Anaemia and stillbirth in Kassala Hospital, Eastern Sudan.
BACKGROUND
Globally, the reduction of stillbirths is a high priority, especially in view of the targets set by the Millennium Development Goals. It is crucial that health policy-makers and programme managers are aware of the epidemiology of stillbirths.


OBJECTIVE
This was a case-control study conducted in Kassala hospital in Eastern Sudan to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for stillbirth. Cases were women who delivered stillbirths; two consecutive women who delivered a live-born neonate per case were used as controls.


RESULTS
Among 1342 singleton deliveries, there were 44 stillbirths (33 per 1000 deliveries). Over half (54.5%) of these stillbirths were macerated stillbirths. While maternal socio-demographic characteristics were not associated with stillbirth, maternal anaemia was the main risk factor for stillbirth (Odds ratio = 8.4, 95% CI = 2.5-29.4; P = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, greater focus on maternal nutrition and prevention of anaemia may prevent stillbirth in this setting.
Ali
Abdel Aziem A
AA
Faculty of Medicine, Kassala University, Kassala, Sudan.
Adam
Ishag
I
D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013397:Sudan / Q000453:epidemiology