PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF PERINATAL ASPHYXIA IN NEWBORNS ADMITTED TO NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT GONDAR UNIVERSITY COMPREHENSIVE SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Abstract Background: Perinatal asphyxia is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity in Ethiopia. Understanding risk factors for perinatal asphyxia is important to identify vulnerable groups and to improve care during the perinatal period. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of perinatal asphyxia among newborns admitted to NICU at Gondar University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Method: Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted on 364 new borns from November 1 st /2018 - August 31 st /2019. Data was collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. It was then cleaned, coded and entered using EPI INFO version 7, then analyzed with SPSS statistics versions 20.0. The Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the relation of each independent variable to the dependent variable. An adjusted odds ratio Result: The prevalence of perinatal asphyxia in this study was 19.8%. Significantly associated risk factors with perinatal asphyxia were: Absence of maternal formal education Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence rate of perinatal asphyxia in this study was 19.8%. Absence of maternal formal education, pregnancy induced hypertension, premature rupture of membrane, prolonged labor, C/S delivery, meconium stained amniotic fluid and non-vertex fetal presentation were having significant association as a risk factor for perinatal asphyxia in this study. Key words: Perinatal asphyxia, Newborn, Gondar, Ethiopia