The Magnitude of Birth Injuries and its Associated Factors among Neonates Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units of Selected Public Hospitals of Southern Ethiopia

Birth Injuries and its Associated Factors among Neonates Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Approximately half of the birth injuries are avoidable if appropriate and timely evidence based measures are taken. However, there is a shortage of studies in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of birth injuries and associated factors among neonates in Southern Ethiopia.

Methods: Multi-center facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2021. The systematic sampling method was used to select 344 mother-neonate pairs admitted to neonatal intensive care units in the included hospitals. Data were collected by face-to-face interview and review of medical records. Epi-info version 4.1 was used to enter data and SPSS version-25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, binary and multivariable logistic regressions analyses with 95% CI were done. A P-value < 0.05 was used to declare the association of variables.

Results:  The magnitude of birth injuries in the present study was found to be 24.7% (95% CI=24.7% - 24.8%). The majority 71.6 % of the neonates had soft tissue injuries while 16.6 % of them had birth asphyxia. Both birth asphyxia and physical trauma were encountered in 2.9 % of the neonates. ANC follow–up by the health professionals less than four (AOR=0.31, 95% CI, 1.003-11.044), short maternal height (AOR=0.206 95% CI, 0.05 – 0.79), macrosomic baby (AOR= 0.46, 95% CI = 0.013 -0.16) and fetal mal-presentations (AOR=29.69, 95% CI =10.61 - 43.09) are significantly associated with birth injuries in the current study.

Conclusion: The magnitude of birth injuries was higher than other similar studies in Ethiopia. Antenatal care follow-up less than four, short maternal height, macrosomic baby, and fetal mal-presentations are significantly associated with birth injuries. Thus, promotion of full antenatal care follow-up, adequate maternal nutrition, close monitoring of mothers during intrapartum period and timely clinical decision of labor and childbirth process are recommended.