A retrospective study of factors associated with intrauterine fetal death in antenatal and labour wards in Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana

Abstract

Introduction Intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) or stillbirth is stillbirth as fetal death deliveries after 24 completed weeks of gestation with weight of > 500g and does not show any sign of life at any time after delivery. Around 3.2 million of fetal deaths occur per year worldwide, and 98% of these deaths are reported in low and middle income countries. Botswana had stillbirth rate of 16.1 in 1000 births and 6.9 per 1000 births in 2009 and 2014 respectfully. Underreporting of IUFD cases, improper identification of etiological factors, and lack of uniformity in data collection and classification of causes of fetal death lead to the difficulty in preventing fetal death worldwide. Botswana seems to be amongst the countries that do not have studies that indicate the magnitude of IUFDs. It also seems like the country does not have the health policies, guidelines or protocols that embrace the causes and prevention of IUFDs. Identifying the cause of death enables comparison of national and international health care, and also assists in identifying prevention measures. It is therefore important that countries like Botswana conduct studies and research on contributing factors towards IUFD in order to generate data about preventable causes, and strategies that can be formed to reduce new incidences in the future. Purpose of the study The purpose of this study is to conduct a retrospective analysis of data on patients’ files in order to identify antepartum and intrapartum factors contributing towards IUFD at antenatal and labour wards in PMH. Method A quantitative retrospective descriptive institution based study will be conducted by reviewing all records of mothers who had IUFDs/stillbirths in antenatal ward and labour ward in Princess Marina Hospital (PMH) from January 2013 to December 2018. Around 1518 patient records of mothers who had intrauterine fetal death/stillbirth will be reviewed. Data collection form will be used to extract information on possible factors contributing to IUFD such as maternal factors, socioeconomic factors, management factors, socioeconomic factors, management factors, labour and delivery factors, demographic factors, fetal factors, placental and umbilical factors. Sample size All records of mothers who had IUFDs/stillbirths (around 1518) from 2013 to 2018 will be reviewed in this study. Selection Convenience sampling will be used to select all the records of mothers who had IUFD/stillbirth from antenatal and labour wards for in PMH.