• Justina Lungameni, Emma Maano Nghitanwa, and Laura Uusiku.
• University of Namibia, School of Nursing and Public Health.
• Afr Health Sci. 2023 Sep 1; 23 (3): 141148141-148.

IntroductionApgar score is conducted to a baby immediately after birth checking how the baby tolerated the birth process and outside the uterus.ObjectivesTo describe the neonatal factors associated with immediate low Apgar score and analysing the associations among factors associated with low Apgar score in new-born babies.MethodsA quantitative, case-control, descriptive research design was used. Study population were all maternal records of deliveries conducted between 01 January 2019 and 31 December 2019. Simple random sampling was used to select the sample size for 194 cases and 194 controls using a 1:1 case-control ratio. Records indicating low Apgar scores were the cases while normal Apgar scores were the controls. A total of 388 maternal files were reviewed. Data were collected using a document review checklist and analysed using SPSS version 26.ResultsThe study found that, neonatal factors associated with immediate low Apgar score are; gestational age, foetal presentation, cord prolapse, cord around the neck and the importance of cardiotocography interpretation as they had a P-value > 0.005.ConclusionGestational age, birth weight, foetal presentation, cord around the neck and lack of cardiotocography assessment were found to be associated with immediate low Apgar score.© 2023 Lungameni J et al.

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