multivariable analysis of determinates for neonatal mortality among study participants in selected hospitals of Gamo and Gofa Zones, Southern Ethiopia, 2018/9 (n = 6769) Variables Crude estimate β Adjusted estimate β 95%CI Place of of 8 Acknowledgments My unreserved thank goes to Arba Minch University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Research Coordination Office which gave chance to do this research project and fully funded for this research work. I would like to forward my deepest appreciation and thanks to Gamo and Gofa Zones Health Department workers, CEOs, medical directors, and health care providers of three hospitals in the zones (Arba Minch General Hospital, Sawla General Hospital, and Chencha Primary Hospital), data collectors, and study participants. Last but not least, I would like to say thank you for all peoples who support directly or indirectly. Authors’ contributions AM designed the study, involved in data collection, done analysis and interpretation of the result and drafted the paper and participated in preparing all versions of the manuscript. AB and SS assisted in the design and the proposal development, monitored data collection, assisted during analysis and revised subsequent drafts of the paper. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Authors’ information Abera Mersha (BScN, MSc in Maternity and Neonatal Nursing), Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia. Agegnehu Bante (BScN, MSc in Maternity and Neonatal Nursing), Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia. Shitaye Shibiru (BScN, MSc in Maternity and Reproductive Health Nursing), Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia. Funding Arba Minch University provided funds for the data collection and stationary materials of this research work with a project grant code of GOV/AMU/ TH.1.1/CMHS/NUR/04/10. The website of the university is www.amu.edu.et. “The funders had no role in study design, data collection, and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.” Availability of data and materials The data will not be shared to preserve participant anonymity. Ethics approval and consent to participate Ethical clearance was obtained from Arba Minch University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institutional Research Ethics Review Board (IRB). Adequate explanation about the purpose of the study and a letter of support was given to Gamo and Gofa Zones Health Departments and CEOs of each hospital. All study participants were informed about the purpose of the study, their right to refuse participation and written and signed voluntary consent was obtained from all study participants before the interview. The respondents were also informed that the information obtained from them was treated with the utmost confidentiality. Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Received: 11 July 2019 Accepted: 10 December 2019 References 1. Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages. Progress of goal 3 in 2017. Reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health. Available at: https://www.who.int/sdg/targets/ en/. Accessed 27 Dec 2018. 2. WHO, Sustainable Development Goal 3. Health. SDG 3 “ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages”; 2017. 3. Kamath-Rayne BD, Thukral A, Visick MK, et al. Helping babies breathe, second edition: a model for strengthening educational programs to increase global newborn survival. Glob Health Sci Pract. 2018;6(3):538–51. https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-18-00147. 4. Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) [Ethiopia] and ICF. Ethiopia mini demographic and health survey 2019: key indicators. Rockville: EPHI and ICF; 2019. 5. WHO. Global Health Observatory (GHO) data. Neonatal mortality, world health statistics data visualizations dashboard; 2018. Available at: http://apps. who.int/gho/data/node.sdg.3-2-data?lang=en. 6. Central Statistical Agency (CSA) [Ethiopia] and ICF. Ethiopia demographic and health survey 2016: key indicators report. Addis Ababa and Rockville: CSA and ICF; 2016. 7. World Health Organization (WHO). Counseling for maternal and newborn health care: a handbook for building skills; 2013. Available at: https://www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK304190/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK304190.pdf 8. WHO Reproductive Health Library. WHO recommendation on postnatal discharge following uncomplicated vaginal birth. In: The WHO reproductive health library. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018. 9. UNICEF. Maternal and newborn health; 2016. 10. WHO. Global Health Observatory (GHO) data. Neonatal mortality situation, and trends; 2016. Available at: http://www.who.int/gho/child_health/ mortality/neonatal_text/en/ 11. Pileggi C, Souza JP, Cecatti JG, Faundes A. Neonatal near-miss approach in 2 Introduction Neonatal mortality The first four weeks of life, the neonatal period, is the most vulnerable time for a child. The stress of delivery, as well as the first adaptations from being in the relative safety of its mother’s womb to an existence far less protected is a time of great risk. Nearly four million