Abstract:
Congenital anomaly is a partial or complete structural and/or functional defect during intrauterine
life. Globally, major congenital anomalies account for 6% of all newborns among which about 94% of cases
occurred in developing countries. In spite of its public health importance, very limited studies are reported in
Ethiopia, and hardly any study in Arsi Zone.
Objectives: To determine the predictors of congenital anomalies among newborns in Arsi Zone Public Hospitals,
Southeast Ethiopia.
Methods: A multi-center institutional-based case-control study was conducted in 418 (105 cases and 313 controls)
of newborns in Arsi Zone Public Hospitals. Descriptive analysis, binary and multivariable logistic regressions were
implemented.
Results: In this study, women who have been drinking alcohol during pregnancy were 3.48 times more prone to
have newborns with congenital anomalies than their counterparts (AOR = 3.48; 95% CI: 1.38, 8.74). The likelihood of
having a newborn with congenital anomalies was six and four times higher for women who had a maternal illness
(AOR = 6.10; 95%CI: 2.39, 15.57) and chewing khat during pregnancy (AOR = 4; 95%CI: 1.49, 10.65), respectively.
Moreover, the lack of folic acid supplementation and pesticides during pregnancy were 3.25 and 4.76 times more
likely to experience a newborn with congenital anomalies, respectively.
Conclusion: Alcohol drinking, maternal illness, khat chewing, and chemical exposure during pregnancy had a
significant association with the occurrence of congenital anomalies. While, taking folic acid supplements had a
protective effect. Health experts and the community should take these factors into consideration and act
accordingly.
Keywords: Congenital anomalies, Pregnancy, Predictors, Folic acid, Pesticides, Alcohol and khat
