Adverse obstetric outcomes in public hospitals of southern Ethiopia: the role of parity

Abstract

Purpose

Direct obstetric causes have a significant contribution for severe maternal morbidities and mortalities, although the effect of grand multiparity on adverse obstetric outcomes remains controversial across studies. This study aimed to compare obstetric outcomes in grand multiparous and low multiparous women in two hospitals of southern Ethiopia.

Materials and methods

A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in one general and one comprehensive specialized hospitals in 2018. Four hundred and sixty-one mothers were included in the study. Data were collected by structured questionnaire and extraction sheets from clinical documents, and were analyzed using STATA version 14 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA).

Results

About 39% of the included mothers had at least one adverse obstetric outcome. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, antepartum hemorrhage, and premature rupture of membrane and were higher in the grand multiparous mothers. However, obstructed labor and risk of cesarean delivery were higher in low multiparous women. History of medical illnesses, previous cesarean delivery, and high birth weight were independent predictors of adverse maternal outcomes regardless of parity. However, parity did not show statistically significant difference in obstetric outcomes.

Conclusion

Parity did not show statistically significant difference in experiencing adverse obstetric outcomes in women. Early identification and treatment of high-risk mothers is recommended regardless of parity.

Keywords:

• Obstetric outcomes
• parity
• Ethiopia
• grand multiparous
• low multiparous

Acknowledgements

We thank the study participants, data collectors, and supervisors.

Availability of data and materials: The datasets used for this manuscript are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

Authors have no competing interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

Authors are grateful for Hawassa University for financing this study.