Abstract:
Background: Stillbirth is defined as fetus death in uterus before or during delivery. Globally, an
estimated 2.6 million stillbirths occur each year. It is the major public health problem among the
top ten developing counties including Ethiopia. The causes of stillbirth are often unknown but,
can be attributable to various factors. Therefore, identifying the determinants of stillbirth is quite
important to apply further meaningful intervention.
Objective: To identify determinants of stillbirth among deliveries conducted at selected public
Hospitals in West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.
Methods: Hospital-based unmatched case-control study with 1:4 ratios was conducted. A total
of 431 (87 cases and 344 controls) participants were involved. All cases were included until
required number was meet. However, by systematic random sampling method four controls were
selected for this study. Face to face interview administered questionnaire with checking record
chart Data were collected and entered by kobo toolbox, and analyzed using SPSS version 26
software. Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression analyses were fitted for independent
variables and outcome variable. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence interval were
estimated to assess the strength of the association and Statistical significance were delivered at
95% CI and P-value <0.05 for multivariable analysis.
Results: In this study 428 delivered mothers (85 for cases and 343 for controls) were participated
and giving 99.3% of response rate. From the result of multivariable analysis,
preeclampsia/eclampsia (AOR=13.43, 95%CI:5.67-31.82), referred from other health facility
(AOR=5.39, 95%CI:2.34-12.46), mal presentation (AOR=3.42, 95%CI:1.50-7.76), umbilical
cord accident (AOR=2.57, 95%CI:1.11-5.93), meconium stained amniotic fluid problem
(AOR=5.01, 95%CI:2.15-11.67) and low birth weight(AOR=2.91,95%CI:1.28-6.59) were
identified as determinant variables of stillbirth.
Conclusion and Recommendation: low birth weight, referral status, meconium stained
amniotic fluid problem, umbilical cord accident, mal presentation and preeclampsia were
identified as independent determinants of stillbirth. The hospitals and health workers are then
recommended to focus on identification and preventive mechanism of maternal complication,
close monitoring of mother with danger sign and also to facilitate early referral system.
