Predictors of stillbirth among women who had given birth in Southern Ethiopia, 2020: A case-control study

Abstract

Background Although the rate of stillbirth has decreased globally, it remains unacceptably high in low- and middle-income countries. Only ten countries including Ethiopia attribute more than 65% of global burden of still birth. Ethiopia has the 7th highest still birth rate in the world. Identifying the predictors of stillbirth is critical for developing successful interventions and monitoring public health programs. Although certain studies have assessed the predictors of stillbirth, they failed in identify the proximate predictors of stillbirth. In addition, the inconsistent findings in identify the predictors of stillbirth, and the methodological limitations in previously published works are some of the gaps. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the predictors of stillbirth among mothers who gave birth in six referral hospitals in Southern, Ethiopia. Methods A hospital-based unmatched case-control study was conducted in six referral hospitals in Southern, Ethiopia from October 2019 to June 2020. Consecutive sampling techniques and simple random techniques were used to recruit cases and controls respectively. A structured standard tool was used to identify the predictors of stillbirth. Data were entered into Epi Info 7 and exported to SPSS 23 for analysis. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the independent predictors of stillbirth. The goodness of fit was tested using the Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness-of-fit. In this study P-value < 0.05 was considered to declare a result as a statistically significant association. Results In this study 138 stillbirth cases and 269 controls were included. Women with multiple pregnancy [AOR = 2.98, 95%CI: 1.39–6.36], having preterm birth [AOR = 2.83, 95%CI: 1.58–508], having cesarean mode of delivery [AOR = 3.19, 95%CI: 1.87–5.44], having no ANC visit [AOR = 4.17, 95%CI: 2.38–7.33], and being hypertensive during pregnancy [AOR = 3.43, 95%CI: 1.93–6.06] were significantly associated with stillbirth. Conclusions The predictors of stillbirth identified are manageable and can be amenable to interventions. Therefore, strengthening maternal antenatal care utilization should be encouraged by providing appropriate information to the mothers. There is a need to identify, screen, and critically follow high-risk mothers: those who have different complications during pregnancy, and those undergoing cesarean section due to different indications.

Determinants of stillbirth among women who gave birth at Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia: A facility-based cross-sectional study

“…Moreover, results from different studies revealed maternal age above 35, place of residence, level of education, parity, antenatal care (ANC) utilization, place of delivery and mode of delivery, maternal infection and a variety of maternal medical conditions, feto-maternal complications related to pregnancy and labor, inadequate care during pregnancy and immediate childbirth, obstructed/prolonged labor, antepartum hemorrhage, preterm labor, premature rupture of membrane, and intrauterine growth restriction are common obstetric determinants associated with an increased risk of stillbirths, and particularly in resource-limited areas/countries. 11–13…”

Prediction of stillbirth low resource setting in Northern Uganda

“…Maternal employment was protective of stillbirth 8 . In Ethiopia, predictors of stillbirth were multiple pregnancies and having no prenatal care 20 . In Tanzania and Zambia, the predictor of stillbirth was a previous history of stillbirth 10 .…”

Prediction of stillbirth low resource setting in Northern Uganda

“…In a case–control study in southern Ethiopia, the predictors of stillbirth were women with multiple pregnancy [aOR = 2.98, 95%CI: 1.39–6.36], having preterm birth [aOR = 2.83, 95%CI: 1.58– 508], having cesarean mode of delivery [aOR = 3.19, 95%CI: 1.87–5.44], having no ANC visit [aOR = 4.17, 95%CI: 2.38–7.33], and being hypertensive during pregnancy [aOR = 3.43, 95%CI: 1.93–6.06]. [ 22 ]. However, these women were recruited after they had given birth.…”