Birth asphyxia and its associated factors among newborns in public hospital, northeast Amhara, Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundBirth asphyxia is a leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality in developing nations, such as Ethiopia. Though Ethiopia has made considerable achievement in the reduction of under-five mortality rate, the neonatal mortality burden has not experienced the same reduction, which may be attributed to birth asphyxia. Thus, this study attempts to assess the prevalence and associated factors of birth asphyxia among newborns in public hospitals in the northeastern Amhara region, Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 357 births from 1st April to 2nd May 2018. The sample size was proportionally allocated to randomly selected three public hospitals namely, Dessie referral hospital, Debre Berhan referral hospital, and Woldia general hospital. The allocation was made by taking the average number of deliveries given in each hospital six months before the data collection period. Using the delivery registration of hospitals a systematic random sampling technique was used to get all study participants. The diagnosis of birth asphyxia was confirmed based on the physician’s diagnosis of an APGAR score < 7 in the 1st and 5th minutes of birth. A pretested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Variables with p-values < 0.25 in the bivariable analysis were entered into a multivariable logistic regression analysis. A statistical significant level was declared at a p-value of <0.05.ResultsThe prevalence of birth asphyxia was found to occur 22.6% of the time [95% CI 19.2% - 26.4%] in the first minute of birth. In the multivariable logistic regression being primipara [AOR = 3.77: 95% CI 1.86, 7.65], presented with complicated labor [AOR = 3.45: 95% CI 1.58, 7.49], premature rupture of membrane [AOR = 3.85: 95% CI 1.76, 8.44) and having blood-stained amniotic fluid at birth [AOR = 5.02: 95% CI 1.69, 14.87] were the independent predictors of birth asphyxia.ConclusionThe study revealed that birth asphyxia is a common newborn complication in the Amhara region. Integrated mitigation measure to reduce neonatal mortality in the Amahar region should give due attention to primipara women and for these high-risk pregnancies in order for the region to achieve national and global commitment to have sustainable change in women and neonatal health.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with birth asphyxia among neonates delivered in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The other 29 studies were assessed through a review of the full-text articles. Finally, 26 studies were included in the meta-analysis [ 17 – 22 , 32 – 50 ] ( S1 Fig ). Of the included articles, 17 were cross-sectional designs [ 17 – 22 , 33 – 42 ] and nine were case-control study designs [ 43 – 51 ] and they comprised a population of 15,637.…”

Determinants of Perinatal Birth Asphyxia Among Preterm Babies in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies Protocol

“…However, the prevalence of birth asphyxia varies across the globe and African countries contributes nearly fty percent of the total magnitude of birth asphyxia [16][17][18][19]. Similarly, in Sub-Saharan countries, the prevalence of birth asphyxia is still unacceptably high which ranges from 21.3% to 56.9% [17,[20][21][22][23][24]. In Ethiopia, the magnitude of birth asphyxia varies between 3.1% and 56.9%…”

“…in Ethiopia [23][24][25][26]. Therefore, none of these studies have shown pooled estimates of birth asphyxia and its determinants.…”

Determinants of Perinatal birth Asphyxia among Newborns in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies Protocol

“…The prevalence of birth asphyxia varies across the globe and African countries contributes nearly fty percent of the total magnitude of birth asphyxia [3][4][5][6]. Similarly, in Sub-Saharan countries, the prevalence of birth asphyxia is still unacceptably high which ranges from 21.3% to 56.9% [4,[7][8][9][10][11]. In Ethiopia, the magnitude of birth asphyxia varies between 3.1% and 56.9% in Ethiopia [10][11][12][13].…”

“…Similarly, in Sub-Saharan countries, the prevalence of birth asphyxia is still unacceptably high which ranges from 21.3% to 56.9% [4,[7][8][9][10][11]. In Ethiopia, the magnitude of birth asphyxia varies between 3.1% and 56.9% in Ethiopia [10][11][12][13].…”