Abstract:
Background: Episiotomy is the commonest obstetric surgical operation performed to increase the diameter of the vulvas outlet during the late period of the second stage of labour in order to facilitate vaginal delivery. The rate of episiotomy is on the decline in developed countries but still remains high in developing countries. Though practice of episiotomy has become common problem among mothers who delivered vaginally in Ethiopia, studies are limited to show the extent of the problem is unknown.
Objective: To assess proportion of Episiotomy practice and associated factors in Shire town health institutions
Methods: Facility based Cross- sectional study was conducted in three health institutions in Shire town, Tigray, Ethiopia. The study subjects were selected using systematic random sampling technique and data was collected using pre-tested and structured questionnaire and it was analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was done to determine the significant relation between each independent variable with outcome variable. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to determine relative prediction level of independent variables to the outcome variable. Variable having p < 0.05 was considered as significant and AOR with 95% CI was used to control possible confounders.
Results: Among the Study participants episiotomy was performed for 144(35.4%) mothers. age 15-20 [AOR=3.532(95%CI 1.059, 12.786)] and age of 21-34 [3.461(95%CI 1.243, 9.637)], primiparas [AOR= 2.124(95% CI 1.146, 3.935)], history of gestational hypertension [AOR=2.586(95%CI 1.0499, 6.377)], post term [AOR=2.350(95% CI 1.088, 5.076)] and use of oxytocin [AOR=2.189(95%CI 1.195, 4.010)] were significantly associated with episiotomy practice.
Conclusion and Recommendations:
Episiotomy practice at the study area is relatively high (35.4%) when we compare with the recommended practice by the World Health Organization (10%). More efforts should be made to reduce the rate of episiotomy in order to improve the well-being and quality of life of woman
