Failed induction of labor and associated factors among women undergoing induction at University of Gondar Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Induction of labor is a process of artificially initiating labor to attain vaginal birth. Despite its vital role in the reduction of maternal mortality, the failure rate of induction and its contributing factors were not well studied in Ethiopia; particularly there was a limited study in the study area. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with failed induction of labor among women undergoing induction at University of Gondar Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 743 women undergoing induction at University of Gondar Specialized Hospital. A systematic random sampling method was used to draw a sample and the data were retrieved from the maternity registration books and medical records. Data were cleaned and entered into EpiData version 3.1 and SPSS version 20 used for analysis. Frequencies, proportions, and summary statistics were used to describe the study population and a multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors contributing to failed induction of labor. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval computed and level of significance declared at P-value< 5%. RESULTS: The prevalence of failed induction of labor was 24.4% (95% CI: 21.4, 27.9). Age ≤ 30 years (AOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 2.2,6.2), rural residence (AOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 2.4,5.8), being nulliparous (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2,3.7), 5 or less Bishop Score (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 2.2,5.4), premature rupture of membrane (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.5,4.6), having pregnancy-induced hypertension (AOR = 4.0, 95% CI: 2.3,7.1), and artificial rupture of membrane with oxytocin (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1, 0.4) were associated with failed induction of labor. CONCLUSIONS: One-fourth of women undergoing induction at University of Gondar Specialized Hospital had failed induction of labor. Age, residence, parity, bishop score, premature-rupture of the membrane, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and method of induction were independent predictors for failed induction of labor. The combination method of ARM with oxytocin, early detection and treatment of pregnancy-induced hypertension and premature rupture of the membrane are highly recommended for reducing failed induction of labor. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-022-04476-7.