MAGNITUDE AND DETERMINANTS OF STILLBIRTH IN MIZAN-TEPI TEACHING HOSPITAL, SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA: UNMATCHED CASE CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

Background: The stillbirth rate is an important indicator of the quality of care during pregnancy and childbirth. It is one of a public health problem in low and middle-income countries including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and determinants of stillbirth in Mizan-Tepi teaching hospital, Ethiopia.

Method: Institutional based unmatched case-control study was conducted from January 2017 - December 31, 2019. Simple random sampling was used to choose 87 cases and 174 controls. Data were extracted from the medical records using a structured checklist. The collected data were entered into EPI data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Finally, multivariable logistic regression was used to identify determinants of stillbirth at 95% confidence and a P-value < 0.05.

Result: The stillbirth rate is 44 per1000 (95%CI: 38.9-49.7) in the study area. Previous history of stillbirth [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=4.4, 95% CI: 1.36 - 14.4], referral status [AOR=2.3, 95% CI: 1.06 - 5.00], partograph use [AOR=4.0, 95% CI: 1.88 - 8.47], Antenatal care follow up [AOR=3.1, 95% CI: 1.51 - 6.40], history of obstetric complication [AOR=2.8, 95% CI: 1.38 - 5.80] and hemoglobin level of less than 11.5mg/dl [AOR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.28 - 5.56] were the independent factors affecting stillbirth

Conclusion: The magnitude of stillbirth in the study area was high. Therefore, concerted effort should be taken in improving partograph use, ANC visit, prevention of anemia, and overall strengthening maternal health service to prevent stillbirth outcomes.