Magnitude of birth asphyxia and its associated factors among newborns delivered at Wolaita Sodo University Teaching and Referral Hospital, Southern Ethiopia, 2018

Abstract

Birth asphyxia is the third leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality and it can be managed and also preventable. A study on the magnitude and local factors associated with birth asphyxia was limited in the study area. This study therefore determined the magnitude and predictors of birth asphyxia among newborns delivered at Wolaita Sodo Teaching and Referral Hospital.

The study which is cross-sectional was conducted from October to December 2018. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data was collected by interviewing mothers through a structured questionnaire and reviewing neonates' medical records using a checklist. Multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with birth asphyxia. A total of 265 neonates with their mothers were interviewed.

Results showed that the incidence of birth asphyxia was found to be 25.7%. Age of mother [AOR=0.13; 95%CI (0.028-0.598)], prolonged duration of labor [AOR=6.11; 95%CI (1.637-22.772)], low birth weight [AOR= 14.77; 95%CI (1.27-171.67)], bloodstained amniotic fluid [AOR=103.6; 95% CI (17.757-604.452)], prolonged rupture of membrane [AOR=7.56; 95%CI (1.349-41.206)] and prolapsed umbilical cord [AOR=19.48; 95%CI (1.715-221.23)] were found to be predictors of birth asphyxia.

We conclude that the magnitude of birth asphyxia among newborns was found to be high. Age of mother, duration of labor, the status of stained amniotic fluid, collapsed umbilical cord, duration of rupture of membranes and birth weight were significantly associated with birth asphyxia. Therefore, improving obstetrics and immediate newborn care and timely intervention for their complications are recommended.

Keywords: Prevalence, Birth asphyxia, Newborn, Ethiopia