The magnitude of birth injuries and associated factors among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units of selected public hospitals in central Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Approximately half of the birth injuries are avoidable if appropriate and timely evidence based measures are taken. However, there is a paucity of studies in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of birth injuries and associated factors among neonates delivered in Central Ethiopia. METHODS: Multi-center facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2021. Systematic sampling method was used to select 344 mother-neonate pairs admitted to neonatal intensive care units in the included hospitals. Data were collected using 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 cut off value of p-value < 0.05 was used to declare the statistical significance of variables. RESULTS: The magnitude of birth injuries was 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. Fetal mal-presentation (AOR=29.69, 95% CI =10.61 - 43.09), ANC follow­up less than four (AOR=3.2, 95% CI, 1.21-8.33), assisted childbirth (AOR =3.33, 95 % CI=1.003 -11.044) and short maternal height (AOR=4.85, 95% CI, (1.26-20) were significantly associated with birth injuries. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of birth injuries was higher than other similar studies in Ethiopia. Fetal malpresentation, antenatal care follow-up less than four, and short maternal height were significantly associated with birth injuries. Thus, promotion of full antenatal care follow-up, close monitoring of mothers during intrapartum period and timely clinical decision of labor and childbirth process of mal-presented children are recommended.