Abstract:
Meconium-stained amniotic fluid is one of the primary causes of birth asphyxia. Each year, over five
million neonatal deaths occur worldwide due to meconium-stained amniotic fluid, with 90% of these
deaths due to birth asphyxia. In Ethiopia meconium-stained amniotic fluid is under investigated
specifically in North Shoa Zone Amhara region Ethiopia.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of meconium-stained amniotic fluid and
associated factors among women who gave birth in the North Shoa Zone Hospital’s Amhara Region,
Ethiopia, in 2022.
Methods: An institutional-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 628 women who gave
birth at North Shoa Zone Hospitals, Amhara Ethiopia. The study was conducted from 08/June 08/August 2022. Multistage cluster sampling was used to recruit study participants. The data was
collected by using a structured interview-administered questionnaire and chart review. The collected
data was entered into Epi-Data Version 4.6 and exported to SPSS Version 25. Logistics regression
was employed, and a p-value <0.05 was considered significant.
Result: The magnitude of meconium-stained amniotic fluid was 30.3%. Women presented with
normal hematocrit level 87% less likely develop meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Women had mid upper arm circumference value was less than 22.9cm(AOR=1.9; 95% CI;1.18-3.20), obstructed
labor(AOR=3.6; 95% CI;1.48-8.83), prolonged labor ≥ 15hr (AOR=7.5; 95% CI ;7.68-13.3),
premature rapture of membrane (AOR=1.7; 95% CI; 3.22-7.40),fetal tachycardia(AOR=6.2; 95% CI;
2.41-16.3) and Bradycardia (AOR=3.1; 95% CI;1.93-5.28) were significant association with
meconium stained amniotic fluid.
Conclusion and recommendation: The magnitude of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, which was
high. In this study, MUAC value <22.9 cm, obstructed and prolonged labor, PROM, bradycardia and
tachycardia were factors associated with meconium-stained amniotic fluid. A follow-up study and
pooled similar articles will be mentioned for better evidence, enhancing intrapartum services and
strengthening early detection of meconium-stained amniotic fluid for the health of the mother and
baby.
