Risk factors of stillbirth among mothers delivered in public hospitals of Central Zone, Tigray, Ethiopia.

Background: Stillbirth is a death before the complete expulsion or extraction from the mother. The burden is severe and high in developing countries. Risk factors for stillbirth are not yet studied in Ethiopia.

Objective: To identify risk factors of stillbirth among mothers delivered in public hospitals of Central Zone Tigray, Ethiopia.

Methods: A case-control study design was used. Data collection period was from January to April 2018. Study subjects 63 cases and 252 controls were selected using systematic random sampling technique from respective hospitals. The interviewer-administered questionnaire, observational, and chart analysis were used to collect the data. A binary logistic regression model was employed. Results were presented at significance level P-value <0.05.

Results: Maternal hypertension [AOR=12.83; 95% CI 3.38, 48.83], low birth weight [AOR=5.6; 95% CI 2.39, 13.38], pre-term [AOR=2.6;95%CI 1.12,6.16], alcohol intake [AOR=7.56; 95% CI 1.68, 34.04], polyhydramnios [AOR=13.43; 95% CI 3.63, 49.67], and meconium stained amniotic fluid [AOR=7.88; 95% CI 1.73, 8.18] were risk factors of stillbirth.

Conclusion: The risk of stillbirth is increased with increasing maternal complication like maternal hypertension, alcohol consumption, polyhydramnios, and meconium-stained amniotic fluid. The occurrence of preterm and low birth weight of the fetus had an effect on the risk of stillbirth.