The prevalence of post-term pregnancy and its associated factors at Adama Hospital Medical College, Adama, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy that extend to or beyond 42 completed weeks of gestation is defined as a post-term pregnancy. Post-term pregnancies are associated with increased risk of fetal, neonatal and maternal mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of post-term pregnancy and its associated factors. Methods: Institutional based cross sectional study was conducted on 328 laboring women at Adama Hospital Medical College, Southeast Ethiopia. The study partcipants were selected by systematic random sampling technique. Data entry was made by Epi- info 7 and SPSS version 20 was used for analysis. Descriptive & analytical statistics were performed. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with post-term pregnancy (P < 0.05). Results: The prevalence of post-term pregnancy was 13.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 10.1 – 18.2%). Previous history of post-term pregnancy (AOR = 7.94; 95% CI: 1.70 - 37.10), family history of post-term pregnancy (AOR = 5.51; 95% CI: 1.08 - 28.02), and having a male fetus (AOR = 2,62; 95% CI: 1.07 - 6.39) were significantly increased the risk of post-term pregnancy. Induction of labor (AOR = 7.35; 95% CI: 3.15 - 17.16), operative vaginal delivery (AOR = 7.06; 95% CI: 1.72 - 29.00), low 5th minute APGAR score (AOR = 4.24; 95% CI: 1.06 - 12.84), and Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission rate (AOR = 3.59; 95% CI: 1.01 - 12.84) were significantly associated with post-term pregnancy. Conclusions: The prevalence of post-term pregnancy was higher in the study area. Previous history of post-term pregnancy, family history of post-term pregnancy, having a male fetus, induction of labor, operative vaginal delivery, low 5th minute APGAR score, and NICU admission rate were significantly associated with post-term pregnancy. Key words: Adama, Ethiopia, Post-term pregnancy, Gestational age.