1. Stillbirth rate at an emerging tertiary health institution in Enugu, southeast Nigeria
- Author
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Ezugwu, Euzebus C., Onah, Hyacinth E., Ezegwui, Hygenius U., and Nnaji, Chidi
- Subjects
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STILLBIRTH , *DELIVERY (Obstetrics) , *HYPERTENSION in pregnancy , *PRENATAL care , *SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC factors , *TEACHING hospitals , *ACADEMIC medical centers , *DEMOGRAPHY , *ECLAMPSIA , *LABOR complications (Obstetrics) , *MATERNAL health services , *PERINATAL death , *SOCIAL classes , *PREVENTION - Abstract
Objectives: To determine the stillbirth rate and factors predisposing to a stillbirth delivery at a teaching hospital in Nigeria, with the aim of identifying solutions.Method: A descriptive study of all stillbirths delivered at Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Nigeria between January 1 and December 31, 2009. The sociodemographic characteristics of the mothers were documented and the possible causes of death were analyzed.Results: There were 153 stillbirths and 2064 total deliveries, giving a stillbirth rate of 74 per 1000 deliveries. Of the stillbirths, 52.3% were fresh and 47.7% were macerated. Women who had not received prenatal care had a significantly higher stillbirth rate (P<0.05). The most likely cause of a macerated stillbirth was a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, whereas the likely causes of fresh stillbirths were labor-related. The "3 levels of delay" and injudicious use of oxytocin in labor contributed to the intrapartum stillbirths (P<0.05).Conclusion: The stillbirth rate recorded in the study institution is unacceptably high. Appropriate prenatal care, timely intervention, and prompt and appropriate intrapartum care are key to achieving a reduction in the stillbirth rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2011
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