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.