Determinants of Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid at Hadiya Zone Hospitals, Southern Ethiopia; Unmatched Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND: Meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) refers to an amniotic fluid that is green in color or mixed with meconium. MSAF leads to a serious maternal complication that increases the likelihood of operative delivery and poses a hazard to the fetus or the neonate. This in turn enhances the chances of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. So, the identification of determinants helps to breach this vicious cycle. The current study aimed to assess the determinants of MSAF. METHODS: An institution-based, unmatched case-control study with a sample size of 363 participants (121 cases and 242 controls) was conducted on mothers who gave birth at Hadiya zone public hospitals between March and April 2020. A proportionate distribution was made to each facility depending on the volume of patients, and cases and control mothers were chosen sequentially. The data was gathered through in-person interviews and secondary data extraction. In multivariable logistic regression, variables with (p < 0.25) in bivariate analysis were included. After multivariable logistic regression was finished, statistical significance was declared at (p < 0.05). RESULTS: A total of 121 cases and 242 controls were included in this study Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that gestational age ≥ 41 week (AOR = 3.44, 95% CI: 1.02–11.63), premature rupture of membrane (AOR = 3.71, 95% CI: 1.98–6.93) obstructed labor (AOR = 2.90, 95% CI: 1.15–7.33) preeclampsia (AOR = 4.16, 95% CI: 1.29–13.35) and non-reassuring fetal heart rate (AOR = 6.75, 95% CI: 3.45–13.19) were significantly associated with MSAF. CONCLUSION: Advanced gestational age, an early membrane rupture, an obstructed labor, preeclampsia, and non-reassuring fetal heart rate all increase the incidence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid in laboring mothers. Making every effort to prevent, identify, and treat those obstetric determinants as early as feasible should be taken into consideration throughout follow-up of pregnancy, labor, and delivery could assist to lower the incidence of MSAF.