Determinants Of Stillbirth Among Deliveries Conducted At West Shoa Zone Public Hospitals, Oromia, Ethiopia

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.