Abstract:
Background: Magnesium sulphate has a long history of use in obstetrics. It is supported as
the first line treatment for women with eclampsia and is the drug of choice for women with
severe pre-eclampsia. In Ethiopia, magnesium sulphate is introduced as anticonvulsant for
treatment of severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia and has been introduced into the National
Drug List of Ethiopia and is being used for prevention and treatment of severe pre-eclampsia
and eclamptic seizures since January 2011 in public hospitals. However, there are no enough
studies done to assess birth outcome and associated factors among women managed by
MgSO4 in public hospitals in Ethiopia in general and in Hiwot Fana Specialized University
Hospital in particular.
Objective: The aim of this study is to assess adverse birth outcome and associated factors
among pregnant women managed by magnesium sulphate in Hiwot Fana Specialized
University Hospital, Harari Regional state, Eastern Ethiopia, from January 1, 2019 – June 31,
2021.
Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in Hiwot Fana
Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital. A total of 868 documents of mothers were
reviewed. A pretested standardized checklist was used for data extraction. Data was entered to
EpiData version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics,
bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. All covariates with p value ≤0.25 in bivariable logistic regression were entered into multivariable logistic regression
analysis to control the confounding. Significance of statistical association was tested by using
95% confidence interval and p value (<0.05).
Result: Among 868 pregnant mothers who were managed by MgSO4, 203 (23.4%) still birth
&665(76.6%) alive. Rural residence (AOR= 2.77, 95% CI: 1.54, 5.01), primi para(AOR=
3.01, 95% CI: 1.46 , 6.21), being preterm at delivery (AOR= 1.61, 95% CI: 1.16, 2.238),
MgSO4 toxicity(AOR= 21.33, 95% CI: 2.53, 8.21) and mode of onset of labour spontaneous
(AOR= 1.52, 95% CI: 1.06 , 2.20) are significantly associated with still birth.
Conclusions: In this study, one out of three pregnant mothers managed by MgSO4 had still
births. Residence, parity, GA at delivery, MgSO4 toxicity & mode of onset of labour are
significantly associated with birth outcome.
