DETERMINANTS OF STILLBIRTH AT A TERTIARY HOSPITAL: UNMATCHED CASE CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

<p><strong>BACKGROUND</strong><strong>:</strong> Still birth as to WHO is defined as baby born dead after 28weeks of gestation, or after birth weight of&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &gt;1000gm. <a rel="nofollow"></a><a rel="nofollow"></a>&nbsp;Still birth is one of the public health problems that significantly contribute to creating nations like Ethiopia. This study aimed at identifying determinants of stillbirth in St. Paul Hospital.</p> <p><strong>OBJECTIVE</strong><strong>:</strong> The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with stillbirth at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College.</p> <p><strong>METHODS</strong><strong>:</strong> A 1:4 unmatched case control study was conducted in SPHMMC. Cases were defined as babies born with no signs of life at or above 28 weeks of gestation from august 1^st to December31^st, 2020. Controls were those who had live born in same period. Data were collected through a pretested structured questionnaire and reviewed respective medical records. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to aid further the analysis of relationship between dependent and independent variables using SPSS 23.<strong> </strong>Adjusted odds ratio, 95 %confidence interval and P values were estimated.</p> <p><strong>RESULT: </strong>a total of 660 mothers (132 cases and 528 controls ) participated in the study .Still birth history(AOR 4.4,95%CI 1.8-10.2), Medical diseases(AOR 4.5,95%CI 1.6-12.7) ,Low birth weight (AOR 6.0,95% CI 3.8-9.5), Vaginal delivery(AOR 3.9,95% CI 2.3-6.9) . Whereas Tetanus toxoid vaccination (AOR 2.4, 95%CI 1.2-4.7),Use of partograph(AOR 1.7,95%CI 1.1-2.7),Contraceptive use(AOR1.7,95%CI 1.1-2.7),and&nbsp; being aware of danger signs of pregnancy(AOR 2.4,95%CI 1.4-3.9) were significant determinants of still birth.</p> <strong>CONCLUSIONS:</strong> Among different factors considered history of Still birth, Medical diseases, Low birth weight, Vaginal delivery, Tetanus toxoid vaccination, Use of partograph, Contraceptive use and awareness of danger signs of pregnancy were found to be significantly associated factors for still birth. Improvement on health promotion at each unit, labor monitoring and adequately spacing pregnancy and enhanced their health before planning next pregnancy help reduce the menace of still birth.