NON-REASSURING FETAL HEART RATE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG LABORING MOTHERS AT THE PUBLIC HOSPITALS OF SOUTH OMO, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA, 2023

Abstract

Non-reassuring fetal heart rate status is a critical indicator of fetal well-being during labor and delivery. It used to predict fetal compromise, which exposes the fetus to acidemia and in severe cases, stillbirth or neonatal death due to insufficient fetal oxygenation. Also similar studies were conducted in different area; however, fetal heart rate monitoring practice information is staggered in the study area, thus we aimed to assess non-reassuring fetal heart rate status and its associated factor. Objective: To assess non-reassuring fetal heart rate status and associated factors among laboring mothers at the public hospitals in South Omo, Southern Ethiopia, from June 1-August 30, 2023. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among randomly selected 448 laboring mothers from the public hospitals in South Omo Zone. Data ware obtained using a structured questionnaire that was complemented with medical records. Epidata version 4.4.3.1 and STATA version 14 were used in this study for data entry and analysis. Descriptive statistics and Poisson regression with robust variance were used to analyze the data, and the adjusted prevalence rate ratio was used to check the association, P< 0.05 was considered significant, and a 95% confidence interval was used. Results: The magnitude of non-reassuring fetal heart rate was 41.5% with a 95% CI: (30%, 42%) and age at 20-34 (APR=0.57; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.77), drinking alcohol (APR=1.30; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.57), having obstetric complications (APR= 2.71; 95% CI: 2.06, 3.59), no antenatal follow-up (APR= 3.46; 95% CI: 2.46, 4.88), having meconium stained amniotic fluid (APR= 1.89; 95% CI: 1.51, 2.37), mother who are not referred (APR= 0.63; 95% CI: 0.08,0.82), and having nuchal cord (APR= 1.95; 95% CI: 1.56, 2.44) were significantly associated with non-reassuring fetal heart rate. Conclusion: This magnitude of non-reassuring fetal heart rate was high and remains a risk for maternal and perinatal outcome. As a conclusion from one hundred deliveries there was nine NRFHR. Factors such as age, drinking alcohol, having obstetric complications, no antenatal follow-up, having meconium stained amniotic fluid; mothers who are not referred, and nuchal cord were all associated with non-reassuring fetal heart rate. Preconception cares are needed for every mothers and this finding may help health offices and health professionals to improve pregnancy outcomes