Potential Factors Associated with Stillbirth among Babies Born in Hospitals of North Shoa, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2021 Based on Cross-sectional Study Design

Fetal death is one of the common adverse pregnancy outcomes. More than 7178 deaths at 28 weeks of gestation occur every day, making 2.6 million fetal deaths worldwide. The majority of these deaths occurred in developing countries, and 98% occurred in low and middle-income countries. To address the problem of stillbirth, the magnitude and determinants of stillbirth must be understood to help intervention be given to reduce fetal stillbirth. This study was facilitated by obtaining basic data on the factors influencing stillbirth. This will facilitate the development of better public health interventions to reduce these preventable fetal deaths and improve maternal health.

This study aimed to assess the determinant factors of still-birth among babies born in hospitals in the North Shoa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

The study was conducted among 348 babies born in the hospital of North Shoa Zone. Study subjects were selected by systematic sampling method from the list of babies born in hospitals in a three-month study period. Data were collected by using a pretested and structured questionnaire. Data were edited, cleaned, coded, entered, and analyzed using SPSS-21 statistical software. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was employed.

Potential factors were having regular antenatal care, congenital malformation, and having a history of perinatal death, were significantly associated with the stillbirth.

The risk of stillbirth was associated with both modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Therefore, encouraging regular ANC to follow up, minimizing the formation of congenital malformation, and increasing birth in the history of previous perinatal death prevent the risk of potential stillbirth.