Prevalence of selected risk factors for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes and their associations in Teaching Hospital Batticaloa.

Abstract

A number of known risk factors contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes in developing countries like Sri Lanka affecting maternal and fetal health.This study aimed to assess the prevalence of selected risk factors for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, and the associations between selected risk factors and maternal and fetal outcomes. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among postpartum mothers at Teaching Hospital Batticaloa. The data collection was done from September to December 2023. A total of 265 participants were selected using systematic sampling. A validated, structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the prevalences of selected risk factors, adverse maternal outcomes, and adverse fetal outcomes. The chi-square test was used to analyze the associations between risk factors and adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. The correlation was determined between maternal weight gain and the newborn weight. Statistical package for the social sciences 25.0 (SPSS 25.0) was used to analyze the data. The most frequent risk factors found in the study were maternal age of 25-30 years (29.6%), education of grades 6-11 (55.8%), housemakers (78.5%), monthly income of LKR 30,000-50000 (38.8%), pregnancy-induced hypertension (10.8%), gestational diabetes mellitus (16.2%), bronchial asthma (10.5%), and maternal anemia at the booking visit (11.9%), maternal underweight (15.4%) and overweight (24.2%), poor weight gain (52.3%), post-term labour (14.6%). Maternal age was significantly associated with mode of delivery (p=0.000), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission (p=0.024), gestational age, (p=0.001), and birth weight (p=0.011). Pregnancy-induced hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with gestational age (p<0.05), and birth weight (p<0.05). Gestational diabetes mellitus was associated with Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission (p=0.010), and neonatal hypoglycemia (p=0.025). The parity of the mother was associated with maternal anemia (p=0.041), and mode of delivery (p=0.000). Pre-pregnancy body mass index was associated with the occurrence of pregnancy-induced hypertension (p=0.000), and gestational diabetes mellitus (p=0.020). Prevalence of risk factors and adverse fetal and maternal outcomes are significant in postpartum mothers in Batticaloa Teaching Hospital. Pregnancy-induced hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus significantly affect the well-being of the fetus. It is crucial to establish the pre-conceptional education system in Sri Lankan setup and proper management of medical disorders in pregnancy to enhance maternal and neonatal well-being.