Abstract:
Background: Birth asphyxia is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in
neonates. Although several preventive measures have been put in place in various health
institutions across Ethiopia, newborn death and morbidity are still sharply rising. However, the
burden of Birth asphyxia has not been efficiently investigated at the Central Gondar zone public
primary in particular.
Objective: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of Birth asphyxia and associated factors
among live birth at central Gondar zone primary hospitals of northwest, Ethiopia, 2021.
Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 30 to May 30 /2021
to central Gondar zone primary hospitals. A total of 858 live birth newborns were selected by a
systematic random sampling technique. The data was collected using a semi-structured,
interviewer-administered, and pre-tested questionnaire and chart review. Data was coded and
entered to Epi-info version 7 software and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Bivariable and
multivariable logistic regressions was used to identify factors associated with Birth asphyxia. A pvalue
< 0.2 at bivariate analysis was considered for variables to be candidates for multivariable
logistic regression analysis. Finally, p-value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant
predictor for Birth asphyxia at 95% confidence interval.
Results: A total of 858 study participants took part in the study with a response rate of 95.6%. The
prevalence of Birth asphyxia among live birth newborns were 18.8%
Conclusion and recommendations: The prevalence of Birth asphyxia was high. Maternal
hypertension, bleeding, malaria infection, instructional delivery, prolonged cord, PROM, and birth
weight were the identified determinants of Birth asphyxia. Therefore, different preventive attempts
should be made at regional, zonal, kebele and community level to reduce those identified risk factors
for Birth asphyxia.
Keywords: Birth asphyxia, fetal distress, factors, central Gondar neonate, perinatal care.
