Magnitude and Associated Factors of Oligohydramnios Among Third Trimester Pregnant Women Attending at Mekelle Public Hospitals, Tigray, Ethiopia: Institution-Based Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Oligohydramnios is a condition where amniotic fluid volume is lower than expected for gestational age. It is the most common amniotic fluid disorder and the leading cause of severe fetal and maternal adverse outcomes. Despite the severity of the problem, studies regarding the magnitude and associated factors of oligohydramnios in third-trimester pregnancy were limited in Ethiopia, mainly in the study area. Objective: To assess magnitude and associated factors of oligohydramnios among women in the third trimester of pregnancy at Mekelle public hospitals, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2024/2025. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December/1/2024 to May/30/2025 in Mekelle city. We included pregnant women using consecutive sampling technique using predefined inclusion criteria. Interview using structured questionnaire was employed to collect socioeconomic and demographic, lifestyle, medical and obstetric related data. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics were utilized to summarize data. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with oligohydramnios in third-trimester of pregnancy. Variables with P<0.05 in multi-variable analysis were declared statistically significant & interpreted using AOR with 95% CI. Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to assess model fitness & it was insignificant (P=0.956), indicating a good-fitted model for the data. The maximum VIF was 1.12, telling that no Multicolinearity issue among covariates. Results: The mean age of the study participant, 356 with a 100% response rate, was a 28.2±5.06 years. The magnitude of oligohydramnios in third trimester of pregnancy was 7.9% (95% CI: 5.3-11.2%). Women with a history of diabetes mellitus [AOR=4.12 (95% CI: 1.26-13.53)], hypertension [AOR=6.12 (95% CI: 1.82-20.59)], anemia [AOR=4.63 (95% CI: 1.61-13.37)], hyperemesis gravid arum [AOR=4.76 (95% CI: 1.82-12.48)], post-term pregnancy [AOR=7.22 (95% CI: 1.41-36.98)] and fetal factors, including congenital anomalies [AOR=7.60 (95% CI: 1.81-31.94)] and intrauterine growth restriction [AOR=5.87 (95% CI: 1.42-24.32)], were significantly associated with an increased odds of oligohydramnios. Conclusion & Recommendations: 7.9% of pregnant women had sustained oligohydramnios. Maternal diabetes, hypertension, anemia, hyperemesis gravid arum, post-term pregnancy, fetal congenital anomalies and intrauterine growth restriction were identified as significant risk factors for oligohydramnios. We recommend increased surveillance for oligohydramnios focusing on the identified risks, maternal life style modifications & regular antenatal checkups in pregnancy.