Title:
Maternal Medical Conditions Associated With Birth Asphyxia at Kenyatta National Hospital and Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Kenya.

Authors:
Nyanchama Julie Nyamao, Dr. Sabina Wakasiaka, Dr. Emmah Matheka, Kenya

Abstract:

Introduction: Birth asphyxia is a serious condition in the neonate worldwide. It is the second leading cause of neonatal mortality at 24% in the world. It accounts for an estimated 900,000 deaths each year. In Kenya the neonatal mortality was 22.2 per 1000 live births in the year 2015. It therefore remains a severe condition leading to significant mortality and morbidity. The objective was to identify the maternal risk factors associated with birth asphyxia. Methods:  A cross-sectional study was conducted at Kenyatta National Hospital and Pumwani Maternity hospital among 209 mothers with babies who had birth asphyxia. Purposive sampling was done and a standard questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographics, medical conditions in pregnancy and the labour process. Statistical package for social sciences was used t version 23 was used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 209 mothers were interviewed, the mean age was between 20-30 years, primiparity, anemia in pregnancy, prolonged labour, elevated blood pressure in pregnancy, urinary tract infections, chorioamnionitis, HIV and antepartum hemorrhage were the maternal medical conditions associated with a higher incidence of birth asphyxia. Low levels of education: 80.1% had not received tertiary level education, delay in seeking healthcare services during labour for more than six hours and meconium stained liquor were other factors associated with birth asphyxia. Neonates of male gender and fetal weight above 3 kilograms were the most affected. Conclusion: Having a medical condition in pregnancy, low literacy levels, delay in seeking healthcare services and prolonged labour were the maternal characteristics associated with birth asphyxia. There is an urgent need to create awareness on prevention of birth asphyxia to save the next generations owing its long-term consequences on psychosocial and economic development.