variables plus a prespecified perinatal/newborn-care block including:
- birthweight
- plurality
- mode and place of delivery
- skilled birth attendance
- skin-to-skin contact
- breastfeeding counselling
- observed breastfeeding
- duration of pregnancy
- preceding birth interval
## Key findings
- Overall survey-weighted neonatal death rate: **36.4 per 1000 …