Abstract:
Background:. Placenta previa, placenta overlying the os (to any degree) is one of the major
causes of antepartum hemorrhage, contributing to significant maternal and
perinatal morbidity and mortality. Although data on its contribution to bleeding is addressed,
factors associated it and information on related maternal and perinatal outcomes is limited in
Ethiopia in general and in Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital in particular.
Objective: To assess magnitude and associated factors of placenta previa among women
with Ante Partum hemorrhage who were admitted in Hiwot Fana Comprehensive
Specialized University Hospital from June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2022.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 409 women with Ante
Partum Hemorrhage who were admitted from June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2022. Data on socio
demographic characteristics, obstetric conditions and maternal and perinatal outcomes were
collected using structured checklist from medical charts . Collected data entered in to Epidata
3.1 and analyzed using SPSS 21. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage , mean and
median) was used to describe and present the results accordingly. Binary and multiple
logistic regression analyses was fitted to identify factors associated with placenta previa.
Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) along with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used to measure
presence of association at p ≤ 0.05
Results : Of a total of 409 women with antepartum hemorrhage during the study. The
magnitude of placenta previa was 26.4% [95%CI: 22.0% - 30.6%)]. Among the women with
placenta previa 63.0% and 50% had adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes respectively.
No antenatal care [AOR=1.76; 95% CI (1.08, 2.87)] and gestational age ≤33 weeks
[AOR=2.75; 95% CI (1.37, 5.52)] and 34-36 weeks [AOR=1.91; 95% CI (1.16, 3.15)] were
significantly associated with developing placenta previa among women with antepartum
hemorrhage.
Conclusions: A quarter of antepartum hemorrhage are from placenta previa. After adjusting
for multiple confounders, not having antenatal care and preterm were found to increase the
risks of placenta previa. Improving antenatal coverage and improving care for preterm births
are essential for preventing adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes of placenta previa
