Proportion and predictive factors of low apgar score at five minute among singleton term neonates delivered in Debre Tabor specialized hospital, northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Apgar score is a measure of the vitality of the newborn infants on the basis of heart rate, respiration, colour, muscle tone, and reflex irritability. It was devised with the aim to standardize the assessment of newborns. Low apgar score during childbirth significantly contribute to both newborn morbidity and mortality. Objective: To assess proportion and associated factors of low 5 min apgar score among singleton term newborn babies delivered in Debre Tabor specialized hospital. Methods: An institution based cross sectional study was conducted on 315 term neonates delivered at Debre Tabor specialized hospital. Data was collected from mother/newborn pairs using a structured questionnaire and checklist. It was then cleaned, coded, and entered using EPI data version 4.2, then analyzed with SPSS statistics versions 23, and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify significant variables with a low 5 min apgar score. Result: The proportion of low apgar score at 5 min in this study was (18.1%). Factors that were significantly associated with a low apgar score at 5-minute were: meconium-stained amniotic fluid (AOR: 3.71; 95% CI (1.68–8.21)), low birth weight (AOR2.83: 95% CI (1.25–6.38)), non-vertex presentation (AOR: 8.75; 95%CI (2.53–30.27)), pre-eclampsia (AOR: 3.37:95%CI (1.43–7.95). Conclusion: Overall proportion of low 5-minute apgar score among term singleton neonate was (18.1%). Pregnancy and delivery related factors such as meconium-stained liquor, low birth weight, non-vertex presentation, and pre-eclampsia were factors significantly associated with a low apgar score at 5-minute.

Keywords

• Low apgar score
• Debre Tabor Specialized Hospital
• Term
• Singleton