Table 2 Poisson regression model, depicting mortality rate ratios adjusted for different risk factors among neonates in Butajira district for the period (1987-2008)

Sex

  Male

633

407009

1.6(1.4-1.8)

1.6(1.4-1.9)*

  Female

422

396361

Ref.

Ref.

Area

  Low land

502

317788

2.8(2.3-3.5)

1.0(0.7 -1.8)

  High land

443

344550

2.0(1.6-2.5)

0.8(0.5 -1.3)

  Urban

110

141032

Ref.

Ref.

Religion

  Muslim

519

514531

1.3 (1.1-1.6)

1.2(1.1 -1.5)*

  Christian

127

151932

Ref.

Ref.

House ownership

  Own

950

718527

2.0(1.5-2.7)

0.9(0.6-1.3)

  Rented

46

56910

Ref.

Ref.

Water source

  Protected

296

277510

0.8 (0.7-0.9)

1.1(0.9-1.3)

  Unprotected

759

525860

Ref.

Ref.

Distance to hospital

  <5 km

166

190237

Ref.

Ref.

  5-9 km

420

298751

2.0(1.7-2.5)

1.5(1.1- 2.0)*

  > = 10 km

469

314382

2.2(1.8-2.6)

1.3(0.9- 1.8)

Oxen

  No

787

534824

1.4 (1.2-1.6)

1.2(1.0- 1.3)

  Yes

268

268546

Ref.

Ref.

Roof

  Thatched

945

641619

2.6(1.8-3.9)

2.9(2.4- 3.5)*

  Iron sheet

110

161751

Ref.

Ref.