Masters in Public Health and Leadership (Save the Mothers)

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Browsing Masters in Public Health and Leadership (Save the Mothers) by Author "TABAN GEOFREY COLLINS"

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    Risk Factors for Perinatal Death in Juba Teaching Hospital, Case-Control Study
    (Uganda Christian University, 2023-09-22) TABAN GEOFREY COLLINS
    Abstract: Background: This study was carried out in Juba teaching hospital to determine the risk factors associated with perinatal death in South Sudan. South Sudan is among the countries with high perinatal mortality despite the pregnant women attend their antennal care services and childbirth free of charge in public health facility. The perinatal deaths were estimated as high as 30 deaths per 1000 live births. Although stillbirth prevention is part of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) continuum of care, less information are available, and it was not easily accessible because of limited publication about the stillbirth in South Sudan; neither government set stillbirths reduction targets nor developed plan to prevent stillbirth nor the risk factors for perinatal death in South Sudan had been studied. Lack of information on major perinatal risk factors can lead to continue perinatal deaths, SDG target 3.2 of reducing Neonatal Mortality Rate to 12 per 1000 live births and Under 5 Mortality Rate to 25 per1000 live births cannot be achieved without reducing Perinatal Mortality Rate. Since the underlying causes or specific risk factors are not clear, action to reduce this problem up-to date has been ineffective because specific obstacles to be addressed in this high perinatal death is still unknown. Method: Case-control study was carried out targeting mothers where babies were remained alive by the end of the first week after birth (controls) and mothers of children born in Juba whose babies died in the perinatal period-Uterine Fetal Death (IUFD) or death in first week of life after birth (cases). Results: The finding shows seven (7) risk factors were found significantly associated with perinatal death. The risk factors were (1) maternal alcohol consumption, (2) maternal occupation, (3) delivery at home, (3) bleeding in pregnancy, (4) low birth weight, (5) Lower gestation, (6) lack of ANC attendance, (7) HIV positive mothers. Conclusion: Maternal characteristics The associated risk with maternal alcohol consumption indicates lack of knowledge on pregnancy care and risky lifestyles during pregnancy. Maternal factors The associated risk of bleeding in pregnancy is indicative of lack of knowledge on danger signs in pregnancy which goes on unattended until too late to intervene. The high risk associated with home delivery shows cultural preference and lack of awareness on importance of health facility delivery despite of free health care services at all public health facilities. Neonatal factors The associated risk of low birth weight and low gestational age still reflects lack of knowledge in maternal well-being during pregnancy regarding prevention of maternal complications, unhealthy lifestyles, and poor feeding. Health Facility factors The associated risk with health facility which required skill birth attendant to check fetal heartbeats but failed to do so indicate knowledge gaps in monitoring and management of labor among health care providers.