Abstract:
Stillbirth is defined as a baby born dead at 28 weeks of gestation or more, with a birth weight of ≥1000 gram, or a body length of ≥35 cm. It is an adverse pregnancy outcome of public health importance causing considerable psychosocial burden for parents and their family. Stillbirth is tied to maternal age, infection, non-communicable disease, nutrition, lifestyle factors, and inadequate antenatal care. Studies on stillbirth are scarce in eastern Ethiopia, particularly in Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital and Jugol Hospital which are found in Harar city. An assessment of stillbirths and associated factors in the health care setting helps in devising strategies for tailored interventions. Therefore, this study was to assess the Determinants of stillbirth.
Objective: To assess determinants of stillbirth among women attending deliveries from June 21, 2010 – June 20, 2011 E.C at Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital and Jugol Hospital Harar, July1 –July 30, 2012 E.C.
Methods: Hospital based case-control study design was employed among randomly selected 468 record of delivery. Data was checked and rechecked for consistency and completeness and entered using Epi Data version 3.1. Analytical statistics was be done by using SPSS version 22, bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify Determinants of stillbirth. Possible associations and statistical significance between variables was be measured using crude and adjusted odds ratio, P value <0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.
Result: In the multivariate logistic regression model, rural residence, (AOR, 2.35, 95% CI: 1.222-4.520), gestational age less than 37 weeks (AOR, 3.37, 95% CI: 1.644-6.898) labour onset induced and augmented (AOR, 4.34, 95% CI: 1.906-9.885) and known reactive for HIV status (AOR, 4.222, 95% CI: 2.079-8.573) were found to be independent predictors for the determinants of stillbirth.
Conclusion and recommendation: Factors like residence, gestational age less than 37 weeks, labour onset induced and augmented and known reactive for HIV status were found to be independent predictors for determinants of stillbirth. The determinants identified in this study can be prevented and managed by providing appropriate care during ante-partum and intra-partum period.
