Abstract:
Background: Adverse birth outcomes, characterized by negative health consequences for
mothers and newborns during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, encompass a range of conditions
including low birth weight, preterm birth, congenital anomalies, macrosomia, birth asphyxia,
meconium aspiration syndrome, stillbirth, neonatal death …etc. With over 15 million
premature births and 1.9 million stillbirths occurring globally each year, understanding the
factors contributing to these outcomes is critical. This study aims to identify the determinants
of adverse birth outcomes among mothers delivering in public hospitals within the Wolaita
zone of southern Ethiopia. By examining these determinants, the research seeks to inform
interventions that could improve maternal and neonatal health in this region.
Methods: A facility-based case-control study was conducted from July 1 to September 30,
2024. A total of 534 participants (178 cases and 356 controls) were selected using
consecutive sampling. Cases were women who experienced at least one adverse neonatal
birth outcome, while controls were women with normal live births. Data was collected using
a pretested, interviewer administered questionnaire. The data entered using Epi Data 4.6,
analyzed using SPSS version 26. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed to
identify determinants of adverse birth outcomes, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.
Result: Five hundred thirty-four participated in the study with a response rate of 98.31%.
The result of the multivariable analysis showed that, Rural residence [9.797(5.318-18.048)],
PROM [2.524(1.044-6.105)], Pregnancy induced hypertension [3.966(1.402-11.224)], Being
anemic [1.968(1.250-3.100)] and lack of maternal waiting area [6.003(2.106-17.111)] had
statistically significant association with adverse neonatal birth outcomes.
Conclusion and recommendation: The study's findings reveal that rural residency, PROM,
Pregnancy Induced Hypertension, anemia and maternal waiting had significantly associated
with adverse birth outcomes. As a result, healthcare providers should implement standardized
monitoring techniques for early identification and intervention, ensuring timely access to
health care and resources for at-risk mothers to improve neonatal health outcomes.
