Incidence and associated factors for hypotension after spinal anesthesia during cesarean section at Gandhi Memorial Hospital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Spinal anesthesia is a type of regional anesthesia that has been practicing for obstetric anesthesia since the beginning of the 20th century. Despite the simplicity and lower maternal mortality risk, compared to general anesthesia, spinal anesthesia is linked to different adverse effects, of which hypotension is the most common complication. The main aim of this study was to determine the incidence and associated factors of hypotension after spinal anesthesia during cesarean section. METHOD: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 410 clients. The study was conducted on cesarean section under spinal anesthesia from 5(th) January to 30(th) April 2019, at the Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were done on the associated factors. The level of statistical significance was represented at p<0.05. RESULTS: The incidence of hypotension among mothers who underwent a cesarean section after spinal anesthesia was 64%. Newborn weight ≥4kg (AOR = 5.373; 95%CI: (1.627–17.740)) showed an increase risk of association with hypotension. A baseline systolic blood pressure < 120mmHg (AOR = 6.293; (95%CI: 2.999–13.204)) was found to be associated with increased risk of hypotension. Sensory block height >T6 AOR = 2.230; 95%CI: (1.329–3.741), the time interval between spinal induction and skin incision > 6minutes AOR = 1.803; 95%CI: (1.044–3.114) and anesthetist experience AOR = 5.033(95%CI: 2.144–11.818) were also associated with hypotension. CONCLUSION: The identified risk factors for hypotension, after spinal anesthesia are sensory height block, weight of the baby, the time interval between spinal induction and skin incision, baseline systolic blood pressure, and anesthetist experience.