Proportion and Associated Factors of Adverse Birth Outcomes Among Women Who Gave Birth at Debre Markos General Hospital, East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia, 2022: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Adverse birth outcomes are a common public health problem in the developing world, including Ethiopia. There are several indices of adverse birth outcomes, such as stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age and congenital anomalies. Objective: This study aimed to determine the proportion and associated factors of adverse birth outcomes among women who gave birth at Debre Markos General Hospital. Methods: A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1 to August 1/2022 on laboring women who attended Debre Markos General Hospital. A total of 337 study participants were selected using a systematic sampling method. Data were collected through interviews with a structured questionnaire. Epi Data version 3.1 was used for data entry and analyzed using Statical Package for Social Sciences software. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed; a P value of less than 0.05 was considered a statistically significant factor. Result: The overall proportion of this study showed that 26.1% of women had adverse birth outcomes; 7.7% stillbirths and 9.2% each preterm and low birth weights. Rural residence, no antenatal care, antepartum hemorrhage, pregnancy-induced hypertension, illiteracy, post term pregnancy, birth interval less than two years, and age less than 20 years were independently associated with adverse birth outcomes. Conclusion: In this study, the overall proportion of adverse birth outcomes was low compared to previous studies. Residence, no antenatal care follow-up, antepartum hemorrhage, pregnancy-induced hypertension, post term pregnancy, birth interval less than two years, illiteracy, and age less than 20 years were associated with adverse birth outcomes.