Objective: The aim is to ascertain the effectiveness of a package of evidence-based neonatal survival
interventions focusing on Home-Based Postnatal Care and Facility-Based Integrated Management of New-born and
Childhood Illnesses models on reduction in neonatal mortality rate in Northern and Upper East regions of Ghana.
Method: The assessment employed a mixed method design. Baseline and end line neonatal mortality rates were
estimated using the 2011 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey and the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys
respectively, which used similar designs and analytical methods. The qualitative component consisted of in-depth
interviews with key national decision-makers, donor partners, sub-national authorities and service providers, and
focus group discussions with mothers or caregivers drawn from project communities.
Results: Over the period of project implementation, the neonatal mortality rate decreased from 39 deaths per
1,000 live births in 2011 to 24 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2014 in Northern region (P-value=0.01) and from 34
deaths per 1,000 live births in 2011 to 24 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2014 in Upper East region (P-value=0.049).
Conclusion: The home-based postnatal new-born care and the facility-based neonatal care models have been
effective in contributing to improved new-born survival in the two project regions.