https://doi.org/10.1177/2333794X211015524
Global Pediatric Health
Volume 8: 1–8
© The Author(s) 2021
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DOI: 10.1177/2333794X211015524
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Original Research Article
Introduction
Worldwide it is estimated that there are 133 million live
births annually, 5.9 million under-five deaths with 3.7
deaths during the neonatal period, and 3 million still-
born. A total of 98% of these deaths occur in the devel-
oping world. The average neonatal mortality rate in
developing countries is 31/1000 live births while it is
4/1000 live births in developed countries. In Africa, the
sub-Saharan regions of eastern, western, and central
Africa have neonatal mortality between 40 and 46/1000
live births. Stillbirth rates have also remained high in
sub-Saharan Africa with the rate of 38/1000 live births.
1
In Ethiopia, 1 in every 35 children dies within the first
month, 1 in every 21 children dies before celebrating
1015524GPH XX X 10.1177/2333794X211015524Global Pediatric HealthSeyoum et al.
research-article 2021
1
Tefera Hailu Memorial Hospital, Waghimra Zone, Sekota, Ethiopia
2
Ethiopian Public Health Association, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
3
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public
Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
4
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Haramaya University, Harar,
Ethiopia
*Corresponding Author:
Simon Birhanu, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Haramaya
University, Harar, Ethiopia.
Email: abiubirhanu1221@gmail.com
Magnitude and Determinants of
Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in
Tefera Hailu Memorial Hospital,
Sekota Town, Northern Ethiopia
Eshetu Seyoum
1
, Alemayehu Bekele
2
,
Adino Tesfahun Tsegaye
3
, and Simon Birhanu*
4
Abstract
Background. Of 133 million births globally, 3.7 million died in the neonatal period and 3 million are stillborn. The
perinatal mortality rate in Ethiopia is 46 per 1000 pregnancies. However, area-specific information is limited
in this regard. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the magnitude and determinants of adverse perinatal
outcomes in Northern Ethiopia. Method. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted by reviewing
the medical records of mothers who gave birth between September 2015 and August 2016. The completeness and
consistency of data were checked. Descriptive statistics were computed. A multinomial logistic regression model
was fitted to identify determinants of adverse perinatal outcomes. Odds ratio with 95%CI was used and variables
that had a P-value of < 0.05 in the final model were considered statistically significant. Result. The magnitude
of adverse perinatal outcomes was 214/799(27.47 %). Out of that, 10.8% had a perinatal mortality outcome,
and 16.7% had a perinatal morbidity. Not using modern contraceptives(AOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.7), labor
induction or augmentation(AOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.2-7.8), obstetric complications(AOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1-4.5),
attending antenatal care(AOR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.8), primigravida (AOR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3-0.9), had no history of
medical illness(AOR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3-0.8), and urban residency(AOR = 1.9, 95% CI, 1.1-2.9) were the significant
determinants of perinatal outcome. Conclusion. The magnitude of adverse perinatal outcomes was considerable
and 1 in 5 neonates either had morbidity conditions or died. Improving family planning utilization, ANC, referral
linkage, and management of obstetric complications could help to reduce the undesirable consequences of perinatal
outcomes.
Keywords
low birth weight, prematurity, perinatal mortality, stillbirth, Ethiopia
Received March 26, 2021. Accepted for publication April 17, 2021.