Incidence and Risk Factors of Stillbirth at a Nigerian Tertiary Health Care Centre

Abstract

Abstract

Context: Stillbirths are often unregistered and are not seen as major public health problem. It is an important indicator of the quality of antepartum and intrapartum care of any given obstetric unit.

Aims: This was to determine the incidence and aetiologic factors associated with stillbirth at a tertiary health care centre.

Study design and setting: A prospective cross-sectional study of women who had stillbirths at the Obstetric unit of Federal Medical Centre, Bida, North-central Nigeria.

Methods and Material: A purposive sampling of cases of stillbirths from 28weeks gestation or birth weight of at least 1000g was carried out from 1^st July, 2021 to 31^st December, 2022. Data collection was done using proforma.

Statistical analysis used: Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22 and level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The stillbirth rate was 55/1000 deliveries during the period under review. Majority of the cases had aetiologic factors (79%).  The commonest cause of stillbirth from this study was abruptio placenta (21.1%), followed by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (14.9%). Unexplained stillborn occurred in about 22.1% of cases.

Conclusions: Pregnant women should receive quality affordable antenatal care and intrapartum care in order to reduce this unacceptable stillbirth rate.

Keywords: stillbirth, rate, incidence, aetiology, factors