Prevalence of Stillbirth and Associated Factors among Immediate Postpartum Mothers at Bahir Dar, Felegehiwot Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: Cross-sectional Study

Background: Stillbirth rates are among the indicators of maternal and child health care quality in the countries. However, the majority of neonatal deaths and almost all stillbirths were underreported in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of stillbirth and associated factors among immediate postpartum mothers in the study area. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed at Felegehiwot comprehensive specialized hospital from March to May 2016 (n=310). A pretested structured interviewer- administered questionnaire and medical chart reviews were used to collect data from immediate postpartum mothers. Data were entered into Epi Info version 7 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. The binary logistic regression model fitted to identify stillbirth; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed to assess the strength of association. Variables having less than 0.05 p-value of in the multivariable considered as factors associated with stillbirths. Result: The prevalence of stillbirth was 8.7% (95%CI: 5.8, 12.4). Rural dwelling (AOR=2.86, 95%CI: 1.10 7.47), twin pregnancy (AOR=6.69, 95% CI: 1.77, 25.2), medical or obstetrical illnesses during pregnancy (AOR=5.54, 95%CI: 1.71 17.94) and complications during labor and delivery (AOR=4.96, 95%CI: 1.48 16.58) were factors associated with stillbirths. Conclusion: This study revealed that the magnitude of stillbirth was high in rural dwelling, twin pregnancy, medical or obstetrical illnesses during pregnancy, and complicated labor were associated with increased occurrences of stillbirth. This finding suggests that particular emphasis on rural dwellers and strengthening quality of Maternal in pregnancy and labor delivery service and proper following during labor attending process are mandatory to reduce stillbirth.