Factors Associated With Stillbirth Among Pregnant Women in Nepal

Abstract

Objectives: Stillbirth is a common adverse pregnancy outcome that represents a distressing and traumatic event for women and their partners. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with stillbirth in ever-pregnant women in Nepal. Methods: This study utilized the individual women’s dataset from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, conducted in 2016. The dependent variable of interest was whether women had at least 1 stillbirth during their lifetime. The associations between independent variables and the dependent variable of the study were analyzed using a multiple logistic regression model. Results: Among 8918 ever-pregnant women aged 15-49 years, 488 had experienced at least 1 stillbirth during their lifetime, representing 5.5% of the total. After adjusting each factor for the confounding effects of other factors, maternal age, maternal education, place of residence, and sub-region remained significantly associated with having experienced stillbirth. Conclusions: Stillbirth continues to be a major problem among women, especially those with higher maternal age, those who are illiterate, and residents of certain geographical regions. To minimize stillbirth in Nepal, plans and policies should be focused on women with low education levels and residents of rural areas, especially in the western mountain and far-western hill regions.

Prevalence of stillbirth and its associated factors in East Africa: generalized linear mixed modeling

“…It was supported by previous studies conducted in Uganda [ 44 ], and Nepal [ 45 ]. Wealthier mothers are more conscious about maternal health, the importance of a balanced diet, and the need for ANC visits, and maybe more likely to be aware of unhealthy behaviors [ 46 ]. Women in poor households are less likely to use maternal health care services such as family planning service, ANC visit, and health facility delivery though these services are free of charge they are unable to cover the indirect costs [ 47 ].…”

Still birth in a tertiary health facility in Enugu state South-East Nigeria: a hidden tragedy

“…This prevalence is also higher than the report of another Nigerian study conducted among women that delivered at the primary and secondary health facilities, but lower than the report of a similar study in Nepal. 17,18 The differences here, may be due to differences in antenatal services at the health facilities studied and the availability and accessibility of health care in these localities.…”

“…17 Other studies however, contradicts the findings of our study reporting that still birth was higher among less educated women. 18,23,25,26 Other studies have also shown that stillbirth was higher in women with no formal education with the rate of stillbirth decreasing with increasing educational status. 27,28 These may be attributed to unemployment and lack of prenatal care during pregnancy.…”

“…19 However, a study in Nepal reported that still birth was more among older women and lower among younger mothers. 18 Other studies reported that increasing maternal age was a significant risk factor for still birth. 20,21 Single mothers had more still birth than married mothers from our study.…”

Systematic identification of facility-based stillbirths and neonatal deaths through the piloted use of an adapted RAPID tool in Liberia and Nepal

“…Nepal has had some success in reducing maternal and under-five mortality over the last few decades. However, as of 2016, maternal death rates, neonatal death rates, and stillbirth rates remained high (258 deaths per 100,000 live births, 21 deaths per 1000 live births, 18 deaths per 1000 births) [16, 17].…”