Risk Factors Associated with Stillbirths in Public-Hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

Stillbirth is considered one of the most important maternal and pregnancy health and
healthcare indicators. This study investigates the association of stillbirth with a wide
range of factors related to geo-demographics, maternal health and pregnancy history
in public hospitals at Peshawar, Pakistan. Data on geo-demographics, maternal
health indicators, pregnancy history and outcome scores for new-born babies and
their families (n=1039) were collected prospectively in a cross-sectional survey of
four public hospitals in Peshawar. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were used to
investigate the factors associated with stillbirth. The stillbirth rate was found to be
78.5 per 1000 births. The factors independently associated with stillbirth were
maternal age (≥35years), paternal illiteracy, consanguinity, maternal height (<1.55
cm), congenital malformation and caesarean delivery. However, three factors
(paternal education, congenital malformations and caesarean delivery) were highly
associated with stillbirth (p<0.0001). In addition to congenial malformation and
caesarean delivery, this study highlights the importance of paternal education
regarding stillbirth rate in this area. The effect of paternal illiteracy on stillbirth might
be due to its strong association with low family social-status, deprived area of
residence, and maternal health conditions.