Birth asphyxia and its associated factors among newborns at a tertiary hospital: evidence from Southern Ethiopia

Background: Globally, 45% of under-five children death occurs during the neonatal period and about 25% of all neonatal deaths are caused by birth asphyxia. In Ethiopia, in 2015, it was the first cause of neonatal deaths followed by prematurity and sepsis. The study aims to assess prevalence of Birth asphyxia and associated factors. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among neonates admitted to Neonatal intensive care unit of Hawassa University Specialized comprehensive hospital from December 1 to December 30, 2020. Systematic random sampling technique was employed to select samples. Logistic regression analysis using Statistical Package for Social sciences version 24was employed. Results: The prevalence of neonatal asphyxia in this study was17.9%. Prolonged labor [AOR (Adjusted odds ration) = 2.909; (95% CI (Confidence Interval): 1.184 – 7.151)], presence of meconium [AOR= 2.137; 95% CI 1.028 – 4.683)], premature rapture of membrane [AOR = 2.459; 95% CI: 1.021 – 6.076)] and complication during labor [AOR= 3.351; 95% CI: 2.142 – 5.871))], were factors associated with neonatal asphyxia. Conclusion and Recommendations: Nearly two in every ten newborns faced perinatal asphyxia in the study area. Early identification of high-risk women, intervening on delay in referral, and early and vigorous management of abnormal labor and complicated labor is essential to halt the problem. Keywords: Birth asphyxia; neonates; neonatal intensive care unit.