Abstract:
Non-reassuring fetal heart rate status is a critical indicator of fetal well-being
during labor and delivery. It used to predict fetal compromise, which exposes the fetus to
acidemia and in severe cases, stillbirth or neonatal death due to insufficient fetal oxygenation.
Also similar studies were conducted in different area; however, fetal heart rate monitoring
practice information is staggered in the study area, thus we aimed to assess non-reassuring fetal
heart rate status and its associated factor.
Objective: To assess non-reassuring fetal heart rate status and associated factors among laboring
mothers at the public hospitals in South Omo, Southern Ethiopia, from June 1-August 30, 2023.
Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among randomly
selected 448 laboring mothers from the public hospitals in South Omo Zone. Data ware obtained
using a structured questionnaire that was complemented with medical records. Epidata version
4.4.3.1 and STATA version 14 were used in this study for data entry and analysis. Descriptive
statistics and Poisson regression with robust variance were used to analyze the data, and the
adjusted prevalence rate ratio was used to check the association, P< 0.05 was considered
significant, and a 95% confidence interval was used.
Results: The magnitude of non-reassuring fetal heart rate was 41.5% with a 95% CI: (30%, 42%)
and age at 20-34 (APR=0.57; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.77), drinking alcohol (APR=1.30; 95% CI: 1.08,
1.57), having obstetric complications (APR= 2.71; 95% CI: 2.06, 3.59), no antenatal follow-up
(APR= 3.46; 95% CI: 2.46, 4.88), having meconium stained amniotic fluid (APR= 1.89; 95% CI:
1.51, 2.37), mother who are not referred (APR= 0.63; 95% CI: 0.08,0.82), and having nuchal
cord (APR= 1.95; 95% CI: 1.56, 2.44) were significantly associated with non-reassuring fetal
heart rate.
Conclusion: This magnitude of non-reassuring fetal heart rate was high and remains a risk for
maternal and perinatal outcome. As a conclusion from one hundred deliveries there was nine
NRFHR. Factors such as age, drinking alcohol, having obstetric complications, no antenatal
follow-up, having meconium stained amniotic fluid; mothers who are not referred, and nuchal
cord were all associated with non-reassuring fetal heart rate. Preconception cares are needed for
every mothers and this finding may help health offices and health professionals to improve
pregnancy outcomes
