Daniel MengistuTenaw Belay2025-08-122025-08-122024-06-05https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/6397Background: Respiratory distress (RD) is the most common problem in newborns and it is the main factor contributing to newborn mortality worldwide. It remains the major reason for NICU admission, morbidity, and mortality among newborns in Africa. Preventing neonatal respiratory distress by anticipating its determinant factors is crucial for low-resource countries like Ethiopia. Objective: To identify the determinants of respiratory distress among newborns admitted to the NICU at public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2024. Methods: An institution-based unmatched case-control study was conducted with a total sample size of 489 (163 cases and 326 controls) at public hospitals of Addis Ababa, from March 1, - April 1, 2024. To choose the cases and controls, systematic random sampling was applied. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured pre-tested questionnaire from mothers and a data extraction checklist for mothers and neonatal medical records. Data was collected by online Kobo Toolbox and exported to SPSS software version 26 for analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to conduct both bi-variable and multivariate analyses. Statistically significant associations were declared at p-value < 7 (AOR=9.693, 95% CI: 3.945, 23.817). Conclusion and recommendation: The significant variables identified in the analysis such as meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF), emergency cesarean sections (CS), low birth weight. Keywords: Determinants, Respiratory distress, NICU, newbornsen-USDeterminants Respiratory distress NICU newbornsThesis