Prevalence and associated factors with adverse birth outcome among women who gave birth at Debre Markos General Hospital, East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia, 2022: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background Adverse birth outcomes are a common public health problem in the developing world, including Ethiopia, and it is important for planning maternal and child health care services. There are several indices of adverse birth outcomes, such as stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age and congenital anomalies. Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of adverse birth outcomes among women who gave birth at Debre Markos General Hospital. Methods A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1 to August 1/2022 on laboring women who attended Debre Markos General Hospital. A total of 337 study participants were selected using a systematic sampling method. Data were collected through interviews with a structured questionnaire. Epi Data version 3.1 was used for data entry, and it was checked for completeness, cleared and analysed using Statical Package for Social Sciences software. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed; a P value of less than 0.05 was considered a statistically significant factor for discontinuation. Result - The overall proportion of this study showed that 88 (26.1%) women had adverse birth outcomes, including 26 (7.7%) stillbirths and 31 (9.2%) preterm and low birth weights. Rural residence, no antenatal care, antepartum haemorrhage, pregnancy-induced hypertension, illiteracy, post term pregnancy, birth interval less than two years, and age less than 20 years were independently associated with adverse birth outcomes. Conclusion - In this study, the overall proportion of adverse birth outcomes was low compared to previous studies. Residence, no antenatal care follow-up, antepartum haemorrhage, pregnancy-induced hypertension, post term pregnancy, birth interval less than two years, educational status (illiteracy), and age less than 20 years were associated with adverse birth outcomes. Therefore, increasing accessibility and improving awareness in rural communities to seek antenatal care as well as encouraging women's education to higher education levels is vital to improve good birth outcomes.