Publication: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study on Determinants of Birth Asphyxia in Referral and District Hospital Settings
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Date
2025
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Perinatal Society of Nepal (PESON)
Abstract
Abstract:
Introduction : Birth asphyxia is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in India. This study aimed to identify determinants of birth asphyxia among mothers delivering at a referral centre and a district hospital in the northern region of southern India.
Methods : A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted from January to June 2023 involving 334 mothers (167 from each facility) selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using Excel and SPSS. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including binary logistic regression, were applied to identify factors associated with birth asphyxia.
Results : The mean maternal age was 23.83 ± 3.75 years. Maternal anemia, alcohol consumption, primiparity, and low family income were significantly associated with birth asphyxia across both settings. Moderate anemia notably increased risk at the referral centre (OR = 45.02, p = 0.01), while mild anemia was a significant risk factor at the district hospital (OR = 18.62, p = 0.002). Alcohol use markedly elevated birth asphyxia risk; conversely, abstinence was protective (referral centre OR = 0.03, p = 0.028; district hospital OR = 0.01, p = 0.013). Dietary pattern was a significant factor only at the district hospital, with pure vegetarian mothers showing higher risk (OR = 15.89, p = 0.025). Maternal age, residence, antenatal visits, and smoking showed no significant associations.
Conclusion : Maternal anemia, alcohol consumption, primiparity, low socioeconomic status, and specific dietary patterns are key determinants of birth asphyxia. Targeted interventions to improve maternal nutrition and reduce substance use are essential to lowering birth asphyxia incidence and improving neonatal outcomes.
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Author Biographies
Pradish Poudel, Global Health Scholar, Department of Global of Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 641 Huntington, Avenue, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Arenlila Jamir, CPMS College of Nursing, Amgaon, Narengi Tinali, Guwahati, Assam 781026, India
Keywords
Alcohol consumption, Anemia, Birth asphyxia, Dietary pattern, Maternal health, Primiparity, Socioeconomic factors, Southern India