Risk Factors associated with high prevalence of stillbirths in Capricorn District, Limpopo Province

Background: Stillbirth is foetal death at or after 20–28 weeks of pregnancy, resulting in a baby born without signs of life and often causing guilt and grief for the mother. About half of stillbirths occur during childbirth, especially in developing countries. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (2016), risk factors include maternal age over 35, smoking, drug use, and first pregnancy. Purpose of the study: This study aimed to determine risk factors linked to the high prevalence of stillbirths in Capricorn District, Limpopo Province Methodology: A quantitative descriptive research design was used to conduct the study. A purposive sampling method was used to select the healthcare facilities. A non-probability convenience sampling approach was utilized to select the respondents, and the sample size was the total sample, that is, all accessible midwives in the selected facilities, in order to have a large sample size. The target population was all midwives working in the Capricorn district healthcare facilities. The study population was 68 midwives working at the selected healthcare facilities in the Capricorn district, Limpopo province. A self-developed structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Pre-test was done using 6 midwives from the facility who were not part of the study. Reliability and Validity were ensured by pre-testing the tool. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27, and the findings were presented in frequency tables and percentages. The researcher followed all ethical guidelines, including permission to conduct the study, informed consent, and confidentiality and anonymity. Results: The study findings showed that risk factors such as multiple pregnancy, history of previous stillbirth, unbooked pregnancies ( not attending Antenatal care), low haemoglobin level, Human Immunodeficiency Virus reactive with high viral load, Rapid Plasma Reagin reactive, disease conditions like hypertension, diabetes mellitus and anaemia, normal vaginal deliveries, home deliveries, unmonitored fetal heart rate during labour, spontaneous rupture of membranes, Meconium Stained Liquor grade 3, presentations such as shoulder, brow and breech, complications such as cord prolapse, placenta abruption and congenital malformations have a major contribution in high prevalence of stillbirths in Capricorn district Limpopo province. Recommendations: The study recommended that more research on stillbirths needs to be done to address people at risk factors contributing to the high prevalence of stillbirth. The Department of Health and Healthcare Facilities should provide awareness or workshops on stillbirth risk and prevention.

Author dc:creator

• Nekhumbe, Phumudzo

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Mulondo, S. A.
• Chewe, V. M.

• Associated
• High Prevalence
• Pregnancy
• Risk factors
• Stillbirths
• UCTD

Statement dc:rights

• University of Venda

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/3384

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:univendspace.univen.ac.za:11602/3384