Table 1 Definition and categorisation of potential variables used in identifying risk factors associated with neonatal mortality

Community level factors

Residence

Type of the residence (1 = urban; 2 = rural)

Geopolitical zone

Zone (1 = North Central; 2 = North East; 3 = North West; 4 = South East; 5 = South West; 6 = South South)

Household factor

Wealth index

Wealth (1 = Poor; 2 = Middle; 3 = Rich)

Individual level factors

Maternal religion

Maternal religion (1 = traditionalist or other; 2 = Islam; 3 = catholic or other Christian)

Maternal working status

Maternal working status (1 = not working; 2 = working)

Maternal BMI

Maternal BMI (1 = BMI >18.5; 2 = BMI ≤18.5)

Maternal age at first child

Age at first birth (1 = < 20; 2 = 20–29; 3 = 30-39; 4 = 40-49)

Maternal age

Mother’s age (1 < 20; 2 = 20-29; 3 = 30–39; 4 = 40–49)

Maternal literacy level

Literacy level (1 = Able to read parts of & whole sentence; 2 = Cannot read at all)

Paternal education

Education status (1 = No education; 2 = Primary; 3 = Secondary or higher)

Maternal education

Education status (1 = No education; 2 = Primary; 3 = Secondary or higher)

Sex

Sex of the neonate (1 = Female; 2 = Male)

Birth order and birth interval

Birth order and birth interval of neonate (1 = Second or third child, interval > 2 years; 2 = First child; 3 = Second or third child, interval ≤ 2 years; 4 = Fourth or higher child, interval > 2 years; 5 = Fourth or higher child, interval ≤2 years)

Birth place

Place of delivery of the neonate (1 = Home; 2 = Health facility)

Mother’s perceived baby size

Maternal assessment of the neonate size at birth (1 = Average or Larger; 2 = Small or very small)

Antenatal care

Antenatal care received by mother’s (1 = Yes; 2 = No)

Mode of delivery

Mode of delivery (1 = non-caesarean; 2 = caesarean section)

Delivery assistance

Birth attendant during delivery (1 = Health professional; 2 = non-Health professional)

Desire for pregnancy

Mother’s desire for baby (1 = Wanted then; 2 = Wanted later; 3 = Wanted no more)

Postnatal care

Postnatal care of mother’s after birth (1 = Yes; 2 = No)